Lovefilm switches from Flash to Silverlight, skips HTML5
updated 04:45 pm EST, Thu December 1, 2011
Lovefilm to move to Silverlight, drop Flash
UK DVD and streaming video outfit Lovefilm just announced that it will move from Flash-based streaming to Microsoft's Silverlight. The move was prompted by movie studios, as they believed Silverlight offers greater security in the fight against piracy. The studios were apparently fairly adamant, threatening to pull their movies if the change wasn't made.
Those who use PCs, notebooks and Macs will notice the difference, as PS3, iPads, and connected HDTVs remain unaffected. Those with non-Intel Macs with OS 10.5 or lower or computers with Linux/UNIX aren't compatible with the new system.
As for HTML5, it was taken under consideration but was deemed to be not secure as the open-source format was still growing and didn't have protection locks.
Silverlight uses Smooth Streaming technology that will automatically adjust the quality depending on the speed of the Internet connection.
During the transition, Flash will continue to be used alongside Silverlight until the first week of January.
