Why does it matter if Netflix is using an open standard if every video they stream is wrapped in proprietary closed DRM?

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chii 6 hours ago | parent | next [-]

because device makers will not care for the DRM, but will care for the hardware decoder they need to decide to put into their devices to decode netflix videos. By ensuring this video codec is open, it benefits everybody else now, as this same device will now be able to hardware decode _more_ videos from different video providers, as well as make more video providers choose AV1.

Basically, a network effect for an open codec.

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csmpltn 3 hours ago | parent | next [-]

But they still need to decode the proprietary DRM before it can be fed to the hardware decoder... lol

	▲	nevi-me an hour ago \| parent \| next [-]
		I struggle to follow your point. They still need to do that for any codec, and I would think that the DRM decryption would be using algorithms that might also be hardware accelerated.
	▲	cm2187 2 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		I think the point is that if you are not Netflix, you can use AV1 as most of your clients devices support hardware acceleration thanks to the big guys using AV1 themselves.

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raw_anon_1111 6 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

You’ve convinced me… (no snark intended)

	▲	cindyllm 5 hours ago \| parent [-]
		[dead]

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cheema33 5 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

> Why does it matter if Netflix is using an open standard if every video they stream is wrapped in proprietary closed DRM?

I am not sure if this is a serious question, but I'll bite in case it is.

Without DRM Netflix's business would not exist. Nobody would license them any content if it was going to be streamed without a DRM.

	▲	31 minutes ago \| parent \| next [-]
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	▲	reddalo 3 hours ago \| parent \| prev \| next [-]
		>Without DRM Netflix's business would not exist. Nobody would license them any content if it was going to be streamed without a DRM. I don't agree. If people refused to watch DRM-protected content, they would get rid of it. For example, Pluto TV is a free streaming service that has much content without DRM. GOG lets you buy DRM-free games. Even Netflix itself lets you stream DRM-free content, albeit in low resolution.
	▲	dontlaugh 2 hours ago \| parent \| prev \| next [-]
		Why? Everything gets pirated anyway, even with all the DRM. There’s no difference.
	▲	realusername 4 hours ago \| parent \| prev \| next [-]
		I don't think anybody could suggest going back to Blueray at this point, if selling online without DRM would be the only choice, they would have to comply.
	▲	IshKebab 3 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		I'm not convinced by that. If DRM didn't exist then do you really think studios would be like "nah we'll just miss out on all that money". They just want DRM because it makes them even more money. Or at least they think it does. I have yet to find a single TV show or film that isn't available on Bittorrent so I don't think the DRM is actually preventing piracy in the slightest. I guess they want it in order to prevent legal tools from easily working with videos, e.g. for backup, retransmission etc.