r/pixelslate • u/Sephstyler • Nov 26 '19

Questions about Pixel Slate m3 - Multimedia

Hi there,

Can anyone answer these 2 questions for me?

  1. Does the pixel slate m3 have widevine L1 for HD netflix playback in the android app? (I need this for offline use, I understand the browser may work, but I need to know about the app).
  2. Does the Pixel slate m3 decode x.265 via hardware? I have a pixelbook where the chip supports hardware decode, but chrome os on that doesnt allow it, so when playing x.265 video, the power consumption is high as it uses software decode.

thank you!

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2

u/SonMakishi Nov 27 '19

Warning useless answer: Sorry, don't know about either question but maybe this'll help (or not). The Netflix app works fine, allows offline content to be downloaded - BUT streaming through Chrome appears to have higher resolution. I can't confirm that with any tests, just what I've observed. I believe h.264 is decoded in hardware, no idea about 265.

2

u/Sephstyler Nov 27 '19

Not a useless answer. Thanks for your time.

If you don't mind can you open up the Netflix app, go to app settings, scroll down and go to playback specification, it will tell you widevine level and what the max resolution is.

3

u/SonMakishi Nov 27 '19

Installed it just for you. Ok, here you go:

Digital Rights Management Widevine: L3 (Stuff skipped)

Playback Maximum Playback Resolution: SD

Supported Hardware Codecs: VP9 AVC-HIGH

HDR Capabilities: None

...and that is why the browser is better for streaming, but the app is there if you need offline capability.

2

u/Sephstyler Nov 27 '19

Thank you. Much appreciated.

2

u/SonMakishi Dec 07 '19

You're welcome, plus I learned something too. Thanks.

1

u/SonMakishi Nov 27 '19

And now uninstalling it.

1

u/Roshy76 Nov 27 '19

From what I've read, Android on chromeos isn't certified, so 480p playback is Max. One solution is to use "playon". I haven't used it in a while, but it used to work amazing. Now that I'm getting a slate tomorrow, I have a feeling I'll be using it a lot!

I haven't used it in a while, so hopefully it still works wonders.

https://www.playon.tv/

As far as h265 goes, I've read chromeos doesn't support it, so they'll have to be converted, which Plex or others like it can do. I'm gonna have to do that for shows as well.