‘Microsoft’s PlayReady DRM for 4K video only works on new PCs’

Microsoft is working on version 3.0 of its PlayReady-drm technology. This should make it possible, among other things, to play protected 4k content. However, it only works on hardware that supports PlayReady 3.0.

PlayReady 3.0 is a new version of Microsoft’s current DRM technology, but it is not yet used in practice. Information from the company shows that PlayReady 3.0 must be supported by the hardware, according to PC World. For older PC or TV hardware, the DRM protected 4k video content may not play. That’s because PlayReady 3.0 is hardware-based DRM and therefore software support is not enough. Users with older hardware would therefore be presented with the content in lower resolution, which does not require support for the new DRM version. PlayReady 3.0 can detect who has hardware protection and who doesn’t, and can therefore dynamically display a version of the selected content.

The exact technology that Microsoft uses for its hardware DRM has not yet been fully disclosed. The company has already demonstrated the technology, but has been secretive about how it works. As a result, it is not yet known exactly which hardware will be needed. It is clear that Microsoft is working with chipmakers Intel, AMD, Nvidia and Qualcomm to support its DRM technology. It is not yet known who will actually support PlayReady 3.0, and whether the content industry wants to work with it.

PlayReady 3.0 should be available on PCs running Windows 10. The technology offers the possibility to stream content to an external screen, for example a television, via Miracast. It is likely that Microsoft wants to make its operating system more attractive as a media streamer with the new DRM technology: with good protection, content creators would be more willing to release their 4k videos for Windows. Incidentally, PlayReady 3.0 should also be supported on non-Windows devices, although the details are lacking.