How do I install the widevine plugin in Firefox ESR 52.7.3 (32-bit) for websites like Spotify that require it?
Firefox ESR 52.7.3 (32-bit) won't play DRM content, such as the DRM content streamed by the Spotify web player or the DRM content at this test site: https://demo.castlabs.com/ After many hours of trying to solve this problem, It appears I need the widevine plugin that was present in previous versions of Firefox. However, I can't figure out how to get it to install. I tried installing it manually using the instructions here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1207502 but that didn't work (the plugin never appears in the plugin list). Please help me solve this problem. Thank you
Modified by JuzBeKind
All Replies (10)
Well since the plugin isn't a FF product you have to contact the creator and ask them about support for FF ESR versions. FF isn't responsible for plugins that aren't updated to work in update FF version ESR or Public versions.
WestEnd said
Well since the plugin isn't a FF product you have to contact the creator and ask them about support for FF ESR versions. FF isn't responsible for plugins that aren't updated to work in update FF version ESR or Public versions.
Um, this isn't some run-of-the-mill 3rd-party plugin. It's the google widevine DRM plugin that was included with previous versions of Firefox. Edit: Apparently it's included with this version (ESR 52.7.3) as well but only if I'm booted into Windows 7 instead of XP.
Modified by JuzBeKind
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enable-drm Supported platforms: Windows Vista and higher
I assume that you would need Adobe Primetime CDM to play these files on Windows XP.
James said
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/enable-drm Supported platforms: Windows Vista and higher
Thanks, this information was helpful in making some progress. By spoofing the OS I was able to get the DRM toggle to appear in the settings menu and widevine installed. Spotify and the castlabs demos still aren't yet working though. If you have any suggestions I'd appreciate them, but if you don't want to help I understand. I know many people here don't like helping with Firefox work-arounds (anything that isn't officially supported).
Modified by JuzBeKind
cor-el said
I assume that you would need Adobe Primetime CDM to play these files on Windows XP.
I do have Adobe Primetime CDM installed and working but for the purpose of HTML5 functionality (such as MSE & H.264). Spotify and the castlabs demos, at this point in time, appear to not acknowledge Adobe Primetime CDM as a valid DRM plugin; they want widevine it seems.
Yes, that is the problem. Windows XP doesn't support Widevine and websites no longer may support Adobe Primetime and in such a case you are out-of-luck with your current OS. .
cor-el said
Yes, that is the problem. Windows XP doesn't support Widevine and websites no longer may support Adobe Primetime and in such a case you are out-of-luck with your current OS. .
Well, I've got Google Chrome to fall back on (it plays everything fine in XP) but I really *really* do not want to use Google Chrome. I've made some progress towards getting widevine working in FF (in XP). I'm hopeful that I'll be able to figure it all out. So far, as I previously mentioned, by spoofing the OS version I was able to get the DRM toggle to appear in the FF settings menu and widevine installed (and updated) but Spotify and the castlabs demos are still behaving like widevine isn't installed. Please let me know if you have any suggestions. I'll try anything.
Google has not supported the EOL WinXP and Vista since April 2016.
You could perhaps dual boot with a Linux distro that still supports 32-bit CPU's. Xubuntu and Lubuntu are among some options. I do suggest not using desktop managers like KDE or Gnome 3.
It may take some getting used to for a a bit and needing to install some packages that does not get installed in base installs. FFmpeg packages for example is one as it is needed to fully support HTL5 players.
Modified by James
James said
Google has not supported the EOL WinXP and Vista since April 2016. ... You could perhaps dual boot with a Linux distro that still supports 32-bit CPU's. Xubuntu and Lubuntu are among some options.
Google Chrome 49 still plays everything fine in XP. Thanks for the dual-boot suggestion but I already multiboot XP, Win7, Ubuntu & Lubuntu. However, I'm almost always using XP because it's the fastest, most intuitive and most compatible with all of the software I use. It's also the OS I have most hardened for security and privacy thanks to all of the security and privacy software (and information) that has become available for it over the years. Please let me know if any suggestions come to mind for getting Spotify & castlabs to recognize that widevine is installed in FF (in XP) (eg, any about:config modifications that might help). Thanks