Makemkv — Keydbcfg

If you downloaded a raw text file, you might need to clean it.

Manually updating keydbcfg is tedious. Here is a power-user workflow to automate it for MakeMKV:

This ensures that when you buy a new 4K movie on Friday night, your MakeMKV setup already has the decryption keys ready to go on Saturday morning.

To illustrate, let's assume you want to store information about your media rips in KeyDB:

Example Python Snippet (for illustration purposes):

import subprocess
import redis
# KeyDB Connection
r = redis.Redis(host='localhost', port=6379, db=0)
def rip_disc(disc_info):
    # Example MakeMKV command
    mkv_command = f"makemkv disc_info['source'] disc_info['output']"
    subprocess.run(mkv_command, shell=True)
# Store info in KeyDB
    r.hset("media:rips", disc_info['title'], disc_info['output'])
# Example usage
disc_info = 
    'source': '/dev/sr0',
    'output': '/path/to/output.mkv',
    'title': 'My Movie'
rip_disc(disc_info)

import redis
import subprocess
import os
r = redis.Redis(host='localhost', port=6379, decode_responses=True)
def enqueue_disc(disc_path):
r.rpush('makemkv:queue', disc_path) keydbcfg makemkv
def worker():
while True:
disc = r.blpop('makemkv:queue', timeout=0)[1]
# Set status
r.hset(f'makemkv:job:disc', 'status', 'running')
try:
subprocess.run([
'makemkvcon', 'mkv', f'dev:disc', 'all', '/output',
'--minlength=600'
], check=True)
r.hset(f'makemkv:job:disc', 'status', 'done')
except:
r.hset(f'makemkv:job:disc', 'status', 'failed')
finally:
r.incr('makemkv:processed_count')

You can trigger workers on multiple machines all pointing to same KeyDB.

MakeMKV does not automatically look for this file in your Downloads folder. You must place it in the application’s internal data directory.

Note: If the .MakeMKV folder doesn't exist, launch MakeMKV at least once to generate it.

Absolutely. If you are serious about backing up your 4K Blu-ray collection to a media server, learning to use keydbcfg with MakeMKV is a mandatory skill. If you downloaded a raw text file, you

MakeMKV provides the engine (ripping and remuxing), while the community-driven KEYDB project (managed via keydbcfg) provides the fuel (the decryption keys). Without the configuration, you cannot unlock newer discs; without MakeMKV, you cannot create the MKV file.

By placing your updated KEYDB.cfg file into the MakeMKV data directory, you transform your computer into a powerful, lossless archiving station. Keep your database updated, ensure your Blu-ray drive has the right firmware, and you will never see the "Volume Key Unknown" error again.

This article is for educational purposes. Always check your local laws regarding DRM circumvention before attempting to rip commercial discs.

Unlocking Your Media: How to Use KEYDB.cfg with MakeMKV If you’ve ever tried to rip a brand-new 4K UHD Blu-ray only to have MakeMKV tell you the disc is "unknown," you aren’t alone. While MakeMKV usually downloads its own "hashed keys" automatically, there is often a lag between a movie's release and the official update.

This is where the KEYDB.cfg file comes in. It’s a community-maintained database of Volume Unique Keys (VUKs) that can get your discs ripping weeks before the official software catches up. What is KEYDB.cfg?

It is a simple text file containing decryption keys for thousands of Blu-ray and UHD titles. Think of it as a "cheat sheet" for your disc drive. When MakeMKV doesn't recognize a disc, it can look at this local file to see if the community has already found the key. Step-by-Step Guide: Setting Up Your Key Database 1. Download the Latest Key Database This ensures that when you buy a new

The most reliable source for this file is the FindVUK Online Database. Download the keydb.cfg file (usually provided as a .zip). Extract the file so you have the raw .cfg file ready. 2. Locate Your MakeMKV Data Directory

MakeMKV looks for this file in its specific data folder, not the installation folder. To find yours: Open MakeMKV. Go to View > Preferences > General.

Look for "MakeMKV data directory" at the top. This is where you need to place the file.

Pro Tip: Common default paths include %USERPROFILE%\.MakeMKV on Windows or ~/Library/MakeMKV on macOS. 3. Install and Restart Copy your downloaded KEYDB.cfg into that data directory.

Restart MakeMKV entirely to ensure it initializes the new database. Troubleshooting Tips