Microsoft: Only Microsoft Edge Will Play Netflix Content At 1080p On Your PC (pcworld.com)

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Microsoft: Only Microsoft Edge Will Play Netflix Content At 1080p On Your PC (pcworld.com)

Posted by BeauHD on Wednesday July 13, 2016 @12:10PM from the full-high-definition dept.

An anonymous reader writes from a report via PCWorld: Microsoft made the bold claim on Wednesday that its Edge browser was the only browser of the big four browsers -- Chrome, Firefox, and Opera -- to play Netflix content at a 1080p resolution. PCWorld tested the four browsers and found this claim to be valid. The other three browsers capped out at a 720p resolution. Microsoft has been trying to boost Edge's reputation. Microsoft recently claimed that its Edge browser is more power-efficient than Chrome. (Opera later denied those claims.) This is the latest bold claim to come from Microsoft in regard to its Edge browser. Microsoft has even publicized a Netflix support document to show that Netflix streams at 1080p on Internet Explorer and Edge, and 720p on the other browsers. PCWorld used the "secret Netflix menus" that were first unearthed by Reddit users (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+D) to display the resolution and bitrate and confirm that Microsoft's claims are true. "In a blog post, Microsoft claimed Microsoft Edge was built to take advantage of platform features in Windows 10, including the PlayReady Content Protection and the media engine's Protected Media Path," reports PCWorld. "The company said it is working with the Open Media Alliance to develop next-generation media formats, codecs, and other technologies for UltraHD video, and with chipset companies to develop Enhanced Content Protection that moves the protected media path into peripheral hardware for an even higher level of security, and one that could be used to protect 4K media."

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Why a browser ?? by PIBM · 2016-07-13 12:13 · Score: 5, Insightful

You aren't even getting 5.1 channel audio with a browser, please use the netflix app for your ears. Well, at least in Canada, they should improve the audio bitrate all around, that would be even better!
1. Re:Why a browser ?? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 14:14 · Score: 1, Interesting
  
  MS just removed the Netflix app from it's store, and it has been disabled on my Win10 laptop.
2. Re:Why a browser ?? by corychristison · 2016-07-14 01:25 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  Why a browser? Because that's the only choice we have on Linux.
  Chrome, Chromium, or Firefox with Pipelight. Those are my options. I chose Chromium, only because it doesn't require the headaches of Pipelight, and no spyware of Google.
3. Re:Why a browser ?? by pnutjam · 2016-07-14 02:08 · Score: 1
  
  I could only get it to work on chrome, not chromium. I was using OpenSuSE.
  unrelated, but HBO go used to work on Linux and now doesn't, bastards...
  
  --
  Cheap storage VM.
4. Re:Why a browser ?? by joerdie · 2016-07-14 02:34 · Score: 1
  
  There isn't a screen in my house that is capable of handling 5.1 audio. Stereo from the tv speakers are good enough for everyone in my family. Not everyone cares about big bassey explosions.
5. Re:Why a browser ?? by macs4all · 2016-07-14 03:37 · Score: 2
  
  There isn't a screen in my house that is capable of handling 5.1 audio. Stereo from the tv speakers are good enough for everyone in my family. Not everyone cares about big bassey explosions.
  What does Shirley Bassey have to do with this? And why would she explode?
6. Re:Why a browser ?? by thegarbz · 2016-07-14 04:54 · Score: 0
  
  5.what channel audio? My ears are much better served with a very high end stereo system than most of what people setup as a 5.1 system.
7. Re:Why a browser ?? by PIBM · 2016-07-14 05:31 · Score: 1
  
  Oh, I definitely have to agree that a lot of people install bad audio system. But I personnally favor a high end 5.1 system (well, the .1 isn't really important with a good 5 for a lot of things, but it can shine on very deep bass) over only stereo. One of my favorite scene that shows off the potential of a system is in the Quarantine movie ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... ) when the firetrucks leave the station (and you ride in one).
  Anyway, I didn't subscribe long to Netflix myself as I am more affected by the audio of a movie than by the quality of the video. In stereo I was being fed only 96 kbps, and 5.1 was 192 kbps, which mean that to me the stereo feed was unlistenable to. The 5.1 was fine when there was not much going on but as soon as the sound stage opened the quality was dropping abysmally.
  Oh well, I just hoard blu rays...
8. Re:Why a browser ?? by corychristison · 2016-07-14 07:00 · Score: 1
  
  I'm on Gentoo. As long as I install the chrome-binary-plugins package, chromium can pick up the drm plugin and Netflix works as expected.
  I'm not sure if this is a Gentoo specific thing... But it works and I'm happy.
9. Re:Why a browser ?? by thegarbz · 2016-07-14 09:08 · Score: 1
  
  I feel sorry for the person who modded this -1 flamebait. I highly suggest you go sit in a high end audio lounge one day and compare your run of the mill 5.1 system to a high end stereo one. Maybe you'll change your mind.
10. Re:Why a browser ?? by pnutjam · 2016-07-15 01:56 · Score: 1
  
  Thanks, that a package in the google repos?
  
  --
  Cheap storage VM.
11. Re:Why a browser ?? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-19 06:39 · Score: 0
  
  What a bunch of pleebs.
That's nice by rsilvergun · 2016-07-13 12:16 · Score: 5, Insightful

can it also upgrade my eyes so I can tell the bloody difference? And get me a bigger TV while I'm at it. And unplug the $100 Amazon FireTV and replace it with a $300 ($400?) Windows 10 PC?

--
Hi! I make Firefox Plug-ins. Check 'em out @ https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/youtube-mp3-podcaster/
1. Re:That's nice by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 19:13 · Score: 0
  
  For me, 720p is "good enough", while 1080p is a tiny bit better, though rarely worth the extra file size. I only make a fuss about 1080p if it's the very best porn.
  And anything above 1080 is just a waste of time.
2. Re:That's nice by bloodhawk · 2016-07-13 20:19 · Score: 0
  
  For me, 720p is "good enough", while 1080p is a tiny bit better, though rarely worth the extra file size. I only make a fuss about 1080p if it's the very best porn.
  And anything above 1080 is just a waste of time.
  Porn I find is nearly always better in lower resolution, you really DON'T want a clear picture of some of those women as many are held together with Clag glue and 50 layers of paint.
3. Re:That's nice by jellomizer · 2016-07-13 20:37 · Score: 2
  
  Would you say that if Firefox had 1080 and edge had only 720, or would you make fun on how behind the times Microsoft is.
  
  --
  If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
4. Re:That's nice by Shinobi · 2016-07-13 20:51 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Holy shit, how bad is your vision?
  For me, being somewhat nearsighted and using glasses, the difference between 720p and 1080p is as stark as night and day, when the encoding is clearly optimized for each respective format, especially when there's lots of small details. For me, the absolute biggest difference is when watching nature documentaries.
5. Re:That's nice by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 21:31 · Score: 0
  
  Whether you can tell the difference between any given resolutions depends on display size, viewing distance, and the fundamental resolving capabilities of the human eye. For example, on a display less than 50", from a viewing distance of more than 10 feet, someone with normal vision will not be able to tell the difference between 720p and 1080p. On the same display from 6 feet away, they will easily be able to tell the difference. There is no point whatsoever arguing about whether you can tell the difference or not without specifying the display size or viewing distance.
  Ilustrative chart here
6. Re:That's nice by Bengie · 2016-07-14 00:33 · Score: 2
  
  People can't tell the difference between 720p and 1080p in the same way people can't tell the difference between 30fps and 120fps. I guess most people are blind.
  
  That little rant being over, you can tell the difference if you know what to look for. The same way I can point out to people that the music the DJ is playing is a low quality MP3 because I hear audio artifacting.
7. Re:That's nice by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 01:04 · Score: 0, Offtopic
  
  What would actually benefit porn is a higher frame rate. It can be very difficult to pause and get a clear image due to all the bouncing around going on. One of the things I wonder about VR porn is if they are producing 90FPS content? If I wanted to watch blocky pixels bump into one another I would watch Twitch streams.
8. Re:That's nice by stdarg · 2016-07-14 01:20 · Score: 1
  
  I think the worst offenders are the "big name brand" places like hustler, where the woman really are 40+.. the probably got their start in the 80s and 90s and are still going. Union protection maybe?
  If you put in the slightest modicum of effort you'll find much better porn.
9. Re:That's nice by ranton · 2016-07-14 01:30 · Score: 1
  
  The same way I can point out to people that the music the DJ is playing is a low quality MP3 because I hear audio artifacting.
  You must certainly be a lot of fun at parties.
  
  --
  -- All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. -- Edmund Burke
10. Re:That's nice by DarkOx · 2016-07-14 01:39 · Score: 1
  
  Well there you hit the nail on the head. To me 1080 vs 720 or even less matters more depending on the content than anything else. There is basically no difference watching a bunch of characters wonder around their apartment on the Big Bang Theory at 720 vs 1080. Its does not matter much, you get plenty of detail to see all the relevant information at 720. It might even be true that given its a man made set, the higher detail is more likely to reveal distractions like fake props and take away from the experiences.
  While many will disagree I would say this is also true for most action flicks, its just as good on DVD as bluray. Why because when things are moving quickly for the most part you don't have time to appreciate the finer detail anyway. Unless you are some kinda weirdo steeping thru frame by frame no difference. The Avengers isn't really better at 1080 than it is at 480 on a 50" class screen.
  Now a nature doc or a cooking show, its big deal to have the extra detail. You have fixed camera going in tight on subject and the point is to show the detail. The image is mostly still you so have time to visually explore it.
  Some sports it matters, I would say for foot ball and hockey not so much, golf if you really want to be able to see the travel of the ball you need the resolution and lack of compression.
  
