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Multi-DRM Compatibility Across Devices and Platforms

Comparison of Content Protection Technologies

The distribution of premium content comes with the most rigorous security requirements to counter content piracy. Hence, there is a pressing need for Multi-DRM (Digital Rights Management) solutions that support both a wide range of platforms and the highest quality of service and experience (QoS/QoE) to the users.

Behind the scene, DRM solutions have to integrate with multiple sets of components that make up a content supply chain workflow. The components include players (of all screen types), encoders, and back-end systems. Further complications crop up in integrating components developed in-house and those by third-party vendors.

With the various platforms and devices come the varying DRM technologies they support. The most prominent ones with the widest support are:


  • Google Widevine – Widevine is a popular DRM technology, acquired by Google in 2010. Integrated to the Google ecosystem, Widevine is supported on a broad range of devices, from the Android operating system to Smart TVs, browsers, etc.

  • Apple FairPlay – FairPlay is a DRM technology from Apple, designed to secure content packaged using HLS (HTTP Live Streaming). FairPlay is supported on all iOS devices, Apple TV, QuickTime, and content stored locally on Apple Music.

  • Microsoft PlayReady – PlayReady was introduced by Microsoft in 2008. The DRM technology is available within Microsoft products while also having a wide range of device support, such as Smart TVs and Gaming Consoles.


An Overview of DRM Compatibility

The DRM support table below looks at the compatibility of the major DRM technologies with popular platforms and devices:

Desktop


Platform Widevine PlayReady FairPlay

Chrome 75+ on Windows

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error

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Firefox 68+ on Windows

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error

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Internet Explorer 11+ on Windows

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error

Edge Chromium on Windows (widevine on Chromium 79+)

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error

Edge (Legacy) on Windows

error

check

error

Opera 55+ on Windows

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error

error

Chrome 75+ on Linux

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error

error

Firefox 68+ on Linux

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error

error

Opera 70+ on Linux

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error

error

Chrome 59+ on macOS 10.10+

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error

error

Firefox 47+ on macOS 10.9+

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error

error

Opera 32+ on macOS

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error

error

Safari 8+ on macOS 10.10.3+

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error

check


Mobile


Platform Widevine PlayReady FairPlay

Chrome on Android 4.4+

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error

Applications on Android 4.4+

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Safari 8+ on iOS 11.2+

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error

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Chrome on iOS

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Applications on iOS Widevine on iOS 9+ and FairPlay on iOS 6+

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error

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Other


Platform Widevine PlayReady FairPlay

Chromecast Generation 1+

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error

Android TV

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error

Apple TV Generation 3+

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error

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Xbox 360/One/Series X and S

error

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error

PlayStation 3/4/5

error

check

error

HbbTV 1.5+

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error

Samsung TV Widevine on Tizen 2017+ and PlayReady on 2011+ models

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error

LG TV Widevine on WebOS 3.0+ and PlayReady on NetCast 3.0 and WebOS 3.0

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error

Sony 2012+

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Philips NetTV 4.1+

error

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error

Panasonic Viera 2013+

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error


CENC (Common Encryption Scheme)


Platform Widevine PlayReady FairPlay

Chrome 75+ on Windows

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error

error

Firefox 47+ on Windows Vista+

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error

error

Internet Explorer 11+ on Windows 8.1+

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error

Edge on Windows 10+

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error

Chrome 59+ on Linux

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error

error

Firefox 49+ on Linux

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error

error

Apps that use API level 19 on Android 4.4+

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error

error

Chrome 59+ on Android 4.4+

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error

error

Firefox 47+ on macOS 10.9+

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error

error

Chromecast Generation 1+

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error

Xbox 350/One/Series X and S

error

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error

PlayStation 3/4/5

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error


CBCS (Cipher Block Chaining)


Platform Widevine PlayReady FairPlay

Apps that use API level 25 on Android 7.1+

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error

error

Apps on iOS 9+

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error

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Safari on iOS 11+

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error

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Safari on macOS 10.13+

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error

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tvOS 10+

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error

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Xbox One, One S, One X Version 1709+

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error

PlayReady Client 4.0+

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error

Chrome 75+ on Desktop

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error

error

Chromecast Generation 2+/Ultra

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error

error


CENS, CBC1


Platform Widevine PlayReady FairPlay

Apps that use API level 25 on Android 7.1+

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error

error

Chromecast Generation 2+/Ultra

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error

error


Content Protection During Playback

At the point of playback, premium content can be vulnerable to screen capturing software and output recording on external devices. A DRM offers a degree of security in both instances but requires hardware-level DRM implementation with native DRM technology.


  1. Screen capture is prevented on PCs with Windows OS if your content is accessed from Internet Explorer 11 or Edge, as the browsers support the native PlayReady DRM. Likewise, content playback on a Safari running on Mac OS devices eliminates screen capturing as FairPlay is natively supported.

  2. Transmitting content over a digital interface (HDMI, Chromecast, Miracast, and others) onto an external display carries the risk of being intercepted and recorded through unauthorized devices. Configurations within a DRM solution to enforce playback on only HDCP (High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) compliant devices offer protection by securing the connection.


However, not all devices and platforms support hardware DRM implementation, and alternative measures might have to be taken. It could be a separate anti-recording tool, restricting access to content on unauthorized devices, limiting the resolution of content served based on the device’s security level, and forensic watermarking.

Multi-DRM as a Solution

A multi-DRM solution ensures cross-platform compatibility by providing a unified interface that uses the same business logic for different DRM technologies, so you can efficiently protect premium content no matter where it’s viewed. Axinom DRM is a highly scalable multi-DRM solution that serves all major DRM technologies (Microsoft PlayReady, Apple FairPlay, and Google Widevine) through a unified API. Our customers can therefore broaden their audience base by reaching a wide range of platforms and devices, with just a single solution. Offered as a managed service within the Axinom Mosaic framework, the DRM easily integrates with other Mosaic services and third-party services to create complete content supply chain workflows. We take on the responsibility of on-boarding the latest technologies and security features so that you enjoy the best of content protection.



Have a chat with a DRM expert below.