MacOS: Burning UHD/4k Blu-ray Home Videos with Free Software - Help

[choodburner]

I am a computer engineer and video/audiophile. In the year 2025 I never would have guessed burning a 4k Blu-ray would be this tedious but after many attempts and failures I am curious if anybody out there has conquered this.

I bought a Panasonic Lumix GH5II to record high-quality 4k home videos with the intention of burning 4k blu-rays.

The goal is to create universally compatible UHD 4k Blu-ray Discs on a Mac with free/open source software.

Hardware:

• MacBook Pro (2023) Apple M2 Max
• Verbatim Ultra HD 4K Reader/Writer
• Verbatim BD-RE 25GB Discs
• Sony BD-RE DL (50GB) Discs

Software:

• ffprobe (for info)
• ffmpeg (preferred over Handbrake)
• tsMuxeR (built from source -- .dmg did not work, I assume because it's x86/intel based)
• hdiutil (macos built-in terminal/CLI burning tool)
• VLC Media Player (for testing and info)

A few existing threads on the subject:

• MAC OS - MKV burn to UHD Bluray Disc to play on TV (2024)
• Ripping Blu Ray UHD disks on a Mac (2024)
• I recall a thread describing a procedure to build the ISO on Mac, then transfer it to Windows to burn the disc -- if someone has it please post the link

The original videos from the Panasonic have the following attributes:
Video (Stream 0):

• Codec: HEVC (H.265)
• Color primaries: ITU-R BT.2020
• Color transfer function: Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG)
• Dimensions: 3840x2160
• Frame Rate: 60000/1001 (59.94 fps)
• Profile: Main 10
• Level: 153

Audio (Stream 1):

• Codec: MPEG AAC Audio (mp4a)
• Sample rate: 48000 Hz
• Bits per sample: 32

- CONVERSION AND BURN WORKFLOW -
The closest I have gotten to success so far:

1. Convert the original video to a "UHD compliant" format using ffmpeg ---

   ffmpeg -i ORIGINAL.MP4 \
   -vf "zscale=transfer=linear:range=limited,tonemap=hable:desat=0,zscale=transfer=smpte2084:primaries=bt2020:matrix=bt2020nc:range=limited" \
   -c:v libx265 \
   -x265-params "level=5.1:profile=main10:crf=18:colorprim=bt2020:transfer=smpte2084:colormatrix=bt2020nc:max-cll=1000,300:master-display=G(13250,34500)B(7500,3000)R(34000,16000)WP(15635,16450)L(10000000,1)" \
   -pix_fmt yuv420p10le -c:a ac3 -b:a 640k -ar 48000 \
   OUTPUT.MKV

   This resulting media has attributes that should be UHD blu-ray compliant, as shown by the following ffprobe analysis --

   # INPUT #
   ffprobe -v error -select_streams v:0 -show_entries stream=codec_name,profile,level,bit_depth,width,height,r_frame_rate -of default=noprint_wrappers=1 OUTPUT.MKV
   
   # OUTPUT #
   codec_name=hevc
   profile=Main 10
   width=3840
   height=2160
   level=153
   r_frame_rate=24000/1001
   
   # ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ #
   
   # INPUT #
   ffprobe -v error -show_streams -show_frames -print_format json OUTPUT.MKV | grep -E "color|HDR|side_data" | head -7
   
   # OUTPUT #
   "side_data_list": [
                       "side_data_type": "AVMatrixEncoding"
                       "side_data_type": "Metadata relevant to a downmix procedure"
               "color_range": "tv",
               "color_space": "bt2020nc",
               "color_primaries": "bt2020",
               "color_transfer": "smpte2084", ...

2. With the resulting OUTPUT.MKV, create the Blu-ray ISO with tsMuxeR:
   • Tracks: HEVC and AC3
   • Output: Blu-ray ISO
   • Insert Chapter: Every 5 minutes
   • Click 'Start muxing' to create ISO -- ensure process completes without errors
3. Using terminal, burn the ISO with --

   hdiutil burn ./OUTPUT.ISO

- RESULTS -
I own an Xbox One S and PlayStation 5, both of which play 4k Blu-rays.

• Xbox One S: Plays successfully!
• Playstation 5: Audio only -- black screen

The Playstation 5 has stricter Blu-ray standards, while the Xbox One S is more lax (or so I've read).

I desire a universally compatible disc so I can distribute it to others without issues.

What am I missing?

[geek gift]

i don't think the playstation 5 "officially" plays any burned discs. but some may have worked around it a bit for 1080p burned blu rays.

and you might have to forget getting burned 4k discs to get anywhere near the universal level of play.

see this thread. and i don't think things have gotten one bit better.

https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/388243-BluRay-Player-with-BDXL-Support

seems so hit and miss with even with even people with the same players getting different results.

and the list of players that even have a chance to work, being small too.

