AMD PlayReady 3.0 for Vega and APUs is still in the works

With the rollout of the Radeon Software 18.4.1 driver, AMD finally added beta support for PlayReady 3.0. This technology is required for 4K Netflix streaming, and is already supported by Intel and NVIDIA. However, the current driver exclusively supports PlayReady 3.0 on Polaris-based video cards, and not for AMD's newest products.

AnandTech received word that Netflix 4K support for discrete Vega video cards and Raven Bridge-based APUs will follow at a later point:

Taking a step back, 18.4.1’s beta PlayReady 3.0 support for Polaris is in line with AMD’s previous guidance on the matter, where PlayReady 3.0 support was to come with driver updates this year. That being said, production-ready PlayReady 3-capable graphics drivers for Ryzen desktop APUs were originally intended in early Q2, an announcement quietly made alongside the launch of AMD's Ryzen 5 2400G and Ryzen 3 220G. In any case, AMD gave a general update simply stating that PlayReady 3.0 support for discrete Vega graphics and Raven Ridge-based APUs remains under development and is planned for future driver releases.

As a reminder, to enable 4K Netflix streaming on a PC, you need an awful lot of items. Here's a quick recap of the basics:

Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (for HDR or using discrete graphics)

Windows 10 HEVC Media Extension, or equivalent (if missing due to Fall Creators Update)

Latest unspecified Windows Updates

Microsoft Edge or Windows 10 Netflix application

Netflix plan that supports 4K and HDR streaming

High or Automatic Streaming Quality in Netflix Account Playback Settings

Minimum internet connection speed of 25 Mbps

60Hz 4K display with HDCP 2.2 capability

HDCP 2.2 certified cable with 4K capable digital interface

HDCP 2.2 capable and 4K capable digital interface port on motherboard video-out or discrete GPU

Supported discrete or integrated GPU (PlayReady 3.0, HDCP 2.2 output)

Appropriate graphics driver