VLC Blu-ray Player: Limitations and Solutions to Play Blu-ray

Posted by Paula Pailaga to DVD/Blu-ray Player Sep 06, 2024

VLC Media Player has earned a reputation for its flexibility. While it excels at playing most media content, the landscape becomes a bit more complex when it acts as a VLC Blu-ray player. Blu-ray offers stunning audiovisual quality, but it may have copy protection measures. Hence, this post delves into the VLC Blu-ray player playback capabilities and overall performances with three alternatives that will help you in your media playback setup.

Overall Reviews on VLC Blu-ray Player

VLC Media Player is a versatile open-source software that is famous for its power to handle a vast collection of video and audio formats. However, when it comes to covering Blu-ray discs, the image becomes a bit more complicated.

Though the media player can play unencrypted Blu-ray discs and folders without issue, here comes the Blu-ray challenge! Blu-ray discs utilize powerful copy protection technologies like AACS or the Advanced Access Content System to prevent unauthorized copying and distribution. This encryption poses a necessary hurdle for media players to work as players, such as the VLC Blu-ray player.

VLC faces limitations when dealing with commercially released, encrypted Blu-ray discs. Without the significant decryption keys, the player is unable to access the content on these types of discs.

Therefore, you have resorted to various methods, including installing additional libraries like libaacs. Otherwise, use the ripping or conversion approach, which will transform your Blu-ray discs into a compatible format for VLC. Would you like to know more about the specific solutions for the VLC Blu-ray player? Keep reading the subsequent part!

How to Use VLC to Play Blu-ray Discs on Windows/Mac

With their high-resolution videos and data, Blu-ray discs are an improvement over DVDs. For this reason, you like seeing movies in this format. While VLC is a well-liked option for playing videos, it requires another library in order to support Blu-ray discs, which is what has been said in the prior part.

Pay close attention to the instructions below on using the VLC Blu-ray player with the AACS decoding code.

Step 1Install the AACS dynamic library and keys database from the official website. Proceed to the "C:/ProgramData" folder and build a new folder called "aacs".

Step 2Next, insert the downloaded "KEYDB.cfg" file into it. After that, drag and drop the "libaacs.dll" file or the Blu-ray library into "C:ProgramFilesVideoLANVLC".

Step 3Following that procedure, VLC is now ready to use as your Blu-ray player! To play a Blu-ray disc on it, simply head over to the “Media” tab, select the "Open Disc" option, and choose "Blu-ray".

Step 4 Import the Blu-ray movie by clicking the "Browse" button. From there, you’ll see the "Select a device or a video window" option, upload the Blu-ray movie, then click the "Play" button.

3 Best Alternatives to VLC Blu-ray Player: Pros & Cons

Though VLC is equipped with many features as a media player, it may not be the best choice for everyone, especially when acting as a VLC Blu-ray player. So, here are the three strong alternatives to play Blu-ray discs without any complications.

Top 1: 4Easysoft Blu-ray Player.

Get this best player 4Easysoft Blu-ray Player to improve your watching experience if you’re sick of grainy Blu-ray movies of the VLC Blu-ray player! This is not only a Blu-ray disc genius, but it also plays DVDs and even 4K films with ease. With the use of artificial intelligence, this software player will enhance the color and clarity of all your Blu-ray movies, making every scene pop! In addition, it has a number of settings for simple playback control and adjustable video effects. Moreover, by utilizing DTS, Hi-Res Audio, and Dolby Digital Surround, you can guarantee an audiovisual experience equivalent to a movie theater experience.

Step 1 Insert your Blu-ray disc into the drive after starting the 4Easysoft Blu-ray Player. Select the "Open Disc" button from the program’s main screen.

Step 2After clicking it, opt for your Blu-ray disc from the pop-up box and click the "OK" button to upload the source to the software. It will then bring up your disc and begin to play.

Step 3You may go to full screen, adjust the audio volume, play in reverse, take a screenshot, or more using the player’s control panel during the Blu-ray movie playback.

Top 2: PowerDVD

The PowerDVD is another option for playing Blu-ray discs on your computer. It specializes in providing high-quality playback of any digital media formats, such as 360-degree films, HDR, and 4K, in addition to Blu-ray and DVD. This VLC Blu-ray player alternative goes over elements that make your view better, focusing on audio and video quality. Plus, it has a media library management, letting you effectively arrange your media. Cloud connectivity, music playback, and photo viewing are some extra features you can enjoy after making a purchase.

Top 3: PotPlayer

Similar to VLC Blu-ray Player, this alternative, PotPlayer, is well known for its large number of video and audio codecs, ensuring compatibility with multiple media files. It is also famous for its seamless playback capabilities. Furthermore, it offers customization options for subtitles, audio and visual modifications, and user-customizable controls and appearance for the player. Even if it isn’t as well-known as some of the player titans, it is nonetheless an intimidating opponent.

• Is Blu-ray 4K? A Thorough Explanation About Blu-ray Discs
• Top 10 USB Blu-ray Players You Must Explore [Pros & Cons]
• Top 8 Best Internal Blu-ray Players for Windows and Mac!!
• Best Blu-ray Deals: Amazing 15 Blu-ray Sales You Must Check!