How to Implement Multi-DRM (Widevine, PlayReady, FairPlay) with HLS/DASH?

:key_id= \ --protection_scheme cenc \ --pssh \ --pssh \ --mpd_output manifest.mpd Explanation : This command applies encryption for both Widevine and PlayReady under the same key using CENC. The --pssh flags embed the initialization data necessary for each DRM type. For HLS and FairPlay, packaging uses CBCS encryption. A command from the same tool or another packager could look like this: packager \ in=input.mp4,stream=video,output=encrypted_video_hls.mp4 \ --enable_fairplay_encryption \ --hls_master_playlist_output master.m3u8 \ --protection_scheme cbcs \ --iv \ --key :key_id: \ --hls_key_uri skd:// The encrypted HLS manifest (.m3u8) signals FairPlay information through an EXT‑X‑KEY tag that directs the player to request the key from the FairPlay license server. Integrating with a License Server After encryption and packaging are complete, integrate the outputs with license delivery services. DRM license servers issue playback licenses in exchange for secure, authenticated token requests. The player receives encryption metadata in the manifest, then generates an initialization payload when playback begins. This payload, known as the init data, is sent to the DRM server through a secure POST request. An example of a Widevine license request from Shaka Player in JavaScript is: player.getNetworkingEngine().registerRequestFilter((type, request) => { if (type === shaka.net.NetworkingEngine.RequestType.LICENSE) { request.headers['Authorization'] = 'Bearer ' + playback_token; } }); In your packager configuration or player setup, this URL becomes the license server address. The license server processes this request, verifies the token or entitlement via an API, and returns a binary response containing the decryption key. Shaka Player automatically interprets this license and enables playback. Each DRM type has distinct interaction formats: Widevine and PlayReady return binary license responses in protobuf or XML. FairPlay uses an SPC ( Server Playback Context ) and CKC ( Content Key Context ) exchange handled through the Safari ResourceLoaderDelegate or AVFoundation. Manifest Configuration The manifest communicates which DRM systems are used. DASH manifests include elements with identifiers and PSSH values. Base64WidevinePSSH Base64PlayReadyPSSH HLS Manifests for FairPlay Rely on a Key Declaration Entry : #EXT-X-KEY:METHOD=SAMPLE-AES,URI='skd://fairplay-key-id',KEYFORMAT='com.apple.streamingkeydelivery' When the player loads the manifest, it chooses the matching DRM system based on device and browser support, requests the appropriate license, and decrypts the stream in real time. Player Integration Players handle license retrieval and decryption using Encrypted Media Extensions on browsers or native DRM frameworks on mobile and smart TVs. A proper configuration maps each DRM system to its license server endpoint. Example : player.configure({ drm: { servers: { 'com.widevine.alpha': 'https://widevine-license-url', 'com.microsoft.playready': 'https://playready-license-url' } } }); Apple devices handle FairPlay DRM natively through AVFoundation. The app sets up a license request by responding to the resource loader delegate, constructing an SPC from the playback context, and sending it to the license server, which returns a CKC to enable playback. When playback begins, the player detects supported DRM systems, selects the right license URL, and starts streaming securely. Token Security Production environments never expose license endpoints directly. Instead, every playback session is secured through short‑lived tokens or signed URLs issued by the application backend. Each token contains claims such as user identity, video ID, and expiration time. When playback is requested, the player attaches the token to every DRM license request, ensuring access is granted only to authorized viewers. Here’s a minimal example of a token-secured playback request: fetch('https://drm.example.com/get-license', { method: 'POST', headers: { 'Authorization': 'Bearer ' + playback_token, 'Content-Type': 'application/octet-stream' }, body: licenseRequestPayload }) .then(res => res.arrayBuffer()) .then(license => player.setLicense(license)); The DRM server validates the token before returning the license. If the token has expired or is invalid, the request fails, and playback is denied. Using this method keeps session control centralized and prevents unauthorized playback. Testing and Validation After the encryption and license integration, validate playback across device types. Host the encrypted files on a CDN or secure web server and test playback using standard DRM‑enabled players. To confirm Widevine and PlayReady compliance, load the DASH manifest in Shaka Player or Bitmovin Player on browsers like Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. Successful playback with key retrieval logs in developer tools indicates correct configuration. For FairPlay validation, open the HLS manifest in Safari or an iOS app. Verify that HTTPS certificates and CORS headers are correctly configured for license requests. Testing should include: Bandwidth simulation to confirm adaptive bitrate performance. License latency checks to ensure responses occur within sub‑second timing. Device compatibility tests for Smart TV and mobile platforms. If playback initiates seamlessly on all supported environments, the multi‑DRM setup is correctly implemented and production‑ready.

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