Greetings,
I'm writing to report that SlySoft's
AnyDVD HD software fixes the problem. With AnyDVD HD running in the background, I am finally able to view my licensed blu-ray of the movie "District 9". The "unsupported format" error message of PowerDVD 10 Ultra does not appear and the blu-ray disc appears to function as it should. The movie looks great in 1080p HD and the DTS-HD soundtrack sounds super as it streams direct to my external sound system. I did not notice any performance problems with AnyDVD HD running in the background.
If the "District 9" problem had been due to an incompatiblity with my older Sony blu-ray drive (as some have suggested), it must have been a security issue and AnyDVD HD overcame the problem by elimating the security layer during playback. Thank you SlySoft! But this worries me that drive manufacturers will not always provide timely firmware updates to solve these problems as they should. While my Sony drive has the latest firmware, the firmware is over a year old. The irony here is that Sony is the "inventor" and "keeper" of the blu-ray technology.
Anyone can download a demo version of AnyDVD HD from SlySoft's website (
www.slysoft.com) and test it for free for 21 days. There are two versions: the original "AnyDVD" which works with DVDs only and the high-definition "AnyDVD HD" which works with both DVDs, Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs. But it's really just one program so you'll see just the one download for both versions on their website. The difference is which features are unlocked by your license. Apparently, during the 21-day demo period, all of the features are available with the exeption that you cannot save your settings---so you'll have to redo any setting changes each time you run the program during the demo period.
Sadly, the program is not cheap and the cost varies depending on (1) whether you want a standard or an HD license, and (2) how long you want to be able to receive updates. I believe updates are important for the HD version as the blu-ray security evolves in the future. An AnyDVD HD license with unlimited updates and support will cost you more than a new PowerDVD 10 Ultra license. Ouch!
I'm very disappointed that PowerDVD 10 Ultra requires this bootstrap effort to watch a legitimate movie that I purchased. Why can't CyberLink enable my Sony blu-ray drive to work with this hybrid blu-ray disc? Since AnyDVD HD can, it is obviously possible! I know there are blu-ray decoder license restrictions involved, but this has created a product (PowerDVD) that does not always work even though the user wants to view a propertly licensed blu-ray disc with an up-to-date blu-ray drive. It violates the principle of "fair use" and it means that CyberLink has not earned my loyalty. If a better product comes along that overcomes this issue, I won't hesitate to switch. Are you listening SlySoft?
Some PowerDVD users have been able to watch the "District 9" blu-ray on Vista and Windows 7 systems without this extra effort. If this is a limit of Windows XP and CyberLink has decided to no longer support XP, then they need to explain that not all blu-ray discs are supported. I think they may also need to explain that not all features are supported on XP (for example some, if not most, of the new 3D features may not work under XP).
I'm okay with that if they decide to drop XP support---I plan to build a new Windows 7 entertainment system later this year and I realize that some of the future features will be impossible to port down to XP. But CyberLink needs to do a better job of explaining this stuff.
Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now. The bottom line: If you run into the kind of problem that I did, SlySoft's AnyDVD HD may solve it and with their 21-day demo you can test it before you buy.
Kind regards, David
P.S. I do not represent SlySoft and have received NO payment or benefit for endorsing their product.