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    Invelos Forums->General: General Home Theater Discussion Page: 1 2 3 4  Previous   Next
Blu-ray software
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DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorAce_of_Sevens
Registered: December 10, 2007
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I have a laptop with an external Blu-ray drive, but no playback software. I do have DAPlayer, but it doesn't work very well. For some reason, most Blu-ray software seems to cost more than a low-end stand-alone player, even thought they need playback software, plus a bunch of electronics. Also, there seems to be limited support, so who knows if it will still play new titles two years from now if a new batch of AACS keys comes out? I don't need to rip discs or anything, just watch them. Are there any good solutions or are we stuck with paying more than a stand-alone or having it likely not work and eventually, probably both?
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorLewis_Prothero
Strength Through Unity
Registered: May 19, 2007
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Searched for some time on the quest for a decent software player.

It seems that there are currently only three that are good:

PowerDVD Ultra
WinDVD
Nero MultimediaSuite (Platinum Version only!)

Three vendors and about 50 million customers, this very limited market naturally raises the prices.

I have two PowerDVD installations running (8 and 10).
8 being an OEM-version now finally reached it's limit with StarWars, not because of the AACS-keys (those frequently get the required updates) but because of an required software-update that sadly is only available for the retail-versions.

10 is showing no problems, except for insufficient MediaCenter integration on AMD-chipsets, but those are supposed to be solved with version 11.
It all seems so stupid, it makes me want to give up!
But why should I give up, when it all seems so stupid?


Registrant since 05/22/2003
 Last edited: by Lewis_Prothero
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorbbbbb
on steroids
Registered: March 14, 2007
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Quoting Silence_of_Lambs:
Quote:
Searched for some time on the quest for a decent software player.
It seems that there are currently only three that are good:

PowerDVD Ultra
WinDVD
Nero MultimediaSuite (Platinum Version only!)

What's wrong with ArcSoft's TotalMedia Theatre?

Quote:
Three vendors and about 50 million customers, this very limited market naturally raises the prices.

My PowerDVD9 came free with a B-rD drive. No limitations yet.

Ace_of_Sevens, I do not have any pirated program, you could buy a B-rD drive with OEM software, and resell the unsused brandnew drive. There is no freeware player for copy-protected B-rDs.
Don't confuse while the film is playing with when the film is played. [Ken Cole, DVD Profiler Architect]
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile Registrantpauls42
Reg: 31/01/2003
Registered: March 13, 2007
United Kingdom Posts: 2,692
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Quoting bbbbb:
Quote:

There is no freeware player for copy-protected B-rDs.


anydvd HD
Paul
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile RegistrantStar ContributorBad Father
Registered: July 23, 2001
Registered: March 13, 2007
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Quoting pauls42:
Quote:
Quoting bbbbb:
Quote:

There is no freeware player for copy-protected B-rDs.


anydvd HD


AnyDVD HD is not Freeware. It's a 30 day trial after which it stops functioning until you purchase it.
My WebGenDVD online Collection
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorAce_of_Sevens
Registered: December 10, 2007
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I considered it as there are a bunch of region B Blu-rays I wants, but it's expensive and only a subscription, not a real purchase.
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorThe Movieman
DVDP User Since 2007
Registered: March 18, 2007
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United States Posts: 2,550
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Quoting Ace_of_Sevens:
Quote:
I considered it as there are a bunch of region B Blu-rays I wants, but it's expensive and only a subscription, not a real purchase.


Although it is expensive (worth it for me to get screen grabs for my site), I can attest that it's a great product (that's frequently updated) and I've been using it for a couple of years now...
 Last edited: by The Movieman
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorwhispering
On ne passe pas!
Registered: March 13, 2007
Finland Posts: 1,380
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Quoting TheMovieman:
Quote:
Although it is expensive (worth it for me to get screen grabs for my site), I can attest that it's a great product (that's frequently updated) and I've been using it for a couple of years now...


Does it take over your PC like e.g. PowerDVD does? (i found it impossible to make it not launch after inserting a disc, it also hijacks my volume control, instead of using the system volume i'm using in every other program).
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorThe Movieman
DVDP User Since 2007
Registered: March 18, 2007
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Quoting whispering:
Quote:
Quoting TheMovieman:
Quote:
Although it is expensive (worth it for me to get screen grabs for my site), I can attest that it's a great product (that's frequently updated) and I've been using it for a couple of years now...


Does it take over your PC like e.g. PowerDVD does? (i found it impossible to make it not launch after inserting a disc, it also hijacks my volume control, instead of using the system volume i'm using in every other program).


Well, on my laptop, I got seperate controls for the volume depending on what program is playing (so if I'm watching a movie via PowerDVD, I can lower that volume while listening to a live streaming commentary online). Yet on my desktop computer, PowerDVD unfortunately takes over the volume controls.

As for launching when inserting a disc, you could go into AutoPlay (should be in the Control Panel) and then there you can select it to ask every time a disc is inserted. As for AnyDVD HD taking over, there's an option in the settings to deselect auto start and then when you need it, you just double click the icon on your desktop to start it up.

