videovideo-streaminghtml5-videoscreenshot

Blackscreen on screenshot


I just notice that video streaming websites, such as Max and Disney Plus, can blackout their video when I activate screenshot application or when I want to share screen in Zoom. What technique is used to implement this effect? How can web pages inside a browser detect screenshot application is activated, isn't it breaking the browser sandbox? And, can this be used to prevent image/text screenshot?


Solution

  • What technique is used to implement this effect?

    DRM.

    How can web pages inside a browser detect screenshot application is activated, isn't it breaking the browser sandbox?

    Neither web pages, nor the browser, detect when a screenshot or recording is happening. The browser isn't actually doing the rendering of the video. The video is encrypted, and its rendering is done further down the pipe at a lower layer. Different techniques can be used, some of which where the video isn't even decrypted until it hits the display device.

    And, can this be used to prevent image/text screenshot?

    Not directly. You'd have to render that content into video, and encrypt that video. This is expensive, a real hassle, and doesn't provide as much protection as you might think. That's why it's only done for protecting expensive high resolution commercial video content.