Q: Why is there an ‘Audio Mute’ message on my screen during movie playback?
A: Your Blu-ray player has detected a copyright problem with the movie you're trying to watch, due to Cinavia protection. Cinavia blocks playback of unauthorized DVDs or Blu-ray discs that weren't made or distributed by the movie's studio, protecting their copyright.
Q: What is Cinavia?
A: Since 2012, Cinavia technology has been required in all Blu-ray players. This technology, mandated by the AACS† consortium — which includes major companies like IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Panasonic, Sony, Toshiba, Disney, and Warner Bros. — analyzes audio from DVDs and Blu-ray movies. It ensures that these players meet strict industry standards for copyrighted material, playing a crucial role in protecting DVD and Blu-ray content.
Q: What happens when unauthorized content is detected?
A: When unauthorized content is detected, the audio is temporarily muted, and a message appears on screen:
❝Audio outputs temporarily muted. Do not adjust the playback volume. The content being played is protected by Cinavia and is not authorized for playback on this device. For more information, visit Cinavia Message Code 3.❞
Please note: Clearplay does not address Cinavia-related issues, as the AACS controls Cinavia software.
† Advanced Access Content System: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Access_Content_System.
† Security of Advanced Access Content System: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_of_Advanced_Access_Content_System.
Q: What do I do when the Cinavia message appears on my screen?
A: The message from Cinavia refers you to review: https://www.cinavia.com/pages/message3.html.
For your convenience, here are the details from that URL:
Explanation
The audio track of the video that you are playing contains a Cinavia code indicating that it is an unauthorized copy of professionally produced content.
Recommendations
If the video that you are playing is a professionally produced video (such as a movie or television show), you will need to obtain a copy that was made with the permission of the copyright owner.
If the video that you are playing is a home movie or other personal recording that includes some professionally produced content (including the audio track of a professionally produced video), to play your recording without muting you may either:
Pause the video, wait 30 seconds for the audio to be un-muted, then skip over those portions where the professionally produced material is used and continue playing the rest of the video, or
Pause the video, wait 30 seconds for the audio to be un-muted, then play video from a different optical disc for at least 10 minutes before continuing playback of this video.
For information on how this professionally produced content can be included in your home movies or other personal recordings in a way that will not be limited by Blu-ray Disc players, see Guidelines for Use of Content in Home Movies.
For additional information on Cinavia, see Cinavia Technology.