What is the deal with the KEY?

Everything related to MakeMKV
chetk
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2024 6:21 pm

Re: What is the deal with the KEY?

Post by chetk »

For those of us that have paid for MakeMKV and have full licenses, if "Mike" doesn't show back up and is unable to create volume keys for newly released Blu-ray or UHD titles, how do we point MakeMKV to new title volume keys?

How does one create new volume keys for newly released titles?
d00zah
Posts: 1669
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 8:23 pm

Re: What is the deal with the KEY?

Post by d00zah »

chetk wrote:
Tue Aug 12, 2025 12:22 am
For those of us that have paid for MakeMKV and have full licenses, if "Mike" doesn't show back up and is unable to create volume keys for newly released Blu-ray or UHD titles, how do we point MakeMKV to new title volume keys?

How does one create new volume keys for newly released titles?
Public KeyDB Disc Submissions ?
Cipsi
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2025 9:53 pm

Re: What is the deal with the KEY?

Post by Cipsi »

smol_birb wrote:
Mon Aug 11, 2025 6:41 pm
seamus wrote:
Mon Aug 11, 2025 6:35 pm
magsol76 wrote:
Mon Aug 11, 2025 12:59 pm
A lot of speculation but nobody knows anything until we hear from or about Mike. The workaround with the date works for me (just change the month to july and enter the existing code again if it doesnt work). Note to self: save the existing julycode.
Don't wait too long to save the "July code". In case there's any doubt remaining, someone is making changes to the website, changes to the "WHOIS" data, and nothing prevents them from making changes to the forum. ... the "change date" feature clearly doesn't work properly, or has been over-ridden!
What change date feature?
SoonerGM wrote:
Sat Aug 09, 2025 4:50 pm
reetreefree wrote:
Fri Aug 08, 2025 11:47 pm
Seven of 9 wrote:
Fri Aug 08, 2025 3:09 pm
Hi, :(

I found a temporary solution for myself. I set my system date back (by four weeks), so that it was earlier than July 31, 2025. That allowed me to continue working. :D
Was this on Mac or Windows? I tried setting my pc manually back before that time and I just get, “Evaluation period has expired. Please purchase an activation key if you’ve found this application helpful. You may still use all free functionality without any restrictions.” Is there a temporary workaround using date/time on windows10? Really wish I had bought the program when it was available :(
On a PC running windows, just close makemkv. Change your system date. Then open makemkv and it should work. Once open you can change the date back because it seems to only check the date upon launch. You may have to reboot first. I have only done it after a reboot or after turning my PC on.
Hi I found this post made earlier; just a few pages back; that may be helpful to you.

I have tried just changing my time and date back but not tried restarting my PC. I will try this some time later.

For the last few days I have just been using a different free software program that I found through Googling {what free software can directly decrypt and rip copy protected blu ray discs}

The software I have been using is called DVDFab HD Decrypter A.K.A. DVDFab13.
https://www.dvdfab.cn/dvdfab-hd-decrypter.htm

I could only find these 2 YouTube videos on it.

DVDFab HD Decrypter - a powerful and free program to copy and convert DVD & Blu-ray https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_czRew8Dg8

How to rip a DVD with DVDFab HD Decrypter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRCCubhUnK4

This software works but I find it to be a bit glitchy at times. It some times changes to copy mode when I am trying to use the ripping mode.
Also the software 1st put me in their 30day trial mode of the full DVDFab software before I figured out I hat to just keep clicking on the x at the top of every popup.

The software works but is irritating to use. There are to many pup-ups trying to get you to buy the software.

Also in the free mode it only seems to allow me to rip my movies at 720p with stereo audio output in the MP4 format.
Also the free mode only supports rip dvds and blu-rays realest more than 1 year ago. To rip newer copy protected dicks you would need to use their payed for software.
But it dose allow you to add all the language audio tracks and subtitles to the movie files and it doesn't force hard-encode the subtitles.
dyoung
Posts: 38
Joined: Wed Nov 06, 2024 2:46 pm

Re: What is the deal with the KEY?

Post by dyoung »

SoonerGM wrote:
Sun Aug 10, 2025 9:23 pm
Someone posting a link in a forum is not the same as the link being on the MakeMKV website. I don't see the purchase link on MakeMKV right now. Then again, I don't remember exactly where it was located previously, but I am having a hard time finding it. Do you see the link? The poster that said it was removed may well be correct.

