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

[bhampton]

I only use PC's as a last resort now. I keep a laptop PC for whatever I can't do with anything else and so far that's a handful of mostly free programs and simple utilities.

Using less Microsoft products is always a good idea.

[ronboster]

Originally Posted by usually_quiet

You guys are hilarious. Yeah, it's so weird that some/most of the people replying to an HTPC-related thread are a little nerdy and in love with figures and facts. Why that is almost as unexpected as enumerating your media collection under your avatar would be if you belong to a Blu-ray-related forum.

Here's an example of what Geoff is talking about:

From this thread here's a response:

Originally Posted by Sonam_Singh

If you have a 4K TV and you want to see its best picture, you'll want a 4K Blu-ray player. Ultra HD Blu-ray discs can hold much more data than standard Blu-ray discs, so they can deliver full 4K resolution along with enhanced color and contrast. According to Forbes, Samsung is discontinuing the production of new 4K Blu-ray players in the USA. And at least in 2019 the company will not introduce any new devices worldwide. Existing players will at least continue to be sold off.

From the thread dedicated for members to post pictures of their recent movie purchases:

Originally Posted by Sonam_Singh

If you have a 4K TV and you want to see its best picture, you'll want a 4K Blu-ray player. Ultra HD Blu-ray discs can hold much more data than standard Blu-ray discs, so they can deliver full 4K resolution along with enhanced color and contrast. 4K LED TVs are still sharper than 4K OLED TVs due to motion artifacts in 4K OLED TVs that do not exist in 4K LEDs. This and brightness are the only two qualitative areas where 4K LED beats 4K OLED. Longevity, Screen Uniformity, Brightness, Color Rendition are all accurate in the comparison.

Some sentences are the same exact words...the rest of the paragraph has nothing to do with the thread topic.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by ronboster

Here's an example of what Geoff is talking about:

From this thread here's a response:



From the thread dedicated for members to post pictures of their recent movie purchases:




Some sentences are the same exact words...the rest of the paragraph has nothing to do with the thread topic.

I've reported those posts several times, it's so blatant that that's a bot.

[BrownianMotion]

I don't know what you guys are talking about, but Sonam Singh is totally legit. She's an Indian movie actress who is clearly passionate about the medium on which people choose to watch her movies.

Sonam Singh

[usually_quiet]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

So first you agree, then get all snarky. That's why I love this place.

I wasn't talking about you there with the follow-up comment but about the person you were conversing with and then that bizarre Sonam Singh character who literally just pops up now and then to spout the most banal 'copy and paste' info and then disappears again. And by "here" I didn't mean this one single thread, don't be so parochial, I meant the whole forum. There are several people who do this sort of thing and if they're not actual robotos then it's kinda scary that that's how they think.

That clears things up. Thanks.

Yes, I did initially think that you were referring to some posts in this thread that seemed kind of random, such as #21 and #211. I am also aware that the person I was arguing with has polluted other threads about other topics with reasons why his desires in those areas must also be accommodated. (There is a word that is often used to describe people like him but I'm not playing armchair psychologist today.)

Then I saw chip75's reference to the toy and thought he was saying that my interpretation was incorrect and that your post was a reference to the heated discussion that I was having. My bad.

[KPackratt2k]

Originally Posted by bhampton

I only use PC's as a last resort now. I keep a laptop PC for whatever I can't do with anything else and so far that's a handful of mostly free programs and simple utilities.

Using less Microsoft products is always a good idea.

Agreed. By the time Microsoft ends support for Windows 8.1 in 2023, I will no longer be using Windows as a primary OS. I'm sorry, but the last time I used Windows 10, I had nothing but annoying problems, especially with the abusive notifications that I've been constantly getting (e.g. "Your Outlook settings are out of date", "We need to fix your Microsoft account (most likely your password has changed (even though I've never changed my password)), the "Get Even More Out of Windows" screen, and the MS Edge advertisements).

