Bluray on linux: no rip! MakeMKV and VLC

Hi guys,

today I want to share with you a plain way to see a bluray on your linux box without ripping it. Ripping takes time and a lot of space, and especially for linux users a few GB (64GB on my box) half-filled SSD, the space issue it's really discouraging. Actually there is a plain way to see a bluray on your box. No rip and no license to buy.

Wanna get into the magic? Let's go!

[EDIT: Ubuntu users follow this guide!]

The keys of the whole stuff are MakeMKV and VLC. The first is a sort of encoder for DVD and Bluray, coming as shareware so you have a 30 days license to try. Actually I don't know if it is possible to get evaluating period longer for free, I'll get into and bring back some news. [EDIT: look at MakeMKV updates]The second application is the well known media-player, very popular even among Windoze users. The trick we are going to use is simple: MakeMKV can create a video stream as a server, we are going to read it live with VLC. Cool!


First of all be sure your kernel comes with the UDF file system support.


The best way to start is to emerge VLC from the portage tree. This will bring few deps in common with MakeMKV. Be sure to have "qt4" flag in your USE, unless you are going to get vlc without GUI. Most of you must add a new USE at least for vlc "matroska" to read the live stream:

sudo nano /etc/portage/package.use

add the line

media.video/vlc qt4 matroska

now emerge vlc

sudo emerge -av vlc

Once you're done visit MakeMKV forum and get both makemkv_v[...]_bin.tar.gz and makemkv_v[...]_oss.tar.gz, saving them on your drive.

Let's unpack them:

tar -xf makemkv_v[...]_bin.tar.gz
tar -xf makemkv_v[...]_oss.tar.gz

Now move in each folder. You should have all needed deps already so go straight to compile and install

cd makemkv_v[...]_bin
make -f makefile.linux
sudo make -f makefile.linux install
cd ..
cd makemkv_v[...]_oss
make -f makefile.linux
sudo make -f makefile.linux install

Nearly done. If you want to start makeMKV just type in your term

sudo makemkv &

Getting into the business insert a BD in your drive and check if it is recognized by the application. Sometimes the title of the disk does not match the film title but don't worry ^_^
Now:

1. From File > Open disc > chose your disc or push the button below in the main window

2. MakeMKV will analyze your drive to find AACS and decript the Bluray. Once it's done you'll see more infos about your disc.
3. Go File > Stream or the button below:

4. Once you read "Operation sucessfully completed. Streaming server started, web server address is..." you're ready to share your stream.
5. Let's open VLC Media > Open Network Stream
6. We just have to write "http://localhost:51000/stream/title0.ts" in the text box. If title0 doesn't work try with following ones (title1, title2, etc.).
7. Click Play

Known issues:


If someone experiences a VLC error:

Potential ALSA version problem:

VLC failed to initialize your sound output device (if any).

Please update alsa-lib to version 1.0.23-2-g8d80d5f or higher to try to fix this issue.

try to update alsa-lib or move the alsa infrastructure to 9999 version (v-fox overlay). If you don't know anything about overlays take a look at Gentoo Handbook