Shulou(Shulou.com)06/01 Report--

This article introduces the knowledge of "how to watch Netflix videos under Linux". In the operation of actual cases, many people will encounter such a dilemma, so let the editor lead you to learn how to deal with these situations. I hope you can read it carefully and be able to achieve something!

Use Google Chrome browser to watch Netflix videos

Google's Chrome browser, probably the most popular Web browser on Linux, has a wide range of options and has been changing the way people view Web content over the years. Until recently, Google Chrome appeared only on Windows and Mac, but now it appears on most Linux distributions and derivatives, with the help of native binaries for Debian and Red Hat systems, or compiled source code for distributions such as Arch Linux.

Why you should use Google Chrome browser to watch Netflix

It's easy to install Google Chrome. This is a standalone application that comes with the necessary available plug-ins and is fully built into the application. With Chrome installed, you can watch TV and TV shows from almost any video streaming site, including Netflix and Amazon Prime Instant Video, without installing any additional software. You also have access to the vast library of Chrome plug-ins, a large number of Web applications in the Chrome ecosystem, and the excellent Web and JavaScript rendering engine Blink.

Why not use Google Chrome to watch Netflix?

Google Chrome is a closed-source browser. The Free Software Foundation and the GNU project organization, two well-known organizations in the Linux world, believe that users should be able to obtain and run the software for free, while at the same time being able to study and redistribute the underlying code. Some Linux users pay attention to the openness of the Linux community and are reluctant to install closed-source software and drivers.

Chrome slows down the entire system because it uses the sandboxie mechanism for every open tab and every installed plug-in, and even runs in the background after you completely shut down Chrome. This can be a key hindrance if you run old hardware or focus on the quickness of the operating system and applications.

Then there is Google. Google will store your data. For example, if you turn on autofill to save time when searching for Web from the address bar, the data will be sent to Google. Some people call it a keystroke logger. If you care about your privacy, you should avoid Google Chrome.

Use the Widevine plug-in to watch Netflix

The Widevine plug-in is a HTML5 video player developed by Google that allows users to stream encrypted DRM files without using Adobe Flash or Microsoft Silverlight. Widevine supports all major operating systems at launch (with the help of Google Chrome) and is not officially supported on any other browser. However, thanks to some aspiring Arch Linux developers, Widevine has been successfully modified to run in Chromium, the open source version of Google Chrome, and has begun to be modified for use in Web browsers such as Firefox and Vivaldi (based on Opera).

Why should I use the Widevine plug-in in Chromium or Firefox Web browser?

You are free to choose. Linux is used so that you can freely choose what software to run on your system and how to configure it. Installing plug-ins that allow you to view content on Web should also apply.

Firefox Web is an open source browser. The Chromium browser is an open source browser. Again, these browsers follow the philosophy behind using Linux.

Why not use the Widevine plug-in in Chromium or Firefox Web browser?

Installing unsupported plug-ins can have a negative impact on the system. Here, Widevine may not work properly, or it may not work at all, leaving you with a black screen instead of streaming movies. In addition, browser updates or Netflix updates may not be compatible with the version of Widevine you installed, forcing you to wait for someone in the Linux community to upload a new version of the plugin. Although this may only take a few hours, there is no guarantee that Widevine will be updated.

Use Pipelight to watch Netflix

Another way to allow you to view Netflix and Amazon Prime Instant Video content is Pipelight. Pipelight is an open source version of Microsoft's Silverlight plug-in, which was previously used by Netflix to stream videos. Amazon Prime Instant Video currently uses this plug-in to stream videos. This plugin works in almost all Web browsers and is currently included in any Linux distribution you use.

Why should I use Pipelight to watch Netflix?

Pipelight is suitable for almost every major Web browser in Linux and works well most of the time. Pipelight is compatible with Flash, Shockwave, Silverlight and Unity Web Player, allowing you to stream almost any video content and play games supported by the Unity game engine, all through your Web browser.

Why shouldn't I use Pipelight to watch Netflix?

Pipelight is not exactly Linux code. It is actually a compatibility layer that allows you to run Windows code in Linux, which actually requires Wine (a Windows compatibility layer application) to run. If you run a streamlined operating system, or if you don't need to run another Windows application in Linux, you might want to avoid this plug-in.

4. How to use a virtual machine to watch Netflix?

Another way to view Netflix in Linux is through a virtual machine. The virtual machine runs a Windows or OS X in a virtualized environment, allowing you to open the original Web browser of your choice and have all the native plug-ins for that browser.

Why should I use a virtual machine to watch Netflix?

You have set up a dual boot scheme on your computer and want to run native applications on the currently installed Windows or OS X. Your virtualization software creates virtual machines using hard disk partitions that contain installed Windows or OS X. This is convenient if you use Linux to test or develop software, but the preferred operating system is Windows or OS X.

Why not use a virtual machine to watch Netflix?

To save hard disk space. After installing the virtual machine, you have to allocate a certain amount of physical space to the virtual hard disk. This may not work on old systems with small hard drives.

Your computer must support virtualization. Some old hardware does not have the function of system virtualization. Most new hardware does, but if you install Linux because Windows no longer supports existing hardware, you may not be able to virtualize.

Although it was difficult to watch video streams from a Linux-based operating system just a few years ago, it is now easy to watch Netflix in almost any Web browser. Any of the four methods discussed in this article can display a clear movie in a few minutes.

That's all for the content of "how to watch Netflix videos under Linux". Thank you for reading. If you want to know more about the industry, you can follow the website, the editor will output more high-quality practical articles for you!

Welcome to subscribe "Shulou Technology Information " to get latest news, interesting things and hot topics in the IT industry, and controls the hottest and latest Internet news, technology news and IT industry trends.