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  Repeal the 17th Amendment TODAY! Also Please Read http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/right-to-read.html
11. Re:That's nice by pr0fessor · 2016-07-14 02:07 · Score: 1
  
  If I actually had a TV that supported 1080 or was large enough to make it worth it I might be able to tell the difference in streams but not on my 39 inch that is 720p. I would need to have a 50 inch to make 1080 worth it at the distance I regularly view and that's just too big.
12. Re:That's nice by pnutjam · 2016-07-14 02:21 · Score: 1
  
  You certainly don't need a $400, pc. I have an HP streambox that I got second hand for $75, here's a new option for around $100; https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014...
  
  I've had too much trouble trying to use Linux on my set top. Now that Netflix works, HBO doesn't, and who knows which ones will work in 6 months. I decided to stick with windows 10, in tablet mode.
  
  --
  Cheap storage VM.
13. Re:That's nice by neoritter · 2016-07-14 02:37 · Score: 1
  
  This so much this. People bludgeoned Xbox about the whole 900p thing vs the PS4. I have no doubt if it came out that Chrome or Firefox could do the better resolution the fanboys would be all in a tizzy about how justified they were saying Microsoft was crappy.
14. Re:That's nice by pr0fessor · 2016-07-14 02:40 · Score: 1
  
  that's not to mention that most of the content on netflix wasn't recorded in 1080p those old TV shows from the 90s were most likely recorded in 480i
15. Re:That's nice by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 02:58 · Score: 0
  
  Well there you hit the nail on the head. To me 1080 vs 720 or even less matters more depending on the content than anything else. There is basically no difference watching a bunch of characters wonder around their apartment on the Big Bang Theory at 720 vs 1080. Its does not matter much, you get plenty of detail to see all the relevant information at 720. It might even be true that given its a man made set, the higher detail is more likely to reveal distractions like fake props and take away from the experiences.
  While many will disagree I would say this is also true for most action flicks, its just as good on DVD as bluray. Why because when things are moving quickly for the most part you don't have time to appreciate the finer detail anyway. Unless you are some kinda weirdo steeping thru frame by frame no difference. The Avengers isn't really better at 1080 than it is at 480 on a 50" class screen.
  Now a nature doc or a cooking show, its big deal to have the extra detail. You have fixed camera going in tight on subject and the point is to show the detail. The image is mostly still you so have time to visually explore it.
  Some sports it matters, I would say for foot ball and hockey not so much, golf if you really want to be able to see the travel of the ball you need the resolution and lack of compression.
  May would disagree because it's simply not true. Now, you might not CARE about the comparatively poor quality but when encoded properly from a higher quality source (not upscaling) there is an obvious, clear difference between 1080p and 720p in everything except maybe simple animation like Family Guy. Saying The Avengers doesn't look any different at 1080p that 480 at 50in is just a flat out lie and tells me you need serious vision correction. First, it isn't non-stop blury action 100% of the time but even when it is there's a clear difference in the level of detail.
  When encoded properly from a higher quality so
16. Re:That's nice by DarkOx · 2016-07-14 03:23 · Score: 1
  
  I am not suggesting it does not look 'different' I am simply saying for the most part it really does not matter, to me at least, in terms of my enjoyment of the content.
  If the video is a little 'muddy' it really does not matter. I am only concerned with the 'big picture' the detail isn't relevant.
  
  --
  Repeal the 17th Amendment TODAY! Also Please Read http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/right-to-read.html
17. Re:That's nice by HideyoshiJP · 2016-07-14 03:45 · Score: 1
  
  Most definitely this. It's very apparent that you're missing something when you see them back to back. Don't get me wrong, even an upscaled DVD looks decent still in this day and age, but once you watch the same thing in 1080p, the difference is clear. Hell, even streaming 1080p isn't as good as the visuals a Blu Ray can provide. It's admittedly not a problem for a TV series or a mediocre film, but if it's something I want to get the full experience from, Blu Ray is the way to go. It does help that I've got a basic home theater setup with 5.1. If I were watching on a computer monitor with 2 channel audio, I might not notice the difference.
18. Re:That's nice by F.Ultra · 2016-07-14 04:35 · Score: 1
  
  The difference on the Netflix content might be big between their 720p and 1080p streams but in general if you have a good upscaler in your display it's very hard to notice a difference. On my 65" it's really hard to see if I feed it a 720p stream from my BluRay copy of i.e BladeRunner (and that disc have great picture) or if I feed it the full 1080p stream. Now not all displays have that good of an upscaler of course.
19. Re:That's nice by Rob+Y. · 2016-07-14 06:08 · Score: 1
  
  The problem with this is that Microsoft's using some proprietary DRM platform built into Windows 10. If that's available to other browsers, fine-ish. But, assuming it's not available on other platforms (Mac, Linux, iOS, Android), and it becomes Netflix's standard for HD video in the future, that's a big problem, no? but Microsoft 'loves Linux' (tm), right...? ;-)
  I wouldn't think Netflix would want to play into that - but maybe their content producers would. So, fine-ish, but be on the lookout for lock-in.
  
  --
  Posted from my Android phone. Oh, I can change this? There, that's better...
20. Re:That's nice by neoritter · 2016-07-14 06:55 · Score: 1
  
  Protected Media Path has been around since at least Vista, and PlayReady is no worse than Apple's FairPlay DRM software for iTunes. You can get a license for it's use fairly easily. PlayReady is also platform independent, per the wiki article, "PlayReady can be ported to any kind of portable device, even if it uses non-Microsoft technology (OS, codecs, media player, etc.)." And per the PCWorld article. "The company said it is working with the Open Media Alliance to develop next-generation media formats, codecs, and other technologies for UltraHD video..." Both Google and Mozilla, along with Microsoft, are founding members of the alliance.
  I suggest toning down the fanboy bias.
21. Re:That's nice by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 09:19 · Score: 0
  
  Speak for yourself, HD pussy is great!
22. Re:That's nice by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 09:49 · Score: 0
  
  Then why the fuck do you have eyes at all? Get one of those single pixel eyes instead. All info you get is LIGHT vs NO LIGHT. no relevant details there!
23. Re:That's nice by NotRightAway · 2016-07-14 10:39 · Score: 1
  
  And that's why you'll always find him in the kitchen.
24. Re:That's nice by ncc74656 · 2016-07-14 14:25 · Score: 1
  
  Those TV shows from the '90s and earlier were most likely shot on film, not videotape. Telecine it at 1080p (or 4K, if you want...do that now and downsample it to 1080p so you don't have to do it again when 4K video catches on) and you'll get more details out of the original content than ever aired on TV. That (and a bunch of other enhancements) was what happened for the Blu-ray release of Star Trek, for instance.
  
  --
  20 January 2017: the End of an Error.
The bullshit is fresh and steamy by ilsaloving · 2016-07-13 12:18 · Score: 5, Insightful

First of all, big 4? Hardly.
Secondly, there is exactly one and only one reason why Edge would play in 1080p but everyone else plays at 720p. Settings. There is nothing technical about Edge that the others lack. This whole thing screams of Microsoft yet again playing some shifty game, most likely involving backroom deals that would be very interesting to read about if made public. This isn't a new thing. It's how Sony won the BluRay vs HDDVD war, after all.
1. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Dracos · 2016-07-13 12:30 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Settings in a way, but not something as mundane and friendly as a checkbox exposed to the user anywhere. This shell game of truthiness is about which browsers are allowed to play 1080p content by the media consortiums and which browsers are following the DRM rules bullshit.
2. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 12:33 · Score: 1
  
  the reason is because netflix and microsoft have been buttbuddies for years..... it's also why netflix uses(-ed) silverlight, not flash, where needed.
3. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by ilsaloving · 2016-07-13 12:47 · Score: 2
  
  Exactly. This is what I was talking about, but I guess I wasn't clear enough in my post. Thank you for clarifying.
4. Re: The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 12:47 · Score: 1
  
  Why would anyone use flash...
5. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by tezbobobo · 2016-07-13 12:48 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Firstly, between those 'big four' browsers share > 95% of the market. So yeah - big four. Also it doesn't make sense to compare Edge to browsers that don't run on the same platform, so wtf would you include Safari - it doesn't make sense. If you factor out Safari, the remaining browsers make 2% of the market. So that description was entirely appropriate.
  Secondly. it doesn't matter what the reason is. Does it matter whether its a technical limitation? It isn't Microsoft that is stopping its competitors - it is them stopping themselves. Microsoft hasn't magically disabled 1080p in other browsers - they did it themselves.
  So Microsoft is right, and that's all people will care about if they want 1080p.
  Also, Chrome sucks at memory management.
6. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by jrumney · 2016-07-13 13:09 · Score: 1
  
  Also it doesn't make sense to compare Edge to browsers that don't run on the same platform, so wtf would you include Safari - it doesn't make sense.
  
  You mean this is another story about Windows CE/Mobile/Phone/RT or whatever they are calling the platform that nobody uses these days?
7. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by guruevi · 2016-07-13 13:12 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  Microsoft did magically disable 1080p in the other browsers, it's right there in the summary. Edge is the only browser that (can) use PMP and PlayReady which the content cartels require for 1080p playback on Windows systems.
  
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8. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by magamiako1 · 2016-07-13 13:22 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  No, they enabled copy protection that the content producers want to see enabled before they let you stream 1080P/4K content. That's just how it is. It sucks, but don't go after Microsoft on this one.
  
