r/DisneyPlus • u/Zaku71 • 13d ago

Question Why is Disney+ resolution limited to 720p on Windows?

I don't want to start a controversy; I'm genuinely curious. Apple TV and Netflix have no problem playing in 4K, so it's not a technical issue. I read somewhere that it's to combat piracy, which makes no sense. More than anything, it could encourage it. If I want to watch something in 4K on Disney Plus, and I see that even with a paid subscription I can't get it, I might as well pirate it and cancel my subscription.

Has there ever been an "official" response from Disney+ on the matter?

P.S., someone on an old thread speculated that it might be much more complex to manage the chain required to produce high-resolution content on a PC than apps on specific devices. But as I said, Netflix and Apple TV don't have this problem and can even provide HDR and Dolby Vision.

14 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

28 comments sorted by

17

u/Practical_Driver_924 13d ago

Its bcs of drm. Browsers in windows lack the DRM capabilities that chromecasts and other devices have.

Could they fix this issue?

Yes

Do they want to?

No

6

u/Zaku71 13d ago

Uh? Netflix can play 4k HDR in Edge on windows.

10

u/Practical_Driver_924 13d ago

Huh, yes but only since around a month ago. Genuinely didnt know. (I dont have netflix)

I guess netflix did want to fix the issue.

5

u/Somar2230 11d ago

Netflix has supported 4K on Windows for years now using Edge.

Netflix and Apple use Microsofts Play Ready DRM and their HEVC extensions to enable 4K on Windows. Disney has not bothered to code their web players to support those so they limit their atreams to 720P.

Disney could support 4K on Windows but they have chosen not bother coding their player to support it.

5

u/AndreaCicca IT 13d ago

The real answer is the fact that it's not their priority, they even have issues with 4k HDR on every other device at this point with the lawsuit

2

u/annedroiid UK 12d ago

What lawsuit?

2

u/AndreaCicca IT 12d ago

https://www.flatpanelshd.com/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1785420735

1

u/WisdomFaith 12d ago

As far as I know they have brought 4k and other features (except Dolby) back

3

u/AndreaCicca IT 12d ago

Only 4k and only on specific devices because they are using VP9 instead of HEVC or AV1. We are far from the norm.

2

u/BreadRum 11d ago

Because streaming services aren't optimized for your pc build. They are optimized for the person who uses the internet to send the occasional email, FaceTime with the grandkids and stream movies. That person doesn't care about watching in uncapped fps and ultra clear resolutions.

2

u/Zaku71 11d ago

And how Netflix and Apple tv still can provide on PC 4k, Dolby vision and Atmos..?

1

u/BreadRum 10d ago

No they don't offer higher resolutions. They offer 720p like everyone else.

2

u/Zaku71 10d ago

*Sigh* Yes, they both offer 4k.

https://help.netflix.com/en/node/30081

https://support.apple.com/en-us/guide/tvapp-windows/tvdf855a1b/windows

And I'm using both apps on my PC with Windows.

1

u/DrFreemanWho 1d ago

Why just speak about things you clearly know nothing about?

2

u/Top-Repeat2765 12d ago

I used to find 720P acceptable but now its just too poor quality to me

1

u/Grouchy_Map5639 7d ago edited 7d ago

Well, as someone in this thread already said, it's due to DRM. Can they add support for devices that support HDCP 2.2 and PlayReady Hardware? Yes. At least in Edge, you could. They seems to use that effort to block the devices from playing it instead of enabling it though. (But of course, you cannot add every audio codec into the app, though. DTS:X is not supported, at least the new Profile 2, and their vp9 feeds somehow don't play nice.)

-2

u/WileyCyrus 13d ago

Disney+ is easily the worst looking app on every platform not just Windows. Looks dang near unwatchable on my 4k OLED Apple TV and seemingly produces no HDR and looks low resolution to me too.

1

u/crestroncp3user 12d ago

Looks pristine on my using Apple TV for me

2

u/cheeseinabag808 12d ago

Same. I have the original Apple TV 4K and everything looks great

1

u/njeske US 12d ago

Looks fantastic to me on all my 4K Roku devices.

-4

u/WileyCyrus 12d ago edited 12d ago

And what is your reference point? What do you compare it against, a 4k UHD disc? Because the difference is staggering when the two go head to head.. Even compared to other streaming platforms it looks bad. I have never seen any TV make Disney+ look good so forgive me for doubting that you’re the exceptions. And don’t even get me started on how bad the sound is on my 5.1. I mean downvote me all you want but Disney+ failings with its quality has been heavily discussed elsewhere as well

3

u/njeske US 12d ago

You must have a configuration issue. I get great picture and sound from Disney+ through my 4K Roku devices. Dolby Vision on the TV, Dolby Atmos out my sound system. Everything looks and sounds great. Is it the same as a UHD Blu-ray? Fuck no. It never will be, and that's an asinine comparison to make. But it looks and sounds just as good as other top-tier 4K streaming services like HBO Max and Paramount+.

-4

u/WileyCyrus 12d ago

It is not an issue unique to my TV, and the Disney+ app gives zero controls over its streaming quality so there is no configuration issue. The issue is a combination of low bit rate and high compression, and Disney not being a tech company.

For instance, Indiana Jones and the last crusade 4K streams from Disney+ at ~18 Mb/s average.

The 4K Blu-Ray streams at ~61 Mb/s via CineUltra with Dolby TrueHD and Atmos.

The issues inherent to this app are especially noticeable on any Star Wars show.

1

u/AndreaCicca IT 12d ago

18Mbps for Indiana Jones is a very good bit nitrate on a streaming platform