Can't Play "Ultra HD 4K" on my 2015 (intel) MacBook Pro

[MalagLagoon]

I have an external DVD / BuRay player that I use all the time with my 2015 MacBook Pro. I didn't realize there was a format known as "Ultra HD 4K" and I didn't know this format was seemingly incompatible. I have some BluRay disks - and those play fine with my setup.

This is all I want. (1) insert DVD in to external player (2) movie plays using built-in screen of my 2015 Mac Book Pro laptop.

Nothing more nothing less. I don't give a flip about 4k. 720p is fine with me.

Is this possible at all? Or should I return this DVD for something that's compatible with my system?

 

[Bigwaff]

The native resolution of the 2015 15-inch MacBook Pro is 2880x1800. That far less than 4K UHD. What software are you using to play the disc?

 

[BigBlur]

4K Blu-ray discs are not compatible with standard Blu-ray drives. I’m guessing that’s your issue here. Is your drive able to read 4K UHD discs? Return the disc and get a standard Blu-ray or DVD.

 

[MalagLagoon]

So, there are two flavors of Blu-Ray disk readers? I bought my external Blu-Ray disk reader about 4 years ago. I play Blu-Ray disks all the time without an issue - but those must be the 'standard' Blu-Ray disks.

I am unsure how to determine if my optical drive reads 4k UHD discs. Perhaps a marking?

 

[Nermal]

Drives that can read them are rare. The technical term is BDXL, but I suspect you won't find it anywhere on your drive.