  The good news is that since 4K will be so hard to obtain--then most end users will ultimately just use 720P content anyway. There's no demand for 4K content in the sense that if it's too fucking difficult to access nobody will want it.
9. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by dontbemad · 2016-07-13 13:30 · Score: 0
  
  Also, Chrome sucks at memory management.
  This gets said a lot, but Chrome is also (possibly) the most feature rich browser in existence. I think it is hard to make a comparison, really.
10. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 13:35 · Score: 0
  
  So, get it all wrong and get a +5 insightful. Mods here are not as bright as they used to be. It plays 1080p because it supports some better DRM and Netflix and whatever media companies have to agree approved it to play 1080p. Nothing at all to do with settings. And yes, big 4. Really big 3 since Opera is a rounding error. Since they are talking about PC and not about Mac, Safari does not count in this.
11. Re: The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 13:36 · Score: 1
  
  I think it comes down to Windows Play Ready 3.0. It's DRM crap. I don't pirate movies but this bull shit makes me think about cancelling Netflix and going with Pirate Bay for my media.
12. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by guruevi · 2016-07-13 13:39 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  So how can others make use of this copy protection? That's right, they can't because Microsoft is the creator of the 'standard' and controls the keys to the kingdom and doesn't really publish anything about it. There is no way that you can get your program to work with DRM in Windows without jumping through major hoops (both technical and bureaucratic) and even then, the thing is barely documented.
  
  --
  Custom electronics and digital signage for your business: www.evcircuits.com
13. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 13:42 · Score: 0
  
  No, Microsoft did disable 1080 and forces everyone else to jump through legal and technical and protection payment hoops to get it back.
14. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 13:48 · Score: 0
  
  Edge sucks incredibly at everything though. It's so fucking bad that I'd use any other browser, even if it Edge got 4K and others only got 480p video instead. Hell, even IE is miles ahead and that's saying a lot!
15. Re: The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 13:52 · Score: 0
  
  My shit DSL here in the US cant handle 4k anyway. It barely handles 1080p.
16. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 13:56 · Score: 0
  
  First of all, big 4? Hardly.
  If we're talking about Windows, it's really the "Big Two" - Edge and Opera are not particularly significant.
  If you broaden the discussion to include other platforms, Edge and Opera are relegated to the "rounding errors" category.
17. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by rdelsambuco · 2016-07-13 14:25 · Score: 1
  
  Don't even trip, dog ; I got your back!
  
  --
  I comment occasionally so that I can mod others -1 overrated or -1 offtopic.
18. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 14:30 · Score: 0
  
  When it's Microsoft's product that is "most feature rich", we call that "bloatware". And we then go on to talk about how all that bloat slows the whole thing down, and why the fuck would we not make that comparison?
19. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 14:49 · Score: 0
  
  Oh look, Mozilla employees still post on slashdot.
20. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 15:04 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  Its not though. As someone who helped put it on a set top box recently, your org just has to sign with MS to be a playready developer and pay your license fee. After that you are free to go use it and generate keys. They have full docs and specs on how playready works and how its implemented. You then have to pass netflix's certification suite (which is mostly fully automated, choose test, tell it which device, run test, look at results/errors) to their satisfaction and your good to go
21. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 15:28 · Score: 0
  
  Here you go: http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/S...
22. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 15:29 · Score: 0
  
  Oh look, Microsoft employees still post on slashdot.
23. Re: The bullshit is fresh and steamy by ChunderDownunder · 2016-07-13 16:57 · Score: 1
  
  Move to Australia, where 25Mbp/s is considered 'broadband'. :( Thanks, Malcolm.
24. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by exomondo · 2016-07-13 17:01 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Microsoft did magically disable 1080p in the other browsers, it's right there in the summary.
  The other browsers never had 1080p so please feel free to explain how Microsoft could disable something (magically or otherwise) that they never had? What they did was create a DRM solution that was acceptable for the content producers, the other browser makers have failed to do this. If Microsoft didn't create their DRM solution then Edge would max out at 720p content just like the other browsers.
25. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 17:06 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  You're being a crybaby bitch. PMP has been out since Vista. Firefox doesn't support it because they were too busy fucking with the UI, fighting H264, and adding in bullshit like Pocket. Opera has completely jumped the shark, threw out their flagship browser, and now just distribute a half-baked blink browser. Google? They're too busy implementing tracking features.
26. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 17:21 · Score: 0
  
  Here you go http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0218817/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
27. Re: The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 17:37 · Score: 0
  
  Actually, 2.5Mbps is considered broadband.
28. Re: The bullshit is fresh and steamy by slazzy · 2016-07-13 18:09 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  I'd use a different browser than edge if I had to crank the computer by hand while I ran it.
  
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29. Re: The bullshit is fresh and steamy by MrL0G1C · 2016-07-13 19:04 · Score: 1
  
  It was a lot quicker at dealing with videos than Firefox native video payer.
  
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  Waterfox - a Firefox fork with legacy extension support, security updates and better privacy by default.
30. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Fishchip · 2016-07-13 19:10 · Score: 1
  
  Oh look, Slashdot still amazes me with the witty back-and-forth in the comments threads.
31. Re: The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 19:30 · Score: 1
  
  Pretty sure that dumbed down piece of a browser is not the most feature-rich browser available. Even Opera has surpassed them (again). Only Safari and Edge are even less feature rich, I'd say.
32. Re: The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 20:21 · Score: 0
  
  That's faster than what I get, and that should be more than enough for streaming movies.
33. Re: The bullshit is fresh and steamy by ChunderDownunder · 2016-07-13 20:30 · Score: 1
  
  Sure but the govt want to spend $au50B ripping out adsl2+ for a 35% increase so ISPs can charge more
34. Re: The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Shinobi · 2016-07-13 21:23 · Score: 1
  
  Sadly, most Flash video players out there use less CPU than HTML5 players, especially for 1080p running at 60FPS(assuming that you're using a HTML5 capable browser that has the right extension to be allowed to play 60FPS on for example Youtube... Pale Moon doesn't)
35. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 22:15 · Score: 0
  
  That's because when the "feature rich" of MS is features that they shove down our throats and that we don't care or want... in the mean time, the ones we do want (oh say, add-ons) they spin their never ending bs making us believe that it's coming "soon". So yeah, bloatware when it's utter crap that they are packing...
36. Re: The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 22:41 · Score: 0
  
  And if you blink, your 4G enabled mobile just downloaded your favourite iso.
37. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Ash-Fox · 2016-07-13 22:53 · Score: 1
  
  Here you go: http://dvd.netflix.com/Movie/S...
  
  What if he doesn't live in the U.S?
  
  DVD Netflix Service The DVD Netflix Service is only available for customers in the U.S. Please go to the Netflix home page by clicking the button below.
  
  --
  Change is certain; progress is not obligatory.
38. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Trogre · 2016-07-13 23:15 · Score: 1
  
  Just more reason to avoid:
  1. Microsoft products, and
  2. Netflix
  Problem solved.
  
  --
  "Nine times out of ten, starting a fire is not the best way to solve the problem." - my wife
39. Re: The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 00:24 · Score: 0
  
  So you get to move the goalposts wherever you want then. That makes you a hypocrite, especially when it comes to Chrome. If you've been paying attention they have pretty much been trying to turn Chrome into its own damn OS within the OS complete with its own sseparate tools for every goddamn thing including printing, task switching, notifications and on and on. I get the goal, to make an in browser experience that parallels ChromeOS facilitating that switch from Windows. But the fact they have added so much OS funÃtionality to the browser that is inconsistent with the entire rest of the host system... that's the very definition of bloat. Contrast with the definition of bloat here for MS Word where it generally means "any feature outside of the 5 that I personally use every day". Chrome is one of the few ccases where the term is apt.
40. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by dave420 · 2016-07-14 00:25 · Score: 1
  
  There is something technical about Edge that the other browsers don't have - full hardware acceleration. Other browsers support hardware acceleration, but for some reason Edge seems to be doing it better than the rest. I guess because it's designed to only run on Windows 10, and so can take advantage of some of its more bleeding-edge functionality. This might make its way to other browsers eventually, but for right now Edge is doing something other browsers technically can't.
  Or it's some "shitty game", and the real (possibly only) benefits of Edge don't exist. Whatever floats your boat, I guess.
41. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 00:46 · Score: 0
  
  What feature does Chrome has that Firefox does not have?
42. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Merk42 · 2016-07-14 01:01 · Score: 1
  
  So Microsoft is right, and that's all people will care about if they want 1080p.
  No, this is Slashdot, anything Microsoft does is bad. In the off chance it's something that is 'good', it's obviously an EEE conspiracy.
43. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 01:01 · Score: 0
  
  You obviously haven't seen the complaints about Chrome's ram usage surpassing the complaints about Firefox's ram usage.[
44. Re: The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 01:10 · Score: 0
  
  Perhaps because Netflix streaming existed before HTML5 video was in most browsers, and well before it was finalized?
45. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by tepples · 2016-07-14 01:31 · Score: 1
  
  Then try this movie: Coming to America
46. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Ash-Fox · 2016-07-14 01:50 · Score: 1
  
  Then try this movie: Coming to America
  
  Not available in my region on Netflix!
  
  --
  Change is certain; progress is not obligatory.
47. Re: The bullshit is fresh and steamy by ranton · 2016-07-14 01:50 · Score: 2
  
  So you get to move the goalposts wherever you want then. That makes you a hypocrite, especially when it comes to Chrome.
  The difference is Chrome follows web standards and only adds its own functionality when there are no HTML / CSS / ECMA / etc standards to use. They may not be perfect at this, but they are better than any other browser. Microsoft on the other hand often ignores standards to do things its own way. I am pretty close to a Microsoft fanboy for many of its products, but Microsoft browsers have been a plague on the industry for two decades.
  Microsoft Edge a big step in the right direction for Microsoft though, and probably would have been a big PR boost in the eyes of techies if Microsoft hadn't rammed Windows 10 down users' throats so forcefully.
  
