The Ultimate BLU-RAY player software faceoff (4 different computer software packages)

[HDTV1080P]

** The following PC build plays standard 2-D and 3-D Blu-ray's just fine **


*** Warning, it’s impossible to play native 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs on this PC since almost every single piece of hardware needs replaced because the new encryption system is locked down in hardware instead of using software (The desktop computer monitor will work, and most likely the power supply and case also.) ***

** Playing back 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray movies on a PC is going to become a very niche market for the next several years, since literally almost everyone on the planet earth needs to buy a new computer if they want to play the new format. **


Everyone in the world needs to literally purchase a new PC to play 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs (click here for more details)

Here is information on the latest 2015 ASROCK X99 motherboard build I did with 128GB of DDR4 memory running at 2400Mhz

It is possible to build a desktop computer for under $500 that plays Blu-ray movies just fine. For people that also want a superfast high-end desktop computer that also plays Blu-ray’s then the following is an example of a higher end computer system one can build.

The following PC build has an overall Windows 7 speed rating of 7.8 out of 7.9 (everything used in the build was rated as 7.9 except for the CPU which was rated at 7.8)

Around every 5 years I build myself or a family member a new desktop computer. For the year 2015 I used an Intel X99 motherboard with 128GB of DDR4 memory. By far Cyberlink PowerDVD 16 Ultra is the best of the best in regards to Windows based Blu-ray software. When connected to the latest modern graphics card and latest modern desktop monitor the 24P feature can be used. I originally tried using the ASUS X99-E WS/USB 3.1 motherboard, however there was a problem at the time with the latest BIOS release not supporting 16GB DDR4 memory modules so I ended up returning the motherboard and using the AsRock Fatal1ty Professional/3.1 motherboard instead (All AsRock motherboards use high-end long life 12K Platinum Caps). The AsRock motherboard is now shipping with the latest version 1.2 BIOS that offers compatibility with 16GB DDR4 memory modules (BIOS can also be updated by consumers by doing a online download). When purchasing a 128GB DDR4 kit I strongly recommend not getting a kit that uses a fan design since on all the X99 motherboards that I have seen from different manufactories installing the two fans on top of the 128GB DDR4 memory kit will end up resulting in a person not being able to use PCI-e slot number one. The manufactories of X99 motherboards have placed PCI-e slot number one to close to the DDR4 memory module slot which results in DDR4 memory fans blocking the space needed to install a card in PCI-e slot number one. Manufactories of X99 motherboards should start designing X99 motherboards that are a quarter of an inch larger between the DDR4 slots and PCI-e slot number one so that if one wants to use a fan on the memory modules they can do so without blocking the space needed to install a card in PCI-e slot number one. Therefore when choosing a 128GB DDR4 kit I ended up going with one that had a fanless design so that I could use PCI-e slot number one. For CPU cooler I used liquid cooling. Also a solid state drive was used to greatly increase speed of the PC. This X99 PC also only uses around 110-130 watts of power with the monitor on under normal PC loads (faster design with less power, also PC has less noise). Prior X58 designs would use around 300 watts under normal load with slower speed.





In this build I used Windows 7 Ultimate Service Pack 1 64-bit edition since Windows 7 has extra features that are missing in the new Windows 10 operating system.

Some computer parts I used for the build

• ASRock Fatal1ty X99Professional/3.1 motherboard: (contains a USB 3.1 type C port built into motherboard and 32Gbps Ultra M2 interface. Also has two 1Gbps Ethernet jacks). There is one older ASROCK X99 motherboard on the market that has two 10Gbps Ethernet jacks, but it lacks some modern features like USB 3.1, etc.Those that need 10Gbps Ethernet can always purchase a add on card. As time goes on more and more motherboards will start offering 10Gbps Ethernet.

• Intel Core i7-5960x: (currently the fastest i7 CPU, those that need faster speed should use an Intel Xeon E5-2699 in the ASROCK motherboard with memory that is compatible with Xeon CPU’s. Some motherboards allow for two Xeon CPU’s to be used at the same time for those that really need more power.

• EVGA Geforce GTX980ti Graphics card: Ideal graphics card for use with 3840 x 2160 monitors with 60Hz input. Officially the specs do not mention HDCP 2.2 support, however some experts believe this card hardware will support HDCP 2.2 with a driver software update. Worse case scenario is that one will need to upgrade this graphics card if for some reason the GTX 980ti does not support HDCP 2.2 for the coming 2016 native Ultra HD Blu-ray disc releases.

• LG 27MU67 Ultra HD desktop computer monitor with HDCP 2.2: This is currently the only desktop computer monitor in the United States that offers the HDCP 2.2 feature over HDMI (Needed for future Ultra HD Blu-ray disc titles that start getting released in 2016). Has a native resolution of 3840 x 2160 and native refresh rate of 60Hz.

• PowerDVD 16 Ultra: Currently the best quality Blu-ray software on the market for playing standard Blu-ray discs. When native 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs get released in 2016 consumers will need to update their Blu-ray software if they want to play Ultra HD Blu-ray movies.

• Pioneer BDR-2209 BDXL drive: Currently the highest quality BDXL Blu-ray writer on the market. Its unknown at this time if this drive will be able to read the new native 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs that are scheduled to be released in 2016. Worse case scenario is one might have to upgrade the Blu-ray drive to watch the latest 2016 Ultra HD Blu-ray discs. Update: I tested a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc in both a standard Blu-ray drive and a BDXL drive, and the disc is unreadable. Therefore some manufactory will need to create a special computer BD-ROM drive in order to use 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs in a computer.

• Intel 750 PCIe 3.0 x4 solid state drive: Offers superfast Windows experience.

• Seagate 6TB 7200RPM Enterprise Hard Drive (ST6000NM004): Ideal for any large video downloads, etc.

• G.SKILL Ripjaws 4 Series 128GB Extreme Performance kit (F4-2400C14Q2-128GRK): A fanless design that allows one to still use PCI-e slot number one on the latest X99 motherboards.128GB kit operates at 2400Mhz with no errors.

• Corsair Hydro Series H110i GT High Performance Water/Liquid CPU Cooler: Keeps CPU nice and cool.

• LIAN LI PC-A79B Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower computer case: Very nice computer case for those that prefer the full tower style.

• EVGA SuperNOVA 1600 T2 Power Supply (220-T21600-X1): Top of the line 1600 Watt Power supply with a 10 year warranty.

• CyberPower PR1500LCDRTXL2U: PureSine wave 1500 watt UPS power backup unit.

• Various other parts used like THX computer speakers, Keyboard, Logitech trackball, USB 3.0 cardreader, etc.