We’ve been reviewing the best Blu-ray player software since 2010. In that time, we’ve considered dozens of applications and spent hundreds of hours performing hands-on testing, conducting quality evaluations and comparing programs.
In our most recent assessment, we chose Power DVD as our top overall pick. This software performed the best in both our performance and usability tests. It also has every feature we look for in good Blu-ray player software.
1. PowerDVD: Best overall
SPECIFICATIONS
I will introduce the best 3D Blu-ray player software for PC to you in this article. You can enjoy your 3D Blu-ray movies at home just like in the cinema. Leawo Blu-ray Player,the best Blu-ray media player software tested by 50,000 users! With this Blu-ray Player software, you can easily play Blu-ray/DVD disc, common videos and up to 1080P HD videos smoothly on Windows 8. Being a free Blu-ray disc player software app, it plays Blu-ray discs for totally free, and downward compatible with DVD discs playback, no matter they are commercial or regular. It’s the best free software to play Blu-ray on Windows (including Windows 7, 7, 8, 8.1, and 10).
Supported OS: Windows 7/8.1/10 | Processor: 2.66 GHz Intel, 2.10 GHZ AMD | RAM: 4GB | Graphics Card: : Intel HD Graphics, ATI Radeon HD 5000, NVIDIA GeForce 9500GT | DirectX: 9.0
Reasons to Buy
Reasons to Avoid
Power DVD is a great program. Not only did it score the highest of all the programs we reviewed in our performance and usability tests, it also has all the tools we look for.
For example, this program enables simultaneous viewing options, so you can watch your Blu-ray on your computer as well as your television, smartphone, tablet or other mobile device. Additionally, you can download a mobile app and use your phone as a remote control, which is great if you’re watching movies on your computer in bed.
If you’re using a Windows device with a touchscreen, you can use it to control this software. Not all Blu-ray player software can do that. It also has powerful upscaling technology that allows you to watch a standard-definition DVD on your big screen with minimal distortion. You can even connect to social media and let your friends know what you’re watching.
This program is light on your system resources; in our tests it consumed only 15% of our computer’s processing power. For comparison, other programs we evaluated took up to 45%.
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- Read the full review: PowerDVD 18
2. Macgo Blu-ray Player: Best value
SPECIFICATIONS
Supported OS: Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10, MacOS 10.6+, iOS 3+ | Processor: 2.4 GHz or above Intel/AMD | RAM: 512MB
Reasons to Buy
Reasons to Avoid
If you’re just looking for Blu-ray player software and nothing more, then Macgo Blu-ray Player is the way to go. It costs less than $30 and delivers an excellent experience.
It doesn’t have things like a power manager, virtual remote control, environmental settings and BD-Live support, but if those aren’t things you care about, there’s no need to pay for them.
Even though it lacks in some areas it does have the capability to upscale your standard definition movies to take full advantage of an HDTV or computer display.
When we tested this product, we noticed that this software upscales as good as our top choice, making it a great option for those who still have old DVDs lying around. However, while it’s great at HD upscaling, it lacks the ability to upscale for 3D movies. So, if you have an old 3D DVD, you’ll have to settle for the standard definition version.
- Read the full review: Macgo Blu-ray Player
3. Leawo Blu-ray Player: Lightest on system resources
SPECIFICATIONS
Supported OS: Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10 | Processor: 1 GHz or above Intel/AMD | RAM: 512MB (1024MB recommended) | Graphics Card: ATI Radeon HD 4000, Intel G45, NVIDIA GeForce 8-Series and newer | DirectX: 9.0c
Reasons to Buy
Reasons to Avoid
If you’re looking for a program to play Blu-rays while you do other things on your computer, the Leawo Blu-ray Player is the best choice.
When we tested this software, it used only about four percent of our system resources. Other programs we reviewed use nearly half of your processing power to play a movie. With the Leawo, you can watch movies on your computer and do other processor-heavy tasks without slowing down your movie or other programs.
Because it’s so lightweight, you’ll miss out on a lot of the extras found in the best Blu-ray player software. For example, you don’t get HD upscaling, environmental settings, simultaneous viewing options or BD-Live network support.
- Red the full review: Leawo Blu-ray Player
4. Aiseesoft Blu-ray Player: Fastest playback
SPECIFICATIONS
Supported OS: Windows XP/Vista/7/8.1/10 | Processor: 1 GHz or above Intel/AMD | RAM: 2GB | DirectX: 9.0c
Reasons to Buy
Reasons to Avoid
When we tested the best Blu-ray player software, we timed how long it takes from when you push the play button to when the movie actually starts playing. It only takes five seconds for Aiseesoft Blu-ray Player to start showing your movie.
