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Some time ago, I bought my parents a computer dedicated to media (mostly photographs and movies through DLNA). My father asked me if he could read Blu-ray discs on it, so I bought a Blu-ray reader, but I can't find a software to do the playback.
I installed PowerDVD (a free version we got with a Blu-ray disc), but it seems it now requires a (non-free) upgrade. Even if it were free, I hardly see my parents do the upgrade by themselves as they barely understand how computers work. I thought I would find a free software (something like VLC, but for Blu-ray discs), but so far I had no luck.
Is there software that would solve my issues?
It should run on Windows Vista, shouldn't require an update every monday, or at least a free one.
PowerDVD aggressively markets its upgrades. I don't believe you need to upgrade. – Ben Richards – 2012-04-04T13:49:34.677
@sidran32: I don't know what happened, but the first installation of PowerDVD was able to read all my blu rays but suddenly, it stopped working and required an upgrade :( (and it was not a shareware version) – ereOn – 2012-04-04T20:40:06.817
1What usually happens with Bluray is that they will periodically require updates to the software to allow you to play new Bluray discs. These updates are available for free. PowerDVD may market their pay-for software upgrades alongside them but you are not required to purchase new software to get these updates. There should be a button on the top left with an up arrow that will list the free updates to download. – Ben Richards – 2012-04-05T00:21:35.717
@sidran32: Thanks. I will look for it this week-end. – ereOn – 2012-04-05T08:27:53.590
@BenRichards This is not true. I got bit by that from PowerDVD, they stopped applying the blueray protection updates to my version. I called their support line and was told there is no way to get the update without paying due to my version of PowerDVD "is no longer under support" – Scott Chamberlain – 2013-05-06T00:57:31.937
@ScottChamberlain I think it stands to reason that every product will eventually be EOL and they'll only support the latest version. Sucks with the way Bluray is, but not much you can do about that. – Ben Richards – 2013-05-09T21:27:04.473