  --
  -- All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. -- Edmund Burke
48. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by tepples · 2016-07-14 02:00 · Score: 1
  
  Then obtain it from one of Netflix's competitors that operates in your region.
49. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 02:12 · Score: 0
  
  It's funny how these fat autistics cry now that THEIR browser is the mediocre dogshit.
50. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Ash-Fox · 2016-07-14 02:26 · Score: 1
  
  Then obtain it from one of Netflix's competitors that operates in your region.
  It's not available as part of the Amazon Prime Video package or Sky Go either!
  
  --
  Change is certain; progress is not obligatory.
51. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by tepples · 2016-07-14 02:46 · Score: 1
  
  Is it available on DVD from a local DVD rental shop?
52. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 03:20 · Score: 1
  
  BEcause to play 1080p you need to run the protected media path, which only Edge has the rights to do so.
  Why?
  Because MS won't let the other four use it.
  You see, go to your browser and open it up on a big monitor. Go on, the biggest one you've got. That 4K display or bigger. Notice that all browsers render on it full screen? That's because all of them support 1080p resolution.
  What the others aren't allowed is access to the stream.
  There's nothing about *speed* or *efficiency* stopping them.
  The OS stops them
  Whose OS?
  Microsoft's.
53. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by SimonTheSoundMan · 2016-07-14 03:25 · Score: 1
  
  Must be settings. Just tried Firefox and it states:
  "Playing bitrate (a/v): 64 / 5620 ( res: 1920x1080, par: 1x1 )"
  I call bullshit to this article.
54. Re: The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 04:07 · Score: 0
  
  Move to Australia, where 25Mbp/s is considered 'broadband'. :( Thanks, Malcolm.
  After a huge public debate, the US just recently redefined broadband to mean 25Mbps. Just last year it was only considered 4Mbps. We're in the same boat on that, at least.
55. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by desdinova+216 · 2016-07-14 06:19 · Score: 1
  
  the last time I looked at edge it didn't have any ad blocking
56. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 09:46 · Score: 0
  
  I got what you were saying instantly, no need for clarification.. the internet is just full of people looking to assert their pedanticism..
  We've seen it time after time after time with MS. Arbitrary limitations imposed for their own purposes, for example (and yes by all far means crawl out of the woodwork all of you "I'm right" types, get your 30 bytes of fame) the single file you could copy from Datacenter editions of Windows Server, overwriting yours on SBS and suddenly being completely relieved of the RAM cap imposed by the limited version shipped with SBS. They claimed over and over there were massive architectural differences in the OS' that would not allow SBS to utilize over a certain amount, their claim was totally false unless you include deliberately coding that restriction into a single file as "massive architectural differences".
  Microsoft can't put all their cards on the table. That isn't how it works when you are a giant company that has been outdone in many respects by tinkerers hammering out code on their free time after work. If they were entirely honest about their offerings they wouldn't have a dominant market share for much longer. Instead they have to rely on these sorts of 'backdoor deals' to keep profits coming in so they can fail again on something else other people have already done better. That and changing things that need not be changed in various Windows OS' just so MS Press can have something to print for $ (Force? Enforce? Enforced? And where did that checkbox go in this revision?)
  I would use iceweasel, seamonkey, opera, safari, netscape, lynx, or even pages encoded on punchcards transferred via CP/IP before I'd use iexplore -extoff.
57. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 09:57 · Score: 0
  
  All the browsers had 1080p support on Netflix years ago. This is a DRM downgrade.
58. Re: The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 09:57 · Score: 0
  
  Functionality related to the web sure, but what about those apps... urm, i mean "extensions" they got going?.
  Id say you have reached the goal of "bloat" when your app has its own app-store builtin!
59. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by exomondo · 2016-07-14 11:23 · Score: 1
  
  BEcause to play 1080p you need to run the protected media path, which only Edge has the rights to do so.
  That's somewhat correct but the reason you need to use protected media path to play content in 1080p is because the solution Chrome and Firefox use is called WideVine - this is a DRM solution that Netflix officially supports and is what is used on Chrome and Firefox -- but it does not offer the performance to be able to >=1080p resolution.
  
  There's nothing about *speed* or *efficiency* stopping them.
  Well actually there is, but it's not that Edge is more efficient than Chrome or Firefox, it's that protected media path is more efficient than widevine.
60. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by exomondo · 2016-07-14 11:25 · Score: 1
  
  All the browsers had 1080p support on Netflix years ago. This is a DRM downgrade.
  Yes then they required DRM. The supported solution was widevine, however it lacks the performance to do >=1080p so Microsoft came up with protected media path instead, Chrome and Firefox continue to use widevine.
61. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by exomondo · 2016-07-14 12:03 · Score: 1
  
  So how can others make use of this copy protection?
  They can license it from Microsoft or they can create their own or they can do what Chrome and Firefox do which is to use widevine. Why can protected media path do 1080p and widevine can't? Well that comes down to the efficiency of the implementation, not of the browser but of the DRM implementation.
  
  That's right, they can't because Microsoft is the creator of the 'standard' and controls the keys to the kingdom
  What are you talking about? Protected media path isn't a 'standard', it is just one implementation of DRM, there are others too. What do you think Chrome and Firefox currently use?
62. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by exomondo · 2016-07-14 12:08 · Score: 1
  
  The ignorance of your post is just staggering. Microsoft's DRM implementation is not the only one, it is also not the standard one nor is it the only one Netflix supports (which is precisely why Chrome and Firefox can play DRM Netflix content at all). So what exactly is your objection here?
63. Re: The bullshit is fresh and steamy by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-23 07:55 · Score: 0
  
  Fuck you more!
64. Re:The bullshit is fresh and steamy by segin · 2016-07-23 08:02 · Score: 1
  
  Wait for the Windows 10 Anniversary Update launching 2 August 2016. It includes an updated Edge with support for browser extensions. Browser extensions, however, will be distributed via Windows Store. For example, here's AdBlock Plus for Edge.
Ok but my Windows Mint editions by future+assassin · 2016-07-13 12:19 · Score: 3, Funny

doesn't have it in the repos?

--
by TheSpoom (715771) Uncaring Linux user here. I have nothing to add to this but please continue. *munches popcorn*
1. Re:Ok but my Windows Mint editions by hcs_$reboot · 2016-07-13 12:27 · Score: 1
  
  The package exists, it's called VirtualBox
  
  --
  Slashdot, fix the reply notifications... You won't get away with it...
Get off my blurry lawn! by Tablizer · 2016-07-13 12:23 · Score: 5, Informative

I got old worn-out eyes; I don't see the difference and don't fricken care.
I only care when I want to zoom into Natalie Portman's [censored], but don't want to pay extra for that.

--
Table-ized A.I.
1. Re:Get off my blurry lawn! by Dunbal · 2016-07-13 12:28 · Score: 1
  
  I only care when I want to zoom into Natalie Portman's [censored], but don't want to pay extra for that.
  Yeah, you have to zoom in quite a lot. The [censored] can get pretty pixelated.
  
  --
  Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
2. Re:Get off my blurry lawn! by Dracos · 2016-07-13 12:31 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  Just get cold grits, they look the same as hot grits.
3. Re:Get off my blurry lawn! by CastrTroy · 2016-07-13 13:49 · Score: 1
  
  Plus, a lot of movies on Netflix don't even have 1080p to begin with. Just tried testing this with "The Martian" and didn't understand why both Edge and Firefox were showing 720p. The only thing I could find quickly that had 1080p was "House of Cards" which is a Netflix production. It seems that there's a lot of content that they don't license in full resolution. The BBC Planet Earth series seems to only come in at 512x384. I'm in Canada, so YMMV.
  
  --
  
  Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
4. Re:Get off my blurry lawn! by rtb61 · 2016-07-13 17:04 · Score: 1
  
  The real problem going beyond 720 is the plastic surgery, botox, makeup et al make them like shite and crappy acting really stand out. I generally prefer well upscaled 480 as it tends to look better in terms of hiding undesirable production affects. Going beyond 720 provides not benefit beyond scenery channels and just sucks up to much space on hard disk drives. Scenery though, the more resolution and the bigger the screen, the better it is, prefer it over a window and I have a great views from my windows but still a high res big screen will show you the view you feel like, mountain top or tropical beach. Windows are just so last millennium (snigger, snigger).
  
  --
  Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
5. Re:Get off my blurry lawn! by Orgasmatron · 2016-07-13 18:02 · Score: 0
  
  This joke went right over the heads of the 7+ digit UIDs in the thread. Well, probably over most of the 6s too, but you are a low 6.
  Why do I have the urge to shout "First post!"
  
  --
  See that "Preview" button?
6. Re:Get off my blurry lawn! by eyepeepackets · 2016-07-13 18:30 · Score: 1
  
  Yeah, it's like an old-farts club with automatic membership -- unless you're dead in which case you probably don't care.
  