This is the fastest time we recorded. For comparison our top choice takes up to 15 seconds to begin playing. The longest time we saw was in WinDVD, which took 22 seconds.
However, there are some serious drawbacks to this software. It lacks many of the features we look for in this category, including HD and 3D upscaling, as well as lossless audio playback. It’s also quite heavy on your system resources, taking up to 44% of your processing power.
- Read the full review: Aiseesoft Blu-ray Player
1. Corel WinDVD Pro 12: Best HD upscaling
WinDVD Pro
SPECIFICATIONS
Supported OS: Windows 7/8.1/10 | Processor: 2.8 GHz Intel/AMD | RAM: 1GB | Graphics Card: NVIDIA G8x and above, AMD M7x and above, Intel HD Graphics
Reasons to Buy
Reasons to Avoid
It not only plays Blu-ray discs perfectly, but you can also use it to play DVDs and CDs. It can also upscale standard-definition DVD footage for HD screens.
And it effectively smooths out pixelation and artifacts that can result from upscaling.
You’ll still get great features, such as customizable skins, environmental settings, BD-Live network support, power manager, social media connectivity and more. However, you won’t be able to use your smartphone as a remote control or take advantage of your device’s touchscreen.
It is worth noting that this is the slowest-starting Blu-ray player we reviewed. During our test phase, we timed how long it takes each program to begin playing a disc after the play button is pressed. WinDVD Pro took 22 seconds. Others we tested took as few as 5 seconds.
- Read the full review: WinDVD Pro 12
Why trust us?
We have been reviewing the best Blu-ray player software since 2010. In that time, we’ve considered dozens of applications, engaged in hands-on testing and ranked them accordingly. We tested each Blu-ray player program to determine the extent of its features, settings, functionality and ease of use. We evaluated the types of media discs and digital files they could process and the quality they produced. We looked for quality software that came with multiple types of customer support and was compatible with as many operating systems as possible.
How we tested Blu-ray player software
Performance tests:
This grade is based on whether the software accommodates a variety of disc and digital file types without excessive drain on the central processing unit. We judged programs on their capacity to play the video without lag, buffering or any other distortions or delays. We also judged them on the amount and efficacy of audio and picture optimization settings.
Usability:
This grade reflects how easy the software was to use, its important features and settings, and how well it performs each task. Good player software should have an interface that is immediately easy to understand and navigate, causing no doubt or frustration in accessing features. We also judged customization options and other features, such as the modifiable video effects.
CPU usage:
We played a test DVD and monitored our computer's CPU strain while running the software without any extra features or programs activated. The percentage shows the amount of processing power used while playing a movie in full screen. Higher percentages will mean that your computer may run slower if you are running multiple programs, or you may hear the computer fan running to keep the processor from overheating.
Further information:
It’s tempting to think that with the rise of streaming media and cloud storage for purchased movies and TV shows that things like DVDs and Blu-rays would soon be obsolete. However, in an interview with Twice, Blu-ray Disc Association representatives Dan Schinasi and Victor Matsuda paints a different picture.
They noted that physical Ultra HD Blu-ray players sales were up 133%. And the association is going to be broadening its efforts to spread public understanding of Ultra HD Blu-ray technology.
With Blu-ray here for the long haul it’s important to understand a few things about what makes the best Blu-ray player software for your computer.
Video & Audio: Quality Matters
The best Blu-ray player software can read a variety of discs, not just Blu-ray. Look for one that can also play DVDs, CDs and rewritable discs. It should also be able to handle digital video and audio files such as AVI, MKV, MP4 and MP3.
This kind of software has convenient uses beyond playing Blu-ray movies. Some programs have the capacity to upscale standard-definition movies to high definition, or 2D movies up to 3D. However, if you choose to create a 3D movie, you'll still need compatible equipment to properly view it, including 3D glasses and a 3D-capable TV.
Blu-ray movies are meant to sound as good as they look. Good Blu-ray player software provides Dolby and Digital Theater System support and lossless audio playback, even when you use headphones or connect your computer to another device via HDMI cable. Additionally, the software should be able to fully handle all intended DVD capacities, including multi-language output for any DVD that offers it.
