Good Blu-Ray players

[vorob]

Until now I've used only Win DVD, but that thing really old and buggy. So I'm interested in new software. What can you recommend? If there is not free, commercial soft will also suite me.

[turbojet]

I only know of 2 other full featured software bluray players, both have limited trials available for download:

Arcsoft TMT3 trial (http://www.arcsoft.com/public/software_title.asp?ProductID=362&dyContent=LANG_DOWNLOAD) - plays everything I've tried from BD/DVD/ISO/HDD, not often updated

PowerDVD 9 trial (http://www.cyberlink.com/downloads/trials/index_en_US.html) - very picky on what it plays, won't play some older BD, won't play BD from HDD, integrates with media center, history of removing useful features

I've used them both and decided on Arcsoft TMT but YMMV.

[Ghitulescu]

I only know of 2 other full featured software bluray players, both have limited trials available for download:

Arcsoft TMT3 trial (http://www.arcsoft.com/public/software_title.asp?ProductID=362&dyContent=LANG_DOWNLOAD) - plays everything I've tried from BD/DVD/ISO/HDD, not often updated

PowerDVD 9 trial (http://www.cyberlink.com/downloads/trials/index_en_US.html) - very picky on what it plays, won't play some older BD, won't play BD from HDD, integrates with media center, history of removing useful features

I've used them both and decided on Arcsoft TMT but YMMV.

Try to find Power DVD 7.3 and not 9, it's still bundled with some BD drives.

[Mark_A_W]

Umm.....MPC-HC?

I'm sure, if you search around the web, you might find it.

[CruNcher]

Funny it becomes with Arcsoft TotalMedia Theatre 3 Platinium on a High secured system as it doesn't like Security Software due to the way it protects itself :P
It even can happen that your PC just reboots then on execution and Arcsoft makes the Security solution providers (AntiVirus,Behavioural Detection) responsible for that :D
In some way it acts like a rootkit with it's own Protection Driver also to protect Blu-Ray IP and against Reverse Enginering (Encryption Keys)

[setarip_old]

@vorob

Yes, by all means, as previously suggested, obtain and use PowerDVD v.7.3 (and DO NOT accept/download/install any updates, as most of them actually REDUCE the program's capabilities!). This older version can playback BluRay .ISOs from hard drives and even playback HD-DVDs ;>}

[SquallMX]

Arcsoft TMT3 is actually very good IMHO, but lacks Pan & Scan/Zoom options.

Recient versions of PowerDVD9 are crap, and extremely picky about load BD9 movies.

[wayland]

7.3 is pointless, it wont play newer disc due to updated java menus, might as well just use mpc-hc if you only care about the main feature. pdvd8/9 are ok but could defiantly be improved, what i find most annoying is how 9 wont load a iso unless it contains all the directory's (anydvd doesnt rip the empty ones ) also blocking of virtual drives is just petty

[Jong]

7.3 is pointless, it wont play newer disc due to updated java menus, might as well just use mpc-hc if you only care about the main feature. pdvd8/9 are ok but could defiantly be improved, what i find most annoying is how 9 wont load a iso unless it contains all the directory's (anydvd doesnt rip the empty ones ) also blocking of virtual drives is just pettyI don't think there is any disc that will not play with 7.3 provided AnyDVD HD is used.

[a4840639]

7.3 is pointless, it wont play newer disc due to updated java menus, might as well just use mpc-hc if you only care about the main feature. pdvd8/9 are ok but could defiantly be improved, what i find most annoying is how 9 wont load a iso unless it contains all the directory's (anydvd doesnt rip the empty ones ) also blocking of virtual drives is just petty
MPC-HC has no way to decode DTS-HD instead of its core, and Anydvd-HD is required.

[kostik]

there's another way, i think it's the best:
instal powerdvd 9 ultra, & copy: audiofilter, navfilter, upnp & videofilter folders anywhere you want & use those directshow filters as xternal filters, then uninstall the powerdvd.
but the problem is: there's no way to using: cyberlink h.264, vc-1 decoder outside of powerdvd.

You can install pdvd 9 deluxe and not the ultra version and you will be able to use the h264 decoder with external programes.

[a4840639]

no, no way.
install powercinema & you can use cyber h.264 dec on any ds player, but as far as i know, cyber h.264 dec only supports mov container.
The AVC Decoder from PDVD8 works fine with all kinds of splliter（haali, gabest etc.)

[Jong]

Not from patch no 2521 upwards. Now PDVD8 is like 9 - AVC decoder can only be used inside PDVD.

[Jong]

using outdated filters is not a good idea.
guys, try this:
HD264 Pack for WMP
http://www.cyberlink.com/store/hd-264-pack/buy_en_US.htmlSorry, no way that is good value for money. There is nothing at all wrong with the pre-2521 PDVD8 decoder or the 4617 PDVD7 decoder. All are within the last year and totally compliant. If you have them use them.

And even if you did not have these you would be mad to buy the Cyberlink decoders for that price. If you have the CPU power to software decode then ffdshow can decode for free. Or CoreAVC is a far cheaper option that will either software decode or use hardware if you have a CUDA capable Nvidia card. Or, if you have a fairly recent card from Nvidia or ATI the free MPC-HC stand-alone decoder will do fully hardware assisted DXVA decoding of h.264 (and VC-1 for ATI and some integrated/latest Nvidia) for free.

[vorob]

Well, I've installed PowerDVD 9, everything seems to be ok, thing is a little bit jerky but I'll live with it. God how much useless crap this thing have.