Windows 11 is even worse from what I've seen because they're still shoving Edge advertisements as evident by the fact that if you install Google Chrome and try to make it your default browser, Windows 11 will persuade you into keeping Edge as your default. You may be wondering "how is that a big deal? It's only a one-time annoyance", I look at that as a bad sign because you never know if Microsoft will resort to finding a way to block other web browsers from being installed and used on modern Windows as an attempt to force people to use Edge (they've tried that before with a Windows 10 Insider Preview build, which thankfully scraped that feature, but you never know if they'll bring it back eventually).

I just don't like being annoyed to death by unwarranted notifications, changes, and ads on my computer, and I'm sure I'm not alone here. That's why I now refuse to use modern Windows versions (10 and 11).

I apologize for going off-topic, but this quoted post made me express how I feel about newer Windows versions.

[apollo828]

Originally Posted by ronboster

I think some want to be considered an expert, when they are merely an aggregator of information. It's like Flipboard being considered a "news site."

I think that's what drives me crazy about *ahem* certain posters. While I can't claim to have any real insight into the inner workings of the BDA, I do have a pretty good grasp on the underlying technologies, along with a pretty good (IMO) understanding of the kinds of work embraced by the Silicon Valley elite that drive computer development & trends. I don't mind having discussions with people who also have their own insights, or at least are passionate but understanding of 2022 realities. It's just insulting when people insist over & over that what they want - i.e., they bought something without thinking through the consequences - is the way things should be, and golly gee, this chip is SO AWESOME and just has to be used for 4K playback!!! (Newsflash: NVidia's GT 1030, which came out six years ago, handles 4K video just fine. Or, you can get a GTX 1050 if you want HDR support. Anything else is massive overkill if you're not going to be playing games or otherwise using GPU-intensive programs.)

If NVidia got PlayReady set up to work with 4K streaming but didn't get BDA approval for 4K disc playback - and NVidia has plenty of money and manpower if such approval interests them - and Apple couldn't be bothered with Blu-Ray support 15 years ago, there's virtually zero chance we'll see the BDA approve a new setup. Maybe Intel will somehow push for something new, and probably Pluton-based. I'd be genuinely surprised if that happens. We can't even get new 4K standalone models these days. What makes any sane person think PCs will be the last bastion of 4K playback, especially when Cyberlink is in the mix? (I'm sure their devs mean well, but good lord, PowerDVD really is a hot mess.)

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by apollo828

I think that's what drives me crazy about *ahem* certain posters.While I can't claim to have any real insight into the inner workings of the BDA, I do have a pretty good grasp on the underlying technologies, along with a pretty good (IMO) understanding of the kinds of work embraced by the Silicon Valley elite that drive computer development & trends. I don't mind having discussions with people who also have their own insights, or at least are passionate but understanding of 2022 realities. It's just insulting when people insist over & over that what they want - i.e., they bought something without thinking through the consequences - is the way things should be, and golly gee, this chip is SO AWESOME and just has to be used for 4K playback!!! (Newsflash: NVidia's GT 1030, which came out six years ago, handles 4K video just fine. Or, you can get a GTX 1050 if you want HDR support. Anything else is massive overkill if you're not going to be playing games or otherwise using GPU-intensive programs.)

If NVidia got PlayReady set up to work with 4K streaming but didn't get BDA approval for 4K disc playback - and NVidia has plenty of money and manpower if such approval interests them - and Apple couldn't be bothered with Blu-Ray support 15 years ago, there's virtually zero chance we'll see the BDA approve a new setup. Maybe Intel will somehow push for something new, and probably Pluton-based. I'd be genuinely surprised if that happens. We can't even get new 4K standalone models these days. What makes any sane person think PCs will be the last bastion of 4K playback, especially when Cyberlink is in the mix? (I'm sure their devs mean well, but good lord, PowerDVD really is a hot mess.)

Now extrapolate that myopic "La La La, I can't hear you because my logic overpowers all" viewpoint across various posters on this board on a wide variety of topics. It does my ****ing nut in, I don't mind saying.