  --
  Everything in the Universe sucks: It's the law!
7. Re:Get off my blurry lawn! by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 02:26 · Score: 0
  
  -1 Didn't Mention Naked and Petrified
8. Re:Get off my blurry lawn! by CronoCloud · 2016-07-14 03:42 · Score: 1
  
  I'm a high 6 and I know about hot grits, $$$ Profit!, CowboyNeal, and beowulf clusters of libraries of Congress. And isn't it, “Frist post“?
9. Re:Get off my blurry lawn! by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 04:35 · Score: 0
  
  Not only that, but most streams are overly compressed. The higher resolution, the more likely they are to crank up compression levels so as to minimize bandwidth. The result is that for streaming services, pragmatically 1080p is only marginally better than 720p. Especially once you consider that most TVs have fairly advanced features like upscaling and anti-aliasing so to make 480p look pretty dang good. The result is that for most streams, 720p is generally as good at 1080p on most televisions.
  The real difference between 1080 and 720 is generally only of value when watching high resolution, local content.
10. Re:Get off my blurry lawn! by thegarbz · 2016-07-14 04:58 · Score: 1
  
  I got old worn-out eyes
  Eyes don't wear out when starting at something comfortably a few meters away. The oldest of eyes can still resolve accurate details with these things call glasses. Now if you have a degenerative disease that is causing you blindness then yes you have bigger issues to worry about, but that's hardly a case of wear out. /Disclosure: I feel borderline blind without glasses and yet with them on still greatly prefer 1080p
11. Re:Get off my blurry lawn! by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 07:45 · Score: 0
  
  Eyes don't wear out when starting at something comfortably a few meters away.
  
  ^ Irony award candidate
12. Re:Get off my blurry lawn! by thegarbz · 2016-07-14 09:12 · Score: 1
  
  Why? What does vision have to do with attentiveness or spelling?
13. Re:Get off my blurry lawn! by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-16 01:52 · Score: 0
  
  I like OTA TV (French) for that, the bandwith is largeish and the bandwith is "free" from the viewer's point.
  I miss analog where channel switching was fast to instant, nor did you need special hardware. (They even turned off MPEG2 broadcasting recently, 16:9 SD)
Netflix App by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 12:27 · Score: 0

I just use the Netflix app on Windows 10, it seems to go to 1080p. Though Vivaldi caps out at 720p...
Protected Revenue Path by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 12:33 · Score: 0

"We're gonna build a wall, and make the customer pay for it!"
1. Re:Protected Revenue Path by __aaclcg7560 · 2016-07-13 16:04 · Score: 1
  
  "Oh, God! Not IE6 again?!"
So Tired of "One Microsoft Way" by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 12:33 · Score: 0

Seriously, folks, it's all about open hardware and software. It's about sharing, it's about being able to read the open source software and contribute if you can.
"Microsoft made the bold claim on Wednesday that its Edge browser was the only browser of the big four browsers -- Chrome, Firefox, and Opera -- to play Netflix content at a 1080p resolution."
IMO The whole "I'm the only guy in the world who can bring you X,Y,Z so suck my proprietary cock and btw don't look under the curtain!" is bullshit.
Oh, and, Microsoft, how's your "Moonlight" for Linux project coming along? Oh, that's right, it's dead, much like the "Rootkit Revealer" program which development was axed after being absorbed by the beast. How can you continue to offer it in stand alone and part of SysInternals suite? It's ancient! Why don't you actually restart development?
Do you even care?
Refuse to use Microsoft products. Demand a refund on a computer if you purchase it loaded with Windows.
Has Windows 10 been forced to install on your system without your permission? Did you know at least one person has sued and gained somewhere around ten grand? Think about that for a second.
1. Re:So Tired of "One Microsoft Way" by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 12:54 · Score: 2, Insightful
  
  Seriously, folks, it's all about open hardware and software.
  Wrong, wrong and wrong. Nobody outside of your mom's basement gives two shits about open anything. What matters is shit that works. Open, closed, nobody cares as long as it works. Make stuff that is open AND works better than stuff that is closed, and then you've got something.
2. Re:So Tired of "One Microsoft Way" by Lead+Butthead · 2016-07-13 13:27 · Score: 0
  
  Do you even care?
  "No. Now apply that Vaseline you brought on my cock then drop your pants and bend over."
  
  --
  ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI!?
3. Re: So Tired of "One Microsoft Way" by Type44Q · 2016-07-13 13:38 · Score: 2
  
  You're lubing-up? What a softie.
4. Re:So Tired of "One Microsoft Way" by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 14:14 · Score: 0
  
  IMO-Typical bullshit response to gain karma rather than address the problem.
  You people don't even try anymore.
5. Re: So Tired of "One Microsoft Way" by jedidiah · 2016-07-13 15:56 · Score: 1
  
  Open is always more robust. The tech isn't fighting itself. This nonsense is the perfect example. DRM is sabotage.
  
  --
  A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
6. Re: So Tired of "One Microsoft Way" by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 17:55 · Score: 0
  
  Only if you have the resources dedicated to actually working on it, and that is precisely what is lacking. Where is the "open" hardware and software PC or laptop or smartphone or tablet or wearable or AR or VR device? I'm certainly not saying open is bad, in theory it could be very very good but in practice it isn't leading, at best it is a slow follower.
7. Re: So Tired of "One Microsoft Way" by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 18:40 · Score: 0
  
  No, that just proves how out of touch you are. The GP is exactly right.
  You don't have to sell me on the idea of open software and hardware, in theory it sounds like a fantastic idea! But then I use a Lemote Yoongson and realize it's rubbish and we have quite literally had decades of the PC and laptop era in which this open theory should have by now been able to produce something decent but it hasn't.
  This is the same reason people are using iPhones and Android (yes Android is predominantly closed software and on closed hardware) smartphones rather than some open software+hardware device, the same goes for tablets. This isn't a criticism of openness as a theory, indeed there are some decent open source software bits out there but by and large it is a criticism of its failed execution and lack of results.
8. Re: So Tired of "One Microsoft Way" by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 02:35 · Score: 0
  
  But then I use a Lemote Yoongson and realize it's rubbish
  Thanks for your one individual anecdatum.
  90% of everything is crap
9. Re:So Tired of "One Microsoft Way" by neoritter · 2016-07-14 06:58 · Score: 1
  
  The salt is strong in this one.
That old trick again? by Opportunist · 2016-07-13 12:36 · Score: 4, Insightful

Back to using undocumented features to gain an unfair advantage?

--
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
1. Re:That old trick again? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 17:08 · Score: 0
  
  It's not like their bag of tricks offers many alternative options.
2. Re:That old trick again? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 18:05 · Score: 0
  
  Back to using undocumented features to gain an unfair advantage?
  How the fuck is this bullshit modded "insightful"?
  The "undocumented feature" mentioned is the settings page in Netflix that shows the resolution, that is all, without that it's still in 1080p and the other browsers are still in 720p. Not sure what you think the "advantage" is in this case.
3. Re:That old trick again? by khz6955 · 2016-07-13 21:10 · Score: 1
  
  Anonymous coward: 'How the fuck is this bullshit modded "insightful"?'
  
  Because this bullshit happens to be true as unlike the windows API, it has been fully documented elsewhere. Here's billg and the rest of the crew in their own words, reads like something out of the Sopranos.
  
  Comes vs Microsoft
  
  Microsoft's dirty tricks archive vanishes
  
  Microsoft Litigation
4. Re:That old trick again? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 01:05 · Score: 0
  
  How the fuck is this bullshit modded "insightful"?
  Because M$!
5. Re:That old trick again? by tepples · 2016-07-14 01:38 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  The PlayReady DRM system is documented. It's also documented that any entity implementing it must pay beaucoup bucks for certification to get a player key.
.. and water is wet by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 12:46 · Score: 1

All I read was a giant ad for Microsoft sprinkled with marketing BS. Nice try BeauHD. I have some special Beans you can plant too.
1. Re: .. and water is wet by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 20:02 · Score: 0
  
  BeauHD is a cocksucking fagget homo who does not really know shit about fuck and posts crap lime this all the time.
Unclear by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 12:49 · Score: 2, Insightful

The article is kind of unclear as to why Edge is the only one that can do 1080. Is it because it supports the DRM that others don't? Is it because the others don't support the right codec? Is it a partnership between Microsoft and Netflix? What's actually going on?
1. Re:Unclear by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 14:05 · Score: 0
  
  It's because of the Protected Media Path and PlayReady. That is a requirement by the copyright holders for 1080p playback, and is only supported by Microsoft at this time.
  However, unlike some other DRM technologies, PlayReady is not locked to Windows and can be implemented on any platform. It is up to other browsers to add support if they wish to allow playback of media only available under PlayReady.
2. Re:Unclear by mcl630 · 2016-07-13 14:07 · Score: 1
  
  It comes down to DRM.
  https://blogs.windows.com/wind...
3. Re:Unclear by Cley+Faye · 2016-07-13 15:19 · Score: 1
  and can be implemented on any platform
  And how would one does this? By design, DRM schemes requires a level of obscurity. It doesn't matter the mean you're using, if you have encrypted content that you want in clear, at one point you'll have to have both the content and the key available client side. If anyone can implement such DRM, then nothing prevents the copy of the deciphered content as it is played.
  That's why we got HDCP as an attempt to plug the "if you can play it, you can save it" hole. And we know how it went.
  I'd be really impressed if someone came up with a DRM solution that satisfy all these:
  
  Allow playback of content on user system
  Prevent all form of recording without protection
  Can be implemented by anyone
  The closest you'll get is with keys stored in hardware, but we've seen how that one played out already.
  So, stop saying that "it is up to other browsers to add support". The instant anyone can play encrypted content, it's gone. And people pushing DRM really don't want that.
4. Re:Unclear by ThatsMyNick · 2016-07-13 22:09 · Score: 1
  
  And how would one does this?
  You need complete control over all parts of the decoding. Which means it has to be part of the OS or connected to the OS.
  Chrome has implemented Protected Media Path and PlayReady in ChromeOS, installed in Chromebooks. Netflix app in XBox also works fine.
  I dont think there is any collusion here. Media companies, Netflix, Google, and Microsoft colluding and compromising? Doesnt sound likely.
5. Re:Unclear by Qzukk · 2016-07-14 01:12 · Score: 1
  
  That's why we got HDCP as an attempt to plug the "if you can play it, you can save it" hole. And we know how it went.
  Yeah, my 4K monitor works 100% better in Linux than in Windows. I have had 0 flickers with the noveau driver and displayport since switching to Linux, where on Windows, the screen would have horizontal black bands flicker across it on a daily basis, and at least once a week the screen would just go black while browsing the web or playing a game and just refuse to come back until the monitor was powercycled.
  
