PlayReady is Microsoft's DRM system, used on Windows, Edge, Xbox, and a large share of smart TVs and set-top boxes. Alongside Widevine and FairPlay it is one of the three DRMs a multi-DRM platform must support, and it dominates the living-room device ecosystem — many TV and STB manufacturers ship PlayReady as their built-in DRM.
Like the others, PlayReady supports hardware-backed security levels (e.g. SL3000 for hardware-protected HD/4K versus SL2000 for software), and platforms must honor the device's level when deciding what resolution to serve. It works with Common Encryption (cenc and cbcs) so the same encrypted segments can be shared with Widevine.
PlayReady evolves over time and device support shifts with it — for example, the 2025–2026 Samsung PlayReady migration changed which clients and security levels are valid on certain TVs, a reminder that DRM support on smart-TV fleets is a moving target that requires ongoing review.
The handbook · 7 volumes
Fora Soft Video Engineering Handbook
PlayReady is the DRM for Windows, Edge, Xbox, and many smart TVs, and its security levels decide whether studios release 4K to those devices. The seven volumes cover the video stack; for PlayReady start with Volume 3 on DRM, license policy, and players, then Volume 2 on Common Encryption and CMAF packaging, with encoding in Volume 1. Written by Nikolay Sapunov, CEO at Fora Soft.
Adding PlayReady so content plays on smart TVs, Xbox, and Edge?
We will review your license server and target devices and send a PlayReady integration plan with security level coverage. 250+ video products shipped since 2005.
