The million-dollar question: Who populates the Xreveal Decryption Key Database?
Unlike commercial solutions (AnyDVD HD, DVDFab Passkey) where keys are provided exclusively by the vendor under a subscription model, Xreveal uses a hybrid approach:
With 4K UHD discs using even more sophisticated revocation mechanisms, the Xreveal database has evolved into a live, updatable key store. Some keys are “dirty” (revoked by studios), others are “retired,” and new ones arrive daily. It’s a silent arms race — and the database is the ammunition.
In short: The Xreveal Decryption Key Database isn’t just a tool — it’s a living archive of defiance against digital obsolescence. Every key inside is a small victory for media ownership.
“You bought the disc. You should be able to play it anywhere.”
— unofficial motto of the Xreveal community
The Xreveal Decryption Key Database is a critical external component that enables the Xreveal software to decrypt Blu-ray, UHD, and HD DVD media. Unlike some all-in-one decrypters, Xreveal's free version does not include built-in decryption keys; instead, it relies on a user-provided text file, typically named KEYDB.cfg, to unlock protected discs. Key Components and File Formats
Xreveal utilizes two primary types of databases to manage decryption keys:
KEYDB.cfg (User-Provided): A text file containing disc keys (VUK/UK) for various Blu-ray and UHD titles. Users must download this file from third-party community sources and point Xreveal to its location.
keydb.db (My Discs Database): An internal SQLite database used primarily by Xreveal Pro. It automatically records keys for discs that have been successfully processed, allowing for offline decryption of previously opened discs without needing the external .cfg file. Search Priority for Decryption Xreveal Decryption Key Database
When a disc is inserted, Xreveal follows a specific hierarchy to find a matching decryption key: keydb.db: Checks the local "My Discs" history first.
KEYDB.cfg: Searches the user-specified external configuration file.
AACS Auth: Attempts local authentication via AACS libraries.
Cloud Decryption: Pro version users can retrieve keys from an online cloud database. Setup and Configuration
To use the decryption key database with the free version of Xreveal, follow these steps:
Download the Database: Obtain a current KEYDB.cfg file from community forums or databases like the FindVUK database.
Standard Location: By default, Xreveal looks for this file in %APPDATA%\aacs\ (usually C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\aacs\).
Custom Pathing: You can change this location by navigating to Settings > BD / UHD > KeyDB within the Xreveal application and browsing to your downloaded file. In short: The Xreveal Decryption Key Database isn’t
Plugins: To support CSS (DVD) and BD+ protections, users must also install the Xreveal Plugins separately. Benefits of the Key Database KeyDB - Xreveal
The Xreveal Decryption Key Database is a feature that allows Xreveal, a DVD and Blu-ray decryption tool, to automatically retrieve and use decryption keys (such as VUK or Unit Keys) from a centralized online repository or local file to decrypt protected discs.
Here are the primary features and functions of this database integration:
Automated Decryption: It enables the software to decrypt UHD and Blu-ray discs that require specific keys not included in the standard decryption algorithms by matching the disc's identifier with a key in the database.
Support for KEYDB.cfg: The database feature primarily functions by utilizing a KEYDB.cfg file. Users can point the software to a locally stored file or a URL that hosts an updated list of keys.
Cloud Synchronization: Xreveal can be configured to fetch the latest keys from community-maintained online databases, ensuring support for newly released titles without manual user intervention.
Offline Capability: Once keys are downloaded or manually added to the local database file, Xreveal can decrypt those specific discs without requiring an active internet connection.
Manual Key Entry: Users can manually append keys for rare or personal discs to their local database to bypass protection. If you'd like, I can help you with: “You bought the disc
Finding the URL for the most popular community-maintained key databases.
Step-by-step instructions on how to configure the KEYDB.cfg path in Xreveal settings.
Troubleshooting why a specific disc isn't being decrypted despite having a database connected.
The Xreveal key database is crowdsourced and semi-automated:
The Xreveal Decryption Key Database is a structured repository of cryptographic keys, device-specific identifiers, and volume unique keys (VUKs) used to unlock AACS-protected Blu-ray discs. In simpler terms, it is a digital lockbox.
Each encrypted disc contains a set of "locked" assets. To unlock them, you need a specific key. That key is unique to each title (and sometimes each pressing of the disc). The Xreveal database stores millions of these keys, indexed by the disc’s unique identifier (known as the Volume ID).
The database is not a monolithic, opaque file. It typically exists in two forms:
In cryptographic terms, AACS (used on Blu-rays) is not decrypted by brute force. Instead, the disc contains a Media Key Block (MKB). The player software must have a set of Device Keys and Processing Keys to derive the correct Title Key for the movie.
The Xreveal Decryption Key Database is a structured, locally stored collection of these cryptographic keys. It is Xreveal’s "codebook" for modern optical media. The database typically contains:
When you insert a disc, Xreveal scans its ID. It queries its local database. If a match is found, Xreveal uses the stored keys to instantly decrypt the disc. If no match is found, the disc will appear as "scrambled" or unplayable.