Netflix: Microsoft Silverlight to HTML5 video

If you're a Netflix subscriber and you use a Mac or PC for playback, then you may be aware that the service utilizes Microsoft's Silverlight plugin to bring you all that Breaking Bad and House of Cards goodness. But for a variety of reasons, Silverlight isn't the ideal video delivery method, and Netflix has started looking towards a bright, HTML5-based future.

There are two major problems with Silverlight. The first is that not all browsers support the plugin, with the most notable hold-outs being Safari on iOS and Internet Explorer in Metro mode on Windows 8. The second problem is the very fact that Silverlight is a plugin at all. Users have to install it, keep it up to date and due to security and privacy issues, may not actually want it on their machines at all. Microsoft also plans to stop developing the plugin by 2021, making the search for an alternative even more pressing.

Netflix to switch from Microsoft Silverlight to HTML5 video
 
I didn't realise there was something that actually used Silverlight.
 

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Hi there
The SKY GO service uses Silverlight. Don't have an issue with it --but then I'm running Windows with IE. However in he latest leaked builds of Windows 8.1 IE 11 is used rather than IE 10 which has decent HTML5 support so things should move away from Silverlight -- as FLAH is also being used less too.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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I have Silverlight on my system and I've previously removed it and then get system notices that I don't have Silverlight installed, so I re-install it, but don't know of one thing that uses Silverlight. What is it used for?
 

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I have Silverlight on my system and I've previously removed it and then get system notices that I don't have Silverlight installed, so I re-install it, but don't know of one thing that uses Silverlight. What is it used for?

Hi there
The SKY GO service allows you to view SKY content on your mobile device direct from the Internet. You need to have a SKY TV subscription to use the service. SKY TV is a satellite broadcaster and broadband provider in the UK / Italy and a number of other countries. The Silverlight application verifies the licensing content when you are watching content from the SKY GO service.

Silverlight is some type of licensing / DRM verification system.

Watch TV Online | Sky Go

Hope this at least answers the question.


Cheers
jimbo
 

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    1 X LG 40 inch TV
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    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Down here in Oz, we get none of those TV/video options whatsoever, no Netflix, no Hulu, nothing.
 

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Hi there
Iceland doesn't have too many of these either -- however with things like HULU / NETFLIX etc just set up a Proxy - assuming you've got decent broadband speed. I'm in the UK a lot so I've actually GOT a SKY subscription but outside the UK or Italy I have to go through a Proxy too.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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    1 X LG 40 inch TV
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    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
Silverlight = Microsoft's Flash player.

Not a lot of online services use it, some do. It's about bloody time Microsoft ACTUALLY kills it off in deference for HTML5 video.
 

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    x2 3 TB Toshibas
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    Internet Explorer 11
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    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
Silverlight = Microsoft's Flash player.

Not a lot of online services use it, some do. It's about bloody time Microsoft ACTUALLY kills it off in deference for HTML5 video.

Hi there
It's more than that -- It validates License / DRM content for some services. The SKY GO stream for example doesn't work on FLASH ==> wouldn't be any good in any case playing a VOD (Video on Demand) movie at full HD resolution.

However its time has come and something else will take its place -- HTML 5 isn't also a good choice for HD quality video on demand movies either -- and don't forget 3-D and Super HD quality -- modern decent LCD screens are quite capable of providing that level of resolution providing the source content is available and your Broadband speed is fast enough -- another I think Nail in the coffin to standard Metro apps.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
That's why I had to keep reinstalling it, it was used for the validation process with some updates. I'm not sure why they would do that when Silverlight was being killed off.
 

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  • OS
    Windows Phone 6, Windows CE 5, Windows Vista x32, Windows 7 x32/x64, Windows 8 x64
I don't see how the silverlight thing is an issue. For windows 8 there's an App for windows 8 which is basically the only metro app I use. And iOS has an app as well. why would people use the browser?
 

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I don't see how the silverlight thing is an issue. For windows 8 there's an App for windows 8 which is basically the only metro app I use. And iOS has an app as well. why would people use the browser?

Usually if not always, the website of that app's content is MUCH more content rich than the app. If you needed to change something on your Xbox Live account, it directs you from the Xbox Live app (at least on Windows Phone) to the actual site which requires Silverlight.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
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