Sony Xperia Z2 fails to play HD movie purchased from Google Play Store

[aaronf938]

Hello,

I recently purchased "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" in HD from the Google Play Store, I was able to select the HD option and purchase without any problems. After purchase and downloading the movie to my Xperia Z2 and Xperia Z2 Tablet the movie only plays in Standard Definition (SD).

The settings in the Google Play Movies & TV app have HD quality and Download over WiFi selected but still I get a Standard Definition quality downloaded or streamed.

Does anyone else have this issue or have any ideas why the Sony Xperia Z2 & Z2 Tablet can't play HD content from Google Play Services. 

Thanks!

[_alexdon_]

What did you use to play them? Do you have enough space on the device for the HD version?

[aaronf938]

Hello alexdon,

I'm using the Google Play Movies & TV app as the movie can only be played in that app by Google. The settings within the app are selected to download over WiFi and HD quality selected with my SD Card set as my default storage, of which i got 40gb space left. 

I noticed on the forums that others have had the same issue, I contacted Google and they tell me it's to do with the Hardware & Software compatibility and display resolution of the phone which doesn't make sense as the phone meets all those.

[_alexdon_]

I suggest you to download to internal memory and see how it is.

Off topic : Great movie!

[aaronf938]

Hi alexdon,

I just tried that method now and the problem still persists. 

I have noticed just now that if I select to purchase a movie in the Google Play Store which has the "Buy From £"  button then it shows me two options, "Buy HD" which goes on to say "Watch in HD on supported devices. Note: HD playback is not supported on this device".

The other option says "Buy SD" Watch in standard definition on the web an supported devices. 

How can one rectify this problem as I'm sure many Xperia Z2 users will probably have the same issues and considering this is a HD device with capable specifications, I struggle to see why Google says HD playback is not supported. This happens the same on my Xperia Z2 Tablet as well.

[_alexdon_]

I am sorry,in this case get in touch with xperia care:

http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/support/contact-us/

[aaronf938]

I have already contacted Xperia Care twice about this issue and on both occasions I encountered a person who doesn't know anything about DRM or says to factory reset the device which does not solve this issue or tells me to contact Google Play Services. Google Play Services themselves say to contact Sony regarding the compatibility.

Surely there has to be a solution to the problem or communication between you and Google to rectify this issue.

[_alexdon_]

I am not working for Sony,we are just users helping around.I was thinking about DRM too,usually problems occur on external card.

[aaronf938]

Hi

I contacted Google again and hopefully they can clear it up how the Sony Xperia Z2 isn't supported for HD movies on their store.

If Sony Video Unlimited sold HD movies that were playable on Xperia mobiles then I would buy from Sony but their current playback of HD movies is restricted to Playstation 3 & 4 with Standard Definition for Xperia Mobiles etc. I hope they update that as Xperia Z2 mobile and the Z2 tablet have HD displays and external storage support, would be welcomed to have that option available to download and view in HD.

[_alexdon_]

Good info you have here.Thanks.

So you still need an answer from google,right?