On the other hand, Apple and Microsoft both use hardware-based DRM systems which are harder to crack than the Widevine software. So, even if you are paying Netflix a hefty amount as subscription to get Ultra HD streams and your laptop has a great 4K screen, the maximum you can watch Netflix on using Chrome and Firefox is 720p. On Chromebooks, where a slightly different DRM system is used, you can get full HD (1,920 X 1,080) on Chrome.

So, what they do instead is to limit the playback resolution to 720p (1,280 X 720 pixels) for both Chrome and Firefox on Windows, Linux and Mac, Unlike some other stringer hardware-based systems, this makes it possible (no easy still) for people to use screen- capture software to record Netflix shows.Īnd something like this is not what the likes of Netflix are going to be ok with - they do not want their content to be ripped off and pirated in super-sharp 4K quality. Chrome and Mozilla Firefox use a software-based DRM system called Widevine. DRM makes it harder for people to record Netflix on their computers and then upload that to any file-sharing services.ĭifferent browsers use different DRM technology. Netflix and other video streaming platforms protect content with something called digital rights management (DRM).

Mozilla firefox browser for chromebook