PowerDVD explained

PowerDVD
Developer:	CyberLink
Released:	^[1]
Language Count:	11
Language:	English, French, German, Italian, Peninsular Spanish, simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese
Operating System:	Windows 11 Windows 10 Windows 8/8.1 Windows 7
Genre:	Media player
License:	Proprietary commercial software

PowerDVD is a media player software for Microsoft Windows created by CyberLink, for DVD movie discs, Blu-ray movie discs, and digital video files, photos and music.

PowerDVD is offered in various versions, which vary greatly in terms of functionality, and can be expanded to include additional functions such as playback of licensed audio formats or power-saving functions for use on notebooks using plug-ins and so-called “enhancement packs”.

During 2016, PowerDVD achieved certification from the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) for the playback of Ultra HD Blu-ray Discs, and became the world's first software player to pass the BD-ROM 4.0 PC Application Software License process.^[2] Playback of UHD Blu-ray discs requires an SGX-capable Intel CPU; with SGX support removed in newer generations of Intel CPUs, playback of UHD Blu-rays is no longer possible on newer PCs.

Features

• 8K video playback: added in PowerDVD 19
• Ultra HD Blu-ray disc playback: PowerDVD 17 is the first software that supports 4K UHD Blu-ray drives, however this feature only worked on PCs with Intel's Software Guard Extensions (SGX). In January 2022, Intel deprecated support for SGX for the Rocket Lake and Alder Lake generation desktop processors, leading to Ultra HD Blu-ray discs being unplayable on those systems.

Cyberlink permanently removed Ultra HD Blu-ray disc playback with PowerDVD 22 version 3526.^{[3] [4] [5]}

• 360-Degree VR: PowerDVD 17 supports 360-degree camera such as Samsung Gear 360 and the Nikon KeyMission. Available to watch VR content on an Oculus Rift or HTC Vive headset.
• Blu-ray 3D disc playback: added in PowerDVD 10^[6] and removed in PowerDVD 20.^[7]
• Blu-ray disc playback: added in PowerDVD 6.^[8]
• TrueTheater: PowerDVD adds TrueTheater image/color correction and enhancement, also motion enhancement to make motion smoother. TrueTheater HDR enhancement provides a larger color space.
• Media Casting to Streaming Devices: supported devices as Roku, Chromecast, and Apple TV.

Version history

Version	Release date	EOL date	Latest patch
23	2024-01-25		2024-03-07, build 1406
22	2022-05-12		2024-01-22, build 3526
21	2021-04-15
20	2020-04-14		2023-01, build 4830
19	2019-04-16^[9]		2019-12-23, build 2403
18	2018-04-18^[10]		2019-06-26, build 3010
17	2017-04-11^[11]		2019-01-01, build 3605
16	2016-04-13^[12]		2017-11-13, build 3403
15	2015-04-14^[13]		2017-11-28, build 4630
14	2014-04-08^[14]		2018-01-02, build 8413
13	2013-04-02^[15]		2018-04-22, build 8703
12	2012-01-31^[16]		2018-04-22, build 8705
11	2011-04-18^[17]	2015-09-08	2014-02-25, build 5012
10	2010-03-17^[18]	2015-09-08	2013-12-11, build 5816
9	2009-03-02^[19]	2015-09-08^[20]	2011-05-18, build 4105
8	2008-04-02^[21]	2010-04	2010-04-21, build 3228
7	2006-05-04^[22]	2009	2008-01-04, build 3613
6	2004-11-08^[23]		2007-11-12, build 3430
5	2003-06-18^[24]		2007-11-12, build 3430
4.0 XP	2001-11-05^[25]		2003-08-22
3.0	2000-11-06^[26]		2001-10-15
2.5	1999-12^[27]		2000-03-23, v2.55
1.5	1998-3-12^[28]
1	1996^[29]

Decoders

Native video decoders

• H.264/MPEG-4 AVC (including MVC for Blu-ray-3D)
• H.265/MPEG-H HEVC (Media File Type)
• MPEG-4 ASP (DivX, Xvid)
• MPEG-2/HD
• MPEG-1
• VC-1
• WMV HD

Native audio decoders

• Dolby Meridian Lossless Packing (MLP)
• Dolby TrueHD (7.1 Channel)
• Dolby Digital Plus (7.1 Channel)
• Dolby Digital EX (7.1 Channel)
• Dolby Digital (2 & 5.1 Channel)
• DSD (In PowerDVD 16)
• DTS-HD (7.1 Channel)
• DTS-ES (Discrete & Matrix)
• DTS 96/24 Decoding
• DTS (5.1 Channel)
• LPCM
• AAC
• MP3 Surround
• MP2

