Intel deprecates SGX technology in 12th generation CPUs, causing DRM Blu-ray disks to be unplayable

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SGX (software guard extension) is a software protection extension technology launched by Intel, which is essentially used to encrypt certain data protection software program codes from malicious snooping. However, this technology has actually been discovered by researchers over the years. Many security problems, based on this situation, Intel has decided to abandon this technology to improve security. Intel SGX technology has been deprecated on Intel 11th/12th generation CPUs. Deprecation means that this feature is no longer available and therefore also affects some invoked software. It stands to reason that deprecating this technology should not affect most users, but CyberLink issued a warning that after deprecating SGX, Blu-ray disks will no longer be supported.

“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.

CyberLink, which issued this reminder, owns the well-known video editing software PowerDirector and Blu-ray player PowerDVD, so it really makes sense to release this reminder. According to CyberLink, the DRM protocol used by Blu-ray disks uses SGX technology, and this technology is included directly on the disks. CyberLink says the company doesn’t have any solution to this problem at the moment, either user don’t use 11th/12th generation CPUs or stop watching Blu-ray disks. The company said that due to the removal of the SGX function and the compatibility issues of the operating system and drivers, this has brought great challenges to PowerDVD to continue to play Blu-ray disks.

Deprecating this technology does affect Blu-ray disks playback, but there are very few users who still buy and play Blu-ray disks today, so the impact is limited.

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