[choodburner]

Thanks for the thread. I know it is the Wild West when it comes to finding players that are more flexible with amateur produced media.

However, the burning question is -- what exactly is the disc missing (e.g., media/format/metadata) that it will not play on some players? Has anybody ever found the official 4k UHD specification document? Or source code or even debug output for players such as the Playstation 5?

If we knew what we were missing, we could make it work.

[geek gift]

sorry for the delay. if you see page 11 of the thread i linked. this reply from Cornucopia, might explain the problem.

i'll just quote his entire reply here.

From Wikipedia (Bluray)...

BDXL

100 GB BDXL triple-layer disc by Sharp
The BDXL format allows 100 GB and 128 GB write-once discs,[141][142] and 100 GB rewritable discs for commercial applications. The BDXL specification was finalised in June 2010 but the first 128 GB quad-layer discs were not released until November 2018, and these discs are currently sold only in Japan.[143][144] BD-R 3.0 Format Specification (BDXL) defined a multi-layered disc recordable in BDAV format with the speed of 2× and 4×, capable of 100/128 GB and usage of UDF2.5/2.6.[145] BD-RE 4.0 Format Specification (BDXL) defined a multi-layered disc rewritable in BDAV with the speed of 2× and 4×, capable of 100 GB and usage of UDF2.5 as file system.[146] Although the 66 GB and 100 GB BD-ROM discs used for Ultra HD Blu-ray use the same linear density as BDXL, the two formats are not compatible with each other, therefore it is not possible to use a triple layer BDXL disc to burn an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc playable in an Ultra HD Blu-ray player.

My emphasis in BOLD.

You are trying to make a UHD/4k Bluray using R and RE discs, where the layer breaks won't match, the read speeds won't match, the sector layouts won't match. If you get it working, you just lucked out this time. There is still currently NO official spec for UHD Bluray on burned media, and this is the result of trying to put a square-ish (but maybe slightly rounded to the naked eye) peg in a round hole. Who ever told you it would always work doesn't know the full story.

Scott

[choodburner]

Cornucopia’s quoted post seems to only apply to BD-XL. I am trying to burn BD-DL, or whatever discs will universally play.
It also doesn’t provide any technical explanation for why it does or does not work. There is no such thing as “lucky” when it comes to digital media; it either contains the required data or it doesn’t.

[slobadaca]

A universal 4K UHD can be made, but only for BD 25GB and 50GB, and it will even work on PS5. I archive my personal camera recordings the same way. 100GB discs are still not readable in most players, but I use Windows, not Mac.

[geek gift]

A universal 4K UHD can be made, but only for BD 25GB and 50GB, and it will even work on PS5. I archive my personal camera recordings the same way. 100GB discs are still not readable in most players, but I use Windows, not Mac.

you're not doing any conversation to sdr ? and it works ? hmm...

guess that method will only work on a 4k player.

what's the bitrate of the files you're using ?





i haven't done it yet. because i haven't figured out how i'm going to approach the conversion from 4k uhd to sdr.

and i'm getting a headache just thinking about.

but converting 4k to normal hd should work. guess, you just have to watch out for the bitrate situation. and keep it in line for the limits of what a bd 25 or bd 50 will accept.

[slobadaca]

No, my videos are already SDR. There are many apps that can convert HDR to SDR. Yes, it works on PS5 and 4K UHD players. As for the bitrate, it depends—usually around 30–50 Mbps, with a maximum of 80 Mbps. Why would you convert 4K video to HD? Then it’s just a Full HD Blu-ray.

[geek gift]

Why would you convert 4K video to HD? Then it’s just a Full HD Blu-ray.

i thought you had to convert to sdr to get it on a bd-25/ bd-50.

goes and sticks head in sand.

plus i was thinking convert, since more people have blu ray players vs having 4k players.

[choodburner]

A universal 4K UHD can be made, but only for BD 25GB and 50GB, and it will even work on PS5. I archive my personal camera recordings the same way. 100GB discs are still not readable in most players, but I use Windows, not Mac.

From the research I’ve done, it seems people have lots more luck on Windows vs Mac. This can still be accomplished on a Mac with Parallels (Windows VM).

What is your workflow for Windows, do you have a reference thread?

[choodburner]

This thread immediately shows up on Grok/Chat GPT, just try it with the same subject matter.

