Netflix uses Silverlight to support Mac, Linux

Author: Gareth Halfacree
Published: 28th October 2008
Comments (8) Stumble
Netflix uses Silverlight to support Mac, Linux

The Netflix service will soon support Mac and Linux clients thanks to Microsoft's Silverlight Flash-alike software with in-built DRM.

If you've been waiting for Microsoft's Silverlight to get a big marketplace win before considering it as a serious contender to Adobe's Flash, it might be time to take a second look at the technology.

According to BetaNews, web-based video streaming outfit Netflix is to use Microsoft's rich-media Silverlight system to allow users without access to Windows Media Player 11 – previously required due to the DRM used on the videos available through the service – to stream paid-for video content. The really good news for the service is that as well as extending the reach to customers without Windows Media Player, Silverlight allows the company to reach customers without Windows – the company is concentrating on fully supporting the Mac OS X platform and hopefully Linux-based systems too.

The fact that they are able to do such a thing stems from Microsoft's Silverlight including the PlayReady DRM system that is used to protect content in Windows Media Player 11. Unlike Windows Media Player, the DRM built in to Silverlight doesn't care what the host operating system is – so Netflix are able to bring streaming content to non-Microsoft operating systems so long as Silverlight is used as the streaming system.

While the move is likely to appease both customers wanting to access their paid-for content on non-Windows boxes and the film studios who insist that their intellectual property must be wrapped up in layer after layer of DRM – Netflix has previously stated that Mac support would come only after “a studio-approved DRM solution for the Mac is available” - the fact remains that none of this would be an issue if it weren't for the reliance on DRM technologies.

If you're a Netflix subscriber hoping to get your films on a Mac or Linux box – or a Mac or Linux user thinking about subscribing – the rollout of the new Silverlight player is expected to finish by the end of this year.

Tempted by Netflix's service now you're not tied to Windows, or will it be a cold day in hell before you inflict Microsoft's Silverlight on your precious Mac? Share your thoughts over in the forums.
Quote AlexB 28th October 2008, 10:10
Not installing - pointless as so little uses it. Having the flash plugin is bad enough.
Quote UncertainGod 28th October 2008, 10:36
Such a pity that as bad as Flash is in general, everything I have seen of Silverlight is far, far worse.
Quote bowman 28th October 2008, 11:22
Flash is bad enough, we don't need another one, no thank you.

Besides, if I actually pay for a movie, do I want to download it in 1080p and view it with the media player and platform of my choice or do i want to view it in some gimped stupid browser plugin? I think you already know the answer.. And we're back at the old 'pirates give their non-paying "customers" better service than vendors do to their paying customers' adage.
Quote TreeDude 28th October 2008, 12:31
At least it's something guys. It's not like Silverlight is going to slow down your browser, it is just a plug in. Would you rather they not support Macs?
Quote [USRF]Obiwan 28th October 2008, 15:44
I rather use JQuery to make some nice effect ;)
Quote Woodstock 28th October 2008, 18:44
They can stick there DRM infested s**t where the sun dont shine, i agree that flash is bad enough, but 10-14 year olds love it and older more casual users seem to love it as well
Quote <A88> 28th October 2008, 19:42
According to PDC, Silverlight is already on 20% of net-connected computers, which ain't all that bad if you ask me.
Quote Coelacanth 29th October 2008, 06:25
Yeah, I have no problem with this. The online service is not meant to be for downloading movies, its more of a rental instant gratification type thing. I like the idea of being able to rent a movie, watch it with mediocre quality online quickly, and then use the rest of my netflix allocation to have high quality movies sent to my home when I have a larger audience to view it with.

I think this was a great choice, as long as Microsoft keeps up with silverlight, and works to improve it over time.
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