[GLLUG] Netflix on Linux

Charles Ulrich charles at bityard.net
Fri Oct 10 11:07:54 EDT 2014


Understand that the only reason Netflix works on Ubuntu now is because 
of a new DRM binary blob built into a proprietary web browser. If you 
were holding out on idealistic grounds, this is not exactly a victory 
for free software. :)

Thanks,
Charles

On 2014-10-10 10:17, Benjamin Chavez wrote:
> I have been avoiding the Netflix subscription based on their lack of
> Linux support. This morning this news arrived in my RSS feed. I
> thought to share with you guys. I am sure some of you already new
> about this.
> 
> "NETFLIX IS NOW AVAILABLE TO WATCH ON UBUNTU OUT OF THE BOX — NO
> HACKS, PLUGINS OR USER-AGENT SWITCHING WORKAROUND REQUIRED.
>  The company has, quietly, and without fanfare, flipped the switch
> required to allow Google Chrome users on Ubuntu (and presumably other
> *buntu-based desktops) to watch movies and TV shows in the browser.
>  If you’ve been following this long, protracted saga — which has
> been about as enjoyable as a binge-watch of the US Inbetweeners remake
> — then this news won’t be too out of the blue.
>  Last month Netflix engineer Paul Adolph pledged to remove the
> user-agent filter [1], the final hurdle in preventing Ubuntu users
> from streaming content, once a newer version of the security library
> (nss3) was rolled out to users.
>  That roll out took place in late September. [2]
> 
> GOOGLE CHROME ONLY, FOLKS
> 
>  The kicker is that streaming playback ONLY WORKS IN GOOGLE CHROME.
> Seriously. Try watching The Hobbit on Netflix in Chromium, Opera,
> Firefox or any other web browser you might_ prefer_ to use and
> you’ll get nowhere.
>  Why? Google Chrome comes bundled with a specific module, one Netflix
> requires to permit playback on a system through HTML5. It’s called
> “Encrypted Media Extension” (‘EME’ for short) and, without
> getting too technical about it, it’s a form of user-friendly DRM.
> 
> _There’s a contradiction in terms._
>  If you’re a subscriber of the obscure, totally unheard of indie
> subscription streaming service* you can stop reading, and start
> watching right now.
> 
> _*SARCASM"_
> 
> Enjoy.
> 
>  _Benjamin Chavez_
> 
> 
> 
> Links:
> ------
> [1] 
> http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2014/09/netflix-linux-html5-nss-change-request
> [2]
> http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2014/09/ubuntu-rolls-updated-nss-library-native-linux-netflix-support
> 
> _______________________________________________
> linux-user mailing list
> linux-user at egr.msu.edu
> http://mailman.egr.msu.edu/mailman/listinfo/linux-user


More information about the linux-user mailing list