  --
  If I have been able to see further than others, it is because I bought a pair of binoculars.
6. Re:Unclear by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 03:41 · Score: 0
  
  Yeah, my 4K monitor works 100% better in Linux than in Windows.
  That just means your monitor is shit.
  All modern AMD, Intel, and nVidia graphics adapters support HDCP, as do most monitors. And everything just works for 99% of the population.
  Your special snowflake problem is just that---your own weird problem.
7. Re:Unclear by neoritter · 2016-07-14 07:05 · Score: 1
  
  Educate yourself:
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
  https://www.theguardian.com/te...
Been away from MS too long by javawocky · 2016-07-13 12:59 · Score: 1

So... they have renamed Windows Media Player - Edge?
wrong story by Gravis+Zero · 2016-07-13 13:01 · Score: 5, Insightful

here's what the real focus should be:

DRM Slows Down Videos; Most Browsers Only Capable Of 720p From Netflix

--
Anons need not reply. Questions end with a question mark.
1. Re:wrong story by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 16:09 · Score: 1
  
  Or: MS and movie studios forcing users towards piracy as they reduce quality and force DRM onto users. After forcing Windows 10 on your PC against your will, now we try to force you to use the very worst browser ever as well...
  And meanwhile, the cord cutters who use netflix get shafted by the cablecos by going over platry monthly bandwidth limitations.
  Good job guys for screwing your loyal customers!
2. Re:wrong story by marcello_dl · 2016-07-13 17:17 · Score: 1
  
  Indeed.
  Or, if you want to underline the misery of it all:
  Users Still Submit To DRM Content, Media Company Gets To Force Whatever Platform On Them, Picks Windows And The New IE.
  
  --
  ---- MISSING MISCELLANEOUS DATA SEGMENT --- [sigdash] trolololol
3. Re:wrong story by neoritter · 2016-07-14 07:06 · Score: 1
  
  The DRM on Netflix is supposed to prevent people from recording the stream on their PC.
4. Re:wrong story by thegarbz · 2016-07-14 09:28 · Score: 1
  
  Except that most browsers are only capable of 720p from Netflix because they LACK DRM. Edge is the only browser which has the DRM and therefor can play 1080p.
5. Re:wrong story by Gravis+Zero · 2016-07-15 00:07 · Score: 1
  
  That is actually incorrect. They are using the HTML5 EME, dummy.
  
  --
  Anons need not reply. Questions end with a question mark.
Where's the anti-trust and RICO action? by qubezz · 2016-07-13 13:02 · Score: 5, Insightful

Microsoft Edge was built to take advantage of platform features in Windows 10, including the PlayReady Content Protection and the media engine's Protected Media Path," reports PCWorld. "The company said it is working with the Open Media Alliance to develop next-generation media formats, codecs, and other technologies for UltraHD video, and with chipset companies to develop Enhanced Content Protection that moves the protected media path into peripheral hardware for an even higher level of security, and one that could be used to protect 4K media."
So essentially, Microsoft, in the pocket of big media, is working against the consumer to manipulate hardware manufacturers into taking control away from users of the data on their own computers. This is not a feature, this is anti-consumer racketeering. There's the headline.
Regarding the performance, I wouldn't be at all surprised that Microsoft is again leveraging its position on the OS to engage undocumented and secret OS APIs to gain this anticompetitive advantage in the browser.
1. Re:Where's the anti-trust and RICO action? by DaHat · 2016-07-13 13:34 · Score: 1
  
  IT'S NOT RICO, DAMMIT
  
  --
  Help Brendan pay off his student loans
2. Re:Where's the anti-trust and RICO action? by Khyber · 2016-07-13 13:48 · Score: 1
  
  With the entire history of Microsoft, RICO applies, because you can point out continual willful violations of the law for profit and flouting courts, plus tax evasion, etc.
  You must not be a bright lawyer if you can't piece shit together like this.
  
  --
  Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
3. Re: Where's the anti-trust and RICO action? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 14:23 · Score: 0
  
  As they have done in the past: even if a lawsuit is brought forth, they will drag it out 10-20 years until it is irrelavent.
4. Re:Where's the anti-trust and RICO action? by DaHat · 2016-07-13 15:10 · Score: 1
  
  With the entire history of Microsoft, RICO applies, because you can point out continual willful violations of the law for profit and flouting courts, plus tax evasion, etc.
  From the above link:
  
  So people on the Internet use "RICO" to sound tough. Do lawyers overuse it too?
  Oh hell yes. And judges hate it. It's overcomplicated and most of the time it adds nothing to the case.
  It's so overused — especially by crazy pro se plaintiffs — and so needless that a lot of federal judges have special RICO orders they issue in RICO cases demanding that the plaintiff explain, in painful detail, why they think they have a RICO claim. Like this one, for instance. Judges issue them automatically as soon as a RICO case hits their docket to gather information to dismiss the case because it's not fucking RICO you idiot.
  Back to your nonsense though...
  
  You must not be a bright lawyer if you can't piece shit together like this.
  I never said I'm a lawyer.
  If it was so easy to piece all of this together under RICO... you'd think someone, somewhere who has been injured by Microsoft due to racketeering would be able to find a bright lawyer who would bring a successful civil suit against them under RICO.
  I'm seeing a settlement from a MS & Best Buy as defendants suit regarding unclear terms regarding MSN service from 99-04 which started out with a claim of RICO... yet still no legal findings to support an assertion under RICO yet, odd that?
  I wonder what the lawyers & courts who have made such claims over the years kept failing? Not enough money? Surely there is a Peter Thiel who could be convinced to bankroll such a case... if they thought there was a case... right?
  
  --
  Help Brendan pay off his student loans
5. Re:Where's the anti-trust and RICO action? by phantomfive · 2016-07-13 16:09 · Score: 1
  
  Microsoft won't be subject to another anti-trust lawsuit because they pay their 'bills', donating to politicians.
  Antitrust lawsuits are almost always political tools.
  
  --
  "First they came for the slanderers and i said nothing."
6. Re:Where's the anti-trust and RICO action? by drinkypoo · 2016-07-13 22:26 · Score: 1
  
  If it was so easy to piece all of this together under RICO... you'd think someone, somewhere who has been injured by Microsoft due to racketeering would be able to find a bright lawyer who would bring a successful civil suit against them under RICO.
  We've already seen that Microsoft is immune from prosecution when it comes to the big issues; the DoJ found that they had abused their monopoly position in basically every way possible, and then Bush's dog Ashcroft declared that even though we'd found them guilty that there would be no punishment. I presume that it is because they are doing the government's spying work for them.
  Assuming that Microsoft has not violated RICO because no one has successfully taken them to task for it is like assuming that Clinton didn't deliberately delete all that email she was required to retain because she was attempting to destroy evidence because Comey said he doesn't think he can secure a conviction.
  
  --
  "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
7. Re:Where's the anti-trust and RICO action? by neoritter · 2016-07-14 07:07 · Score: 1
  
  Google and Mozzilla are founding members along with Microsoft of the Open Media Alliance. So essentially, you don't know anything.
Sounds like *DRM*, not settings. by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 13:48 · Score: 1

Probably the other browsers have a lower/older tier of DRM and since they are primarily open source (and thus easy to isolate and RE the drm binaries) they've been punted to 720p in the same way non-HDCP TVs were punted to 480p, even though they could run up to 1080i.
Yay for DRM. Fuck you media industry.
Who Cares? by crow_t_robot · 2016-07-13 13:58 · Score: 0, Troll

Streaming 1080p in Edge is like winning a gold at the special olympics....you are still a retard. I'd rather place 3rd in the regular olympics (aka 720p in Chrome) than use Edge or IE ever again in my life.
1. Re: Who Cares? by jedidiah · 2016-07-13 16:04 · Score: 1
  
  What kind of loser used a pc for streaming services these days? You can just get a $50 appliance that works so much better.
  
  --
  A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
2. Re: Who Cares? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 04:07 · Score: 0
  
  What kind of loser used a pc for streaming services these days? You can just get a $50 appliance that works so much better.
  That makes 42% of streamers losers.
  I personally do not want an app for every web page on the Internet. This trend will lead to a complete lock down on content like a cable company.
  Give me an open web browser any day.
3. Re: Who Cares? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 09:40 · Score: 0
  
  So your saying that i should pay for another fucking "set top box", then put it in the living room (where the TV is) then go there and watch shit?
  Why would i do that when i can "stream" it on my computer while reading slashdot and coding up the latest additions to my new project?
  Ah, i understand now. You are what we term "consumer" in the proper sense of the word.
Fighting the last war. by westlake · 2016-07-13 14:07 · Score: 1, Interesting

Microsoft, in the pocket of big media, is working against the consumer to manipulate hardware manufacturers into taking control away from users of the data on their own computers. This is not a feature, this is anti-consumer racketeering.
What consumers want is AAA content for their 4K UHD sets, which are becoming very affordable in all screen sizes.
That content could be distributed through a universal and general-purpose web browser, like Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Opera. But chances are good that won't happen because the geek can't get it through his head that it isn't going to happen without sophisticated content protection.
That leaves the field wide open to the smart TV with its suite of 4K apps, the 4K Blu-Ray player, the next generation cable and satellite DVR, the Amazon Fire HD, the Roku set top box, the stream-casting tablet and so on.
The walled garden wins because that is where people meet and that is where the action is.
1. Re:Fighting the last war. by stdarg · 2016-07-14 01:37 · Score: 1
  
  smart TV with its suite of 4K apps
  I don't think anybody likes smart TVs with apps. They're always soooo slooooow it's insufferable.
  The little devices like Fire TV sticks and Chromecasts are much better.
  That said, people with a little bit of tech savvy are going more and more to PC solutions these days... I had a computer hooked up to my TV 15 years ago, but now my brother in law has one, several of my friends have them, and my mom wants one. These are all people who tried the special purpose devices and found them too slow... they're fine for special apps like Netflix, but are utter garbage for stuff like basic web browsing/Facebook.
2. Re:Fighting the last war. by ADRA · 2016-07-14 03:49 · Score: 1
  
  Which consumers? Even in my tech circles, 4k has a big meh written all over it. Unless you get a TV the size of a projector and watch it uncomfortably close, most people just won't care, even if they could see the odd pixels (which is unlikely).
  
