Microsoft is working on version 3.0 of its PlayReady DRM technology. This technology should make it possible to playback protected 4K content but only works on hardware that supports the PlayReady 3.0 DRM technology.
PlayReady 3.0 is a new version of Microsoft's current DRM technology but hasn't been released yet. Information from the company reveals that PlayReady 3.0 has to be supported by hardware, according to an article published by PC World. Older PCs and TVs that are not PlayReady 3.0 compatible are unable to playback DRM protected 4K video content. The reason is that PlayReady 3.0 DRM requires compatible hardware, therefore supporting it just in software isn't sufficient.
Users with older hardware therefore receive content in a lower resolution. PlayReady 3.0 can detect which hardware contains support for the DRM and which not and can display a dynamic version of the content accordingly. A similar method will also be supported by AACS 2.0 on Ultra HD Blu-ray, on HDMI 2.2 outputs it will display 4K content, on HDMI 1.4 this will be limited to a lower resolution.
The exact technology Microsoft is using for its hardware DRM hasn't been fully disclosed yet. The company previously demonstrated the technology but was secretive on how it exactly works. Therefore it's also unknown what hardware is required. It's clear however that Microsoft cooperates with chip manufacturers like Intel, AMD, Nvidia and Qualcomm on support of its DRM technology. Which companies will eventually support PlayReady 3.0 and whether the content industry will embrace the technology is unknown.
PlayReady 3.0 should become available on PCs that run Windows 10. The technology offers the possibility to stream content to an additional screen such as e.g. a TV through Miracast. It's likely that Microsoft wants to make its operating system more appealing for media streaming, with a solid DRM protection content producers are more likely to release 4K videos for Windows. Nevertheless, PlayReady 3.0 should later on also be supported on non-Windows devices.
