GlossaryPlayReady

PlayReady

PlayReady is Microsoft's DRM (digital rights management) system for protecting video, used in the Edge browser, Windows apps, Xbox and many smart TVs and set-top boxes. PlayReady encrypts content and issues licenses that set playback rules, such as rental windows or output restrictions. It supports both on-demand and live streaming.

Why it matters

Smart TVs, Windows PCs and Xbox consoles are major screens for long-form viewing, and many of them rely on PlayReady. Without it, a service may lose access to living room devices for premium content. Supporting it also helps meet studio and league rules for protection on every screen.

How it works

  1. Video is encrypted with common encryption and packaged for DASH, HLS or Smooth Streaming.
  2. The player detects PlayReady on the device and sends a license request to a PlayReady license server.
  3. The server checks the viewer's rights and returns a license with the key and playback rules.
  4. The device decrypts and plays the video, enforcing rules such as expiry or output protection.

What devices use PlayReady?

PlayReady is used in Microsoft Edge, Windows apps, Xbox consoles and many smart TVs and set-top boxes whose makers license it. It is a common DRM on living room devices. Apple devices use FairPlay instead, and Chrome and Android use Widevine, so most services pair PlayReady with both.

PlayReady vs Widevine: which do I need?

Most services that reach many screens need both. Widevine covers Chrome, Android and many TVs, while PlayReady covers Edge, Windows, Xbox and many other TVs and set-top boxes. Because common encryption lets one encrypted file work with both, adding PlayReady mostly means adding a license service and player support, not new copies of the video.

Where it's used

OTT services and live sports streamers use PlayReady to reach viewers on smart TVs, Windows PCs and Xbox consoles, because studios and leagues require DRM on every screen they license content to.

By the numbers

  • Microsoft announced PlayReady in February 2008 and released the first version of the PlayReady suite in June 2008. (Wikipedia: PlayReady)

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