Microsoft recently let it slip that there would be no support for "next gen" HD content on 32 bit Vista. Instead, in order to play HD-DVD or Blueray content you'll need to get the 64 bit version of Vista, and you'll obviously need some fancy new 64 bit hardware.
The reason for this change is that 32 bit Vista allows for unsigned kernel mode drivers while 64 bit Vista does not. Microsoft allows 32 bit Vista to run unsigned drivers because without this ability upgrading would be a nightmare. Since 64 bit machines are just starting to become mainstream, it won't be nearly as much of an issue for 64 bit Vista.
For those of you who don't know, driver signing is a process of ensuring the identity and integrity of a driver before it is allowed to be loaded by Windows. Since the only person who can sign drivers is Microsoft, it allows Microsoft to fully test drivers before signing off on them. This will increase both the security and the stability of Windows more than any other thing Microsoft is doing in Vista.
Of course this also means that pirates can't create drivers to bypass the DRM on HD-DVD or Blueray content. That's why "Media Companies" like it, and that's why 32 bit Vista won't natively support HD-DVD or Blueray content.
The immediate reaction to this was one of scorn, contempt, and anger. As usual, I disagree with these sentiments wholeheartedly.
The basic gist of why people are mad is that they think Microsoft is being a lapdog for the "Media Companies" and placing arbitrary restrictions on how people use their computers to appease the big, bad content producers.
What people seem to be missing is that the "Media Companies" are the ones who are going to be producing all of this content, so it's up to them to determine the terms of sale. It's not a question of DRM-free HD content or DRM-restricted content, it's a question of DRM-restricted content or no content at all.
Microsoft adding this restriction doesn't limit choice or "freedom". If anything, it creates MORE choice. It gives a big incentive to media companies to produce new HD content that people want. If the media companies thought their investments would go to waste thanks to piracy, they would be far less inclined to make those investments, and we wouldn't have the choice to view that content at all because it wouldn't exist in the first place.
It's not like this is going to stop anybody from producing "HD" content that plays without restriction. There are dozens of media formats available right now that allow you to reach HD resolutions. If you don't want DRM in the content YOU produce, this will not affect you at all.
Update
Turns out that the 32 bit version of Vista will be able to play next gen HD content, just not natively. You'll need 3rd party applications to do so, but it will work fine. Regardless, I think my points are still valid.
