4K UHD Blu-ray Playback on PC Desktop is officially dead in 2021?

[BijouMan]

Originally Posted by JEArgumedo

As of 2017, the flagship iPhones and iPad Pros support Dolby Vision + HDR10. The Mac can also playback Dolby Vision content on newer models through the TV app. It's also supported on Apple's Pro Display XDR monitor.

As for UHD Blu-ray, the Mac can playback the content in at least HDR10, but you'll need to rip the disc.

OK. Under macOS Big Sur, Apple allows the use of the T2 Security Chip found in 2018 and newer Mac computers to stream Netflix in 4K. If it works for Netflix, this method should also work to legally play Ultra HD Blu-ray discs. Although Netflix's copy protection system isn't as sophisticated as Ultra HD Blu-ray's copy protection system and can be decrypted at the software level using Microsoft's PlayReady under Windows, macOS decrypts it at the hardware level using the T2 Security Chip. This would be a BDA-approved method of playing Ultra HD Blu-ray discs on an Apple machine, especially considering the T2 Security Chip is an Apple chip, and Apple's chips are very hacker-proof. Why isn’t Macgo teaming up with Apple to finally make Ultra HD Blu-ray software for Mac? They’ve got the right hardware, so why don’t they put it to use? This is the one thing I have always complained about my Mac not being able to do. Developing such a program will finally ease my complaint and allow me to use my Mac as a portable Ultra HD Blu-ray player. Consider that this is a lot of computers that could benefit from this type of software as they are very popular. Macgo is licensed with the BDA. You guys will have to tell Macgo about this method. Here is their address: support@macblurayplayer.com

[JEArgumedo]

Originally Posted by BijouMan

There is currently no legal method of playing Ultra HD Blu-ray Discs on an Apple machine, even under Windows. Once the Blu-ray Disc Association approves of a legal playback method other than Intel SGX, you will be able to play Ultra HD Blu-ray Discs on your Mac using a compatible drive. Also, the Pro Display XDR uses Thunderbolt, not HDMI, and as a result does not support any version of HDCP, let alone 2.2.

Originally Posted by BijouMan

OK. Under macOS Big Sur, Apple allows the use of the T2 Security Chip found in 2018 and newer Mac computers to stream Netflix in 4K. If it works for Netflix, this method should also work to legally play Ultra HD Blu-ray discs. Although Netflix's copy protection system isn't as sophisticated as Ultra HD Blu-ray's copy protection system and can be decrypted at the software level using Microsoft's PlayReady under Windows, macOS decrypts it at the hardware level using the T2 Security Chip. This would be a BDA-approved method of playing Ultra HD Blu-ray discs on an Apple machine, especially considering the T2 Security Chip is an Apple chip, and Apple's chips are very hacker-proof. Why isn’t Macgo teaming up with Apple to finally make Ultra HD Blu-ray software for Mac? They’ve got the right hardware, so why don’t they put it to use? This is the one thing I have always complained about my Mac not being able to do. Developing such a program will finally ease my complaint and allow me to use my Mac as a portable Ultra HD Blu-ray player. Consider that this is a lot of computers that could benefit from this type of software as they are very popular. Macgo is licensed with the BDA. You guys will have to tell Macgo about this method. Here is their address: support@macblurayplayer.com

VLC + MakeMKV can play the disc back without ripping it if you want to go that route. Seriously, there's no need for an of the hardware decryption either. The Mac is fully capable of playing back 4K UHD Blu-ray without Intel SGX or T2 chip or anything (running a 2019 iMac). I literally just found this out and tested it myself. Plays back, no ripping if that's super important to you.

[BijouMan]

Originally Posted by JEArgumedo

VLC + MakeMKV can play the disc back without ripping it if you want to go that route. Seriously, there's no need for an of the hardware decryption either. The Mac is fully capable of playing back 4K UHD Blu-ray without Intel SGX or T2 chip or anything (running a 2019 iMac). I literally just found this out and tested it myself. Plays back, no ripping if that's super important to you.

However, this is not a legal method of playback. In order for a playback method to be legal, the decryption must take place at the hardware level. These companies are not licensed by the BDA. Macgo is. That's why they need to do what I described above. As far as I know, illegal playback or ripping methods are not allowed to be mentioned on the Blu-ray forum. If enough people tell Macgo about this, we can finally bring Ultra HD Blu-ray to the Mac. Please delete your post before a moderator notices.