Audio effects

• Dolby Pro Logic IIx Surround Sound
• Dolby Virtual Speaker
• CyberLink TrueTheater Surround

See also

• Comparison of video player software^[30]

References

• https://www.cyberlink.com/support-center/patch-download?prodId=1&prodVerId=1717

Notes and References

1. Web site: PowerDVD . . 25 February 2023 . 25 February 2023.
2. Web site: First Production Model ROM Certified Licensee List . 2017-04-25 . Disc Manufacturer ID & Media Type ID Licensee List . Blu-ray Disc Association.
3. Web site: New Intel chips won't play Blu-ray disks due to SGX deprecation. 2022-01-17. 2022-01-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20220116234446/https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/new-intel-chips-wont-play-blu-ray-disks-due-to-sgx-deprecation/. live.
4. Web site: CyberLink Support Center . 2024-03-28 . www.cyberlink.com.
5. https://www.cyberlink.com/stat/help/powerdvd/22/pc-mode/enu/98_01_14_how_to_play_uhdbd.html
6. Web site: CyberLink Releases PowerDVD 10 ULTRA 3D Mark II to Enable Blu-ray 3D on PCs . . 6 July 2010 . 30 May 2020 .
7. Web site: Customer Support - Why is 3D media playback NOT supported in CyberLink PowerDVD 20_365, and PowerPlayer 365 . . 30 May 2020 .
8. Web site: CyberLink Launches DVD Suite 6 . . 5 November 2007 . 30 May 2020 .
9. Web site: CyberLink Launches PowerDVD 19 for UltraHD Blu-ray and 8K Videos.
10. Web site: World's No. 1 Movie & Media Player for all discs, files and video streaming . . 18 April 2018 . 20 Apr 2017 .
11. Web site: CyberLink PowerDVD 17 Released . HD Guru . 13 April 2017 . 13 Apr 2017 .
12. Web site: CyberLink PowerDVD 16 is Now Available . . 13 April 2016 . 15 Sep 2016 .
13. Web site: CyberLink Launches PowerDVD 15, the Latest Edition of Its Flagship Digital Media Entertainment Solution . . 14 April 2015 . 2 May 2015 .
14. Web site: CyberLink Official Forum - PowerDVD 14 is Now Available! . . 8 April 2014 . 26 April 2014 .
15. Web site: CyberLink Unveils PowerDVD 13: The World's Most Popular Cross-Platform Multimedia Playback Solution . . 2 April 2013 . 26 April 2013 .
16. Web site: CyberLink Unveils PowerDVD 12 Ultra, Extends the World's Leading Blu-Ray & Media Player to the iPhone, iPad and Android Devices . Cyberlink. 31 January 2012 . 4 March 2013 .
17. Web site: CyberLink Launches PowerDVD 11 – the Universal Player for All Your Media on PC, Device, Home & Social Cloud . . 18 April 2011 . 4 March 2013 .
18. Web site: CyberLink Launches PowerDVD 10 - The Universal Player to Upgrade All Your Media Experience to HD and 3D . . 17 March 2010 . 4 March 2013 .
19. Web site: CyberLink Releases PowerDVD 9 . . 2 March 2009 . 4 March 2013 .
20. Web site: PowerDVD Updates . 4 March 2013 .
21. Web site: CyberLink Launches PowerDVD 8, Introducing New Ways to Enjoy Movies . . 2 April 2008 . 4 March 2013 .
22. Web site: CyberLink Launches PowerDVD 7 With High-Definition H.264 Playback and Advanced Features for DVD Enthusiasts . . 4 May 2006 . 4 March 2013 .
23. Web site: CyberLink PowerDVD 6 Delivers the #1 DVD Experience on the PC with Unsurpassed Video and Audio Quality . . 8 November 2004 . 4 March 2013 .
24. Web site: CyberLink PowerDVD 5 Takes a Giant Leap in Advancing DVD Technologies . . 18 June 2003 . 4 March 2013 .
25. Web site: CyberLink Launches New Version of Flagship Software Application: PowerDVD XP 4.0 . . 5 November 2001 . 4 March 2013 .
26. Web site: CyberLink Releases PowerDVD 3.0 Perfecting Personalized Home Cinema on the PC . . 6 November 2000 . 4 March 2013 .
27. Web site: CyberLink and eMachines' Strikes a Partnership to Give Consumers an Unbeatable Combo of PowerDVD Playback Software and eTower and eMonster Hardware . . 8 December 1999 . 4 March 2013.
28. Web site: PowerDVD. . 25 February 2023 . 25 February 2023.
29. Web site: PowerDVD . . 25 February 2023 . 25 February 2023.
30. Web site: CyberLink Support Center . 2024-03-28 . www.cyberlink.com.