Which programs will display / play from Bluray menus?

[Marc_G 95]

Hi folks,

 

This is a new thread with new title and different focus in hopes of getting more answers that may be helpful.

 

The bottom line is that with current windows security rollups installed on my Win 7 desktop system (which I use to rip discs), my old copy of Arcsoft TMT won't open. There's a whole thread on it here.

 

The ONLY reason I use TMT to play blurays is to sort out which title ripped by MakeMKV corresponds to which title on the Bluray menu. Typically, if there are 3-4 episodes on the disc, when ripped to MKV files, you have no way of knowing which of the mkvs relates to "episode 1" and so on. So I play a few seconds of the episode from the disc with TMT, play a few seconds of the ripped MKV episodes, and line 'em up. Takes just a couple minutes per disc.

 

So, it TMT is out of the equation, is PowerDVD the ONLY option out there that will actually play the bluray menu? Note, I have the AnyDVDHD software from RedFox installed, so decryption is not the problem. It's solely being able to play from the menu that is my task. I'd even be happy with a crippleware thing that would play leaving a watermark or something, as my needs are very minimal... just a few seconds needed, just enough to line up episodes.

 

Things like VLC and MPC-HC can play from the ripped folders or decrypted disc, but NOT THE MENUS. I specifically need the menus to work.

 

If PowerDVD is the only option, fine I'll pay the ~$40 for a copy. But I'd rather something "lighter" if possible. I've had an old version of PDVD long ago, circa 2009-2011, and it was this huge thing that kept trying to take over the PC. So, for me while I admit to being a bit cheap, $40 isn't a problem. But I want something that won't try to coopt my PC, that will accept that it's something I use for 10 minutes a month and not constantly nag me, take over file types, and so on.

 

I'd appreciate any input on any other software that can play the DVD menus.

 

Thanks

Edited February 25, 2018 by Marc_G

[Luke 42077]

Powerdvd is the only one I ever hear mentioned.

[Marc_G 95]

Thanks Luke. I am hopeful someone else may know of one, but if not, I guess I'm stuck with PowerDVD. I'm half tempted to make a virtual machine to host it.

[ebr 16171]

In my experience, the titles have always been in order but maybe this isn't always the case.

[Marc_G 95]

I've found they are in order about 75% of the time, based on my last 9 years of doing this ( ). But the uncertainty involved in not knowing if they are right or not before playing makes this a must-fix problem. I just really hated PowerDVD back in the day. I hate to go back to it.

[Guest asrequested]

I was just playing around with this. It's a bit hit and miss. Maybe it'll work better, for you.

 

http://www.leawo.com/blu-ray-player/

Edited February 26, 2018 by Doofus

[Marc_G 95]

Thanks I will check it out.

[Marc_G 95]

Member One2Go reports here that the Leewoo thing is hit or miss.

 

In the absence of solid alternatives it looks like buying a copy of PowerDVD is the best option. I'll look into it this weekend. Hopefully it won't do too many annoying things.

 

Thanks all!

[aspdend 177]

I've heard Ufuware Bluray player is supposed to be good and may well do the sort of task you are asking for, although I've never used it myself - I've always used TMT - to be honest - aren't you just as well off to buy a cheap blu-ray player and put the original disk in that?

[Marc_G 95]

I've heard Ufuware Bluray player is supposed to be good and may well do the sort of task you are asking for, although I've never used it myself - I've always used TMT - to be honest - aren't you just as well off to buy a cheap blu-ray player and put the original disk in that?

Thanks I can look into this ulfware thing. Hadn't heard it.

 

My process for lining up the episodes is all done on my desktop computer and there's no TV nearby for a physical Blu-ray player to use. Also no way I could sit through the previews and such to get to the episodes. With Anydvdhd running, I can zip past all that crap and get right to the episodes selection to play a few secs of each title. Nice idea though.

[aspdend 177]

Thanks I can look into this ulfware thing. Hadn't heard it.

 

My process for lining up the episodes is all done on my desktop computer and there's no TV nearby for a physical Blu-ray player to use. Also no way I could sit through the previews and such to get to the episodes. With Anydvdhd running, I can zip past all that crap and get right to the episodes selection to play a few secs of each title. Nice idea though.

Fair enough - thought it would work out cheaper than a software subscription nowadays

[One2Go 120]

If you get PDVD be very observant that the Blu-ray folder structure is exactly what it supposed to be even if the folder is empty. For example in one disc I missed an empty AUXDATA folder. TMT5 world play it PDVD would not. Added the empty AUXDATA folder and PDVD then played it. Google the Blu-ray folder structure.