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!

[aaronf938]

Hi,

Yeah I will keep this thread updated as soon as I hear back from Google.

Thanks!

[_alexdon_]

Ok,keep us updated.

[azzido]

Once I bought a song on Google P(l)ay and suddenly I noticed it is not visible in my Walkman app! It is like you can play it only using Google Pay player! I thought "Really"? So by doing it you are loosing an opportunity to have all your music in 1 player, you're loosing all Walkman goodies, its sound enhancements, equalizer, surround and so on. The worse is you cannot copy the song YOU BOUGHT to any other device like mp3 player to play it! You can play it on your smartphone with Android onky and pc with internet after logging in to Google Pay service (so you have to have Internet connection). Are you kidding me??? I returned it and they gave me my money back,

NEVER AGAIN! So beware.

[azzido]

Return the movie as it is not what you required and deserve and search for any other online movie store that will allow you to download and PLAY hd movie you PAID for... What's wrong with this world... And then they say "pirate"...

[_alexdon_]

The thing is due to DRM you won't be able to copy somewhere else the files you have bought.

[aaronf938]

Hello,

Google has got back to me with this;

"At this time standard definition (SD) video is able to be played on all compatible devices, while high definition (HD) compatibility will vary.

HD video playback is determined by studio agreements and your device's own hardware and software capabilities. We offer you the option to buy HD video because HD playback is allowed across multiple devices - Android, iOS, Chromebook, and Chromecast.

If your device's display doesn't meet the minimum requirements for HD, it will play the video in SD instead. You can still purchase the HD version and watch it in HD on another supported device."

and 

"What I can tell you is that the movies on Google Play are launched by the publishers with a specific compatibility. That is something that I don't have access to provide you."

From information that I gathered on these forums, there are many Sony Xperia products that have this issue too, and some users say it could be Sony's licensing arrangements as it probably wants users to buy from it's own Sony Video Unlimited Store.

This probably would make sense but such an issue does ruin the experience of purchasing movies in HD on Android if it's locked down like this, considering there isn't much choice out there to buy from - Google Play, Sony Video Unlimited and probably Amazon Instant Video.

However Google did refund me for the purchase, still goes to say what a shame such great devices with HD displays can't be used to watch purchased HD movies on.

[_alexdon_]

Yes,this is something strange,but there are policies involved and we cannot do anything.Good think you got your money back.

[azzido]

Alexdon, and this is why I am avoiding all the companies like Google from BUYING the content. I stick with the companies like I bought it = I can use / play it wherever I want, whatever device / screen / player I want. 

In this case Google = No $. 

It's like a choice between XBone One and PS4. Microsoft shows a middle finger to players in many cases - No $.
In Playstation 4 world, I bought the game = I can play it on any playstation 4, I can lend it to my colleague, I can sell it, whatever I want because I BOUGHT it, I PAID for it and it is mine now

But if this will change for playstation = No $ for Sony as well. I will stick with my PC in such a case or (beware) Nintendo 😕 

[azzido]

aaronf938, I would agree with one "but": 

Vide Unlimited is not supported in all countries and sadly Poland is on its list...
For all the feedback Polish users are giving to sony in terms of mobile and gaming divisions (watch the sales) it's quite a shame we are treated in this way.  

So it seems you cannot watch HD movies bought form Google Play, but you may not be able to do this by buying form Sony just becauseit does not offer you such an opportunity. No choice = no $

[aaronf938]

Hi azzido,

I guess this is an issue not just with Sony Video Unlimited but all services throughout the world, even Google Play Store is yet to hit many countries in the world, licensing of the content is the big issue that they have to sort out with studio companies and music labels etc  to be able to roll out services in the respective regions. 

I know Sony are focussing on the European and Japanese market as that is where they get majority of their sales. I hope that means improving their services and extending region compatibility of their products.

It is strange the issue with Sony and Google Play Movies playback compatibility, I've seen Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1(2014 model) and Samsung Galaxy S4 both allow for HD movie playback of movie content bought on Google Play.

Out of all the Android manufacturers Sony is the only one that has a movie studio, so it probably wants customers to buy from its own Video Unlimited Store instead of going to the Google Play Store for Movies which Sony probably sees as a rival store for movie sales. That's all I can currently think of what could be a licensing issue to penalize the customer, if it were true it would be a big shame.