Unlike tools like MakeMKV which require you to rip 30–50 GBs of data to your hard drive before watching, Xreveal allows for direct, instant playback.
Understanding the Xreveal Decryption Key Database: A Complete Guide to Blu-ray and DVD Playback
The developer of Xreveal periodically aggregates submissions, cleans duplicate entries, validates keys against known good hashes, and pushes an official database update. This update is optional—you can choose to stay offline and manually manage your key database.
Unlike AnyDVD’s separate keys_hashed.txt or KEYDB.cfg , Xreveal uses an ( keys.db ) that resides in %ProgramData%\Xreveal . It is encrypted locally to prevent casual extraction.
The Xreveal Decryption Key Database’s open architecture positions it perfectly for the future. Unlike closed-source competitors, Xreveal can quickly integrate new key types: Xreveal Decryption Key Database
The schema includes tables like:
[How the System Works] Physical Disc ──> Xreveal Engine ──> Queries KEYDB.cfg ──> Matches Key ──> Decrypted Playback
file format. This is a standardized text file used by several open-source decryption projects (including FindVUK and various Libbluray-based players). Crowdsourcing
If you have a disc that Xreveal cannot decrypt, and you have access to (which is free while in beta), you can: Unlike tools like MakeMKV which require you to
When you insert a protected disc into your drive, Xreveal reads the disc's unique identifier (the Disc ID) and queries the database. If a matching entry is found, Xreveal instantly applies the corresponding key, stripping away the AACS protection in milliseconds. This allows third-party players like VLC, MPC-HC, or ripping software like HandBrake to read the disc as if it were unencrypted. How to Set Up and Configure the Key Database
Ensure that the file is strictly named KEYDB.cfg and does not have a hidden .txt extension (e.g., KEYDB.cfg.txt ). Also, verify that the directory path specified within the Xreveal settings matches the file's actual location exactly. Final Thoughts
Click and select the path to your downloaded KEYDB.cfg file. Click Apply and restart Xreveal.
Xreveal looks for keys in a specific order to ensure the fastest decryption: Unlike AnyDVD’s separate keys_hashed
: When a disc is inserted, Xreveal checks the database for a matching entry to unlock the content for playback or backup. 📂 The KeyDB.cfg File
Before we dive into the database, we must understand the host application. Xreveal is a background driver software for Windows that intercepts read requests from the operating system to the optical drive. When you insert a Blu-ray or DVD, Xreveal sits between the file system and the drive.
If you want to optimize your HTPC setup further, let me know:
: When a disc is inserted, Xreveal calculates the disc's unique identifier (the Disc ID). It then queries the decryption key database to find a matching Volume Unique Key (VUK) Decryption