Intel has removed support for SGX (software guard extension) in 12th Generation Intel Core 11000 and 12000 processors, rendering modern PCs unable to playback Blu-ray disks in 4K resolution.
This technical problem arises from the fact that Blu-ray disks require Digital Rights Management (DRM), which needs the presence of SGX to work.
This is a feature that Intel introduced in the Skylake generation back in 2016, enabling PCs to play protected Blu-ray disks for the first time.
As seen in Intel's current datasheets for the 11th and 12th generation of its Core desktop processors, the SGX is listed as a deprecated technology, so it's no longer available.
Why did Intel abandon SGX?
As a secure enclave technology, SGX was commonly targeted by security researchers who discovered numerous vulnerabilities and attack methods.
Examples of attacks targeting Intel SGX include:
- the Prime+Probe attack discovered in 2017,
- a Spectre-like attack disclosed in 2018,
- an Enclave attack discovered by researchers in 2019,
- a MicroScope replay attack,
- the so-called "Plundervolt" injection attack,
- a Load Value Injection (LVI), and
- the SGAxe attack on the CPU cache resulting in the leak of the enclave's content.
In summary, Intel had more to gain from SGX's deprecation from the perspective of security.
Considering that most users don't care about Blu-ray playback on the PC, taking that decision must have been straightforward.
Impact and solutions
The issue impacts Ultra HD Blu-ray discs that use DRM, so if the Blu-ray Disc Association ever decides to lift the strict protections, the playback will return to nominal resolutions (3840 x 2160).
Also, since SGX was removed in recent chip generations, users who would like to avoid problems can stick to using 7000, 8000, 9000, or 10000-series CPUs.
Skylake (6000 series) has SGX but misses HDCP 2.2, and that would cause hurdles with HDMI 2.0 transmission.
CyberLink, the company behind the "PowerDVD" software product, has updated its FAQ to reflect the problem with newer gen Intel processors, claiming inability to resolve it in any way.
"The removal of the SGX feature, and its compatibility with the latest Windows OS and drivers, has caused a substantial challenge for CyberLink to continue supporting Ultra HD Blu-ray movie playback in our player software." - details the FAQ page.
"So much so, that it has been determined that it is no longer feasible for CyberLink to support the Ultra HD Blu-ray playback on newer CPUs and the latest Windows platforms."
In addition to using an older Intel CPU, CyberLink also advises people not to upgrade to Windows 11 to avoid having the needful drivers replaced.
Blu-ray disks in 2022
Blu-ray disks may sound like something from the distant past that has been phased out, but it's not obsolete yet.
People are still buying them because they have collectible value and they enjoy having something physical and tangible, giving a sense of ownership and possibly even attachment.
Some people: I like getting my movies on plastic discs, because I actually own them that way.
— Will Dormann (@wdormann) January 14, 2022
CyberLink: Don't update your CPU, OS, or drivers, or you won't be able to play your plastic discs. https://t.co/5x4tWgKjfn pic.twitter.com/hNpesedl9j
Moreover, Blu-ray disks can offer 4K content entertainment without an internet connection, and the quality is stable and guaranteed, contrary to streaming.
No matter if a movie leaves a streaming service or if the digital rights change in the future, a physical disk makes the content permanently available.
And finally, some people are just nostalgic or enjoy following the "ritual" of putting the disk on the drive.
For all the above reasons and many more, Ultra HD Blu-ray isn't dead yet, and Intel's decision to deprecate the SGX will impact a substantial number of users.
Comments
planedrop - 2 years ago
Another note on BD collectors, it's not just for something tangible and offline access, it's also MUCH higher bitrate (talking 3x or more) than is streamed on other platforms, so if you have the home theater gear to show it off, UHD BD looks way better than UHD streaming. This is also why it's not uncommon for people to say 1080p BD looks like UHD streaming.
NoneRain - 2 years ago
I don't have Blu-ray Players on PC myself, but that's less option to consumer, so it's not a good thing...
