seeking codecs for Blu-ray disc playback for Windows Media or VideoLAN (VLC) player

I just replaced the optical DVD drive in my notebook PC with a Blu-ray drive (Panasonic UJ-267). Are there any free codecs packs available that will enable Blu-ray disc playback by Windows Media or VideoLAN (VLC) players?

Thanks for reading and any information.

 

Sadly no...those Bluray software are proprietary and aren't licensed for plugins. Those developers are very protective of their IP. So the only way is to buy the software PDVD or WinDVD that has the blue player ability to watch Bluray movie there might be more paid version but these two are the most known.

 

I prefer TMT (Total Media Theater) It remembers where you left off on the blue ray or DVD so that when you start up again it starts where you quit last time.

 

Thanks for the comments and advice, they confirmed what I had suspected given my lack of success in my online search for codecs for Blu-ray playback. This morning, I discovered that my notebook PC came bundled with PowerDVD 9.6 (the latest iteration is 14) that allows playback of Blu-ray discs. The visual definition is certainly impressive. However, one minor problem manifested. For the two Blu-ray discs I played ( HD Trains Steam Giants and Planet Earth), I received the following message when the disc was first inserted: The menu for this BD-J content does not support the use of a mouse. As the message indicated, I cannot use the standard menu to select scenes and chapters, although I am able to advance the video backwards and forwards linearly, stop and play the video, and advance chapters linearly using the basic toolbar under the video. Is this inability to use the mouse for the menu a function of the PowerDVD 9.6 player or a function of the Blu-ray DVD itself?

Thanks again for the comments/advice, and for any additional information.

 

That is the sad part of older software it will be limited unless you can update your PDVD9.6 to the lastest in the 9.6 family line you will be out of luck to use your mouse.

 

What's the least expensive reputable Blu-Ray playing software? I tried AnyDVD HD with VLC, but experience 2 random crashes in about 2 hours of playback, so I decided not to go that route. So far the least expensive option I've seen otherwise is MakeMKV, at $50. It seems to work so far (although I haven't tried streaming mode), but I was hoping to find something in the $20-$30 price range. Well, I was really hoping VLC would handle Blu-Ray like it does DVD, but failing that, $20-$30. I don't need fancy features, DVD support, or anything like that - just Blu-Ray playback, preferable with the main menu working, would be sufficient.

My experience has made me think that Steve Jobs may have been right when he said Blu-Ray is a bag of hurt. It certainly hasn't been as smooth as DVDs. I'm considering just selling the Blu-Ray drive I have and sticking with DVD instead of buying a $50+ piece of Blu-Ray playing software.

The other thing I could do is sell the drive and buy one with software included. My original plan was to get it non-bundled so I could get the best software instead of who-knows-what-quality bundleware, but I thought the standalone prices would be more reasonable. And I haven't found many reliable (non-manufacturer, not-a-no-name site) comparisons of Blu-Ray software.

 

Watch installing CODECS as many tend to be trogans so if you find make sure you read reviews.

 

Thanks for the additional comments. I'm curious--the VideoLAN (VLC) media player seems to offer a Blu-ray option when the "open disc" option is selected, but, of course, Blu-ray discs are not playable. I also checked the related VLC site "libbluray", but it doesn't seem to offer any usable codecs or modifications to allow the VLC player to play Blu-ray discs. Am I missing something? Is there a way to upgrade the VLC player for Blu-ray playback?

Thanks,

 

This link seems to indicate that it will play Blue-Rays: VideoLAN - libbluray

However, It is too much of a hassle. (for me) I don't like to install any codecs on my system, other than the ones built into playback software.

 

Your better off getting either PDVD or WinDVD Pro to play Bluray and enjoying it. All those codecs for VLC for bluray I would forgot about it and for this your better getting the paid program for BluRay watching.