  --
  Bye!
3. Re:Fighting the last war. by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 09:36 · Score: 0
  
  All that is proabably true. But il still watch 1080 or even 4K content on my computer without the need of Edge or PlayReady or anything from microsoft at all.
I can haz? by ArhcAngel · 2016-07-13 14:08 · Score: 2

So where is the link to download and install Edge for my Android device? Or my friends iPhone? My customer's Mac? or my neckbeard brother's Linux box? I still use a Windows machine but more and more people are consuming most of their content on a mobile device. If I can't get Edge on the device it will never get the traction IE did.

--
"A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - K
1. Re:I can haz? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 14:36 · Score: 0
  
  My Nvidia Shield TV markets itself on having 4K Netflix playback, so I am pretty sure this claim is only for browser based playback. Netflix's own apps do support 1080p or higher playback on Android, iOS etc.
2. Re:I can haz? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 18:22 · Score: 0
  
  mmhmmm.
3. Re:I can haz? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 18:45 · Score: 0
  
  Windows? People still use that malware delivery system?
  This entire house is Microsoft-free. There are a couple MacBooks, my Linux workstation, another Linux laptop, 3 Rokus, 4 Android (Linux) smartphones, 2 Android tablets, and the primary media box is a Raspberry Pi 2 running Rasplex (Linux).
  The world has moved on. The last Windows holdouts are businesses that haven't entered into the 21st century yet.
  Tell you what, go ahead and start up your own business, and then try and hire people who know how to operate Linux. Or better yet convince the CFO that the IT budget needs to be five times that of your competitor because everyone "needs" Macbooks at 5x the price of PCs.
  Good luck prying Excel out of the dead accountants hands too. There are obvious reasons a business does not emulate your home in any fucking way.
4. Re:I can haz? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 00:24 · Score: 0
  
  Are you really this out of touch with reality, or just trying to look cool in front of your friends?
5. Re:I can haz? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 00:57 · Score: 0
  
  And of course the MILLIONS of people who play PC games...excluding the small percentage of WINE adopters. Just because you don't like Windows doesn't make it malware. What's next you're going to call it Window$ or Micro$hit? Grow up.
6. Re:I can haz? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 01:23 · Score: 0
  
  You are an idiot.
7. Re:I can haz? by cdrudge · 2016-07-14 01:31 · Score: 1
  
  So where is the link to download and install Edge for my Android device?
  Depending on which Android device you have, just use the native Netflix app. Nexus Player, Amazon Fire TV, and Nvidia Shield can all do 1080p Netflix.
8. Re:I can haz? by corychristison · 2016-07-14 01:38 · Score: 1
  
  You realize this article is about watching Netflix in a web browser... right?
  I don't think many businesses allow their staff to sit back and watch video content all day.
  People are free to choose whatever suits them best. Even at work in my opinion. My last two "jobs" I was allowed to install Linux on my workstation as I am more productive in an environment I am familiar with. I haven't used Windows since the early 2000's (XP). I've since moved on to running my own business, and I get along just fine still using Linux.
9. Re:I can haz? by tepples · 2016-07-14 01:47 · Score: 1
  
  So where is the link to download and install Edge for my Android device? Or my friends iPhone?
  I assume the Netflix app for these platforms uses the platforms's native DRM.
  
  My customer's Mac?
  Edge for Mac
  
  or my neckbeard brother's Linux box?
  Edge for Linux
10. Re:I can haz? by ArhcAngel · 2016-07-14 04:06 · Score: 1
  
  The point is the browser is not available on the platforms people use to consume content.
  
  --
  "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - K
11. Re:I can haz? by neoritter · 2016-07-14 07:09 · Score: 1
  
  Maybe complain to Android and Apple for not implementing PlayReady and PMP.
What a Tryhard by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 14:16 · Score: 0

Microsoft, you're so uncool it is embarassing.
Do you really think this somehow gives you an, "edge."
Satya Nadella: Verdict to date? Total fail.
I actually had hopes you might be an improvement over your predecessor. Silly me.
What a lame, lame company.
WTF? Works fine for me. by westlake · 2016-07-13 14:26 · Score: 1

Netflix app installed and working as of 10:25 PM EDT July 13.
1. Re:WTF? Works fine for me. by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 15:52 · Score: 0
  
  After I updated windows it got removed, just like Speccy, Defraggler and CCleaner gets removed. Update and see if Netflix's app is still around...
2. Re:WTF? Works fine for me. by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 19:07 · Score: 1
  
  Another victim of the free "upgrade".
3. Re:WTF? Works fine for me. by bloodhawk · 2016-07-13 20:17 · Score: 1
  
  Just finished my update, NEtflix still there and working fine for me.
4. Re:WTF? Works fine for me. by neoritter · 2016-07-14 02:35 · Score: 1
  
  Me thinks you lie. I've had no problems.
5. Re:WTF? Works fine for me. by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 04:12 · Score: 0
  
  Yep. Because your set up is identical to the OP. IDENTICAL!
I'll believe it when I see it... by Halo5 · 2016-07-13 14:33 · Score: 0

Well, I'm calling bullshit just because Edge only plays Netflix at 720p on my Win10 Pro box. That's with verified 50 Gbps down-speed, all software/drivers up-to-date, and with a GTX 580 card (and yes, it is HDCP-compliant). If there's some buried, undocumented setting that I have to enable in order to get it to work, that doesn't count IMO.
So, bullshit...

--
665: The mark on the forehead of Satan's slightly less evil brother, Stan.
1. Re:I'll believe it when I see it... by Bite+The+Pillow · 2016-07-13 15:41 · Score: 1
  
  "PCWorld tested the four browsers and found this claim to be valid." I guess that's double bullshit on you, dumbass.
  Or maybe you can science that shit and what's different between you and PCWorld... and discover why you are an outlier. Or expose PCWorld as a shill. Otherwise you're not helping.
  Dud you expect a bunch of replies so Microsoft and Netflix and your isp would triage your problem? That's not how this works.
2. Re:I'll believe it when I see it... by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 16:06 · Score: 0
  
  50gbps download speed... Why lie?
Well, good, but... by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 14:38 · Score: 0

Edge requires Windows 10, so any "benefits" that Microsoft touts for it are negligible at best. Make me a browser that I can run on a better OS of my choice, and then we might have something. That, and if on whim I actually gave a rat's ass about 1080p or higher quality video on my desktop browser, I would use Edge to play it, and not for much else. I already have to do that pick-and-choose dance with other browsers, so I can't say that this is a selling point more than another lock-in attempt by a company who no longer offers much to entice me now that I'm past my youthful gaming-frenzy era.
It's all part of the plan by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 14:52 · Score: 0

The step after embrace is extend, right?
US GOVERNMENT BAIT by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 14:58 · Score: 0

Microsoft is just US government spyware now. There is no difference between streaming Netflix data to one browser or the other unless you are requiring Silverlight or similar.
Edge sucks and if you use Windows just figure it is a gaming OS only until all game developers port everything to Linux the way they do to PS4. It is easy to do.
Boasting security... by Cley+Faye · 2016-07-13 15:11 · Score: 1

for an even higher level of security
Security for who? Not for the people actually making content, not for the customers, not for netflix... Ah, I have it on the tip of my tongue... who's increasing security by screwing over everyone involved again?
Joking aside, most people will not care about "why" only Edge will support 1080p, because most people are not into technical stuff. However, a fair amount of people turns to their somewhat geeky relative/friend when some question arise; and those will know that the only reason for Edge to support this when other won't is content provider willingly screwing other by using DRM. I'm curious to see how this will play out in the long term.
1. Re: Boasting security... by jedidiah · 2016-07-13 16:07 · Score: 1
  
  Non-geeks simply won't care. They use a roku or apple tv if that.
  
  --
  A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
But.. but... Youtube can play 8k by Majudhu · 2016-07-13 15:47 · Score: 1

YouTube 8k already works in both Chrome and Firefox, in both webm and mp4 format https://youtu.be/sLprVF6d7Ug
1. Re:But.. but... Youtube can play 8k by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 01:13 · Score: 0
  
  They use WideVine DRM, even though you don't realize it, the stream is still encrypted and a DRM company being paid to license their technology.
Ok, but is it any good at browsing the web? by iamacat · 2016-07-13 15:56 · Score: 1

I don't watch Netflix on my laptop much. We have some tablets in the family for private viewing and TVs for shared movies. None of those devices run windows, but as I understand there is a dedicated app if we did have a Windows tablet.
I also don't browse the web for 10 hours non-stop because I have a job and a life, so battery differences will not have that much impact on me.
So, rather than beating around the bush, why doesn't Microsoft explain how Edge is going to be better for browsing the web. My pet peeve is autoplay videos on sites like CNN and Facebook. Is Edge going to be any good at disabling these by default and helping me resize the video or pop it out into a separate window when I do want to see it?
Wait, what? by JustAnotherOldGuy · 2016-07-13 16:13 · Score: 1

Microsoft is "working with the Open Media Alliance" AND at the same time working with chipset companies "to develop Enhanced Content Protection".
Maybe it's just me, but those two things seem diametrically opposed.

