It happens. When you insert a Blu-ray into your PC, open
VLC, and guess what? Nothing happened. YES. SO SAD. VLC Blu-ray playback does
not work. Although VLC is a reputable media player that supports a wide range
of video formats, it does not support encrypted Blu-ray discs. So, what to do
if VLC fails? Is there a VLC alternative to play Blu-ray without hassles? The
answer is positive. Just read on to find the answer!
Part 1: Why VLC Doesn’t Work Well with Blu-ray Discs
VLC is a highly versatile media player that is widely
recommended by a lot of users. The free and open-source media player can play
almost all the video and audio formats you can think of, from the common video
formats to next-generation codecs. However, users often encounter problems when
it comes to Blu-ray discs.
Therefore, “VLC Blu-ray playback error” has become one of
the most common issues frequently reported by users. So why is VLC not working?
The problem is primarily caused by licensing, encryption, and legal constraints
associated with Blu-ray technology.
VLC-BLU-RAY- PLAYBACK
Most Blu-rays are protected by Advanced Access Content
System (AACS) or come with BD+ encryption. They are designed to prevent
unauthorized copying and distribution of Blu-rays. However, VLC is not licensed
to support AACS or BD+ officially.
Simply put, VLC does not include the necessary decryption
keys or code to handle encrypted Blu-rays out of the box. It requires
additional software and configuration to play Blu-rays. When VLC supports
Blu-ray images, such as ISO files, it can’t play Blu-rays due to encryption
protocols.
What’s more, the configuration requires a complex setup. Not
surprisingly, you can find guides online to get around the issue. For instance,
partial Blu-ray playback can be enabled by users manually installing libraries
like libaacs and libbdplus and adding key databases (KEYDB.cfg, for
example).
However, it is worth noting that this is not officially
supported, and it doesn’t work with all discs. What’s worse, it might break
newer discs that require updated keys or protections.
Why is it so complicated? How to solve the VLC Blu-ray
playback issue and play Blu-rays without hassles? Fret not. You can easily play
your Blu-rays with a VLC media player alternative. Just keep reading.
Part 2: What Makes a Good Blu-ray Player Alternative?
Now you know the reasons for the VLC Blu-ray playback error.
Before introducing another software to play Blu-rays, let’s see what features
make a media player the best VLC alternative.
- Easy to use: A good alternative to VLC should be easy to
set up without additional software installation or configuration. Average users
should be able to play discs, select chapters, change settings, and navigate
menus easily.
- Compatible with encrypted discs: The best VLC alternative
can decode protected content without decryption keys. It should also support
discs of all regions and offer region-free playback legally.
- Supports menus, audio tracks, subtitles: A capable VLC
alternative supports scene selection, special features, and language settings,
giving users full access to everything the disc offers.
- Doesn’t require manual configuration: A practical VLC
player alternative does not require hunting for files and tweaking settings, or
searching for description keys.
Part 3: Meet Leawo Blu-ray Player – The Simpler, Smarter Option
Packed with sophisticated features, Leawo Blu-ray Player is
a powerful tool to play Blu-rays effortlessly. It does not require any extra
configuration, making it the best VLC alternative to check out.
Highlighted features of Leawo Blu-ray Player
One-click install, play any Blu-ray
The Blu-ray player software is free to download and install
in one click. It will smartly recognize the Blu-rays and play everything
straightaway. You can say goodbye to the VLC Blu-ray playback issue and enjoy
your favorite videos hassle-free.
Support for DVD, ISO, 4K video
As the best Blu-ray player software, Leawo Blu-ray Player
supports the playback of all video files, making it a strong all-in-one media
solution for users. It can play encrypted or region-locked DVDs, Blu-ray/DVD
ISOs, and ultra-HD video files with smooth playback and broad codec support.
No need for extra libraries or AACS keys
There is no need to install libraries like libaacs and
libbdplus and add key databases. All features like decryption, menu access, and
audio/subtitle selection function out of the box. You can play encrypted
Blu-rays without a complicated setup.
Works on Windows 11 and macOS
Leawo is a solid Blu-ray player for Mac and Windows, with
support for the latest versions of operating systems. The Blu-ray player
software supports the same wide range of formats for both platforms, including
Blu-ray, DVD, ISO, MKV, MP4, MOV, and more.
Part 4 Side-by-Side Comparison: VLC vs. Leawo
As you can see, the VLC Blu-ray playback issue can be easily
solved by using the best VLC alternative. Here, Blu-ray player software is the
one to consider. In this part, we have concluded a brief comparison so you can
learn more about the differences.
Part 5. How to Get Started with Leawo Blu-ray Player
Designed with a minimalist interface, Leawo Blu-ray Player
is easy to use. You don’t need an extra tutorial to navigate through, but you
can check out its simplicity with the steps below.
Step 1. Download from the official site
Free download the Leawo Blu-ray Player from the official
site.
Step 2. Install and launch
Install it on your devices (Windows/macOS). Launch Leawo
Blu-ray Player.
Step 3. Insert your disc
Insert your disc. Click on the Open File to open the Blu-ray
disc. No VLC Blu-ray playback issue at all.
Step 4. Click and play — no config files needed
Leawo Blu-ray Player will play the disc directly. You can go
to Settings to adjust language and subtitles.
Conclusion
How to play Blu-rays on your computer? Apparently, VLC is
not the one. While VLC supports virtually all video and audio formats, it’s not
for Blu-rays, especially encrypted ones. Do not waste your time on
configurations. You might spend time and effort, and it still doesn’t work. In
the digital age, you do not need a tech background just to watch a movie. You
can just solve the Blu-ray playback issue easily with Leawo Blu-ray Player.
With professional features, the software makes Blu-ray playback stress-free.
Just wait no more. Try Leawo Blu-ray Player for free and finally enjoy your
Blu-ray movies — without VLC headaches now!
