When Dailytech first reported that Microsoft was going to intentionally cripple HD DVD and Blu-ray support in Vista 32-bit I was actually quite pleased. Whilst some may complain this is another ploy to get them to upgrade their systems, for something they can already do, this would have been a positive step towards 64-bit computing. So I was unhappy when I heard from the Inquirer that the story was actually far from the truth.

At least, another feature of Vista is not going to be removed, or redesigned. It is such a shame this "crippleing feature" is not going to be implemented. Many 32-bit processors can not even run HD content smoothly, and those that can struggle to do so. Those processors which can run HD content have 64-bit instruction sets, so it really is not a case of the consumer "having to buy a new computer just because Microsoft say so." If their old processor does not support 64-bit instructions, then it, most likely, will not run HD content adiquately, at least without GPU aid.

In addition, this would be a good step towards putting more dual core processors in homes; after all, for multithreading applications to become the norm, one needs processors which are capible of utilising such code to be in the majority of systems.