Ever loaded up a video on a device you’re sure has the correct specs for high definition or 4K streaming, yet no matter what you try, it won’t use HD?You’re not going mad. A digital rights management (DRM) system named Widevine could be behind your issues.But what is Widevine, and how can it stop you streaming HD video on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and other services?
What Is Widevine?
Widevine is a digital rights management (DRM) system currently managed and developed by Google to encrypt and secure video content. It’s designed to prevent privacy and protect digital content and is used by various streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video.
In short, Widevine is the layer of protection that makes it difficult to pirate, copy, and steal streamed video content.
Widevine is far from the only DRM tool designed to protect video streaming services. However, it is used by some of the biggest streaming services and is also built into Android devices and Chromium-based browsers.
How Does Widevine Work?
Widevine follows a process of encryption, license request, and decryption to deliver secure content.
This process is executed seamlessly and remains invisible to the end user, ensuring a smooth viewing experience.
But that’s not all there is to it. Widevine operates on three different security levels directly linked to your system hardware. The Widevine level determines the quality of stream your device can handle and limits the resolution your device can access.
Widevine Levels Explained
Widevine’s security levels, from L1 to L3, are determined by how securely the device can handle content decryption and how it establishes a secure media path for content playback.
Widevine Level 1
To qualify for Widevine L1, a device must perform all content decryption and cryptographic operations within a hardware-backed trusted execution environment (TEE). TEE is a secure area inside a device’s main processor that ensures sensitive data is stored, processed, and protected in a secure environment. It’s isolated from the rest of the device’s operations to prevent tampering and unauthorized access.
In simple terms, this means the decryption process is handled in an isolated, secure part of the device’s hardware, ensuring decrypted content can’t be intercepted and illegally copied. Widevine L1 allows devices to play High Definition (HD), Full HD, and even 4K streaming content if the device’s display supports such resolutions.
Widevine Level 2
At this level, the media processing (decoding, rendering, etc.) is not performed inside the TEE, but cryptographic operations are still handled within it. This level is less secure because decrypted content could be captured after it leaves the TEE before it’s rendered on the screen. Widevine L2 often limits playback to standard definition (SD), typically up to 480p or 540p, depending on the content provider’s policy.
Widevine Level 3
Widevine Level 3 is the least secure. With L3, media processing and cryptographic operations take place outside the TEE. L3 is typically used when hardware-backed DRM is not available. It’s easier for software to intercept and copy content streamed at this level. As a result, content providers usually only deliver low-quality streams (generally below SD) to L3 devices.
Widevine Level Hardware Requirements and Considerations
The hardware components that determine Widevine security levels include the device’s main processor, graphics processing unit (GPU), and the firmware that helps to establish the TEE.
Furthermore, the device must pass a process known as “device attestation” to confirm it meets the requirements for a particular Widevine security level. This process involves checking the device’s hardware and software configuration to ensure it meets the necessary security standards.
Therefore, the Widevine level a device qualifies for is primarily determined by its hardware capabilities, especially the secure processing abilities of its main processor, but the firmware and overall device configuration also play an important role.
It’s essential to remember that Widevine’s security level isn’t something easily upgraded or changed by the user, as it’s integrated into the device at the time of manufacturing and depends on the device’s fundamental hardware and firmware design.
But just because your device is locked to Widevine Level 2 or 3, it doesn’t mean videos captured on the device or video content you transfer to the device will be locked at a lower resolution. If you copy a 1080p movie to your Widevine L3 tablet, it will still play at 1080p. Widevine deals specifically with streamed video content.
Issues With Widevine DRM
As with any DRM system, Widevine isn’t without issues.
Despite these issues, Widevine remains one of the world’s most commonly used DRM systems.
How to Check Widevine Support on Android
Checking your device Widevine Level on Android is easiest using the DRM Info app, a free download on the Play Store.
Download: DRM Info forAndroid(Free)
Aside from the Widevine Level, you may find out all sorts of useful information about your device using DRM Info.
Widevine Protects Content, But Limits Playback Resolution
While Widevine is great for protecting content, if you buy a device without Widevine L1 support, you will find streaming video content from the major platforms frustrating. Still, you can always transfer video content to your device to watch at a higher resolution; it’s just not as handy as streaming video at home or on the go.