But real question: how can you have Blu-ray quality, I mean, in the legal way, if not by using the discs?
GT500 - 2 years ago
This is one of the reasons why so many people are opposed to copy protection technologies. Eventually they can stop working, rendering your paid content useless.
Of course, this change is specifically in Intel CPU's. If AMD had an equivalent technology that allowed UHD Blu-ray playback on PC's with their CPU's, then that should still work (at least for the time being). Also, if you have a Blu-ray player connected to your TV that was capable of playing UHD Blu-ray disks, then that should still work as well.
INTREPID-FL - 2 years ago
Blu-ray quality if superior to most streaming. Apparently many people don't care. Sad.
naryfa - 2 years ago
My gripe with streaming is rather that content gets pulled all the time. I can't count how many songs I've seen gone. I am back to buying everything and treat streaming as an ephemeral medium akin to a radio. Should probably approach videos the same way.
tolsen - 2 years ago
I am forced to buy movies on bluray, and even music on CDs, as I live in a rural area with weak internet options so streaming UHD movies is not an option. I have difficulty even streaming music on a cell phone as stream won't start with out a strong enough connection
Thexder1 - 2 years ago
I always had problems playing blu-rays on my computers with legitimate software, but never had problems ripping them, removing DRM, then playing them. This shows that the DRM was already a major issue for legitimate users, but not for people who just wanted to copy the movies which to me means that the DRM should not exist. DRM should only exist if it is invisible to legitimate users and actually makes a things more difficult for people trying to make illegal copies.
Bfonnes - 2 years ago
No offense, but this article should’ve been written on March 14, 2021 which is when Intel Rocket Lake 11th Gen CPUs were officially announced. OP, feel free to reach out to me, if you like. The situation is worse than you think and there are several things that you need for 4k ultra HD playback: 1. A compatible CPU (which this article addresses), 2. A compatible motherboard (only a z490 board will do because Intel’s SGX stack requires output >= DisplayPort 1.3 and earlier versions don’t have this capability), 3. OS support, (you have to have an app from the Microsoft Store to enable SGX on your PC and at last check, this app is no longer available), 4. a certified piece of playback software (Cyberlink is the only option here), 5. a certified 4K ultra Blu-Ray drive (Pioneer is the only one I am aware of), 6. An HDR capable TV (the one I have, Samsung QN43Q60TAFXZA, is HDCP 2.3 compliant), 7. A DP to HDMI active adapter. I have successfully played back 4K Ultra Blu-Ray movies on my setup. Certified 4K Ultra Blu-Ray playback is impossible on AMD and neither they, nor Cyberlink, have any plans to have a workaround for this silly scenario. The way I see it is that Intel made a dirty deal to promote their Intel UHD 630 graphics chipset technology that is built into Intel 7th-10th Gen CPUs then abandoned it. However, the premise of the article is correct and what is called “certified” 4K Ultra Blu-Ray playback on IBM-compatible PC systems is dead.
eng050599 - 2 years ago
The DRM nightmare that is UHD Blu-ray is the reason that I completely ignored Cyberlink, and instead just use MakeMKV or AnyDVD to rip my physical media onto my home server.
I've got hundreds of UHD films as physical discs, and as 1:1 digital versions. About the only thing I'm missing out on is Dolby Vision playback for my digital files as a result of my current hardware setup.
Aside from that, I have my full catalogue of media available on my network whenever I want it, and zero DRM headaches.
pinghajen - 2 years ago
MakeMKV + VLC, problem solved
eng050599 - 2 years ago
"MakeMKV + VLC, problem solved"
You might want to mention that a "UHD-Friendly" drive is required for MakeMKV (or AnyDVD) to rip 4K media.
It's not quite as simple as install and rip, but is still far better than most legitimate options.
Legacy1 - 2 years ago
I have found that normal Blu-ray discs (non 4K) works just fine with nvidia Studio driver 472.84 on a 12th gen but drivers after that don't work.