# How does Netflix prevent screen shots? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 21, 2021, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-netflix-prevent-screen-shots/951064 "2021-09-21T15:32:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-netflix-prevent-screen-shots/951064/21 "2021-09-22T09:10:37Z")
Rather than being browser related, it may be HCDP related. That’s a type of DRM/encryption. Some drivers may block screenshots when that is active. If Netflix detects it can’t use HCDP, it runs all video at a lower resolution (720p or lower, I believe). Why it can’t use it could be your monitor, your cables, your browser, your drivers, etc. I noticed that Netflix uses HCDP because my current monitor setup claims to support it but doesn’t. So I get static whenever I load the Netflix app or site. It seems to be due to the particular HDMI-to-VGA adapter that I use, as the adapter in my dad’s computer works just fine. It’s not a big deal to me as I almost never watch Netflix, and I can still watch it on my phone. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-netflix-prevent-screen-shots/951064/22 "2021-09-22T13:17:45Z")
I tried it on my laptop and got a screenshot just fine. So there is probably something in my hardware setup that is getting in the way. My desktop is a custom build with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU. So I guess the question is moot. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-netflix-prevent-screen-shots/951064.md?page=1)