IMPORTANT: Before trying to play a Blu-Ray disc via VLC, I HIGHLY recommend you check the disc for a Blu-Ray icon. Sometimes when you grab a disc from a Blu-Ray set it MAY NOT be a Blu-Ray. E.g. the Lord of the Rings Blu-Ray Set does have SEVERAL DVD’s with extra material that is not playable if you select Blu-Ray
Patching VLC to play AAC Blu-Ray’s
1. Step Download and install VLC
2. StepOpen the Windows Explorer using Windows key + E on your keyboard. Then enter %appdata% into the address bar as seen below:
3. StepThe explorer should jump directly to C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming – right-click into the blank white area and create a new folder as seen below:
4. StepThis is what it should look like
5. Step Head over to http://vlc-bluray.whoknowsmy.name/ and download both files to your WIndows 8 PC. Copy the file KEYDB_cfg to the aacs folder we created above
6. Step Rename the file to KEYDB.cfg
Renaming Files Tip:
If the file KEYDB.cfg is called differently it won’t work. So if you save the file, then activate the option to show file extensions (click blue link) and then rename the file to KEYDB.cfg – remove all other extensions. You will be prompted that this may break the file, but continue anyway
7. Step Depending on your Windows 8 version (32-bit or 64-bit) you also have to download the AACS Dynamic Library.
MOST IMPORTANT READ THIS: If you are on Windows 8 64-bit you should FIRST try to download the 32-bit DLL instead of the 64-bit DLL or you will get the error "This Blu-Ray disc needs a library for AACS decoding"
This file goes directly into your VLC directory as pointed out on the website. So select the option “Save as” from the dropdown when downloading via IE10:
8. Step Now browse to C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\ and save the file there:
9. Step You may get the error You don't permission to save in this location if you did not open the IE10 with elevated rights, so save the file somewhere else and then copy it into the folder
10. Step When copying the folder into the VLC directory you will be prompted “Destination Folder Access Denied”. Select Continue
11. Restart VLC
Here is proof that playing Blu-Ray’s like Lord of the Rings on Windows 8 is actually possible:
Because playing Blu-Ray’s via VLC is still a little bit of trouble, we prepared a troubleshooting below. Also, always make sure it’s an actual BD (Blu-Ray Disc) and keep in mind that some BD’s may have a special encryption that does not work with the library we downloaded above
Troubleshooting: Path doesn’t appear to be a bluray
12. If you get the error Path doesn't appear to be a bluray and VLC is unable to open the MRL bluray:///D:/. Check the log for details, then check that the disc is an actual Blu-Ray (see if DVD or Blu-Ray icon is on the disc)
In most cases this means you have a commercial Blu-Ray that requires a certain certificate or the disc is not a Blu-Ray
Error:Certificate has been revoked by your drive
13. If you are familiar with cmd, try enabling the debug log and run vlc via the command line as seen below:
Fix Error This Blu-Ray disc needs a library for AACS decoding
14. If you get the error This Blu-Ray disc needs a library for AACS decoding, and your system does not have it, then make sure you have CORRECTLY copied the CORRECT 32-bit OR 64-bit dll into the VLC directory! 64-bit users should ALSO try the 32-bit file
Still having problems playing Blu-Ray’s on Windows 7 or 8? Then post your problem below, we will try to help. Please post your error message and if you can post a screenshot as well. Thank you!