Recent Blu-ray

Pezzy

Newbie Joined: Dec 31, 2015 11:26 Messages: 29 Offline

Solved by

Dec 31, 2015 15:59

Hi all.

Just a bit ago, I submitted a helpdesk ticket to tech support. While I'm awaiting a reply, I thought I'd post it here, too, to see what all of you had to say.

Many years ago I had PowerDVD software for playing Blu-ray discs on my computer (probably somewhere around 2010). I've also tried some competitor's software (you may have heard of ArcSoft TotalMedia Theater). However, in recent years, I've moved more towards digital-downloads for watching movies.

But recently, I was given a gift of a Blu-ray, and I happened to install the other software I mentioned (ArcSoft TotalMedia Theater) on my Windows 10-based computer; the Blu-ray disc would not play/ failed. I did notice, however, from ArcSoft's web site, that they have not been keeping up in recent times with updates to their product; seems they've fallen out of competition.

Blu-ray discs (and the companies that produce them) always seem to keep up with the latest technology, encoding, protection, etc. So, the software that plays them needs to keep up, too. Here's what I want to find out:

The latest software for Blu-ray playback is PowerDVD 15. The recent Blu-ray disc I received is a movie that was just recently itself released on the Blu-ray format about a month or so ago (can't remember the exact date, but around October.....November???); the movie is called: "Mulholland Drive".

Since this movie failed to play in a somewhat older version of the ArcSoft TotalMedia Theater software, can any of you say with any certainty if this Blu-ray movie will play in the software program of PowerDVD 15? I ask this because I want to find this out before I make the investment to purchase the software on-line.

Thanks for any helpful input,

Pezzy

stevek

Senior Contributor Location: Houston, Texas USA Joined: Jan 25, 2011 12:18 Messages: 4663 Offline

Jan 02, 2016 09:47

Go here to see the latest patches for PowerDVD 15. :http://www.cyberlink.com/support/powerdvd-ultra/patches_en_US.html

Have you tried the trial vedrsion? http://www.cyberlink.com/downloads/trials/powerdvd-ultra/download_en_US.html

Here are the limitiations of the trial version:

Trial Limitation30-day trial version. - VC-1/H.264/Blu-ray format playback in the trial version is limited to systems with hardware acceleration.Does not support the playback of HEVC/H.265/Blu-ray 3D content.Does not support the playback of CPRM/DTCP-IP protected content.Does not support USB Sync and Home Media Server.Does not support audio extraction from video files.Does not support CD audio ripping.A CyberLink account is required to access CyberLink Cloud features.2GB of free storage in CyberLink Cloud is provided during the trial period.Media content in CyberLink Drive may be deleted when the trial expires.CyberLink Cloud for Power Media Player is not supported in the trial version.Transcoding media before uploading to CyberLink Cloud is not supported in the trial version.

Note: Cyberlink has a good sale going on now (to Jan 4) . Check the requirements (specs) and if you buy it and it doesnl't work for you, return it and get your money back. .
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Pezzy

Newbie Joined: Dec 31, 2015 11:26 Messages: 29 Offline

Jan 02, 2016 11:37

Hi stevek; thanks for your reply.

Yes, I'm aware that there's the trial version; most software products have a "try-it-before-you-buy-it" offer. But, as you put below in your Copy/ Paste, the trial version is not going to have all the features of the full version, all the bells & whistles.

Yes, I noticed the deal going on right now is pretty cheap (PowerDVD Ultra for only $59.95). And my system's specs not only meet but well-exceed the requirements; so that's not my concern.

But like you mentioned: If I were to buy it and it didn't work (failed to play this recently-released Blu-ray disc), is the Cyberlink company good about accepting returns? I'd be getting a downloaded version, not a boxed version.

I remember back in the "old days" - somewhere in the later 1990's (gosh, is that really considered old by now?!?!) - it used to be relatively easy to return software on a CD to a store, things like CD ROM games. But then it started to become a little more difficult with the advent of CD (and DVD) burners, and stores had to become a little more stringent in their return policies.

But I can't recall myself personally "returning" a downloaded piece of software for a "return/ refund". Do you happen to know if that would be a simple enough thing to do with the Cyberlink company?

Thanks for any info,

Pezzy

stevek

Senior Contributor Location: Houston, Texas USA Joined: Jan 25, 2011 12:18 Messages: 4663 Offline

Jan 02, 2016 11:57

They do have a 30 day return policy if you buy the download version from them. I have not had the opportunity to try if they live up to the promise.

If you can, wait until the 4th (last day of the sale) and call them directly.

By the way, here is the purchase FAQs: http://www.cyberlink.com/support/purchase-faq-list.do

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at Jan 02. 2016 12:03

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BoilerPlate: To posters who ask for help -- it is nice to thank the volunteers who try to answer your questions !
Anything I post unless stated with a reference is my personal opinion.