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.