Why one DRM is not enough
Each device maker supports its own DRM. Apple devices use FairPlay. Android, Chrome and most smart TVs use Widevine. Windows, Xbox and many televisions use PlayReady. A service protected with only one of them cannot play protected video on the others.
How multi-DRM works
The video is encrypted once using Common Encryption (CENC), a standard that lets the same encrypted files be unlocked by different DRM systems. The packager adds signalling for each system.
At playback the player detects which DRM the device supports and requests a license from the matching license service. A multi-DRM service puts all three behind one integration, so the platform applies one set of rules, such as rental length or maximum resolution, to every device.
Which DRM covers which device
- Widevine: Android phones and tablets, Android TV, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, most smart TVs
- FairPlay: iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Safari on Mac
- PlayReady: Windows, Edge, Xbox, many Samsung and LG televisions
What multi-DRM costs
Providers usually charge per license issued, which roughly means per playback start. The count rises with viewing rather than with catalog size, so estimate it from monthly plays. Budget also for the packaging step and for testing on each device family.
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