Advance humanity and its historical archives by contributing to UHD media storage knowledge dissemination

[usually_quiet]

Cornucopia’s quoted post seems to only apply to BD-XL. I am trying to burn BD-DL, or whatever discs will universally play.
It also doesn’t provide any technical explanation for why it does or does not work. There is no such thing as “lucky” when it comes to digital media; it either contains the required data or it doesn’t.

The problem is that while UHD Blu-ray players are required to play UHD Blu-ray from pressed media, there is no such requirement for UHD Blu-ray from burned media, since the existing UHD Blu-ray specification doesn't cover UHD Blu-ray on burned media.

This means that when UHD Blu-ray players are tested for compliant playback of UHD Blu-ray discs, UHD Blu-ray on burned media is not tested and therefore not guaranteed to work, because it is not required to work. This is why playback is hit or miss.

[choodburner]

Cornucopia’s quoted post seems to only apply to BD-XL. I am trying to burn BD-DL, or whatever discs will universally play.
It also doesn’t provide any technical explanation for why it does or does not work. There is no such thing as “lucky” when it comes to digital media; it either contains the required data or it doesn’t.

The problem is that while UHD Blu-ray players are required to play UHD Blu-ray from pressed media, there is no such requirement for UHD Blu-ray from burned media, since the existing UHD Blu-ray specification doesn't cover UHD Blu-ray on burned media.

This means that when UHD Blu-ray players are tested for compliant playback of UHD Blu-ray discs, UHD Blu-ray on burned media is not tested and therefore not guaranteed to work, because it is not required to work. This is why playback is hit or miss.

All digital data has a defined codec and strict definition of its encoding, byte by byte, down to the very bit.
UHD Blu-ray, as digital data, is not exempt from this rule.

The true problem is that there is no publication of what the industry-standard codec and language actually is. It seems to be, from my research, a very closely guarded secret.

This is exemplified by the fact that 4k UHD blu-rays bought in-store are universally playable among all players, but it is nearly impossible to achieve as much as an amateur.

[usually_quiet]

Cornucopia’s quoted post seems to only apply to BD-XL. I am trying to burn BD-DL, or whatever discs will universally play.
It also doesn’t provide any technical explanation for why it does or does not work. There is no such thing as “lucky” when it comes to digital media; it either contains the required data or it doesn’t.

The problem is that while UHD Blu-ray players are required to play UHD Blu-ray from pressed media, there is no such requirement for UHD Blu-ray from burned media, since the existing UHD Blu-ray specification doesn't cover UHD Blu-ray on burned media.

This means that when UHD Blu-ray players are tested for compliant playback of UHD Blu-ray discs, UHD Blu-ray on burned media is not tested and therefore not guaranteed to work, because it is not required to work. This is why playback is hit or miss.

All digital data has a defined codec and strict definition of its encoding, byte by byte, down to the very bit.
UHD Blu-ray, as digital data, is not exempt from this rule.

The true problem is that there is no publication of what the industry-standard codec and language actually is. It seems to be, from my research, a very closely guarded secret.

This is exemplified by the fact that 4k UHD blu-rays bought in-store are universally playable among all players, but it is nearly impossible to achieve as much as an amateur.

Since it has been possible to rip UHD Blu-ray discs for a few years now, a great deal is known about the characteristics of audio and video data stored on a store-bought UHD Blu-ray disc. Using freeware encoders, it is certainly possible to create SDR video and audio that meet the basic standards for UHD Blu-ray audio and video.

As I recall, all the free and paid software VH members posted about for authoring a file and folder structure approximating UHD-Blu ray is for Windows. The free ones are tsmuxer and BD Rebuilder. The "inexpensive" paid UHD Blu-ray authoring software (for small-time studios), BD Wizard, can create the correct file and folder structure. Unfortunately, BD Wizard is only "inexpensive" when compared to pro UHD Blu-ray authoring software.

I agree that it is obvious that UHD Blu-ray was never intended as a format that consumers could produce for themselves. If it were, then the UHD Blu-ray spec would include burned media.

[Edit] I searched https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/388243-BluRay-Player-with-BDXL-Support. Most burned their BD discs with IMGburn, 2x UDP 2.60 with verification.

[choodburner]

With still no luck beyond my first post, I have done more research, and found some answers on the seemingly impossible task of universal compatibility:

1. AACS 2.0 Encryption

The Key Issue: You cannot encrypt your content with AACS 2.0. The encryption keys, Media Key Blocks (MKBs), and the entire certificate authority are strictly controlled by the AACS Licensing Administrator. These are only provided to licensed replicators (companies like Sony DADC, Technicolor, etc.) and licensed player manufacturers.
Player Rejection: Even if you could somehow encrypt your video, a retail player would immediately reject it. The player checks the disc's signature and certificates against a hardcoded list of trusted authorities. Your homemade disc would have no valid certificate, so the player would not even begin the decryption handshake.

