Play DVDs and Blu-rays on Linux - A Comprehensive Guide
Playing Commercial DVDs and Blu-rays on Linux
Commercial DVDs and Blu-ray discs incorporate encryption technologies. This Digital Rights Management (DRM) system is implemented to restrict activities like ripping, copying, and playback on unauthorized devices.
Circumventing this protection is possible, enabling the viewing of DVDs and Blu-rays on a Linux operating system. However, achieving this functionality typically necessitates some system configuration.
DVD Playback
Generally, DVD playback on Linux is quite reliable. Installing a single library should ensure compatibility with most DVD titles.
Blu-ray Playback
Blu-ray playback presents more challenges. Success is not guaranteed, and compatibility varies significantly, with older Blu-ray discs having a higher chance of working.
Both DVD and Blu-ray playback require appropriate hardware. A DVD drive is essential for DVDs, while a Blu-ray drive is needed for both DVDs and Blu-ray discs.
Consider these hardware requirements when setting up your system for optical disc playback.
Playing DVDs on Linux Systems Using VLC Media Player
For those interested in watching DVDs on a Linux operating system, the versatile VLC media player provides a solution. However, utilizing this functionality necessitates the installation of a specific library known as libdvdcss.
This library functions by circumventing the CSS encryption found on DVDs, thereby enabling playback. It's important to note that the legal standing of libdvdcss is ambiguous, potentially conflicting with the DMCA in the United States. Consequently, most Linux distributions do not include it within their standard software repositories.
Similarities to Windows DVD Playback
Interestingly, a comparable approach is frequently employed by Windows users. Recent versions of Windows, specifically Windows 8 and 10, lack native DVD playback capabilities. The recommended solution is often to download and install VLC.
The Windows versions of VLC come pre-equipped with libdvdcss, simplifying the process to a mere download, installation, and immediate playback. Linux requires a slightly more involved procedure.
It is worth mentioning that a commercial alternative, Fluendo DVD Player, is available for purchase at $25 through Ubuntu's Software Center. However, many users prefer the free method.
Installing libdvdcss on Ubuntu
For Ubuntu versions ranging from 12.04 to 15.04, libdvdcss can be installed by accessing a terminal window and executing the following commands:
sudo apt-get install libdvdread4sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread4/install-css.sh
Users of Ubuntu 15.10 and later should utilize this command instead, carefully following the on-screen prompts for installation:
sudo apt-get install libdvd-pkg
Installation on Other Distributions
If you are using a Linux distribution other than Ubuntu, a web search for "install libdvdcss" combined with your distribution's name will yield specific instructions and potentially third-party repositories to facilitate the installation process.
Configuring VLC for DVD Playback
Following the installation of libdvdcss, VLC can be installed from the Software Center if it isn't already present. Alternatively, installation via the command line is possible using sudo apt-get install vlc.
With both components installed, insert a DVD into your drive and launch VLC. Navigate to the "Media" menu, select "Open Disc," and then choose the "DVD" option. VLC should automatically detect the inserted disc and initiate playback.
Should automatic detection fail, manually specifying the device path of your DVD drive within VLC may resolve the issue.
In some instances, a system restart may be necessary to ensure VLC correctly utilizes libdvdcss.
Playing Blu-rays on Linux Systems Using VLC
Reproducing Blu-ray content on Linux presents certain complexities. Although commercial DVD player software is available for purchase, there isn't an officially sanctioned method for Blu-ray playback within the Linux environment.
The age of the Blu-ray disc significantly impacts its compatibility. Older discs generally function more reliably, as they utilized the AACS encryption scheme, which is more readily circumvented. Conversely, newer releases employ BD+ encryption and often blacklist keys used for playing older discs.
Important Note: The website, http://vlc-bluray.whoknowsmy.name, previously referenced for instructions, is currently unavailable.
To enable Blu-ray support within VLC on Ubuntu, initiate a terminal window and sequentially execute the following commands. These commands can be copied and pasted directly into the terminal.
sudo apt-get install vlc libaacs0 libbluray-bdj libbluray1
mkdir -p ~/.config/aacs/
cd ~/.config/aacs/ && wget http://vlc-bluray.whoknowsmy.name/files/KEYDB.cfg
For users of alternative Linux distributions, the initial step involves installing VLC alongside the corresponding libaacs0, libbluray-bdj, and libbluray1 libraries. Following this, the subsequent two commands can be executed to download the KEYDB.cfg file into the designated configuration directory.
With the necessary components installed, you can launch VLC and attempt to open a Blu-ray disc, similar to opening a DVD. Navigate to the "Media" menu, choose "Open Disc," and then select "Blu-ray." Ensure the "No disc menus" option remains checked.
Should you encounter an error message indicating decryption failure or a revoked AACS host certificate, the Blu-ray disc is likely too recent and unsupported by this method.
It's important to understand that success isn't guaranteed with all Blu-ray discs due to evolving encryption technologies.
How to Play Blu-rays on Linux with MakeMKV and VLC
For those seeking to play a broader range of Blu-ray discs on Linux, a combined approach utilizing MakeMKV and VLC is often reported as more successful.
It's important to note that MakeMKV is not an open-source application. It is proprietary software offered with a complimentary 30-day trial period. Continued use beyond the trial theoretically requires a $50 purchase. However, MakeMKV remains functional while in its beta phase, which has now extended for three years.
To maintain access, users need to periodically check a specific forum post and update the beta key on a monthly basis, provided the software remains in beta.
Installing MakeMKV on Linux
Instructions for installing MakeMKV on Linux are available on various forums. Ubuntu users benefit from a simplified installation process using the apt-get command.
Currently, the most current Personal Package Archive (PPA) available is the makemkv-beta PPA. To install MakeMKV from this repository, open a terminal window and execute the following commands:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:heyarje/makemkv-beta
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install makemkv-bin makemkv-oss
Ensure that VLC is also installed, as previously outlined. With both programs in place, launch the MakeMKV application from your application menu.
Select your Blu-ray disc drive and then click the "Stream" icon located on the toolbar. This will generate a local network address.
Open VLC Media Player. Navigate to the "Media" menu and select "Open Network Stream." Input the address provided by MakeMKV.
The address will resemble the following example:
http://localhost:51000/stream/title0.ts
Typically, the primary movie content resides within either "title0" or "title1." Choose the title that appears to have the larger file size within the MakeMKV interface.
MakeMKV will then decode the Blu-ray video and stream it directly to VLC. This process occurs entirely on your computer, requiring no internet connection.
VLC handles the playback, while MakeMKV performs the demanding decoding task in the background.
Playing Blu-ray discs can be an unreliable and complex undertaking. This process is primarily necessary for individuals with physical, commercial Blu-ray discs.
If you have already ripped the Blu-ray discs on another computer, or downloaded the ripped files, you should be able to play them in VLC without issue, just like any other video file.
Considering the ease with which services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Instant Video can be configured on Linux, this method represents a significant amount of effort to play a legitimately purchased disc.
It may be more convenient to obtain your media through alternative means on Linux, or to utilize a separate device specifically for Blu-ray playback if physical discs are a necessity.
Image Credit: Andrew Booth on Flickr
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