Do the PS3 NetFlix, Hulu, LoveFirm UIs behave the same as their equivalent on PC ? If not, JavaScript + HTML5 may not be needed/used for these apps. Sony is supposed to have an easy-to-use, may be also web-based, authoring tool.
They do need to use the same server tech though.
From a post of mine in another forum:
Cite please. I can find no information that confirms my or your speculation. Vudu
http://www.vudu.com/product_overview.html also uses the widevine player
http://widevine.com/ and in the past it was a stand alone box but has now branched out to support select CE hardware.
There is a wider range of features in the Vudu box due to at least a partial HTML5 webkit support. The tools provided by HTTP/s routines and the H.264 API hook can be used to support Widevine using javascript. Or Widevine can be a native language application with those routines included or a native language application that calls those routines out of a webkit.
The use of javascript for the UI should be a no brainer as widevine is a "Thin" client application designed to support multiple hardware platforms with the SAME server. So some common language for the UI is needed; this can be provided by widevine or javascript can be used. With javascript support provided by the platform and the widevine player using javascript for the UI the widevine player app can be thinner. Using HTTP/s routines and the H.264 video codec in a new webkit can further reduce the size of the widevine player.
Netflix also supports Ultraviolet so that some other player app besides widevine can be used on another platform. The use of javascript as the UI language now becomes a no brainer doubly so since Netflix stated they were using HTML5 (javascript and API hooks for H.264). The javascript engine being provided by the platform from a webkit or Widevine is supporting javascript with it's own engine....for a thin client player that would be counter intuitive and a last resort. It would be easier to mimic javascript commands using another supported cross platform language like Java. (Yahoo javascript engine on Sony Blu-ray players & TVs runs under Java. I suspect Netflix support on those devices required widevine and widevine required javascript for the UI. In this case the Widevine player/DRM is most likely native language.)
Thin is better, there is also not having to write custom code for every platform when webkit supported platforms already support those routines.
The above is part of the reasoning for my speculation, another line of reasoning is related to the products that support widevine, the features supported in those platforms and Vudu documentation for features and platforms supported. Vudu uses open source SSL/TLS for security. Vuvu can use a webkit or provide the routines for Widevine if this is what widevine uses for DRM.
H.264 used for dynamic adaptive streaming
http://www.longtailvideo.com/support/forums/jw-player/feature-suggestions/4220/adaptive-streaming-dynamic-bandwidth-adaptation
My read on your misunderstanding my reasoning about the use of javascript seems to be related to the new javascript APIs. Native language routines are provided for javascript to use; this reduces javascript limitations. There appears to be a push to support multi-platform javascript with faster engines and native language APIs. Web applications and cloud computing appear to be driving this. What javascript could do 9 months ago and what it can do today is vastly different because of webkit APIs.
http://4ipadnews.blogspot.com/2010/08/sonic-solutions-and-widevine-team-to.html
The Widevine platform is deployed by major Internet content services and large cable, satellite, and telecommunication companies launching over-the-top and TV Everywhere strategies. The company's software platform optimizes the entertainment experience for content delivered over any network to any device.
The solution is natively supported in nearly all major brands and types of network-connected consumer electronics including televisions, Blu-ray players, mobile devices, gaming systems and more.
The Widevine DRM player is provided in the native language for each platform.
