Introduction

In Dec. 2019, good news came to all Disney fans. PlayOn announced a new feature: allowing users to record and store their favorite Disney+ shows and movies for future enjoyment. Whether it’s revisiting fond childhood memories or sharing the magic with your loved ones, PlayOn ensures that getting our favorite Disney+ content offline is always just a click away.

As a frequent traveler, one of my biggest frustrations is the lack of offline streaming on Disney+. I often want to watch an episode of "The Mandalorian" on a plane or in a hotel, but when I try to record it using PlayOn Cloud, it takes an hour to save the entire episode, and the audio and video are often out of sync. Sometimes, I'm halfway through a recording when Disney+ updates its DRM or the PlayOn module doesn't keep up, resulting in an error message.

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How to Add Disney+ Recoring with PlayOn

If you haven't recorded Disney+ with PlayOn. Now is a chance for you to try. For mobile and Mac users, choose the PlayOn Cloud version, while for Windows users, choose the PlayOn Home version.

Step1
Get PlayOn from Google Play, Apple Store, or the official website. Download it on your device. Create your PlayOn account. 

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Step2
Select the 'Disney+' channel and sign in your Disney+ account. Search for the video you want to record. 

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Step3
Click 'Record' or 'Record All' to get the whole Disney show episodes. 
 Step4
When the recording process is finished, you can find them in the 'Recordings' tab and watch the Disney+ offline anytime and anywhere. 

Limits of PlayOn Disney+ Recording 

Disney+ is newly supported by PlayOn to record in 2019. It would be great if you are a PlayOn member because now you can unlock more streaming access. However, there are some notices that shall be highlighted:

1. Not all Disney+ videos can be recorded by PlayOn. For those DRM protected D+ content, PlayOn has no access to record them 
2. The recorded content will be a bit audio&video out of sync, and has some lagging issues. 
3. You have to wait until the whole movie/episode is finished recording, it takes about the same time as how long the video is.
4. From 2019 to 2024, numerous bugs and not working issues are reported on PlayOn, especially on PlayOn Disney+ function. You shall be patient to prepare for those sudden situations. Related solution: PlayOn Not Working Problems and How to Fix [2025 Guide]

Better Solution: StreamFab Disney+ Downloader

StreamFab and PlayOn are two popular options for streaming and downloading content from Disney+. While both offer similar capabilities, there are key differences that make each unique. It is hard to ignore those limits of PlayOn Disney Plus due to it being a recorder, and limited by the 'recording' techniques.

While StreamFab, unlike PlayOn, operates as a real Disney+ downloader and saves PlayOn members from the root problems. 

playon disney+ alternative: streamfab d+ downloader
  • Unlimited download of Disney+ content from most regions
  • Break record quality limits: Get D+ in 720p/1080p/4K & Atoms EAC 3 5.1 audio track 
  • Download Disney+ content in MP4/MKV format on your device
  • Save Disney+ movies/episodes with metadata and subtitles 
  • Schedule download of newly released Disney+ episodes and movies automatically at a set time

Operation Steps

Step1
Install and launch StreamFab on your device, and choose 'Disney Plus' service.

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Step2
Log into your Disney+ account, search for and play the D+ video you want. StreamFab will analyze it automatically. 

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Step3
Customize the video resolution, audio, and subtitle you want, and download right now or add to the queue.

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In conclusion, both StreamFab and PlayOn offer unique features and benefits for streaming and downloading Disney+ content. Consider your needs and preferences when making your decision, and it would be much better to enjoy a free trial of both tools before you get ready to unlock endless entertainment on Disney+.

PlayOn vs. StreamFab: Which One Should I Choose?

💡Related: Compare: StreamFab vs PlayOn

So, choosing between StreamFab and PlayOn for Disney+, it’s kind of a “what suits you?” thing (and I’ve spent too much time debating little choices like this).

If you’re the type who loves that crisp video quality and wants to download Disney+ movies on your laptop, StreamFab is the way to go. Personally, I get it—the better the quality, the happier I am. But if you just want to watch Disney+ on your tablet without all the bells and whistles, PlayOn might be more your speed. Anyway, here’s a handy comparison chart for reference.

Feature PlayOn Cloud/Home StreamFab Downloader
Video Quality Default 720p / 1080p requires extra credits Stable 720p/1080p/4K
Offline Mode Real-time recording True downloading (fast)
Supported Devices Cloud (mobile) / Home (PC) PC/Mac
Cost Model Credit-based / wait for full recording License-based, unlimited downloads
Stability Frequent errors / A/V out of sync Stable, supports batch tasks

FAQs

1. Why does PlayOn occasionally fail to record or report errors?

PlayOn recording occasionally fails, most likely due to a Disney+ DRM update or local environment issues (such as a network drop, firewall interference, or the computer going into sleep mode). If you're using 1080p mode, the player may only produce sound without a picture because the codec is HEVC. It's generally recommended to test with 720p first, keep the network stable, and disable sleep mode.

2. Why does PlayOn Cloud sometimes record audio-only or drop video entirely when set to 1080p?

The reason this happens is that PlayOn records in 1080p using variable frame rate HEVC. A lot of players, like Windows Media Player, just can’t show them at all. But VLC actually handles these files just fine. For a solution, use VLC instead, or convert the recording so you can watch it without trouble.

Conclusion

Now, about PlayOn Disney+ recording, sure, it’s simple, but honestly, it’s far from perfect. If you care about getting great video quality (don’t we all?), PlayOn and similar recorders just aren’t ideal. I’d poke around for something like StreamFab Disney Plus Downloader, and really try a few options before buying.