FREE windows 8 blu ray software.

Ok there has got to be some solution for a free windows 8 blu ray player. I tried to do the VLC solution but it crashes as soon as I try playing an encrypted disk.

I refuse to pay a dime to cyberlink since I just bought this bluray player and their OEM version will not support windows 8. Which is complete cramp because this like other programs are forcing you to buy a new software right off.

Anyone have any suggestions on this? And I know how to make mkv's and I do when needed, but this is for my HTPC that I want to have an easy plug and play solution for when someone other then me wants to use it.

 

You can still get the Windows Media Center for free.
Add features - Microsoft Windows
Takes about 24h to get the confirmation letter.

 

I have media center and i used to use cyberlink power DVD under media center in windows 7 and it worked great. Now it doesn't in windows 8. Media center do not offer bluray support though.

 

Strange, WMC should enable Blu-Ray playback.
At least is says here:
Windows 8 Tips: How To Play Back Movies & Music

Which version of Win8 you have?
But IMO, what they did with this whole DVD/BR playback in Win8 is pure nonsense.

 

I have windows 8 media center pro.

It will play a bluray. It's the codec and encryption that won't read.

I agree this whole thing is a nightmare. There has to be some sort of internal support or bluray is going to die if you are forced to pay to use the hardware on your computer.

 

PowerDVD 12 that is compatible with windows 8 will not work in windows 8 media center as it did in windows 7. That was a disappointment to me also.
You have to run PowerDVD as a stand alone program with windows 8.
You can use an older version of PowerDVD in windows 8 though.

 

The old version of powerdvd that came with my blue ray player isn't even working anymore. Can anyone think of why? I did not do a fresh install just upgraded.

 

What version do you have?
You can go here for updates: The best 3D video, Blu-ray player & DVD player software

 

I have powerdvd 8 and 9, both OEM versions that worked fine in windows 7, but nothing works in windows 8.

I am looking for a less then $20 powerdvd 12 ultra or a free player opinion. Cyberlink customer service is a disaster and actually just told me my only choice was to pay full retail price.

Blurays are goodnight if this keeps up.

 

If it's codecs and encryptions you need, you can try K-lite Codec pack. It will interface with Media Center so Media Center still plays the blu rays. Download the full and 64-bit install packages. You will need both, and make sure to install the 64-bit package second. If Media Center still won't play, then WMP-MC is the best free media player to get. It comes with the full package installer. Download K-Lite Codec Pack

 

Newegg finally posted the $19.99 for powerdvd 12 ultra.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832117020

Not an ideal situation but worth $20 bucks if it will last me a couple of years until people figure out this whole mess or blurays disappear.

 

You might want to read the reviews at Amazon on that software before you buy.

 

Yea it's craptastic like all their other software, but it works for a basic bluray player for less then informed nontech Savvy people

 

There is no real FREE software that will let you play Blu-Rays. You need the license code to play them, and for that you have to pay. $20 is a small price to pay actually for that software. Once installed it should allow you to play from any media player of your choice that supports blu-ray.

 

Really? I've been able to play blu-rays with windows media player and all's I needed was the codec pack...which I got for free.

 

Encrypted blurays?

 

I would think that all blu-rays are encrypted. The last one I played on my notebook was The Avengers.

 

Which means you downloaded the key file as well. Blu-ray codec is not free.

 

No, you're right. The blu-ray movies I've played so far must not have had the Advanced Access Content System protection. The K-lite pack only plays the blu-rays that don't have that encryption. K-Lite Codec Pack: Comparison of abilities. It's deceptive when the back of the blu-ray amray says it is equipped with Content Protection. But that doesn't necessarily mean its encrypted apparently.

 

VLC can play blu ray movie, i have used for several discs, but you need download and place the AACS and BD+ DRM libraries and keys in order to play Blu Ray on Windows 8. This guide helps me. I appreciate the guy who wrote it. Hope it helps

Best Regards
Jessica