[BijouMan]

Originally Posted by KPackratt2k

Agreed. By the time Microsoft ends support for Windows 8.1 in 2023, I will no longer be using Windows as a primary OS. I'm sorry, but the last time I used Windows 10, I had nothing but annoying problems, especially with the abusive notifications that I've been constantly getting (e.g. "Your Outlook settings are out of date", "We need to fix your Microsoft account (most likely your password has changed (even though I've never changed my password)), the "Get Even More Out of Windows" screen, and the MS Edge advertisements).

Windows 11 is even worse from what I've seen because they're still shoving Edge advertisements as evident by the fact that if you install Google Chrome and try to make it your default browser, Windows 11 will persuade you into keeping Edge as your default. You may be wondering "how is that a big deal? It's only a one-time annoyance", I look at that as a bad sign because you never know if Microsoft will resort to finding a way to block other web browsers from being installed and used on modern Windows as an attempt to force people to use Edge (they've tried that before with a Windows 10 Insider Preview build, which thankfully scraped that feature, but you never know if they'll bring it back eventually).

I just don't like being annoyed to death by unwarranted notifications, changes, and ads on my computer, and I'm sure I'm not alone here. That's why I now refuse to use modern Windows versions (10 and 11).

I apologize for going off-topic, but this quoted post made me express how I feel about newer Windows versions.

Who still uses Windows 8?!

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by BijouMan

Who still uses Windows 8?!

I'm still using Windoze 7 Pro.

I am beginning to consider the possibility of maybe, someday, installing Windoze 10 Pro (a friend bought me a product key as a Christmas present).

Windoze 11 is out of the question as my computer is too old. No matter what I do, I will be stuck in the past.

[BijouMan]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I'm still using Windoze 7 Pro. :innocent:

I am beginning to consider the possibility of maybe, someday, installing Windoze 10 Pro (a friend bought me a product key as a Christmas present).

Windoze 11 is out of the question as my computer is too old. No matter what I do, I will be stuck in the past.

Why did Microsoft have to program Windows 11 to only run on computers 2018 and newer? It makes no sense. Of course, Microsoft, being as big as they are, won't listen. Now the best computer to have is one made between 2018 and 2020 if you want a portable UHD Blu-ray player.

By the way, OEM Windows 7 product keys are valid for even Windows 11.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by BijouMan

Why did Microsoft have to program Windows 11 to only run on computers 2018 and newer? It makes no sense. Of course, Microsoft, being as big as they are, won't listen. Now the best computer to have is one made between 2018 and 2020 if you want a portable UHD Blu-ray player.

By the way, OEM Windows 7 product keys are valid for even Windows 11.

The best computer to have is the one that you built yourself.

My options with my current computer are to do nothing, install Windoze 10 Pro, or to build a new computer. Doing a new build sounds like fun, but I can't decide if I want to put $$$ into that project or into home theater upgrades.

Personally, I don't really care about the ability to watch 4K discs with a computer as I would never watch a movie on my 32" monitors, but I can appreciate that others want that capability. I am spoiled by my 85" TV; movies look too small on anything less than.

[BijouMan]

Originally Posted by Vilya

The best computer to have is the one that you built yourself.

My options with my current computer are to do nothing, install Windoze 10 Pro, or to build a new computer. Doing a new build sounds like fun, but I can't decide if I want to put $$$ into that project or into home theater upgrades.

Personally, I don't really care about the ability to watch 4K discs with a computer as I would never watch a movie on my 32" monitors, but I can appreciate that others want that capability. I am spoiled by my 85" TV; movies look too small on anything less than.

I don't care so much about being able to play UHD Blu-ray Discs on a desktop, as it's at home with your home theater. I care about the ability to play them on laptops.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by BijouMan

I don't care so much about being able to play UHD Blu-ray Discs on a desktop, as it's at home with your home theater. I care about the ability to play them on laptops.

I would never play my 4K discs on a portable device even if the tiny screen size was not abhorrent to me. 4K discs are sooo sensitive that I would never carry them around with me. I handle them like they were nitro glycerin, ever so gently lest they explode.

