
Summary:
This guide will show you what BDMV files are and walk you through four top-rated playback tools (including completely free options) for Mac and Windows to get you watching your content quickly and easily.
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Need to play BDMV files on your computer but don’t know where to start? This guide explains what BDMV files are and walks you through playing them on Mac and Windows using four reliable BDMV players.
Struggling to open BDMV files on your computer? You’re not alone. Unlike standard video files, BDMV folders are a specialized Blu-ray disc format with complex folder structures and encryption that require dedicated Blu-ray playback software. This guide will show you what BDMV files are and walk you through four top-rated playback tools (including completely free options) for Mac and Windows to get you watching your content quickly and easily.
1. What is BDMV Folder/Files & How to Open it?
A BDMV folder isn’t just one file; it’s a whole collection of them that consists of a Blu-ray movie. You can think of it as the digital version of a physical Blu-ray disc. All the parts of the movie—the video and audio files, subtitles, and even the menu structure—are stored inside this one folder. The name "BDMV" is just a shorthand for Blu-ray Disc Movie.
Unlike Blu-ray discs that additionally require a Blu-ray drive to read disc files, to play BDMV files, all you need is a professional Blu-ray player software for proper playback with full menu functionality. Here are the four top choices with different features and pricing tiers.
2. 4 Tools to Play BDMV FilesTrue User Experience of FlixGrabapp Free Amazon Prime Download
Leawo Blu-ray Player:
Supported OS: Windows, macOS
Pricing: Free
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A 100% free Blu-ray media player combo that offers totally free media playback solutions for 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, video and audio playback. It could play back 4K Blu-ray, Blu-ray and DVD discs regardless of disc protection and region restrictions, without any quality loss and subscription required.
This is your go-to choice for a professional BDMV player that is completely free to use. As a region-free media player, it effortlessly handles 4K Blu-ray discs, standard Blu-rays, BDMV folders, and ISO files from any region without restrictions. It supports audio decoding technologies like DTS 5.1, Dolby, AAC, TrueHD, and DTS-HD, for a superior movie experience.
Pros:
- Full Blu-ray menu support.
- Customizable subtitle display (font, size, style, and color).
- A user-friendly interface that beginners will find easy to use.
Cons:
- Potential ads pop up when the playback is paused.
Here’s how to play BDMV files using Leawo Blu-ray Player:
Step 1: Load your BDMV folder
After installing Leawo Blu-ray Player on your computer, launch the application. Click "Open File," browse to your desired BDMV folder, and hit "Open" to start playback.
Step 2: Play BDMV files and set playback preference
From the Blu-ray menu, you can select "Play" to begin full movie playback, or "Chapters" to jump directly to a specific segment. During playback, you can change the subtitles or audio tracks as desired.
VLC Media Player:
Supported OS: Windows, macOS, Linux
Pricing: Free
VLC Media Player is one of the most accessible options for free BDMV playback. It can handle unprotected BDMV folders smoothly with excellent cross-platform performance. However, commercial ones with copy protection may require additional setups.
Pros:
- Lightweight design—great for older computers.
- Intuitive playback controls.
- Multiple audio tracks and subtitle support.
Cons:
- Video quality may appear compressed compared to professional Blu-ray players.
- Requires additional setup for copy-protected discs.
- Limited interactive menu support.
For unprotected BDMVs, playing them on VLC Media Player is simple with the steps below.
Step 1: Launch VLC Media Player on your computer.
Step 2: Click the Media>Open Folder button from the menu bar. Then navigate to your BDMV folder and select it. VLC will detect it and begin playback. To play protected BDMVs on VLC, check out target=”dkey”>How to Play BDMV Folder with VLC?
Macgo Mac Blu-ray Player Pro:
Supported OS: Mac OS X 10.8 and higher
Pricing: Paid
Macgo Mac Blu-ray Player Pro delivers on its promise of a premium experience by supporting the playback of multiple media formats, including BDMV folders. It is renowned for its highly intuitive macOS interface and integration with Mac features. You can use the Touch Bar on your MacBook Pro to control playback functions easily.
Pros:
- Enhanced user interface for Mac OS and designed specifically for Mac devices.
- Full support for Blu-ray menu navigation.
- Supports up to 4K video playback and includes advanced audio decoding technologies like DTS-HD.
Cons:
- High CPU usage can slow down your system.
Here is how to use Macgo Mac Blu-ray Player Pro to play BDMV files:
Step 1: Download and install the software from Macgo’s official website.
Step 2: Launch the player, click "Open File," and navigate to your BDMV folder. Select it and your content will begin playing immediately.
VideoByte Blu-ray Player:
Supported OS: Windows, macOS
Pricing: Paid
VideoByte Blu-ray Player offers cinematic Blu-ray movie playback with up to 4K resolution and original DTS and Dolby Digital audio effects. It can play Blu-ray discs, BDMV folders, and ISO files without region code restrictions for a smooth viewing experience.
Pros:
- Hardware acceleration ensures smooth playback.
- Keeps track of your viewing history.
Cons:
- It requires an internet connection to work properly.
- Higher price point compared to free alternatives.
Playing BDMV files using VideoByte Blu-ray Player is as simple as well. Check out the guide:
Step 1: Install and launch the player on your computer.
Step 2: Click “Open File” on the interface and select the BDMV file you want to playback, and click “Open”. Now you may watch the BDMV file.
3. FAQs
How to open BDMV file on Mac?
Since the built-in QuickTime Player on Mac does not support BDMV, you need a Blu-ray Player for playback of this format, such as Leawo Blu-ray Player. It supports mac OS and handles BDMV files. Click the Open File button on the interface, select your BDMV file, and you can watch BDMV on Mac.
How to extract files from BDMV?
You can convert BDMV folders to standard video formats using Blu-ray ripping software like HandBrake or Leawo Blu-ray Ripper. These tools let you extract the video content and save it as MP4, MKV, or other common formats that work with any media player.
Is a BDMV file the same as an ISO? ?
No, BDMV and ISO files are both related to Blu-ray but they are entirely different thing:
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BDMV folder = The structure of files and directories from a Blu-ray disc.
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ISO file = A complete disc image that contains the entire Blu-ray disc, including the BDMV folder.
But don’t worry, both BDMV folder and ISO files cn be played by Leawo Blu-ray Player.
Can I burn a BDMV folder to a Blu-ray disc?
Totally, this is what a Blu-ray Burner is for. If you have a Blu-ray drive that surpport burning blu-ray, then you can use Blu-ray burning software (like ImgBurn, Nero, or Leawo Blu-ray Creator) to burn a BDMV folder to a blank Blu-ray disc for playback on Blu-ray players.
4. Conclusion
For smooth and full playback of BDMV files on computers, you need a Blu-ray player that handles all types of media content well while offering the best video quality. Leawo Blu-ray Player is the ideal choice. You’ll get an exceptional viewing experience with this BDMV player on Mac and Windows.