Free Blu-Ray playback software?

spirit

Moderator
Staff member
Anybody here know of any free Blu-Ray playback software? My Samsung Blu-Ray ROM drive came bundled with CyberLink PowerDVD 9, however this software does not appear to be able to play Blu-Rays under Windows 8 (I've tried reinstalling it with different compatibility settings and each time when I try to play a Blu-ray it says 'The Integrity of PowerDVD is under threat' or something like that).

I've tried VLC but that didn't work either and I've been searching on the internet for a free Blu-Ray player which will work on Windows 8, but so far I haven't found anything.

I have downloaded the 30 day trial of PowerDVD 12 which does seem to be able to play Blu-Rays on Windows 8. I will buy it should it be the only thing I can find which will work because it is only £30 or so for the Standard version, but I was wondering if anybody here knew of any freeware I could use.

Thanks!
 

turbodiesel

Member
i dont think you need software i think you just need codecs so you can play it in windows media player

correct me if im wrong because i have no idea i am just guessing
 

spirit

Moderator
Staff member
i dont think you need software i think you just need codecs so you can play it in windows media player

correct me if im wrong because i have no idea i am just guessing

Had a quick look and I can't really find anything.

I think I'll just buy PowerDVD 12 Standard for £32 - not too big a deal. I might try to get 9 working just a few more times though.
 

spirit

Moderator
Staff member
Thanks for the link Nev, I'm sure it works great but I bought PowerDVD a week ago. ;)
 

CrazyMike

New Member
Thanks for the link Nev, I'm sure it works great but I bought PowerDVD a week ago. ;)

I have Powerlink DVD on my laptop. Now for some reason it wouldn't allow me to play the latest blue ray (software is about 2 years old). Told me I had to upgrade my version in which costs money.

Any idea on this?

EDIT: Before you asked, yes i tried updating the version i have, still happened.
 

spirit

Moderator
Staff member
Yeah CyberLink drop support for older releases of PowerDVD and when they drop support for them, you can't play the latest Blu-Rays with the older software.

I suspect you have version 9 or 10 which I don't think are supported anymore and thus can't play the latest Blu-Rays. The only solution is to upgrade to 12 I think.
 

spirit

Moderator
Staff member
I am surprised with 8, they didn't include some sort of BR playing codec in Media Player or something (or do they?:confused:)

8 doesn't have half the codecs 7 does. For example, you can't play DVDs in Media Player out of the box with 8 but you can with 7. I think the lack of the codecs is one of the reasons why Windows 8 is cheaper than 7.
 
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