Controls & Conveniences: Connect, Customize and Control
Tweaking various settings in a video player system can pay off when you finally get to enjoy a perfect-looking video. Most software offers modifiable video effects, letting you adjust picture hue, saturation and brightness. It should also look good when you are navigating the player; a few software options let you customize the player skin, layout and background.
Movie player software is a must-have for Windows 8 and 10 users, since neither of them come with a free native media player. Some of the software applications we reviewed have Windows 8 touchscreen compatibility for the interface, blending seamlessly with your computer system and letting you watch all your favorite movies.
Some of the Blu-ray player software in our lineup has social media connectivity, so you can post status updates and comments via Facebook or Twitter about any video you're watching. Some programs work with the BD-Live network to access special features via the internet.
Because we all have so many different and constant uses for our computers, it's important that your media player doesn't drain your battery or dominate your CPU capacity while you use it. The best Blu-ray player software offers a power manager to help preserve your laptop battery life and reduce CPU consumption if you need to run other programs simultaneously.
Help & Support: Don't Get Stuck, Get Help
Software should not only perform its assigned functions well, but also provide you with optimal customer service should there be an issue. A good software manufacturer offers several means of technical support, whether it's direct contact with the support representatives via telephone or email, or self-help resources. The latter option encompasses, typically on the manufacturer's website, simple tutorials, a frequently-asked-questions section, and a knowledge base or a user forum where users of the software can communicate and help each other.
How much does Blu-ray player software cost?
You can expect to pay anywhere between $30 and $80 for Blu-ray player software. This might seem very steep just to play discs on your computer, but considering all the additional features you get, it’s worth the price.
The best free Blu-ray player software
VLC Media Player is a free, open-source program that’s been around since 2001. It has adapted quite well to new audio and video formats as they’ve been developed and released. If you want a free Blu-ray player application, this is probably your best bet.
Figuring out how to use VLC to play Blu-rays takes a bit of research and involves manually inserting DLL files deep in your computer’s directory. You also have to create special folders, download obscure files from third-party websites and more.
This kind of virtual surgery on your computer has the potential to cause major problems if you don’t do it properly, and you run the risk of getting malware if you download the needed files from an untrustworthy source. And you never know if the instructions you’re getting from the internet are correct until you spend a good deal of time trying to get the software to work.
If you don’t know what you’re doing in this regard, it’s best to stick with paid programs.
Best OverallPowerDVD
This program scored high marks in all our tests. It’s the easiest to use, produces fantastic images and audio and has every feature you could ever need.
Lightest on System ResourcesLeawo Blu-ray Player
This Blu-ray player uses only four percent of your computer’s processing power, which means you can use the player without worrying about slowing the other programs running on your machine.
Best ValueMacgo Blu-ray Player
For less than $30, it’s the best Blu-ray player software you can buy for the money. It doesn’t have all the extra features of our top choice, but it’s excels at playing Blu-ray discs nonetheless.
Summary: Want to find a UHD Blu-ray player to play 4K UHD Blu-rays? Here is the list of top 5 best UHD Blu-ray players for your reference.
The Best Media Player with Menu Navigation Support
DVDFab Player 5 is a dreaming multimedia playback software that plays DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs, ISO files and movie folders with native navigation menus.The 4K resolution has been the trendsetter in the market which owes very much to the UHD Blu-Ray players. It gives sharper and detailed picture of the contents of the video that makes it worth a watch for the viewers with a very new experience of the display. These 4K videos are usually run on UHD Blu-Ray player software’s and hardware for a better output, people are not much aware of this and blame on the system for not getting the proper output. To give clarity to this issue we are here with the top 5 UHD Blu-Ray player out in the stores.
Best 5 UHD Blu-ray players (2019)
● DVDFab Payer 5
● VLC Media Player
● CyberLink PowerDVD 16
● iDeer Blu-ray player
● Aurora Blu-ray Player
These software players are the top trending 4k Blu-ray player for pc, available in the market. A very detailed description of every software program is included in this content and you will have clarification for all your doubts about the 4k Blu-ray player software.
1. DVDFab Player 5
The all-new DVDFab 5 player has been revitalized with a power-packed playback engine which enhances stability, compatibility, and smoothness to the video. The playback engine can open a 4K UHD video disc or file 5 times faster than the other players, maintaining the overall stability and smoothness. It has also come up with a totally different user interface for both the PC and TV, which brings a compact visual treat for the user while surfing through the media. The navigation menu offers an all-around support for the media, which make it easier while searching from where you left the last time you played.