--
Just cruising through this digital world at 33 1/3 rpm...
Opera part of Big Four??? by Tony+Isaac · 2016-07-13 16:48 · Score: 1

How is Opera part of the "big four" with it's 2% market share? Edge, for that matter, isn't far ahead.
Windows Store App Netflix doing 1080p just fine. by pupitetris · 2016-07-13 16:52 · Score: 1

Ctrl-Alt-Shift-D works for the Windows Store App from Netflix, and it's doing 1080p just fine. I'm not switching to Edge anyways.
Not A Big deal by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 16:57 · Score: 0

It does Not Matter One Heck To Me Haha
Huh by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 18:05 · Score: 1

Funny that my movies from that website that rhymes with thefiratepay always play at 1080p. Added bonus, they don't play through a browser. Second bonus, what's DRM?
Embrace, extend, extinguish by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 18:46 · Score: 0

Sure, go ahead and let MS corner the market on HD video streaming. Once all the other players have vacated the market they will decide they no longer wish to support the cost of supporting this feature and drop it like a rock while undermining anyone foolish enough to support this market. Its fucking CableCard all over again. Bastards.
Re:Windows Store App Netflix doing 1080p just fine by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 19:41 · Score: 0

Is that on a Windows 10 machine? If so, do you know whether the app is making use of the Edge engine behind the curtain?
Browsers and screen resolution by khz6955 · 2016-07-13 20:53 · Score: 1

Resolution is a function of the underlying Operating System. The only way Edge browser would play at full resolution and not the others is if Windows was designed detect the running browser and reduce resolution if not running Edge.

"Microsoft claimed Microsoft Edge was built to take advantage of platform features in Windows 10"

In other words, and yet again Micosoft made sure to undocument certain API calls that makes viewing media on other browsers a "jolting experience". Or as in another example shifting the text 30 pixels to the left on detecting Opera, therefore rendering the text as slightly jagged. Of course the blame is entirely down to Opera for not following Microsoft industry standards.
It's hard to see what this proves by DrXym · 2016-07-13 22:23 · Score: 1

Other than Netflix gimped their web service so that other browsers are delivered lower resolution content. All browsers are capable of hardware accelerated video playback and all of them should be capable of 1080p output providing the hardware is up to it.
Why would I watch in my browser? by drinkypoo · 2016-07-13 22:29 · Score: 1

A $40 (or less on sale) Fire TV Stick will play at 1080p. And it plays I think literally everything I want to play since you can sideload Kodi, and I have. And it doesn't tie up my PC while it's doing it; I can do something else with my PC while Netflix is being watched, with me not being the only one in the household.
What percentage of people are actually watching Netflix in a browser?

--
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
Re:Windows Store App Netflix doing 1080p just fine by bzn · 2016-07-13 22:46 · Score: 1

As it's written by Netflix themselves, probably not. It appears to be the same as the pre-Edge Netflix app.
In other news by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-13 23:40 · Score: 0

Netflix can't manage to stream 1080p to most browsers, while youtube can stream 4k.
Sounds like a netflix problem, not a browser problem.
A name change but still IE by Attila+Dimedici · 2016-07-13 23:53 · Score: 1

Listen just because MS renamed Internet Explorer does not mean that it isn't still Internet Explorer. Heck, the summary even admits it by calling Edge one of the "Big Four" browsers. The only way Edge qualifies as one of the big four is if you consider it the next version of Internet Explorer. If you consider it a separate browser it is number 5 (behind, Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari).

--
The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted. James Madison
That's nonsense move by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 00:37 · Score: 0

There is open sourced DRM tech Widevine, so there's no technical need to lock users into Edge browser. It's Netflix bad move to support Microsoft technology (DRM and Edge) while ignoring other, more open technologies.
The Microsoft DRM is no way any more superior one. Nor it's reliability, stability and overall quality. It's actually worse.
Looks like Netflix did not properly evaluate it nor tried to understand both of these technologies.
Safariis gigantic by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 00:44 · Score: 0

You'd include safari because it runs on a third of devices used to browse the web
1. Re:Safariis gigantic by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 00:51 · Score: 0
  
  It doesn't. It only runs on macOS (negligiable market share) and iOS (less than 15% market share in smartphones, maybe a little more in tablets).
Re:Windows Store App Netflix doing 1080p just fine by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 01:26 · Score: 0

It's been a Universal Windows App since December last year, running on the Edge core, therefore using PlayReady DRM which is the reason the Edge browser does 1080P. You've been using Edge in a wrapper all along.
So Edge now runs other IE-dependent websites? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 01:48 · Score: 0

We don't stream 1080p at work. We use proprietary websites, not in our programming control, which throw up errors when you attempt to load them with Edge. Which is why we defaulted all our PCs back to IE and away from Edge.
Fixed that one, have they?
What the studio wants by tepples · 2016-07-14 01:51 · Score: 1

Security for who? Not for the people actually making content
It's for the studios that pay the wages* of "the people actually making content". If a studio wanted to allow Netflix to stream one of its films or TV series in 1080p without needing Edge, it could choose not to include a Protected Media Path requirement in its license of the film to Netflix. Reportedly some Netflix original series are this way.
* An hourly rate is harder to depress with "Hollywood accounting" than a percentage.
One is for paywall, the other for not by tepples · 2016-07-14 01:53 · Score: 1

I see no cognitive dissonance. "Open Media Alliance" is for amateur video and ad-supported video, and "Enhanced Content Protection" is for subscription video.
Re:Windows Store App Netflix doing 1080p just fine by tepples · 2016-07-14 01:54 · Score: 1

Both Edge and the Netflix UWP app are qualifying for a particular security level of PlayReady DRM, and other browsers aren't.
Win 10 (Redstone) still requires IE by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 01:59 · Score: 0

Finished a testing gig at M$; and in a level of irony: I reported a bug that (at least one new) app requires IE (not edge). "By design". (Never got the chance to see what happens when you run a version of Win 10 {international} that does not have IE installed)
1. Re:Win 10 (Redstone) still requires IE by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-15 05:29 · Score: 0
  
  Windows is US Government surveillance.
  If something requires Windows, you don't want that either.
youtube rentals does 1080p. downgrading my NFLX. by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 02:54 · Score: 0

Youtube also rents movies, and will play in 1080p on ChromeOS and Windows:
https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/2528768?hl=en
NFLX needs to negotiate harder or use the yucky DRM standards forced into HTML harder, because Google can do it. I'm downgrading to the $9/mo plan since I don't want to use any of the annoying DRMfob devices needed to get the value from my extra three dollars.
I won't touch Amazon video for the same reason: they want some stupid DRMfob instead of a computer before they will give you reasonable resolutions. Youtube is doing it right, and they are an underdog for negotiation purposes. I think these other companies want to move people off computers for some other reason in addition to studio pressure, or they are just sullen.
Follow the money by gumpish · 2016-07-14 03:40 · Score: 4, Informative

Remember that Netflix CEO Reed Hastings sits on Microsoft's board of directors.
Bull Sh*t by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 04:59 · Score: 0

Works just fine in Seamonkey. GTX 960, Xeon W3570. MS is just blowing smoke out of their asses.
1920x1080 on my Chromebook by NoRefill · 2016-07-14 12:04 · Score: 1

I used the key combo to put up stats on my screen in the Chrome browser on my Chromebook and after a short ramping up time, it read 1920x1080 as the resolution on the bitrate line. Seems like it is working at 1080p.
Safari Supports 1080p apparently by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-14 18:18 · Score: 0

Bringing up that menu in Safari reports the stream maxing out at 1080p. I'm surprised at the audio stream though; I'm assuming that has to be per channel since it claims 64kbps. I've encoded a lot of audiobooks from CD, and unless Netflix worked some serious magic there is no way thats 64kbps total (stereo). You can get great sounding mono at that (even clear down at 40 or 48), but stereo absolutely needs at least 128k before artifacts become really bad...
Edge is just a late bloomer by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-15 09:46 · Score: 0

Yes, Microsoft, your daughter Edge has a charming personality, bless her heart. Sometimes, the boys just don’t notice the truly special girls. I’m sure she’ll meet a good man real soon.
Capped at 480p in Chrome and Firefox by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-22 01:11 · Score: 0

I've noticed that anything other than Netflix originals are capped at 480p in either Firefox or Chrome. I assume this is because of the widevine exploit that was reported last month?
Stuck at 480p in Chrome and Firefox by skippahg72 · 2016-07-23 23:30 · Score: 1

I've been following this thread and while the focus has been on 1080p browser support, something has definitely changed with Netflix and most videos don't get above 480p when streamed in Chrome or Firefox. Netflix originals still get to 720p (HD)..but most anything else is capped at 480p. I've checked titles that were streaming in HD prior to a month ago. I've contacted Netflix support and they've been useless, initially telling me that "HD" was never supported in Chrome or Firefox. I had to clarify that 720p is HD AND send them a link to their own page showing Chrome and Firefox are both supported for 720p. I'm thinking this is a change tied to the widevine bug/exploit that was reported on a while back.