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Netflix HTML5 Video in IE 11 on Windows 8.1

techblog.netflix.com

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Re: Netflix HTML5 Video in IE 11 on Windows 8.1

#11

Post by baddox »

dave1010uk wrote: post #3

Can anyone tell me how are HTML5 "extensions" different to or better than "plugins" (eg Flash, QuickTime, Silverlight)? Has the line between open browser / specification and proprietary plugins just been shifted over a bit?

The primary user-facing difference is that these "extensions" don't require additional installation to view content (that is, once all major browsers support them). From a technical perspective, there could other differences, like protections in place to sandbox the browser from the rest of the system, which is much better than requiring the execution of a closed-source proprietary binary.

Re: Netflix HTML5 Video in IE 11 on Windows 8.1

#12

Post by quackerhacker »

baddox wrote: post #9
quackerhacker wrote: post #4

While I am against DRM, what I do like about this becoming implemented is that videos can be encrypted in the file system then distributed over HTML5. This will be good for "private," videos...it's the only positive I can see.

What is the distinction between "'private' videos" which are presumably created by individuals, and privately owned media (like movies) which are created by corporations?

I'm using my own examples here, one of the projects I'm apart of distributes personal videos over HTML5. Having these just stored on a file system is vulnerable in a way that a sysadmin could view the video or if the file system is compromised [the exploit could reveal the video]. Those are what I could think of off the top of my head.

Having the video encrypted (since Netflix is pushing for it anyways, why not use it to my benefit), allows me to provide the keys directly to the content owner for decryption.

Re: Netflix HTML5 Video in IE 11 on Windows 8.1

#13

Post by jimbobimbo »

shmerl wrote: post #8
recursive wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The only reason Netflix appears to support DRM is because they get content from organizations that demand it.

That's how they present it. However they don't sound convincing. This announcement is enthusiastic, rather than saying "yeah, we don't really like what's going on, but our hands are tied, etc. etc.". If they are enthusiastic about DRM - they are promoting it. So it's reasonable to criticize them for it. Today, we're excited to announce, blah, blah People who don't like DRM and only use it out of supposedly necessity…

"This announcement is enthusiastic, rather than saying..."

Well, Netflix is in the business of renting video, not in the business of fighting DRM.

Re: Netflix HTML5 Video in IE 11 on Windows 8.1

#14

Post by shmerl »

jimbobimbo wrote: post #13
shmerl wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's how they present it. However they don't sound convincing. This announcement is enthusiastic, rather than saying "yeah, we don't really like what's going on, but our hands are tied, etc. etc.". If they are enthusiastic about DRM - they are promoting it. So it's reasonable to criticize them for it. Today, we're excited to announce, blah, blah People who don't like DRM and only use it out of supposedly necessity…

"This announcement is enthusiastic, rather than saying..." Well, Netflix is in the business of renting video, not in the business of fighting DRM.

I don't argue with that. All I'm saying - they are pro DRM. But when confronted about it, they try to deny it, and pretend they aren't. Being pro DRM is bad PR for them. Publishers are at least honest that they support DRM (out of some stupid reasons). It's not publishers however, but Netflix who pushes this garbage into the standard. So they have to bear the responsibility instead of pretending that they have nothing to do with it.

Re: Netflix HTML5 Video in IE 11 on Windows 8.1

#15

Post by dave1010uk »

baddox wrote: post #11
dave1010uk wrote: post #3

Can anyone tell me how are HTML5 "extensions" different to or better than "plugins" (eg Flash, QuickTime, Silverlight)? Has the line between open browser / specification and proprietary plugins just been shifted over a bit?

The primary user-facing difference is that these "extensions" don't require additional installation to view content (that is, once all major browsers support them). From a technical perspective, there could other differences, like protections in place to sandbox the browser from the rest of the system, which is much better than requiring the execution of a closed-source proprietary binary.

So if Flash player was built into all major browsers (like it is currently with Chrome) then that would remove the primary reason.

I thought EME was execution of a closed-source binary blob too. I also thought some browsers sandbox plugins (I could be wrong).

EME still seems to be just a new plugin specification, with a more limited API.

Re: Netflix HTML5 Video in IE 11 on Windows 8.1

#16

Post by tmzt »

quackerhacker wrote: post #12
baddox wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What is the distinction between "'private' videos" which are presumably created by individuals, and privately owned media (like movies) which are created by corporations?

I'm using my own examples here, one of the projects I'm apart of distributes personal videos over HTML5. Having these just stored on a file system is vulnerable in a way that a sysadmin could view the video or if the file system is compromised [the exploit could reveal the video]. Those are what I could think of off the top of my head. Having the video encrypted (since Netflix is pushing for it anyways, why not use i…

Would you do this by creating your own EME in a cross-browser manner?

I guess the built in support for basic encryption would work here (the mandatory profile).

You could even deliver the symmetric key out-of-band with asymmetric encryption.

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