I also could be blind, but I don't see a purchase link on the Home page, Download page, Online Help page, or the FAQ page is busted but I think it has been for a while.
No, because the link was not there before this.
Yes, I know very well because I searched for it before and could not find it directly on the site so searched for it.
The link is in the MakeMKV program itself (under the Help menu).
I found it in the forums somewhere when I searched previously, though I cannot remember exactly where now.
I am not sure why there is no link on the website to the page to purchase it, but that is how it was for years prior to this incident.
I am not sure why but it seems the intent is for prospective buyers to access the purchase page via the link in the program, or possibly on the forum?
Should definitely have a link to it on the Home page for MakeMKV.
Though irrelevant now unless the program becomes available to purchase again.

And yes, the FAQ page was non-functional long ago, I think a couple years at least.
SoonerGM
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Aug 09, 2025 4:43 pm

Re: What is the deal with the KEY?

Post by SoonerGM »

dyoung wrote:
Tue Aug 12, 2025 1:35 am
SoonerGM wrote:
Sun Aug 10, 2025 9:23 pm
Someone posting a link in a forum is not the same as the link being on the MakeMKV website. I don't see the purchase link on MakeMKV right now. Then again, I don't remember exactly where it was located previously, but I am having a hard time finding it. Do you see the link? The poster that said it was removed may well be correct.

I also could be blind, but I don't see a purchase link on the Home page, Download page, Online Help page, or the FAQ page is busted but I think it has been for a while.
No, because the link was not there before this.
Yes, I know very well because I searched for it before and could not find it directly on the site so searched for it.
The link is in the MakeMKV program itself (under the Help menu).
I found it in the forums somewhere when I searched previously, though I cannot remember exactly where now.
I am not sure why there is no link on the website to the page to purchase it, but that is how it was for years prior to this incident.
I am not sure why but it seems the intent is for prospective buyers to access the purchase page via the link in the program, or possibly on the forum?
Should definitely have a link to it on the Home page for MakeMKV.
Though irrelevant now unless the program becomes available to purchase again.

And yes, the FAQ page was non-functional long ago, I think a couple years at least.
I appreciate the information.
jsmar
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Aug 12, 2025 4:58 am

Re: What is the deal with the KEY?

Post by jsmar »

SO, assuming Mike returns and makes it possible to buy a permanent key again, I am interested, but still have concerns. Has anyone who has a permanent key tried using MakeMKV, without any network connectivity, to rip a BluRay disk. What I am saying is if someone hasn't already done this, either remove your ethernet cable connection and/or turn off your wireless and then try starting makemkv and attempt to rip a BluRay disk.

My concern is it looks like MakeMKV possibly makes some requests back to a server when starting up. If that connection fails, will makemkv fail, or will it continue to work, possibly requiring acess to a downloaded public database for newer disks (I've seen reference to such a database).

Some people have posted that even if Mike were to permanently leave in the future (or now for those who already have a key), they believe the software will continue to work as long as it is run on a supported OS. I'm worried this might not be true if the server that makemkv connects to is no longer available and it can't retrieve whatever it wants to retrieve (if my observation is correct in that it does make some type of network connection). If mike stops supporting makemkv, either by choice or not by choice, the server may go away soon after.
yukichigai
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Aug 01, 2025 10:34 pm

Re: What is the deal with the KEY?

Post by yukichigai »

PimpDiggler wrote:
Mon Aug 11, 2025 11:10 pm
theoldfarter wrote:
Sun Aug 10, 2025 7:41 am
dg11375 wrote:
Sun Aug 10, 2025 2:16 am
I use handbrake. It is more complicated and not as good as MAKEMKV but it is available at no cost and receives updates from time to time.
I have started using this free tool:
https://mkvtoolnix.download/
Thanks for this recommendation I had no idea this existed
MKVToolnix is great for doing straight 1:1 copying of streams/content/etc. into an MKV container, but it won't do any additional processing. No Closed Caption extraction, no decryption, and (most importantly for me) it won't parse out individual episodes if you're extracting from a disc that merges them all into one object/file series/etc.

All that said, it's a great tool. I use it myself on the content I convert with MakeMKV if I need to add more subtitles, metadata, whatnot.
Leberkasbepi
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2025 4:09 pm

Re: What is the deal with the KEY?

Post by Leberkasbepi »

darkknightkjm wrote:
Thu Aug 07, 2025 3:07 pm


Just so you know, the Mac version allows you to backdate and open it, but you must remain backdated; otherwise, the software throws an exception and shuts down when you try to rip something.

I hope the dude's alright.
But when you change the date on a Mac system in the past, then you have a lot of issues with your apple account. I tried this and put it back.

For me, I run makemkv in a virtual machine with manual date. Works fine.
dochsml
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Jul 25, 2025 7:59 pm

Re: What is the deal with the KEY?

Post by dochsml »

jsmar wrote:
Tue Aug 12, 2025 5:13 am
SO, assuming Mike returns and makes it possible to buy a permanent key again, I am interested, but still have concerns. Has anyone who has a permanent key tried using MakeMKV, without any network connectivity, to rip a BluRay disk. What I am saying is if someone hasn't already done this, either remove your ethernet cable connection and/or turn off your wireless and then try starting makemkv and attempt to rip a BluRay disk.