The features of this 4k Blu-ray player software doesn’t end here. It has got 3D playback capability which enables you to watch the 3D Blu-ray movies without losing its depth and detail. The HDR10 playback mode establishes a visual impact giving more detail to the pixel, color, contrast and a rapid frame rate. High-resolution audio support enhances a crystal-clear audio through the output, with a capacity up to Dolby atoms & DTS. The 4K UHD Blu-ray playersupports all file types like MP4, MOV, MOD, VOB etc. regardless it’s a 4K Blu-Ray player Software. The additional features like sneak peak through the thumbnails for a quick review of the video and customized playlist make it easy for you to go through the playlist. These all in one feature make this 4K Blu-Ray Player software the best among the rest.
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There is no denying that DVDFab Player 5 is the world's best video player which is capable of playing a variety of media formats on your PC or TV to enhance your viewing experience. |
2. VLC Media Player
The VLC media player is a most commonly used software for playing any format of video without any lag or stream like it play everything. The recent update made it much better and thicker to play the 4K video, this impact makes it one of the favorite 4K Blu-Ray player Software in the run. The software is free to download for both Windows and Mac. It can open your 4K video with a blink of your eyes and that’s what makes this player one of the tough competitors out of the rest.
3. CyberLink PowerDVD 16
The CyberLink PowerDVD 16 creates a theatre like an experience at your home, going beyond the limits any other player could even imagine. It plays the 4K video smoothly, gives a richer color to the video and bright up with HDR10. CyberLink enables 360° virtual reality treat on your screen with advanced power saving technology. The true theatre feature enhances SDR contents to HDR level. It also gives richer audio experience with its true theatre sound technology.
4. iDeer Blu-ray player
The iDeer Blu-ray player is one of the leading 4k UHD Blu-ray players which is suitable for the PC users. It gives original image quality and sound throughout the video making you watch the color in detail. This 4k Blu-ray player software is compactable only on the PC giving a wonderful Blu-ray experience. It supports multiple video and audio formats other than Blu-ray videos.
5. Aurora Blu-ray Player
Aurora Blu-ray Player is another bestUHD Blu-ray player compactable on Windows and Mac. You will see a vivid range of colors and some standard audio quality comparing the rest mentioned earlier. The design is user-friendly that allows a person to control the media who are not much aware of these things. This software gives you visual treat for sure making the media go colorful for your vision.
Requirements for Blu-ray Playback on your PC
You can’t just watch 4K Blu-Ray without any buffer or lag, there are some requirement. We have made a complete detail about the requirements right here in this topic to give clarity to your questions.
● Your system should have 4K Blu-ray player software and 4K Blu-ray hardware.
● For windows users your system should be Intel core i7 processor and in the case MAC users it should be an iMac with retina 5K display.
● There should be NVIDIA GeForce GT 750 on your windows.
These are the minimum requirements that should be there in your system for watching a 4K Blu-ray video without any buffer or jerk.
Coming to hardware side, it will cost you a lot of penny comparing the software some of them are free on the web. These hardware’s helps you to watch 4K movies and listen to Dolby sounds without any lag. Some of the commonly used and top-rated hardware’s are Sony BDPS6500, Samsung BD J6300 and Philips BDP7501. It comes with in built 4k streaming apps, YouTube, Netflix and much more.
If you really wish to enjoy 4K videos on your system and TV, go download DVDFab Player 5,
This article only introduce players for playing 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays, but if you also want to find a tool to back up your 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays, please check the steps of copying UHD Blu-rays.
1. Downgrade the UHD-unfriendly firmware of a 4K UHD drive to make it backup-friendly
2. Support all the mainstream 4K UHD drives from major manufacturers like Asus and LG
3. Make the downgraded 4K UHD drives compatible with 3rd party UHD backup software
4. Offer extremely easy downgrade procedures operable even by unskilled amateur users
Copy UHD Blu-rays to discs/folders/ISO files
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- How to Burn Videos to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray?
With a professional UHD burning software you can burn videos to 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays that can be played on a 4K UHD Blu-ray player. Now check how to burn videos to 4K UHD Blu-ray.
- The Best UHD Disc Ripper
There might be many UHD disc ripper tools available in the market, but DVDFab UHD Ripper is the best 4k Blu-ray ripping software available in the market for ripping UHD disc to any lossless formats such as MKV. Let’s go to check.
- Dolby Vision vs. HDR10
What is Dolby Vision and what is HDR10? What are the differences between them? Here we will give you a detailed explanation and show you some tools to copy and play Dolby Vision/HDR10 content.
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