How to Use VLC Media Player to Play Encrypted Blu-Ray disc in Windows 8 64-bit or Windows 8 32-bit
Overview
Again, there is no Blu-Ray playback support with Microsoft latest Windows operating system, Windows 8, just as there is no native Blu-Ray playback support under Apple Mac OS X Mountain Lion. The lack of Blu Ray disc playback support in Windows 8 is not a big issue, as Windows XP, Windows Vista Basic and Windows 7 all do not offer native playback of Blu-Ray. But it is still a bit of imperfect for high quality Blu-Ray movie lovers.
To play Blu-Ray, you can use Blu Ray Ripper for Windows 8 to rip Blu-Ray to Windows 8 Support WMV or WMV HD or HD H.264 MP4 or use third party paid Blu-Ray player for Windows 8/10. And by doing some tricks, you can hire VLC media player to play Blu-Ray in Windows 8, Windows 10 64-bit or Windows 8 32 bit for free.
To better support Blu-Ray playback in Windows 8, Windows 10, VideoLAN and the VLC development team present the fifth version of “Twoflower” which is VLC 2.0.4(now the version is 2.2.1). The major updated VLC introduces an important number of fixes and improvements especially for Blu-Ray under Windows 8. However, for legal reasons, AACS and BD+ DRM libraries and keys still are not shipped.
This article will guide you step-by-step to download and place the AACS and BD+ DRM libraries and keys in order to play Blu Ray on Windows 8.
Step-by-step Guide to Play Blu-Ray with VLC in Windows 8 64-bit/32-bit and Windows 10
Step 1: Download a copy of latest VLC media player
Download a copy of latest free VLC media player which is version 2.0.4. Run and install.
Step 2: Download and place Keys database
Download the Keys database. Then put it in %APPDATA%/Roaming/aacs/. %APPDATA%/aacs/ should lead to C:\Users\MY_USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\aacs unless you have some wacky Windows setup. If you not have an “aacs” folder, create a new folder and rename to “aacs”.
- Open your user area (start->”your username”)
- Enable view hidden files and folders (Organise->Folder and Search Options->View{tab} and select “show hidden files…”->select ok)
- Open “AppData” directory
- Create a folder and name it “aacs” (no quotations)
- Place the KEYDB.cfg file in this folder directly from the unzipped Blu-ray playback addon pack.
Step 3: Download and place AACS dynamic library
For Windows 8 32bit, Windows 10 32bit, free download the 32bit AACS dynamic library. Then put the file in your VLC directory.
For Windows 8 64bit, Windows 10 64bit, free download the 64 bit AACS dynamic library. Then put the file in your VLC directory.
- Open “Computer”
- Open “Local Disk (C:)”
- Open “Program Files” [Or “Program Files (x86)” if running 64bit]
- Navigate to “VLC” directory
- Move appropriate file from unzipped Blu-ray playback addon pack to this directory (file located in “aacs/windows 32” or “aacs/windows 64” directory in pack)
Now, you can easily play Blu-Ray disc with VLC. Note: VLC 2.2.1 still doesn’t have menu support yet.
If you still have problems of playing Blu-Ray disc movies with VLC, I am afraid that there is no other solution but to hire a paid Blu-Ray player to play your Blu-Ray. You can also rip the Blu-Ray to WMV or H.264 MP4 for Blu-Ray back and easy access movies without a disc inserted. TechiSky gives another two popular method to play Blu-Ray disc movies in Windows 8 and play Blu-Ray movies in Windows 10 that may help you.
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how do you input the keys into appdata? do I put it into the registery or into the appdata folder?
Hello Woody, place the keys into the appdata folder like this C:\Users\MY_USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\aacs
Does this only work for Windows 8 OS? Will this work for Windows 7 64bit?
Hi, Neo. This trick also works for Windows 7 64 bit.
I was trying to follow every step that you said, but I have Windows 8 and I don’t know why I didn’t find the aacs folder like you explain. I only could find C:\Users\MY_USERNAME\AppData\Roaming. In that folder I have the following files: Adobe, Apple Computer, ASUS WebStorage, dvdcss, Micromedia, Microsoft, Skype and vlc. When I write aacs it’s give me an error. Can you tell me what I can do so I could install the codecs and could see the Blu-ray disc. Thank you the help that you could give to me.
Hi Nelson, thanks for your comment. If you not have an “aacs” folder, create a new folder and rename to “aacs”.
THANKS A LOT for the solutions, perfectly used them in Win 10 after my old software for Blu Ray playback ceased to function. Much appreciated ! Keep up the neat work !
I got my dvd to play , but my Blu-ray can not read disk or computer movie files. Not sure about this step 5
Move appropriate file from unzipped Blu-ray playback addon pack to this directory (file located in “aacs/windows 32” or “aacs/windows 64” directory in pack)
Hello Kenny. Thanks for your comments. Please download and try this Blu Ray Player. See if your Blu Ray movies can be played or not. Let me know if you have anything.
Link are no longer valid.
Hello Ron. Thank you for your comments. I tested the link, no problem at this moment. Please try to download again. Let me know if you have anything.
This was great information. Worked perfectly. Thank you so much!