How watch Netflix ?

[ale.lili]

Hiii,
I’m new on FreeBSD and I’m using DWM, whit Firefox but I can’t watch anything form Netflix and I really want to se my serie (´°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥ω°̥̥̥̥̥̥̥̥｀), someone know how do it ?

 

[scottro]

Ironically, while a lot of Netflix uses FreeBSD to run, it's not straightforward to watch it on FreeBSD. I've not done it in awhile, but take a look at this thread.

Shell Thread 'AI generated content : setup_firefox_netflix.sh — Enable Netflix (Widevine DRM) on Firefox'

May 13, 2026

Hello.

I've created a script that allows to watch Netflix on Firefox,since right now it can be done only with Chromium. Just because Firefox is still the browser we love. Isn't it ? It uses the files extracted from the port "foreign-cdm".

Just rename the file from zip to sh and run it.

• ZioMario
• firefox netflix widevine
• Replies: 6
• Forum: Userland Programming and Scripting

• 

 

[SirDice]

Ironically, while a lot of Netflix uses FreeBSD to run

Content delivery network doesn't need to watch the streams, just shovel bits from one end to another. It can do that without having to decode the stream.

I can’t watch anything form Netflix

Netflix, like pretty much every other popular streaming service, uses Widevine DRM. Google doesn't provide one for FreeBSD. There are some tricks to load the Linux Widevine DRM. In any case, at most you'll be able to get Widevine L3, which means it will always be limited to SD content, but something is better than nothing.

 

[fahrenheit]

Content delivery network doesn't need to watch the streams, just shovel bits from one end to another. It can do that without having to decode the stream.


Netflix, like pretty much every other popular streaming service, uses Widevine DRM. Google doesn't provide one for FreeBSD. There are some tricks to load the Linux Widevine DRM. In any case, at most you'll be able to get Widevine L3, which means it will always be limited to SD content, but something is better than nothing.

That and software decode, but yes, better than nothing and at least as is you have multiple options to get that:

• Native (firefox and chrome based browsers)
• Foreign cdm (chrome only?)
• Podman + linux containers

Just pick one and enjoy your drm poison of choice

 

[drhowarddrfine]

There are some tricks to load the Linux Widevine DRM. In any case, at most you'll be able to get Widevine L3, which means it will always be limited to SD content, but something is better than nothing.

This I did not know and it's disappointing.

 

[NapoleonWils0n]

GitHub - NapoleonWils0n/freebsd-cuda: Run Linux command line and gui applications on FreeBSD with full Nvidia Cuda hardware acceleration.

Run Linux command line and gui applications on FreeBSD with full Nvidia Cuda hardware acceleration. - NapoleonWils0n/freebsd-cuda

github.com

 

[drhowarddrfine]

NapoleonWils0n Is that SD only content?

EDIT: Answering my own question, the video states 1080p content. Thanks.

 

[fahrenheit]

NapoleonWils0n Is that SD only content?

EDIT: Answering my own question, the video states 1080p content.

Running inside a linux container and assuming you didn't pick something musl based you should get proper widevine support in both chrome and firefox.

 

[NapoleonWils0n]

NapoleonWils0n Is that SD only content?

EDIT: Answering my own question, the video states 1080p content. Thanks.

Hi Mate

I havent tested 4k ill have a look

The only widevine based things i can test on are ITV, Channel 4 and Youtube
and im not sure if any of those have 4K videos

From memory there might be a widevine test using Big Buck Bunny
not sure if there is a 4K version

Ill see if i can find any 4K widevine videos to test

Wont work see note below

 

[SirDice]

proper widevine

Never L1 though (required for 4K content).

 

[NapoleonWils0n]

Running inside a linux container and assuming you didn't pick something musl based you should get proper widevine support in both chrome and firefox.

Thats spot on i had issue running Alpine linux which uses musl

Not to be confued with Muesli which wont work at all either

 

[NapoleonWils0n]

Did a quick search and SirDice is correct

Never L1 though (required for 4K content).

4K playback only works on Mac with Safari, Windows with Edge
or a Chromebook

The best bet is to use a Chromecast with Google TV (4K),
Roku Streaming Stick 4K, Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, or Apple TV 4K

Even if you tried to use a bhyve vm running Windows
with a gpu pass through and an external monitor that probably wouldnt work either

 

[SirDice]

4K playback only works on Mac with Safari, Windows with Edge

Or various (certified) Android TV devices, like the NVidia Shield.

The best bet is to use a Chromecast with Google TV (4K),
Roku Streaming Stick 4K, Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, or Apple TV 4K

The NVidia Shield is great. Bought one 10-15 years ago? Can't remember exactly, but I still get regular OS updates for it. Most smartphones or tablets don't get that kind of support.

 

[SirDice]

Bought one 10-15 years ago?

More like 10, it's either the 2015 or 2017 model, the one with the 500GB HD in it.

 

[drhowarddrfine]

SirDice Same here but mine's about three years old. However I've read that it's probably the same hardware you still have and they have no need to upgrade it.

 

[SirDice]

There's an updated version, released in 2019. It has a slightly smaller case, and doesn't have a HD anymore. It has a slightly better CPU, but other than that it's mostly identical. I have that one too. I liked the Shield so much I bought another one for the bedroom

The rather limited storage of the newer model I circumvented with a USB 3 512GB SSD.

 

[cracauer@]

I think 1080p is the new SD for the purpose of limiting resolution on "low grade" browsers.

As far as hardware goes, I recommend the Apple TV box.

 

[SirDice]

I think 1080p is the new SD for the purpose of limiting resolution on "low grade" browsers.

L2 used to be the one that was limited to 1080p, but it seems noone is using L2 any more. It's either L1 or L3 that's used.