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Netflix Now Lets You Download Videos Onto Your PC (pcworld.com)

Netflix now offers offline streaming via its Windows 10 PC application, meaning you'll have even more options wherever you're stuck without Internet access. From a report: Netflix added the offline viewing options as part of the most recent update to the Netflix app on Windows 10. Because the Windows Store doesn't show you what version of the Netflix app you're using, just make sure you check for updates using the large blue button in the upper-right corner of the Windows Store app to receive the latest version. You won't need the Creators Update to take advantage of the new feature, either. When you open the app, Netflix will show you a large splash screen that advertises the new "download and go" capability. Unfortunately, if you click the Find me something to download button, the Netflix app doesn't currently display a list of downloadable titles; you'll have to hunt them down yourself. Netflix introduced the same capability on iOS and Android late last year. It's a bold move by Netflix to bring this feature to desktop. There is always the risk of someone finding out a way to break the DRM and easily distribute the files.

18 of 60 comments (clear)

  1. No Subject by dontbemad · · Score: 2

    It's a bold move by Netflix to bring this feature to desktop. There is always the risk of someone finding out a way to break the DRM and easily distribute the files.

    I wouldn't think it terribly challenging to pull these same files off of a rooted android phone. Regardless, I would imagine other avenues of getting pirated material would still be easier.

  2. Re:Reality check on aisle 3! by Sperbels · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The Pirate Bay has a better selection too.

  3. I'd rather have Autoplay disable by jetkust · · Score: 4, Interesting

    If I can't download and watch on a tv easily I personally don't really care. I'd rather they remove the forced autoplay "feature" from the roku UI. I don't want to see distracting previews and trailers while I'm scrolling through the interface. I barely use Netflix on my roku because of this.

  4. Smart move, but not that bold by beekums · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I don't think this is incredibly bold. It just makes sense. All movies are available for piracy already. No one needs to break Netflix's DRM for that. People pay for Netflix anyway because it is so convenient. Torrenting requires time to download, even on a fast connection. Netflix requires a few seconds to buffer. Netflix also provides convenient browsing while Torrenting requires knowing what to watch. It's a smart move to make things more convenient for their paying customers while adding nothing to movie piracy.

    1. Re:Smart move, but not that bold by avandesande · · Score: 2

      Not to mention they don't have any movies anyone would want to pirate

      --
      love is just extroverted narcissism
    2. Re:Smart move, but not that bold by Kjella · · Score: 3, Informative

      I don't think this is incredibly bold. It just makes sense. All movies are available for piracy already. No one needs to break Netflix's DRM for that.

      The threat to Netflix's business model is one thing, but DRM licensing contracts are from the innermost circles of hell and typically carry strict limitations and obscene penalties. So I'm guessing this will primarily be on Netflix's original programming, since they're not interesting in selling Netflix exclusives on disc or to TV networks anyway. They get a broader appeal, good PR as the more user friendly solution and potentially forcing the MPAA to follow suit while like you say not really risking anything at all.

      --
      Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
  5. I'll keep recording the streams, thanks. by uCallHimDrJ0NES · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I am entitled to record and play back my recording that I made. Caching a DRM copy of Netflix's actual file is inferior in terms of my rights. Breaking the DRM will definitely be some kind of violation. No thanks.

    --
    Cloudiot: A person who does not see offsite storage as a way to lose control over access to his or her own data.
    1. Re:I'll keep recording the streams, thanks. by uCallHimDrJ0NES · · Score: 2

      With Netflix, you're paying for a limited-time license to view the material. Your license immediately expires when you stop paying Netflix.

      Try your "I'm entitled to record and play back..." argument in front of a judge after you get kicked out of a movie theater for using a video recorder.
      Same thing. You're not going to get very far with that argument.

      Not the same thing at all. How dare you compare my usage of a VCR with a person trying to take a camera copy at a paid exhibition at a movie theater? Are you spreading disinformation? Who pays you, coward? http://mentalfloss.com/article...

      --
      Cloudiot: A person who does not see offsite storage as a way to lose control over access to his or her own data.
  6. Re:Subject misleading by jetkust · · Score: 2

    Meh, same thing. Just like how when you "stream" music, it really just downloads the entire files most of the time. I don't think Netflix is all that different. I once remember my internet went out and Netflix still "streamed" for 30 minutes.

  7. Netflix vs. iTunes by tepples · · Score: 2

    Both iTunes Store purchases (your solution) and Netflix caching (the present article) are useful for people whose Internet connectivity is highly location-dependent, such as having usable connectivity at home but harshly capped or nonexistent connectivity while a passenger on the commute or a long road trip. But Netflix caching is better for people who A. watch Netflix original programming, B. haven't already amassed much of an iTunes library, or C. carry a non-Apple device.

  8. Already happening by ZorinLynx · · Score: 2

    >There is always the risk of someone finding out a way to break the DRM and easily distribute the files.

    Already happens.

    Netflix knows this. They try to make it hard for J Casual User to do this, but they know the pirates will break the DRM.

    Notice how Netflix exclusives are all up on the usual pirate channels the same day they air.

  9. Then use your TV as a computer monitor by tepples · · Score: 2

    If I can't download and watch on a tv easily I personally don't really care.

    Practically all PCs since the late 1980s have one or more of VGA, DVI, or HDMI output. Practically all TVs since 2007 have HDMI input, which can be used with DVI outputs with a sub-$10 adapter cable, and many have VGA input. So plug a cable from your computer to your TV.

  10. UWP is sandboxed by tepples · · Score: 4, Interesting

    A UWP application from the Windows Store can shit all over its sandbox. It can't shit outside the sandbox except for those files and folders that the user makes available to that particular application using secure OS-managed file choosers.

    Or does "shit all over my PC" refer to running proprietary native code in the first place, sandboxed or not?

  11. there are bigger risks than breaking drm by superwiz · · Score: 2

    A much bigger risk someone figuring out a way to live capture it at original frame rate. A broken DRM can be changed. Live capture can happen without the application's knowledge. In fact, it's probably already happening for anyone willing to take the time to set it up and having any desire to do it. And if you can't stop live capture, then drm will only stop the truly law-abiding and the moderately lazy.

    --
    Any guest worker system is indistinguishable from indentured servitude.
    1. Re:there are bigger risks than breaking drm by uCallHimDrJ0NES · · Score: 2

      And if you can't stop live capture, then drm will only stop the truly law-abiding and the moderately lazy.

      Live capture is law abiding. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a troll. http://mentalfloss.com/article.... Folks, seriously: never let a statement or implication about recording being illegal slide. Always correct this. It's worth arguing about.

      --
      Cloudiot: A person who does not see offsite storage as a way to lose control over access to his or her own data.
  12. Re:Download capability REMOVED by Netflix.... by Zaelath · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Might be for /that/ show. They don't have an off-line licence for all content and the list is in flux.

    If you definitely can't download anything then .. it might think you're rooted? (I think they don't allow download to rooted devices regardless of the GP's point...)

  13. Re:Subject misleading by drinkypoo · · Score: 2

    I once remember my internet went out and Netflix still "streamed" for 30 minutes

    I had an internet outage recently and Netflix shut down a few seconds after the loss of connectivity

    What really happened was that the user's DNS resolver (possibly upstream at their ISP) went down, and Netflix was either working with an open connection or with cached DNS entries which remained cached because Netflix opened so many connections to the same host. I'm not sure which of those is the case, because I haven't looked at whether Netflix keeps making connections.

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  14. Re:Reality check on aisle 3! by tailgunner_050 · · Score: 2

    We're not even allowed to look at TPB here in nanny state Australia, they've blocked it on us.