[BijouMan]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I would never play my 4K discs on a portable device even if the tiny screen size was not abhorrent to me. 4K discs are sooo sensitive that I would never carry them around with me. I handle them like they were nitro glycerin, ever so gently lest they explode.

Whenever I take a disc with me, I always take it in a different case so the real one doesn't get messed up. I also wash my hands before handling any disc and I get any dust off of it before inserting it into the machine.

[usually_quiet]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I'm still using Windoze 7 Pro.

I am beginning to consider the possibility of maybe, someday, installing Windoze 10 Pro (a friend bought me a product key as a Christmas present).

Windoze 11 is out of the question as my computer is too old. No matter what I do, I will be stuck in the past.

I built a new desktop PC with a Coffee Lake processor in 2019 but still had to replace the motherboard in 2021 to be ready for Windows 11. (The old motherboard only supported a TPM 1.2 module and the BIOS would not allow using the processor's built-in TPM.)

I'm still using Windows 10 Pro 64-bit on my HTPC and updated desktop PC. Like every other recent version of Windows, it took time to get used to the changes in Windows 10's UI, and updates had the potential to cause problems, like the one that killed UHD Blu-ray playback using Power DVD Ultra.

[KPackratt2k]

Originally Posted by BijouMan

Who still uses Windows 8?!

I still use it on one of my computers because Windows 10 is too invasive for me for the reasons I've already stated in my original post, and unlike Windows 7 it's still supported by Micro$oft. With Classic Shell, it's a lot more usable to the point where an average user may mistake my setup for Windows 7. Once I can afford it, I'll be replacing that computer with an M1 Mac Mini, and once I do, I will use that Windows 8 computer for offline video editing and Windoze-only applications going forward. I am NOT using Windows 10 or 11.

I would use Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC instead as I've heard that was the only decent Windows 10 SKU, but it's hard to obtain legally and I obviously don't want to go through the hassle of pirating Windows.

[BijouMan]

Originally Posted by KPackratt2k

I still use it on one of my computers because Windows 10 is too invasive for me for the reasons I've already stated in my original post, and unlike Windows 7 it's still supported by Micro$oft. With Classic Shell, it's a lot more usable to the point where an average user may mistake my setup for Windows 7. Once I can afford it, I'll be replacing that computer with an M1 Mac Mini, and once I do, I will use that Windows 8 computer for offline video editing and Windoze-only applications going forward. I am NOT using Windows 10 or 11.

I would use Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC instead as I've heard that was the only decent Windows 10 SKU, but it's hard to obtain legally and I obviously don't want to go through the hassle of pirating Windows.

The Enterprise edition of Windows is designed only to be used in an enterprise environment on an enterprise network with network accounts (i.e. using a username and password rather than just a password.)

[MelonGx]

I stopped building new UHDBD PCs when I moved to i5-12600KF.

My existing UHDBD PCs:

- 9600K + AsRock Fatal1ty Z370 Gaming-ITX/ac (Win11)
- 8700K + EVGA H370 Stinger (Win11)
- 8700T + GIGABYTE GA-IMB370TN (Win11)
- 10900T + GIGABYTE Z490I AORUS ULTRA (F6C) (Win10, Win11)
- 10600K + ASUS ROG STRIX Z490-I (Win11)
- 9700T + ASUS VC65-C1 + Internal LG BU40N (Win10)

I think I can play UHDBD until all these PCs' BIOS battery run out.
(When the BIOS setting gets reset, PowerDVD's 1st UHDBD activation will be invalidated.
We can only uninstall, reinstall PowerDVD and do the reactivation to solve it.)

PCs (motherboards) I used to own:

- AsRock Phantom Z390 Gaming-ITX/ac
- ASUS ROG STRIX Z390-I
- GIGABYTE Z370N WIFI
- GIGABYTE Z390 I AORUS PRO WIFI
- GIGABYTE GA-IMB310TN
- GIGABYTE GA-IMB410TN
- FUJITSU FMV ESPRIMO WD1/C2

[BijouMan]

CyberLink is about to introduce a new PowerDVD. Hopefully they do something about this issue this time.