14 DAY TRIAL // The people at Netflix are ecstatic to be among the first to leverage HTML5 video streaming in Yosemite’s new Safari browser with Premium Video Extensions. In OS X 10.10, you’ll be able to watch your favorite movies and TV shows using HTML5 video without having to install any plugins.
Netflix makes the news official on its tech blog, where Anthony Park and Mark Watson say, “We're excited to announce that Netflix streaming in HTML5 video is now available in Safari on OS X Yosemite!”
“We've been working closely with Apple to implement the Premium Video Extensions in Safari, which allow playback of premium video content in the browser without the use of plugins,” the duo continues.
“If you're in Apple's Mac Developer Program, or soon the OS X Beta Program, you can install the beta version of OS X Yosemite. With the OS X Yosemite Beta on a modern Mac, you can visit Netflix.com today in Safari and watch your favorite movies and TV shows using HTML5 video without the need to install any plugins.”
Apple further implemented the Media Source Extensions (MSE), which enables users to watch Netflix in 1080p without taking its toll on the computer’s processor. This also translates into less battery drainage on MacBooks.
“In fact, this allows you to get up to 2 hours longer battery life on a MacBook Air streaming Netflix in 1080p - that’s enough time for one more movie!” says Netflix.
Encrypted Media Extensions (EME) is also part of the new Safari in Yosemite “which provides the content protection needed for premium video services like Netflix,” while Web Cryptography API (WebCrypto) allows the service to “encrypt and decrypt communication between our JavaScript application and the Netflix servers.”
To their credit, Netflix reveals that the PVE enhancement is not limited to Safari. According to the company, Windows PC users are also blessed with the plug-in-free functionality. In fact, Internet Explorer users can enjoy this perk right away, whereas OS X customers will have to wait until fall.
“The Premium Video Extensions do away with the need for proprietary plugin technologies for streaming video. In addition to Safari on OS X Yosemite, plugin-free playback is also available in IE 11 on Windows 8.1, and we look forward to a time when these APIs are available on all browsers,” according to Netflix.
The team concludes, saying, “Congratulations to the Apple team for advancing premium video on the web with Yosemite! We’re looking forward to the Yosemite launch this Fall.”