Netflix on TV sticks and Android 4.2.2 - The problem I THINK!

[Finless]

HA HA! I think I know why Netflix will not work on China TV sticks with Android 4.2.2

So we all know that NONE of the TV sticks running Android 4.2.2 Netflix will work!
What happens is the video is scrambled. Well it is not really scrambled but is de-interlaced or re-interlaced.

So I spent a bunch of time today and took apart the latest Netflix.apk and the older 2.0.2 Netflix.apk. 2.0.2 was the last release from them BEFORE they put in support for 4.2.2

So you know the 2.0.2 Netflix works and video is OK but it will NOT stream and hangs.
The latest Netflix streams fine but again video is de-interlaced.

OK so on with my inspection thus far and what I am SURE is going on!

DRM is the reason!
Do you know what DRM is? Digital Rights Management!
It is protecting streamed or digital content from being copied or captured.

Android 4.2.2 implements a stronger DRM control and platform. In fact I even tried to TURN IT OFF in the init.rc file and stop the service from running. When I did that, Google Play would not even let me see any APPs or do pretty much anything! So DRM is tightly tied to the system.

SO YOU READY FOR THIS?
Seriously are you ready for this?

I have traced this down to being "some kind of licensed device" by Google. I am sure of it now.
Some people may recall Google's attempt to control access to "The Google Market" based on the simple build.prop file and the "keys" line (called digital signing)? Same thing here but not NEARLY as simple as a build.prop file!
This means any device that is NOT registered as an official Google Play Device, any DRM content will be scrambled. Like your cable TV. If your not paying for the channel, it's scrambled!

I have a feeling this is a tightening down of Android OS, like Apple iOS has, on DRM! In fact I really am sure of it. Really I am...

The key structure is highly complex but I see it using the DRM service in the code. I tried to bypass it and no go! I even tried to use the smali code from the old 2.0.2 release and still no way! It is somehow tired to a totally different encryption from 4.1.1 with the DRM service that is now implemented in the Mali or display drivers at it's heart! Without DRM the display will scramble or de-interlace the content. I am SO SURE it is in the display drivers and the system... that... well... I am 100% sure of it... SOMEONE PROVE ME WRONG PLEASE

So you might ask "Bob so what? Why wont this work on our TV sticks even if I am a Netflix customer?"

I am beginning to think it is because of some kind of transfer of a DRM license from Google in some way. Because these China ROM's are not registered devices and probably NEVER WILL BE, they are not getting the proper decryption key! Or something is missing to allow them to decrypt the content!
OH and GET THIS... it is not in the Netflix APK! It is in the heart of the system that ALL APPs must "play with". So it is not Netflix causing this but more that the "system", when running Netflix sees this as DRM content and wont decrypt it! Make sense?
Now maybe if Netflix APK could be hacked to NOT let the "system" know it is displaying DRM content it might get around this. But I have a feeling this is all NOT that simple!

So what does this mean?
If my detective work is correct and I am right about this, it means as Android OS gets newer releases, more and more content will be scrambled and controlled by DRM! Like many DVRs, TVs, etc that are implementing DRM into the device, SO IS ANDROID!

So, again this is a DRM issue I think. If China ROMs have to pay to get the DRM rights (and cert to allow decryption) in a ROM to allow Netflix, this will sorely impact them and impact the price of these TV sticks in the process.

Is DRM bad? No sorry I do not feel it is. BUT, as a paying customer of Netflix on any device I buy, I should expect it to work. In fact I think it will get fixed. BUT I think it will be through some licensing process that the Chinese do not understand yet and thus our TV stick 4.2.2 ROMs (or tablets) will never work until they do what is needed to pass DRM!


My .00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000003 CENTS!


Bob

[rrileypm]

Re: Netflix on TV sticks and Android 4.2.2 - The problem I THINK!

It is the same on both of my tablets running 4.2.2...just to confirm what you are saying.

Netflix still runs on my other tablets.

Sent from my M8 pro

[Finless]

It is the same on both of my tablets running 4.2.2...just to confirm what you are saying.

Netflix still runs on my other tablets.

Sent from my M8 pro

Randy, I am SURE this is a DRM licensing thing. China does not have the CERT needed to put in a ROM as a "Google Certified Device" to keep the display drivers, which are now DRM certified, to display content.

