32bit Version Of Vista Will NOT Playback HD DVD Or Blu-ray

[Ian]

Interesting... I'm guessing this only applies to the Windows Media Player in Vista as you can already buy computers that can playback HD content via 3rd party players.

http://www.apcstart.com/site/dwarne/200 ... 2bit-vista

Microsoft revealed today that no 32-bit versions of Windows Vista will be able to play back “next generation high definition protected content” (translation – studio-released BluRay and HD-DVD movies).

By far the majority of PCs use 32-bit processors, because despite AMD’s efforts to push 64-bit CPUs into the marketplace early, Intel’s first widely-promoted 64-bit CPU is the just-released Core 2 Duo.

PC users will now have to choose between a PC that can play high definition content (64 bit) versus one that can potentially run older devices that only have unsigned drivers available (32 bit).

[MonsterMan]

Not that it'll help much...people will find a way to hack it...

[Dartman]

I certianly hope so, getting tired of big companys telling us how we can use media we buy.
Of course I dont plan to use Vista anyway becuase of crap like that.

[pika2000]

Even if MS includes playback capability, there will be lawsuits of anti-trust lining up for them. Heck, they're already being sued for bundling IE and WMP in the first place, let alone adding DVD playback. Which is ironic with Apple as I don't see them being sued bundling iLife with every Macs.

[Ian]

APC got the info wrong (they blame the presenter, Steve Riley):

http://www.apcstart.com/site/dwarne/200 ... -microsoft