No 32-Bit HD Content for Windows Vista
Thursday, August 24, 2006 – 12:52 pmFrom APC Magazine article…
“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)… 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).”
This decision is going to have a big impact on a lot of different consumer levels. Adopters of HD players are going to be forced to upgrade their PC’s to 64-bit architecture if they want to incorporate computers into their home entertainment system, either for movie playback, other HD-content, DVR creation, etc. There are numerous applications that will not run on a 64-bit environment, along with various hardware with unsigned Microsoft drivers and gaming software. It seems that unless a backward-compatible solution is created, those with the deep pockets will have to empty them and purchase yet another computer to meet the needs forced upon us by the powers that be.
Your input and thoughts on this are requested. Thanks!
2 Responses to “No 32-Bit HD Content for Windows Vista”
http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/software/windows-vista-32bit-can-play-hd-dvd-bluray-movies-196535.php
By TomGu on Aug 25, 2006
*phew* That could have been a disaster! Thanks for the update, Tom.
PS: For those of you who do not know, Tom is our dedicated Microsoft cohort. His job is correcting my ignorance and getting us sweet deals on software
By Kevin on Sep 23, 2006