[paulddraper]

I thought I'd try out Disney+.

Then I found out it doesn't support Vizio Smartcast/Chromecast.

That's...bizarre. I guess I'll watch on my little laptop screen.

Turns out it doesn't support Linux either.

:/

EDIT: I eventually downloaded a Windows VM and watched it there. What could they possibly be gaining from that though??

[xnyan]

I love linux, I use it every day more than any other OS. I don't understand why other linux users act surprised that corporate America frequently ignores altogether or uses DRM methods that are not compatible, I don't think its right, i i don't think its good, but its not new or unusual or surprising.

The reality is that linix makes up 2-4 percent of the desktop PC market which itself is fraction of mobile use and even then, most linux users have the capability to watch it on something else. More of their customers are on windows XP than all linux desktop distros combined. I don't think they consider it anything close to financially worth it and I don't know if I disagree, even if I wish it was otherwise.

[chii]

Which is why the web is the best platform to support. I don't get why companies offering a service that can easily be web-delivered don't do it as their primary mode of business.

[josteink]

> Which is why the web is the best platform to support.

But then they “support” it with platform-specific WebDRM which doesn’t work on Linux it in truly free/open browsers.

Nothing gained.

[aries1980]

DRM doesn't seem to stop warez. Things that can be decoded, can be shared.

All they gain with DRM is to put off potential customers. For many of us, the best way would be a downloadable file format, that I can copy or watch whatever player or device I want to use.

[paulddraper]

Somehow Netflix, Hulu, and Google Play/YouTube all work.

And they're renting most of their content.

> The reality is that linix makes up 2-4 percent of the desktop PC market

Plus an additional 3% for Chromebooks.

[dvfjsdhgfv]

Both Netflix and HBO Go support Linux without any problem. In this way you can turn an older device into a multimedia player in a simple way, and without paying Microsoft (which is totally unnecessary in this case).

[nvrspyx]

I can't speak for Vizio Smartcast, but both the mobile app and desktop website both support Chromecast. I watched the first few episodes of The Mandalorian on my Chromecast last night. I started casting from my Linux desktop no less.

[paulddraper]

Yep, the fix it to buy a separate Chromecast.

IDK why the built-in one is incompatible; I've literally never seen this before.

EDIT: Looks like if I buy a Mac, I could use Airplay with Smartcast. Or way until next month when they supposedly have support coming.

https://support.vizio.com/s/article/Disney-App-EXT