APC Magazine reports that
Microsoft has opted to disable playback of copy-protected Blu-ray and HD DVD
movies in 32-bit versions of Windows Vista. The limitation is a result of
support for unsigned drivers in 32-bit versions of Vista, which media companies
believe could leave room for copy protection circumvention methods. 64-bit
versions of the upcoming operating system will only support signed drivers and
will thus retain support for the two high-definition formats. This
limitation may not upset desktop users too much; 64-bit desktop processors have
been around for a while and include all AMD Athlon 64 and Athlon 64 X2 chips as
well as all Intel Pentium 4 6xx, Pentium 4 5x1, Pentium D, and Core 2 Duo chips.
However, Microsoft's decision will likely miff users of HD DVD- or
Blu-ray-enabled notebooks like Sony's Vaio AR190G, which includes a 32-bit Intel
Core Duo processor.
Update:
Contrary to earlier reports, Microsoft is not cutting another Vista feature
(at least not today). A Microsoft exec at TechEd Australia misspoke. Microsoft
will not eliminate the ability to play HD-DVD and/or Blu-Ray content on 32-bit
Vista machines. "It is up to the ISVs providing playback solutions to determine
whether the intended playback environment, including environments with a 32-bit
CPU, meets the performance requirements to allow high definition playback while
supporting the guidelines set forth by the content owners," Microsoft said via
an e-mail statement. "No version of Windows Vista will make a determination as
to whether any given piece of content should play back or not. Nothing has
changed regarding our policies or development plans, which we addressed at
WinHEC this past May, and nothing has been 'cut.'"