But like I said, I use it to get screen grabs and the Blu-ray I have is not my primary player so that's how I have it set up.
 Last edited: by The Movieman
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorbbbbb
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Registered: March 14, 2007
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Quoting Ace_of_Sevens:
Quote:
I considered it as there are a bunch of region B Blu-rays I wants, but it's expensive and only a subscription, not a real purchase.

What's wrong with the "Free Updates for Lifetime" subscription?

My recommendation would be one of the DVDFab products, though.
Don't confuse while the film is playing with when the film is played. [Ken Cole, DVD Profiler Architect]
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantDVD Polizei
Registered: April 3, 2007
Posts: 6
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Quoting TheMovieman:
Quote:
Quoting Ace_of_Sevens:
Quote:
I considered it as there are a bunch of region B Blu-rays I wants, but it's expensive and only a subscription, not a real purchase.


Although it is expensive (worth it for me to get screen grabs for my site), I can attest that it's a great product (that's frequently updated) and I've been using it for a couple of years now...


I have to agree. I bought this when the registration was NOT a subscription. However, even with a sub it's the best software I've used. Updates are very frequent, and I've never had a problem.

Of course, I've decided to move away from software Blu-ray players altogether for watching a movie because I have been looking for a simple player for way too long, and they all are just idiotic in nature when it comes to basic functions. And don't get me started on PowerDVD or the like. The larger companies are just atrocious and their software is just one big memory hog and proprietary system which is far from "Family Entertainment".

I reluctantly settled (due to cost--these are not inexpensive) for an Oppo BDP-93 and I've never been happier.
 Last edited: by DVD Polizei
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorbigdaddyhorse
Registered: June 21, 2007
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2 days ago I would've swore by powerdvd, but not anymore.
Fotr some reason mine just quit playing anything but dvd. I audited BR's a few days ago in my computer drive, and those won't play today. Any BD I put in I get an "update needed" pop-up message. When I click OK, it says everything is fine and dandy, until I hit play again and get the pop-up right back. If i say no to the update it shuts off, if I say yes it returns and nothing plays anymore! Maybe it's my drive but I doubt it, I think because my powerdvd is version 7 or so it wants me to buy an update. Since it came installed on my computer (as the default HD player, lot of happy funtimeing good thatis now), I don't have a password or key to get updates for free that I know of.
DVD Profiler Desktop and Mobile Registrantmediadogg
Aim high. Ride the wind.
Registered: March 18, 2007
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Two suggestions:
(1) Go to the Cyberlink web site and try to find an upgrade package. Check carefully, you may need the OEM version, or Legacy version. The installation will check for validity, so you shouldn't need any sort of password.

I used this one successfully for my LG OEM a couple of years back before I unpgraded to a later version:

"PowerDVD 7.3 updates: This file updates PowerDVD 7.3 to PowerDVD 7.3 v4617. This update is for OEM versions of PowerDVD only."

(2) If you don't alerady have it, add AnyDVD HD to your system, and it might help clear up the issues.

(Gasp I see the following posts. Sure hope this doesn't happen to me. If so, we all need to start comparing lists of most recently played BDs to find the culprit(s)).

Smells like a class action suit brewing ...
Thanks for your support.
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Hey, new product!!! BDPFrog.
 Last edited: by mediadogg
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributorbbbbb
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Registered: March 14, 2007
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Quoting bigdaddyhorse:
Quote:
Fotr some reason mine just quit playing anything but dvd. I audited BR's a few days ago in my computer drive, and those won't play today. Any BD I put in I get an "update needed" pop-up message. When I click OK, it says everything is fine and dandy, until I hit play again and get the pop-up right back. If i say no to the update it shuts off, if I say yes it returns and nothing plays anymore! Maybe it's my drive but I doubt it, I think because my powerdvd is version 7 or so it wants me to buy an update.

Funny, same here. A week or two ago my PDVD 9, which came with a B-rD drive, stopped working for B-rDs. Similar effects as the ones you described. My guess is one of the newer B-rDs installed the wrong rootkit or something. Investigations pending.
Don't confuse while the film is playing with when the film is played. [Ken Cole, DVD Profiler Architect]
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar ContributorLewis_Prothero
Strength Through Unity
Registered: May 19, 2007
Reputation: Superior Rating
Germany Posts: 6,730
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It seems that Cyberlink is currently doing a whole-sale block for older (outdated) OEM-BluRay software.
Obviously they are simply blocking the AACS download.

Currently affected are versions < 10.
It all seems so stupid, it makes me want to give up!
But why should I give up, when it all seems so stupid?


Registrant since 05/22/2003
DVD Profiler Unlimited RegistrantStar Contributortkinnen
Registered: May 9, 2008
United States Posts: 467
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My OEM version is doing the same on one computer (Dell Version) and keeps telling me I need an update.

My Version 11 Ultra copy is still working fine except some new BLUs seem to make me clear local storage before they work last few weeks.
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