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A new Linux distribution has been installed on your computer and you are fully prepared to use free open source Office software to handle long hours of work. But you might ask yourself: "Isn't it fun to do anything but work? I just want to watch the Netflix video!" Here are four ways to see Netflix on Linux, and the pros and cons of each approach. In Linux, to function or to choose, as you choose, you can both! |
first, use Google Chrome browser to watch Netflix video
Google's Chrome browser is probably the most popular web browser on Linux, with a large number of options that have been changing the way people watch Web content over the years. Not so long ago, Google Chrome only appeared on Windows and Macs, and now appears on most Linux distributions and derivatives, thanks to native binary code for Debian and Red Hat systems, or to arch-oriented Compiled source code for distributions such as Linux.
Why should I use Google Chrome to watch Netflix
Google Chrome is easy to install. This is a standalone application with the necessary plug-ins available and fully built into the application. Once you've installed chrome, you'll be able to watch TV and TV dramas from virtually any video streaming site, including Netflix and Amazon Prime Instant Video, without any additional software to install. You can also access the vast Chrome plugin library, the large number of Web applications in the chrome ecosystem, and the great 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 community) believe that users should be able to access and run the software for free, while at the same time being able to research and redistribute the underlying code. Some Linux users focus on 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 a sandbox mechanism for each open tag and every plug-in installed, and even runs in the background after you've completely closed chrome. If you run legacy hardware, or focus on the ease of operating systems and applications, this can be a key blocking factor.
And there is Google. Google will store your data. For example, if you turn on auto-fill to save time when searching the Web from the address bar, that data will be sent to Google. Some people call it a keystroke logger. If you care about your privacy, you should avoid Google Chrome.
second, use the Widevine plugin to watch Netflix
The Widevine plugin 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 major operating systems at the time of publication (with Google Chrome) and does not receive formal support on any other browser. But thanks to some aspiring arch Linux developers, Widevine has been successfully modified to run in chromium (open source Google Chrome) and has been modified to be used in web browsers such as Firefox and Vivaldi (based on opera).
Why should I use the Widevine plugin in chromium or Firefox web browser?
Be free to choose. Linux is used to be free to choose what software to run on its own system, and how to configure the software. Installing plugins that allow you to watch content on the web should also work.
Firefox Web browser is an open source browser. Chromium Browser is an open source browser. Again, these browsers follow the philosophy behind using Linux.
Why shouldn't I use the Widevine plugin in chromium or Firefox web browser?
Installing an unsupported plug-in can adversely affect the system. Here, Widevine may not work or work at all, leaving you with a black screen instead of a streaming movie. In addition, browser updates or Netflix updates may not be compatible with the version of Widevine you install, forcing you to wait until someone in the Linux community uploads a new version of the plugin. While this may take several hours, there is no guarantee that Widevine will be updated.
third, use Pipelight to watch Netflix
Another way you can watch Netflix and Amazon Prime Instant video content is to Pipelight. Pipelight is an open source version of the Microsoft Silverlight plugin, which Netflix used to stream video, and Amazon Prime Instant video currently uses the plugin to stream videos. This plugin is intended for almost all Web browsers and is currently included in any Linux distribution software library you use.
Why should I use pipelight to watch Netflix?
Pipelight is suitable for almost every major web browser in Linux, and most of the time it works. Pipelight is compatible with Flash, Shockwave, Silverlight, and unity Web player, allowing you to virtually stream any video content and play the game supported by the Unity game engine, all from your Web browser.
Why shouldn't I use pipelight to watch Netflix?
Pipelight is not entirely Linux code. It is actually a compatibility layer that allows you to run Windows code inside Linux, which actually requires wine (a Windows Compatibility layer application) to run. If you run a streamlined operating system, or you don't need to run another Windows application in Linux, you might want to avoid this plugin.
Iv. How to use virtual machines to watch Netflix?
Another way to see Netflix in Linux is through virtual machines. Virtual machines run a copy of Windows or OS X in a virtualized environment, allowing you to open a native version of your chosen Web browser with all the native plugins available for that browser.
Why should I use a virtual machine to watch Netflix?
You set up a dual-boot scenario on your computer and want to run a native application on a Windows or OS X that is now installed. Your virtualization software creates a virtual machine using a hard disk partition that contains installed Windows or OS X. This is handy if you use Linux to test or develop software, but the preferred operating system is windows or OS X.
Why shouldn't I use a virtual machine to watch Netflix?
To conserve hard disk space. After you install the virtual machine, you have to allocate a certain amount of physical space to the virtual hard disk. This may not work on older systems with small hard disk capacity.
Your PC must support virtualization. Some old hardware does not have the functionality of system virtualization. Most new hardware is supported, but if you install Linux because Windows no longer supports your existing hardware, you may not be able to virtualize it.
Although it was difficult to watch video streaming from a Linux-based operating system just a few years ago, it is now easy to see Netflix in almost any web browser. Any of the four methods discussed in this article can show a clear picture in a matter of minutes.
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Learn these four tricks, you don't worry about watching Netflix video on Linux