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Google Pixel users facing issues with HD Netflix playback after recent updates
Following recent updates, many Google Pixel phone owners are reporting problems reducing the Widwin level from L1 to L3, resulting in DRM-protected content not playing in HD resolution. For example, Netflix now has 540p.
Multiple users have complained about the problem. MSF Jarvis of Tipsters Arguar, Hydro Petro, and Telegram said they had problems with the Pixel 4A and Pixel 5. Tipster Devang Chabria Reddit has linked the thread to some Pixel 4A, Pixel 4, and Pixel 5 users.
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Meanwhile, support thread users in pixel forums complain about the problem. We looked back at Reddit for a few months and found that people have been having problems with HD Netflix playback for a while. Some users have reported problems with the April 2021 update, while others report that the problem persists for months.
When the phone is downgraded to Wide Vine L3, it is DRM software-based and lacks the Trusted Execution Environment (TE) to operate DRM encryption. In most cases, wide wine-protected content will only play at 480p, which is not an ideal situation when streaming content.
To check the Widwin DRM level, you can follow this guide. As we have reported, most Google-certified Android devices support Widwin L1, sometimes integrated with other DRM methods. Modified phones or unverified phones only support L3 or L2. A software update may cause Widwin DRM to return to L2 or L3.
The service, like Netflix, certifies all Pixel devices for HD, Widwin L1, and Pixel 3 and higher for HDR. It is not clear what the problem is and it does not appear that users will receive clear answers from Google about future software solutions or what users can do.
Not all owners experience this problem. In similar support forums, some Pixel 4A and Pixel 5 owners claim that they are still in the L1, so this does not affect everyone. Why some have this problem, some do not.