China now has a problem... MANY will not buy their devices if Netflix cannot be played!

I trust this will get solved over time but BET ME on this... A license will be paid to someone for the cert!


Bob

[ididmytime]

No Netflix for Chinese 4.2.2 roms confirmed then.

Unless you want to go into the super sketchy world of DRM bypass, which no doubt will get pulled from sites in an instant and patched.

XBMC plugin when they switch formats is possibly the only way this is going to happen. This is only going to add confusion to customers.

[bakerbarber]

That's whack.

I pay for Netflix.

It should play on whatever hardware I decide to use it on. Period.

I hope it's not as you say Bob.

What piece of hardware will determine it? What about on computers? If I build my own computer from a kit will it suddenly stop working for some content one day? This is bigger than just an Android TV stick.

I have a new quad core stick on order. I was content with running it on 4.1 until this was sorted out, but if it's deeper than a tweak or a custom ROM, it may be the tip of an iceberg.

I'll cancel Netflix before I get pigeon holed into buying proprietary pre-licensed hardware.

I love Android BECAUSE I can decide for myself how to use it. Not the other way around. I think we can all agree on that to one extent or another.

[fwupow]

Nice detective work Bob.

So, it looks like we're gonna have to stay with the 4.1.1 and fix whatever problems that has, such as screen rotation 3D game stuttering and local video playback and network streaming issues.

[Finless]

OK let's not totally freak out. Windows and Mac have had DRM for a while now.
What I am saying is the ROM's from China that they have made 4.2.2 on, they do not know they had to do something with DRM and keys.

I think this will get resolved over time or as I said, China will be in BIG TROUBLE as they will lose a bunch of sales due to not being able to use Netflix!

I am sure this will get sorted but as of now, 4.2.2 coming in China ROMs, will not deal with the DRM of 4.2.2 properly. I am sure this is a oversight by them and implementation!

Well lets HOPE SO anyway!

Bob

[poul50]

netflix on 4.22

OK let's not totally freak out. Windows and Mac have had DRM for a while now.
What I am saying is the ROM's from China that they have made 4.2.2 on, they do not know they had to do something with DRM and keys.

I think this will get resolved over time or as I said, China will be in BIG TROUBLE as they will lose a bunch of sales due to not being able to use Netflix!

I am sure this will get sorted but as of now, 4.2.2 coming in China ROMs, will not deal with the DRM of 4.2.2 properly. I am sure this is a oversight by them and implementation!

Well lets HOPE SO anyway!

Bob

try search dork files netflix seems Theres an customized app

[rrileypm]

That app doesn't solve the DRM issue. Movies are still scrambled.

Eric at Geekbuying is talking to Rockchip today about this problem...we will see what he finds out.

[Justinbaileyman]

That app doesn't solve the DRM issue. Movies are still scrambled.

Eric at Geekbuying is talking to Rockchip today about this problem...we will see what he finds out.

Pisses me right off!! I bought several MK908's based on the fact they were quad core and had more ram = more power for better entertainment.
One of the main reasons I even got these damn things was for netflix and cheap android gaming.
Now that Netflix is out that just leaves cheap gaming which could be done on my older 3066 cx803's and MK808B's.
what a waist of my hard earned cash.. makes me wanna go postal
Come on Eric stick your foot up tronsmarts rear and get them to do something for us loyal customers!!

[rrileypm]

OK just be clear, your device will support Netflix if you are running Android 4.1.1. I just confirmed it on my CX-803 2.

So, simply don't upgrade to 4.2.2 just yet, until Rockchip gets this problem fixed.

[Finless]

Hang on folks....

I am working on a AM Logic ROM right now that is 4.2.2

It runs Netflix NO PROPLEM!

So.... Either this ROM has the certs or something else allows it to work.

I will be investigating


Bob

[rrileypm]

I hope there is a solution in there somewhere. Good luck.

[Guest]

solution?https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...=search_result

[reddragon72]

So to test this idea out I rented a 1.99 movie from the play store and it played just fine. I am thinking this is not a DRM issue if a rented movie with DRM played. We need to confirm this more.

Let me see what redbox instant does....

UPDATE: scratch that I'm not on 4.2.2 lol completely missed that whole number.... the weekend was to good to me...

Ok so someone else try and rent or buy a movie from the play store and see if it plays. This will confirm the DRM thing.