James Delahunty
27 Jun 2013 7:34
Netflix users who test out the Windows 8.1 preview release will be able to use the Microsoft browser to watch high quality movies and TV shows without installing plug-ins.
Netflix had previously pushed for HTML5 video support through Premium Video Extensions. This would allow premium video playback in a browser without requiring the installation of third-party plugins.
Microsoft's implementation of the Media Source Extensions (MSE) using the Media Foundation APIs within Windows provides for GPU hardware acceleration of 1080p video playback, while an implementation of the Encrypted Media Extensions (EME) using Microsoft PlayReady DRM provides content protection for the streams.
Internet Explorer 11 also has WebCrypto implemented, allowing Netflix to encrypt and decrypt communication between its JavaScript application and its own servers.
"We expect premium video on the web to continue to shift away from using proprietary plugin technologies to using these new Premium Video Extensions," Netflix' blog reads.
"We are thrilled to work so closely with the Microsoft team on advancing the HTML5 platform, which gets a big boost today with Internet Explorer's cutting edge support for premium video. We look forward to these APIs being available on all browsers."