Playing Blu-rays on Macbook Pro, iMac, or any other Mac version can be a challenge because MacOS doesn’t support direct playback of Blu-rays. It requires additional Blu-ray player software to allow Mac users to enjoy Blu-ray collections. Therefore, choosing a qualified one seems a hard task.
Luckily, in this article, we will explore 3 effective tools to help Mac users play Blu-ray discs effortlessly, offering detailed steps. If you are one of these Mac users, read on to discover the best solutions for seamless Blu-ray playback on Mac.
1. Play Blu-ray on Mac with VideoByte Blu-ray Player
First up, let us introduce VideoByte Blu-ray Player, which is the top choice for playing Blu-ray on Mac. You can also use it to play Blu-rays on Windows 10/11/8/7 if you are a multiple-platform user. With strong support for decrypting all Blu-ray protections and bypassing region codes, this software allows you to play all kinds of Blu-rays, including Blu-ray folders and files. If you prioritize quality, feel assured. It supports playing Blu-rays in up to 4K resolution while retaining the original audio tracks, subtitles, and Blu-ray menus. Right now, the software offers a 30-day free trial; don’t miss the chance. Just have a free download and test it before you buy it.
Key features of VideoByte Blu-ray Player:
- Support Blu-ray discs, files, and folders, and compatible with various video formats, including MP4, MKV, VOB, etc.
- Support decrypting all protections, such as AACS、BD+、Cinavia、APS、CSS、ARccOS、CPRM, and bypass region codes.
- Keep original Blu-ray chapters, audio tracks, and subtitles. Free to choose audio and subtitles.
- Equipped with advanced audio decoding technologies, such as Dolby, DTS, AAC, etc.
- Offer GPU acceleration.
- Support playback in lossless quality to up to 4K.
Detailed Guide of Playing Blu-ray on Mac with VideoByte
As a professional Blu-ray player, VideoByte is easy to use without any learning curves. Here is a step-by-step guide. Follow it to start your Blu-ray playing experience.
Step 1. Because Macs don’t have a drive for Blu-ray, you need to prepare a Macintosh Blu-ray drive for your Blu-ray disc. Connect the drive to your Mac and then insert the disc into it.
Step 2. Launch the software. On the homepage, click on the “Open Disc” button to load your Blu-ray disc.
Step 3. Wait a while, and after the disc is loaded, you will see the main menu. Then, you can choose the chapter, audio track, and subtitle as you want. Just click on the “Play Movie” button to start watching.
2. Play Blu-ray with VLC Media Player
VLC is quite famous as a media player. It is free and open-source software, has multiple video/audio decoders, and supports playing various video formats. Moreover, it is equipped with audio equalization, letting you adjust the sound effects. Additionally, it also supports subtitles, chapter selection, etc.
However, free stuff always comes with drawbacks. It does not support a Blu-ray menu and is not easy to use. You need to go through complicated steps to install the keys database and AACS dynamic library to enable it to play Blu-rays. But one thing should be noted, even so, it can only play AACS-protected Blu-rays. So, compared with VideoByte’s comprehensive decryptions, VLC seems a little bit of a hassle and time-wasting. But since it is completely free, it is still considered a decent choice. Here is a guide on how to use VLC play Blu-rays on Mac.
Step 1. Download the latest VLC media player on your Mac.
Step 2. Search files AACS Dynamic Library: libaacs.dll and KEYS Database: keydb.cfg on the internet.
Step 3. Download these two files on your Mac and put them in the following folders. If there is no such a folder, just create one:
Put KEYDB.cfg in ~/Library/Preferences/aacs/
Right-click on blank space of VLC, select “Show Package Contents”, then put libaacs.dll in Contents/MacOS/lib/
Step 4. Insert your Blu-ray disc into your drive, and you can watch your Blu-ray movie.
3. Play Blu-ray with Macgo Blu-ray Player
Let’s turn our sight to Macgo. You can tell from its name. It is a professional media player for Mac. From the official website, we have learned that there are two versions of Macgo for playing Blu-rays. Mac Blu-ray Player and Mac Blu-ray Player Pro. Because the pro version is very expensive, our focus is on the regular version. It can play homemade Blu-rays and some protected Blu-rays, such as Cinavia, and supports a Blu-ray menu as well. What’s more, it has a hardware acceleration and DTS / Dolby audio effects.
However, if you stress the resolution, compared with VideoByte’s 4K quality, it only supports playing up to 1080p. And sadly, it does not support playing common video formats like MP4, MKV, FLV, and Blu-ray files and folders. Although it now offers an unlimited-time free trial, you will meet the watermark during playback. But, for basic Blu-ray playback, it can totally fulfill your needs. Follow the detailed guide below to start using Macgo.
Step 1. Download and install the software on your Mac.
Step 2. Go to “Launchpad” and click on the Macgo icon to open it.
Step 3. Insert your Blu-ray disc into your drive, and the software will automatically load and play the disc.
Conclusion
Now you know how to play Blu-rays on your Mac. But how to choose the best one? There is not a certain answer. Although VLC is free, it needs complicated setups and supports limited decryption for Blu-ray protections. Macgo Blu-ray Player is a more direct method, but it fails in resolution and video formats. So, for the best Blu-ray playback experience on your Mac, VideoByte Blu-ray Player is still the first recommendation for its high compatibility with video formats, high quality to 4K, and decryption for all protections.
