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CyberLink Support Center / FAQs – Products / What are the setup recommendations to build an Ultra HD Blu-ray movie playback platform?
What are the setup recommendations to build an Ultra HD Blu-ray movie playback platform?
Applied to: PowerDVD 22/365 , PowerDVD 21 , PowerDVD 20 , PowerDVD 19...

To support Ultra HD Blu-ray movie disc playback on the PC, several new technologies are required. These new technologies need to be incorporated into the software, optical drives (ODD), CPUs, and graphics processors.

To build an Ultra HD Blu-ray playback PC in CyberLink lab's testing, we applied the following hardware and software setup for reference:

Operating System

Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit with 2017 Oct. updates)

CPU

Intel 7th~10th generation (Kaby Lake~Comet Lake) Core i processors that support the Intel Software Guard Extensions (Intel SGX) technology. Some examples listed below:

Intel Core i5 7400
Intel Core i5 7500
Intel Core i5 7600
Intel Core i5 7600K
Intel Core i7 7700
Intel Core i7 7700K

Intel 8th generation (Coffee Lake) Core i processors integrated with Intel UHD Graphics 630. Some examples listed below:

Intel Core i3 8100
Intel Core i7 8600K

Graphics Processor

Intel 7th generation (Kaby Lake) Core i processors integrated with Intel HD Graphics 630, Intel Iris™ Graphics 640 or above.
Intel 8th generation (Coffee Lake) Core i processors integrated with Intel UHD Graphics 630.

For the Intel graphics driver, it is recommended that you install version 21.20.16.4664 (5/3/2017) or above.

Ultra HD Blu-ray is supported only if a display is powered by Intel Graphics and supports HDCP 2.2. If your computer includes more than one graphics processor, Ultra HD Blu-ray is supported only on the display that is connected and powered by Intel Graphics.

Mainboard
(Motherboard)

Asus Prime Z270-A (4K but no HDR support)
Asus Z270-WS
ASRock Fatal1ty Z270 Gaming-ITX/ac
ASRock Fatal1ty Z370 Gaming-ITX/ac
Gigabyte GA-Z270X-Gaming 8
Gigabyte GA-Z270X-Gaming 9
Gigabyte Z370 Aorus Gaming 7
Gigabyte Z370N WIFI

Firmware/BIOS of Motherboard

For Gigabyte, ensure you use the firmware (BIOS) version later than below:
‧GA-Z270X-Gaming 8: F7 (7/6/2017) version or later.
http://www.gigabyte.us/Motherboard/GA-Z270X-Gaming-8-rev-10#support-dl-bios
‧GA-Z270X-Gaming 9: F6 (7/6/2017) version or later.
http://www.gigabyte.us/Motherboard/GA-Z270X-Gaming-9-rev-10#support-dl-bios

For ASRock Fatal1ty Z270 Gaming-ITX/ac motherboard:
Ensure you use the firmware (BIOS) version later than 2.30 (8/9/2017)
You are advised to update the HDCP 2.2 key using the HDCP2.2 Key Tool kit ver:1.0 at ASRock support page, and then follow ASRock's installation guide to update the HDCP 2.2 key.

Firmware/BIOS Setting*

Ensure Intel Software Guard Extensions (Intel SGX) is enabled in the BIOS setting* and the Intel SGX is set to 128 MB or above memory (if the memory option is available.)

The below screenshots are examples for Gigabyte and ASRock motherboards' configuration:

‧Gigabyte

‧ASRock


For the Intel Management Engine Driver, you are advised to install the latest full version of the Management Engine driver (Using SetupME.exe installer, but not the MEISetup.exe) that's offered from your PC/mainboard manufacturer. 

Display

[Display Device] (Required)
Display device with HDMI 2.0a/DisplayPort 1.3 or above connection interface, and must support HDCP 2.2.

[Display Cable] (Required)
HDMI 2.0a/DisplayPort 1.3 or above version cable without applying any adapters/splitters/repeaters.

[Screen Resolution] (Optional)
Ultra HD resolution (3840 x 2160) or above recommended.

[High Dynamic Range (HDR)] (Optional)
To enable the High Dynamic Range (HDR) of Ultra HD Blu-ray movie, the display device must support the HDR display feature and 10-bit color depth display capability with a HDMI 2.0a/DisplayPort 1.4 connection interface.

CyberLink’s testing lab has discovered that screen flickering occurs for certain models of 4K HDR TVs during Ultra HD Blu-ray movie or 4K HDR 10 Video playback on a Windows PC. The tests confirmed this was when the playback resolution was under 2K/4K, with a 60Hz screen refresh rate, using the TV's HDR display port to connect the PC to the TV. You are advised to check your 4K HDR TV’s Ultra HD Blu-ray movie playback compatibility with a Windows PC in advance, and consult the TV vendors before purchasing a 4K HDR TV.

Memory

4 GB or above (6 GB recommended).

Disc Drive (ODD)

Archgon MD-8102-U3-UHD, MD-8107S-U3-UHD
Buffalo BRUHD-PU3-BK
LG BU40N, BU50N
Logitec LBD-PUD6U3LGY
Pioneer BDR211-UBK, BDR-S11J-X, BDR-S11J-BK, BDR-XD06J-UHD

Hard Disk Space
(Installation)

600 MB free space for installation.

Internet Connection

Required for program activation, first time to play of an Ultra HD Blu-ray movie, and other online services.

Other

Windows Media Player 9 or above is required.

 

There are some prebuilt Ultra HD Blu-ray platforms that we have tested in the CyberLink lab for your reference : 

Prebuilt Platform**

Intel NUC7i5BNH
MSI GS63VR 7RF (The laptop native screen is 1080P resolution without HDR support.)
NEC LAVIE Desk All-in-one DA970/HAB
NEC LAVIE Note Standard NS850/HAB

 

In addition to the above platform setup recommendation, CyberLink provides the Ultra HD Blu-ray Advisor to help you check if your platform supports Ultra HD Blu-ray/Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray movie playback. You can download and install the advisor here.

 

Note:

* To configure the BIOS settings on the mainboard of a PC platform, you should refer to the user manual of your mainboard or consult your PC vendor for technical support.

** The prebuilt platform might not include an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive, or HDCP 2.2 supported display device originally. To play Ultra HD Blu-ray movies, you need to install a compatible disc drive and display device, if they are not included by default. The prebuilt platforms are tested for Ultra HD Blu-ray movie playback in our lab with the default hardware/software setup that is shipped by the hardware vendors. If you manually change the hardware or software on the computers, and the alternation does not meet the Ultra HD Blu-ray playback requirements, the platforms might lose the playback compatibility because of the manual change.  

 

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