2. BD+ Virtual Machine Code

Proprietary System: The BD+ system and its virtual machine are wholly owned and operated by Cryptography Research Inc. (now part of Intel). The specifications and tools to create the custom BD+ code that runs on players are not available to the public.
No Signing Authority: Any BD+ code you might somehow write would need to be digitally signed by the licensing authority to be trusted by retail players. This is impossible for an individual to obtain.

3. Digital Watermarking (AACS-Guard)

Licensed Technology: The watermarking technology is similarly licensed. Each licensed player is assigned a unique watermarking key. Your home-made disc would have no watermark, or an invalid one, which could cause players to reject it.

4. Mastering and File Structure

Strict Specification: The file structure (BDAV) of a UHD Blu-ray is incredibly complex and specific. While tools exist for standard Blu-ray authoring (like Blu-disc Studio for professional use or multiAVCHD for hobbyists), there are no consumer-grade tools that output the precise, DRM-infused file structure required for a UHD Blu-ray.

In short: A retail UHD player is designed to only play discs that have been certified by the AACS LA. It's a locked-down system, and the keys are held by multi-billion dollar corporations, not the public.

4k Blu-Ray has been around for a while now. Are you really telling me there hasn't been one leak of a valid key/signature to accomplish this?

[usually_quiet]

4k Blu-Ray has been around for a while now. Are you really telling me there hasn't been one leak of a valid key/signature to accomplish this?

I don't think decryption keys are a strict requirement for authoring or playback of homemade UHD Blu-ray discs using hardware UHD Blu-ray player. Otherwise there would be zero hardware UHD Blue-ray players able to play home-made UHD Blu-ray on burned media. The keys are only needed for implementing copy protection and decryption for commercial UHD Blu-ray releases.

Some UHD ripping software is able to copy the file and folder structure for UHD Blu-ray or produce mkv files containing the video, so somebody knows how to obtain the required decryption keys, even if they aren't leaking them.

[geek gift]

"3. Digital Watermarking (AACS-Guard)

Licensed Technology: The watermarking technology is similarly licensed. Each licensed player is assigned a unique watermarking key. Your home-made disc would have no watermark, or an invalid one, which could cause players to reject it."

so retail 4k discs has watermark and the water mark can be read even by players that came out years before a current 4k disc came out. so a new disc has to have a water mark that's compatible with every 4k player that has ever existed ????

[usually_quiet]

"3. Digital Watermarking (AACS-Guard)

Licensed Technology: The watermarking technology is similarly licensed. Each licensed player is assigned a unique watermarking key. Your home-made disc would have no watermark, or an invalid one, which could cause players to reject it."

so retail 4k discs has watermark and the water mark can be read even by players that came out years before a current 4k disc came out. so a new disc has to have a water mark that's compatible with every 4k player that has ever existed ????

I have only seen the word "watermark" used when Cinavia copy protection is being discussed. Cinavia copy protection is applied to audio tracks to prevent the audio from Blu-ray rips and UHD Blu-ray rips from playing on hardware players. However, the use of Cinavia copy protection is optional, so not every movie release uses it.

[geek gift]

thank you for the insights usually_quiet.

i think i read on this site. that studios have give up a bit on cinavia. but my memory is faulty...

choodburner:

"1. AACS 2.0 Encryption

The Key Issue: You cannot encrypt your content with AACS 2.0. The encryption keys, Media Key Blocks (MKBs), and the entire certificate authority are strictly controlled by the AACS Licensing Administrator. These are only provided to licensed replicators (companies like Sony DADC, Technicolor, etc.) and licensed player manufacturers.
Player Rejection: Even if you could somehow encrypt your video, a retail player would immediately reject it. The player checks the disc's signature and certificates against a hardcoded list of trusted authorities. Your homemade disc would have no valid certificate, so the player would not even begin the decryption handshake."

so the early panasonics and maybe anything else mentioned in the big stand alone 4k player bd-xl thread. that people mentioned could play a burned 4k uhd are likely pre aacs 2.0

not all progress is good.

[usually_quiet]

so the early panasonics and maybe anything else mentioned in the big stand alone 4k player bd-xl thread. that people mentioned could play a burned 4k uhd are likely pre aacs 2.0

The first UHD Blu-ray discs and players were released in 2016. Even the first UHD Blu-ray discs employed AACS 2.0 copy protection.
https://www.reddit.com/r/technology/comments/47s8qz/ultrahd_blurays_will_ship_with_aac...20_a_drm_that/

[geek gift]

thanks for the correction.