Protected hi-def discs won't play on 32-bit Windows Vista
Microsoft have announced that copy-protected HD DVD or Blu-ray discs will not be playable on a 32-bit machine running Windows Vista.
Speaking at Tech.Ed 2006, Senior Program Manager Steve Riley made the announcement in a presentation on Windows Vista security.
"This is a decision that the Media Player folks made because there are just too many ways right now for unsigned kernel mode code [to compromise content protection]. The media companies asked us to do this and said they don’t want any of their high definition content to play in x32 at all, because of all of the unsigned malware that runs in kernel mode can get around content protection, so we had to do this," he said.
The majority of PCs currently still use 32-bit chips: Intel's first 64-bit CPU is the Core 2 Duo.
Still, Riley tried to calm any concerns by telling everyone that by the time this became popular, everyone would already be running 64-bit Windows.
Microsoft were also keen to point out that, as storage devices, Blu-ray and HD DVD discs could be used to store a MPEG-4 movie and played back on 32-bit Windows. Commercial protected DVDs, however, would not.
So, yet another nail in the coffin of your current PC, if you want to watch hi-def content on it. The upgrade path could be expensive.
(Via APC)
Update 25 August: Seems there's some debate
going over at APC about exactly what was said. What I read into it is
that protected discs may play in 32-bit Windows, depending upon the
software player used, and whether it checks for unsigned drivers or
not. Different people look to be apportioning 'blame' to each other.
Okay, so basically they're putting the needs of the content producers above their users? I suppose they have to keep the content producers on their side, since relatively few people use Windows Media DRMed music stores, Microsoft needs the content providers, not the other way around. Or maybe they're just trying to keep computer manufactures on their side after delaying Vista until next year. Either way, doesn't bother me - I use a Mac and thus am not subject to Microsoft's slipping product dates and political manouvers.
Posted by: Joe Nixon | August 24, 2006 9:09 PM