My concern is it looks like MakeMKV possibly makes some requests back to a server when starting up. If that connection fails, will makemkv fail, or will it continue to work, possibly requiring acess to a downloaded public database for newer disks (I've seen reference to such a database).

Some people have posted that even if Mike were to permanently leave in the future (or now for those who already have a key), they believe the software will continue to work as long as it is run on a supported OS. I'm worried this might not be true if the server that makemkv connects to is no longer available and it can't retrieve whatever it wants to retrieve (if my observation is correct in that it does make some type of network connection). If mike stops supporting makemkv, either by choice or not by choice, the server may go away soon after.
I’m relatively new with the software as well, but my understanding is that there are other people that submit and maintain the decryptions for new disks. Since Aug 1st, I received a new (just released) UHD disk that would not rip. I got a message saying that decryption was not possible and gave me a location on my hard drive for a .tgz file. I emailed the file and waited a week, but I still could not rip the disk. So, I downloaded the KEYDB.cfg file and manually copied it into the appropriate folder. Now the disk ripped just fine! I could be wrong, but I think this method should work going forward if the software doesn’t update automatically. I’m sure someone more experienced could weigh in more or correct what I got wrong.
Fricotin
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Aug 03, 2025 7:32 pm

Re: What is the deal with the KEY?

Post by Fricotin »

..."But when you change the date on a Mac system in the past, then you have a lot of issues with your apple account. I tried this and put it ...back.

...For me, I run makemkv in a virtual machine with manual date. Works fine."

Mac mini 2012 here running Catalina, I've been doing it daily for over a week now without any problem.
SakaRaki
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Aug 01, 2025 8:08 am

Re: What is the deal with the KEY?

Post by SakaRaki »

This is literally my first post ever on here. I also run on Windows. I'm very eager to start using MakeMKV, and the moment that I finally use this service. It doesn't get updated with the new key for weeks now haha. For me I just set the date back and it still works just fine for me. Though reading through this forum I'm a little worried to by a permanent key if it takes a while to get any response. As of right now MKV program still works for me. I just want an update on when the next key is supposed to drop.
seanrt
Posts: 9
Joined: Fri Aug 01, 2025 5:11 pm

Re: What is the deal with the KEY?

Post by seanrt »

Fricotin wrote:
Tue Aug 12, 2025 4:04 pm
..."But when you change the date on a Mac system in the past, then you have a lot of issues with your apple account. I tried this and put it ...back.

...For me, I run makemkv in a virtual machine with manual date. Works fine."

Mac mini 2012 here running Catalina, I've been doing it daily for over a week now without any problem.
Same. No problems doing it on my Mac Mini either. I just change it back after I’m done ripping the disc and go about my usual business.
theoldfarter
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Apr 19, 2010 9:44 pm

Re: What is the deal with the KEY?

Post by theoldfarter »

The key has now been updated.
sieggs1
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Mar 02, 2025 3:43 am

Re: What is the deal with the KEY?

Post by sieggs1 »

Thank you for the updated key.

I hope Mike is OK.

Sieggs
seamus
Posts: 30
Joined: Wed Jun 25, 2025 7:13 am

Re: What is the deal with the KEY?

Post by seamus »

smol_birb wrote:
Mon Aug 11, 2025 6:41 pm
seamus wrote:
Mon Aug 11, 2025 6:35 pm
magsol76 wrote:
Mon Aug 11, 2025 12:59 pm
A lot of speculation but nobody knows anything until we hear from or about Mike. The workaround with the date works for me (just change the month to july and enter the existing code again if it doesnt work). Note to self: save the existing julycode.
Don't wait too long to save the "July code". In case there's any doubt remaining, someone is making changes to the website, changes to the "WHOIS" data, and nothing prevents them from making changes to the forum. ... the "change date" feature clearly doesn't work properly, or has been over-ridden!
What change date feature?
The "change date feature" I was referring to is a feature of the forum software (phpBB in this case) that changes/updates the date that the post was made based on the latest revision to that post. IOW, if you look at the "News and Announcements" area, you see the post in the Announcements section titled: "MakeMKV is free while in beta", dated "Wed Mar 03, 2010 10:46 pm", and "Last Post" date also "Wed Mar 03, 2010 10:46 pm". Further, there is no annotation in the post itself indicating it has been updated. However, this post has clearly been updated since then.

OTOH, when I update/edit one of my posts, a note appears at the bottom stating when the post was last edited, the date of that edit and the number of edits. IOW: The forum provides no indication that edits/changes have been made to posts by some users.
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