ChromeOS "DRM not enabled"
Discussion
My mother's aging Chromebook is giving the no DRM error when playing Channel 4 On demand. Playing protected videos is enabled but the OS is beyond the automatic updates life time. Are these related or is there something else we have missed?
We rebuilt the OS a couple of months ago and she was OK after the install. She is on a standard build and not DEV or unstable. We think the lack of updates coincides with when this started.
I tried to install an new browser but being remote and having my mother follow instructions did not work very well. An option could be for me to install a remote desktop and take over. Before I get there, is the easiest solution to buy a new Chromebook. This one is over 6 years and has served her well until now.
We rebuilt the OS a couple of months ago and she was OK after the install. She is on a standard build and not DEV or unstable. We think the lack of updates coincides with when this started.
I tried to install an new browser but being remote and having my mother follow instructions did not work very well. An option could be for me to install a remote desktop and take over. Before I get there, is the easiest solution to buy a new Chromebook. This one is over 6 years and has served her well until now.
If updates have stopped then yeah the DRM modules are not recent.
No guarantees, but open chrome://components/ and then look towards the end of the list for Widevine Content Decryption Module and then click the button marked Check For Updates.
That's presuming C4 use Widevine as their DRM. If they use something else it might be worth trying the Update button on other items listed.
Other options;
Does the machine support the Play Store? Use the android apps from that. Android 9 will be supported for many years to come. You could also use an updated browser from the Play Store. Stick to Chrome for syncing as that's what she's been using.
When did OS updates stop,? If it's recent then it might be possible to activate the LaCros browser from within Chrome://flags and it will replace the standard Chrome browser built into the OS and the LaCros browser will continue to receive updates.
No guarantees, but open chrome://components/ and then look towards the end of the list for Widevine Content Decryption Module and then click the button marked Check For Updates.
That's presuming C4 use Widevine as their DRM. If they use something else it might be worth trying the Update button on other items listed.
Other options;
Does the machine support the Play Store? Use the android apps from that. Android 9 will be supported for many years to come. You could also use an updated browser from the Play Store. Stick to Chrome for syncing as that's what she's been using.
When did OS updates stop,? If it's recent then it might be possible to activate the LaCros browser from within Chrome://flags and it will replace the standard Chrome browser built into the OS and the LaCros browser will continue to receive updates.
Presumably it doesn't have android/the Play Store either ?
Settings>>>Apps>>>Enable Play Store
(System Settings, not Browser Settings)
That's the easiest and best option if it's there.
Still worth checking under chrome://flags to see if LaCros can be enabled. That's not dependent on android or the Linux container.
Other than that if it's an Intel chip then Cloudready as mentioned above or Project Brunch to give it a new lease of life with Chromium OS.
If it's an ARM chip then Brunch is a non runner, not sure about Cloudready.
The thing is though that you're very likely to encounter DRM issues with Cloudready and Brunch too.
What is the model? That'll answer all questions immediately.
Settings>>>Apps>>>Enable Play Store
(System Settings, not Browser Settings)
That's the easiest and best option if it's there.
Still worth checking under chrome://flags to see if LaCros can be enabled. That's not dependent on android or the Linux container.
Other than that if it's an Intel chip then Cloudready as mentioned above or Project Brunch to give it a new lease of life with Chromium OS.
If it's an ARM chip then Brunch is a non runner, not sure about Cloudready.
The thing is though that you're very likely to encounter DRM issues with Cloudready and Brunch too.
What is the model? That'll answer all questions immediately.
Edited by Corso Marche on Saturday 30th October 19:52
Corso Marche said:
Presumably it doesn't have android/the Play Store either ?
Settings>>>Apps>>>Enable Play Store
(System Settings, not Browser Settings)
That's the easiest and best option if it's there.
Still worth checking under chrome://flags to see if LaCros can be enabled. That's not dependent on android or the Linux container.
Other than that if it's an Intel chip then Cloudready as mentioned above or Project Brunch to give it a new lease of life with Chromium OS.
If it's an ARM chip then Brunch is a non runner, not sure about Cloudready.
The thing is though that you're very likely to encounter DRM issues with Cloudready and Brunch too.
What is the model? That'll answer all questions immediately.
I tried your suggestions without any luck. I was surprised the plat store would not work. Adding to the challenge is being 3000 miles away from the chrome book. After guiding her for an hour yesterday I decided to remote in today. The thing is painfully slow but that might be a factor of the remote software I used. Settings>>>Apps>>>Enable Play Store
(System Settings, not Browser Settings)
That's the easiest and best option if it's there.
Still worth checking under chrome://flags to see if LaCros can be enabled. That's not dependent on android or the Linux container.
Other than that if it's an Intel chip then Cloudready as mentioned above or Project Brunch to give it a new lease of life with Chromium OS.
If it's an ARM chip then Brunch is a non runner, not sure about Cloudready.
The thing is though that you're very likely to encounter DRM issues with Cloudready and Brunch too.
What is the model? That'll answer all questions immediately.
Edited by Corso Marche on Saturday 30th October 19:52
Remote software, plus the thing probably has it's internal storage filled with needless downloads so the OS literally has no room to breathe. That's usually the primary reason for slowdowns in Chrome OS.
If you're that far from it and there's nobody local to help with support then the easy solution might just be a new Chromebook and let her simply sign into the new device and carry on as normal.
What model is it?
You could worry about repurposing it in future - or not...
If you're that far from it and there's nobody local to help with support then the easy solution might just be a new Chromebook and let her simply sign into the new device and carry on as normal.
What model is it?
You could worry about repurposing it in future - or not...
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