Well folks I've got some tragic news out there, Windows Vista will be dropping a feature. But before you get too torn up about it, here's what the feature is: HD disc playback on 32 bit machines.

Now, the only reason I'm reporting this is because when people make a big deal about nothing in news stories, it tends to get me pissed off, and that's just what this is.

Let's take a look at the discontinuation of this critical Vista feature.

AMD has been selling 64-bit processors for 2 years and 11 months. Their standard processors are the Athlon 64 lineup, high-end is the X2 and FX, and low end is the Sempron. With the exception of the Sempron, that's all 64-bit. Intel sells 64-bit parts too, the Core 2 Duo is all 64 bit, and some of the later Pentiums were. Today on Newegg you can get yourself a 64-bit AMD chip for $86, maybe cheaper chips are available elsewhere. Point is, the hardware is out there, it's the standard.

Microsoft's feature cut would mean, unless you have one of these processors, you can't watch your 1280x720 or 1920x1080 discs such as Blu Ray and HD-DVD.

FUCKING WAAAAAH. First of all, with the exception of people who bought high-end 32-bit hardware right before all the high-end went to 64-bit, the only people with 32-bit processors will find an immediate problem when playing ANY video at 1280x720 or higher: Their processors cannot handle it. People with bargain 32-bit chips will find themselves woefully unable to play even 640x480 using H.264 codec, much less 1920x1080.

One also wonders what the HELL a person is doing with a $300-1000 Blu-Ray or HD-DVD drive, new graphics card and display with the proper HD-secure cables to prevent copying of the signal, Windows Vista (which alone requires at least 1 GB of RAM to do much of anything smoothly, and a fast processor) and some bullshit $60 Sempron. "Dropping" support for 32-bit versions of Vista and playing HD-discs is the equivalent of game developers saying that you have to have a hardware graphics processor to play a game; ignoring the special features such a processor provides, trying to use an antiquated software solution would simply be too slow for it to work.

And honestly, even if you do have a 32 bit machine, plan on getting Vista and a HD drive the moment they come out, and not getting a processor upgrade, there is some good news. First, you can still do HD video in general, such as stuff right from files... just not discs. Although really it is possible to do the discs, you just have to do it right through Windows Media Player. The reason for this change is that Hollywood execs are afraid 32-bit versions of drivers will allow circumventing of HD-protection schemes.

Damnit I hate it when people make a big deal out of nothing. What's next, people have a hissy fit because their insurance stops coverage for using leeches for blood-letting? Get with the damn times.