How can I play 4k Blu-Rays on my Mac Studio?

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Level 1

9 points

How can I play 4k Blu-Rays on my Mac Studio?

I have a Mac Studio M1 Ultra running Sequoia 15.2

I recently purchased the Arcane 4k's and wanted to buy an external player and play them on my computer. I assumed I would just be able to buy a drive and plug and play but when I went to research what a good external player was I couldn't seem to get a clear answer.

Is it possible to play 4k Blu-Rays on Mac Studio with an external drive? If so what would be a good external drive to get and what software would I pair with it to play the disks?

TIA

Mac Studio, macOS 15.1

Posted on Dec 22, 2024 5:18 AM

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Answer 1

VikingOSX

Level 10

124,862 points

Dec 22, 2024 5:38 AM in response to cassmcbride

There are two issues:

A player capable of playing 4K or 4K UltraHD Blu-rays that is compatible with macOS Sequoia and Macs.
1. I use a Pioneer BDR-X13U-S which is 4K UltraHD rated, and is expensive because Pioneer bundles it with Windows-only burner/playback software. I purchased directly from Pioneer and I use item 2.1 below for regular 4K Blu-ray playback with this device.
2. Pioneer has other less expensive 4K UltraHD Blu-ray players. Those with a 13 in their model numbers are compatible with macOS Monterey and later.
3. An alternative to the Pioneer brand is the 16X Mercury Pro Blu-ray burner from OWC.
Since Apple does not provide Blu-ray software to play said content, you will need third-party software that can play the content and that is also compatible with macOS Sequoia.
1. MacGo's Blu-ray Player Pro can play 4K Blu-ray (and DVD) discs but not UltraHD Blu-ray. It is a free open-ended trial with a watermark.

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Answer 2

cassmcbride Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 22, 2024 9:20 PM in response to VikingOSX

Thanks so much for taking the time to explain this.

I don't seem to have BDR-X13U-S available in my country but you've given me enough information to work out what I need to do to get it working. We have some other models with 13 in the model number so I'll research those.

Thanks again for taking the time to answer its very much appreciated. 🙏

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Answer 3

VikingOSX

Level 10

124,862 points

Dec 27, 2024 10:07 AM in response to dialabrain

I happen to have the LG UBK-90 UltraHD player attached to the TV via HDMI. It will upscale 720p or better content, play .mp4 and .mkv video, and can play 4K UltraHD Blu-ray discs. This is the reason I have a small list of UltraHD movies on Blu-ray.

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Answer 4

dialabrain

Level 10

136,739 points

Dec 27, 2024 10:28 AM in response to VikingOSX

I know we purchased 3 DVD's when we bought the Sony. I know A Clockwork Orange was one. I forget the other two. I occasionally use Orange to test the Apple SuperDrive to make sure it still works with the latest versions of macOS.

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Answer 5

dialabrain

Level 10

136,739 points

Dec 22, 2024 5:44 AM in response to cassmcbride

You would need third-party software to play Blu-rays. Macgo Blu-ray Player is one such option.

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Answer 6

dialabrain

Level 10

136,739 points

Dec 22, 2024 5:38 AM in response to VikingOSX

+1 Well said.

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Answer 7

dialabrain

Level 10

136,739 points

Dec 22, 2024 5:43 AM in response to VikingOSX

I should add, I purchased a Sony BDP-S5100 3D Blu-ray Disc Player with Wi-Fi in 2014 for a new TV purchase at the time. So far, I have yet to purchase a Blu-ray disk. 😎

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