You will be downloading a Windows Media video (or in some cases audio) file with DRM. Generally, game files are approximately 1 GB in size with a bitrate of 1 MB (very high quality). MLB.com Downloads are for personal and non-commercial use.
All MLB.com Downloads are encrypted with Microsoft Digital Rights Management technology. DRM security requires a valid license before viewing the material. You must have Windows Media Player (version 10.0 or higher) downloaded on your machine to view downloaded video.
Digital Rights Management is a technology that allows for the secure management of digital media. This security protects the content provider from unauthorized distribution, viewing and use of the material.
Yes, the license given to you for a digital download allows for the viewing and transfer of the download to up to three machines. If you view the video from work, then you will still be able to view the file from home.
When viewing the downloaded video for the first time, you need to be connected to the Internet in order to obtain a license to view the material. If this problem persists please contact Customer Service at 866.800.1275 or e-mail customerservice@website.mlb.com.
Currently the version of DRM in use is not supported by the Macintosh Windows Media Player, therefore you cannot view downloaded videos on a Mac.
No. When you first try to play the video, a license will be distributed to you and stored by the player. Unless manually deleted, the license will exist forever and will be used when you try to watch the downloaded video on that machine. If you watch the video on a different machine, another license will be required.
The current Digital Rights Management technology is only available on Windows Media Players that are version 10.0 or higher. If this problem persists please contact Customer Service at 866.800.1275 or e-mail customerservice@website.mlb.com.
You can burn a MLB.com Downloads video onto a DVD, but only as a storage medium for computer files, not as a "TV quality" DVD. You can use your computer to write a MLB.com Downloads Windows Media file to a data DVD (DVD-ROM) for storage (similar to writing to a CD for storage) so you don't have to keep it on your computer's hard drive. However, this is very different than a DVD-Video DVD (such as a motion picture DVD) that you view in high-resolution on your TV screen. MLB.com Downloads files are computer screen-resolution Windows Media files; DVDs that you watch on your TV are higher-resolution MPEG-2 format files. If you are using a monitor as your TV, you may be able to view content that is displaying on your computer screen.
Here are the key differences between streaming and downloading video:
Take the MLB.com Speed Test!
This test will measure your download rate from our servers to give you a recommendation as to whether or not your internet connection is fast enough for MLB.com video and audio streams.
It has come to our attention that a small subset of our MLB.com Digital Download customers are unable to access and watch certain games that they previously purchased on MLB.com. MLB.com is committed to ensuring that all non-functioning MLB.com Digital Downloads that were previously purchased directly from us are again made available at no additional cost to our customers without regard to the number of machines to which the Downloads have been transferred.
If you are unable to view a MLB.com Digital Download game that you purchased directly from us, please contact MLB.com Customer Service by either (1) sending an e-mail to customerservice@website.mlb.com listing the games that are no longer accessible, or (2) by calling 1-866-800-1275 to speak to a representative.
We will then send you an e-mail containing information on how to re-download and access these games. Please note that all Regular Season games will be available in the originally purchased format and that all Postseason games will be made available in Windows Media format. If we are unable to provide you with a replacement video, we will offer you a refund.
We regret any inconvenience, and value your continued support.
The following remedy is for Windows XP and Vista users only. You must install and upgrade your security component to allow playback of protected Windows Media at the following URL (this page must be opened using Internet Explorer) - http://drmlicense.one.microsoft.com/crlupdate/en/crlupdate.html. Please follow the instructions according to your platform.