Blu-ray in Vista x64?

[Lee Christie]

I hear that Vista x86 will NOT support playing of Blu-ray (or HD DVD) because they are worried about unsigned drivers, so they will only allow protected HD content on Vista x64.

I have Vista Ultimate (I have the 64-bit disc, it's not installed atm but I can do so) Does this mean I CAN play Blu-ray discs on Vista x64 in Media Center and/or Media Player, or do I also need to purchase some software such as CyberLink PowerDVD Ultra?

[smiley]

I play BLu-Rays all the time on windows Vista Home Premium. Works great. It seems to be one of the few things that works good under Vista. And I am using Cyberlink DVD ultra. I had a couple Blu-Ray that wouldn't work. I E-Mailed them and they explained how to fix it.

FYI, you can't play them with Media Center and/or Media Player. But the media center remote works with Cyberlink.

[jermwhl]

Originally Posted by smiley

I play BLu-Rays all the time on windows Vista Home Premium. Works great. It seems to be one of the few things that works good under Vista. And I am using Cyberlink DVD ultra. I had a couple Blu-Ray that wouldn't work. I E-Mailed them and they explained how to fix it.

You probably have the 32-bit version though. x64 is a whole different monster!!!

[Lee Christie]

Originally Posted by smiley

I play BLu-Rays all the time on windows Vista Home Premium. Works great. It seems to be one of the few things that works good under Vista. And I am using Cyberlink DVD ultra. I had a couple Blu-Ray that wouldn't work. I E-Mailed them and they explained how to fix it.

Are you using x64?

Is CyberLink PowerDVD Ultra required to play them or would it work without it? (i.e. in WMP/WMC without CyberLink installed)

[smiley]

I am just running the 32bit version. So I guess I am lucky to not be running the 64bit version? That has even more problems than the 32bit version?

[Lee Christie]

Thats odd, i was to understand that Blu-ray wouldn't work on 32bit Vista.

Is anyone here running 64 bit Vista?

[jermwhl]

Originally Posted by smiley

I am just running the 32bit version. So I guess I am lucky to not be running the 64bit version? That has even more problems than the 32bit version?

Its not that it has more problems, it's that is has less programmer support. Most programs are written in 32-bit. 64-bit will eventually take over, but it has been slow to be adopted.

[smiley]

I haven't found anything on Cyberlink's web site saying anything spesific about 32 or 64 bit versions. I would like upgrade to the 64 bit version As I have 4 gig of memory and the 32 bit version will only acces 3.5 gig. But if I couldn't play Blue-Rays on the 64 bit version I will definatly stick to the 32 bit version.

But as far as drivers, my blu-ray drive shows up in Vista as a standard CD/DVD drive I never did install any drivers for that. I would think it would be at least worth running the CyberLink BD / HD Advisor on windows vista x64.

[Lee Christie]

you dont need 64 bit apps, it's backwards compatble with 32 bit apps, you DO need 64 bit driver though, and all of the new hardware has thouse, they have to, to get the Vista logo.

Anyway, does anyone know the answer to my origonal question? Is cyberLink a required purchase for owners of Vista Ultimate x64 who wish to play Blu-ray discs?

I know Vista x64 CAN play Blu-ray, i want to know if it can do it out of the box or if it needs CyberLink? You wont find this info on CyberLink's site (if it's true it would be bad for business ot announce it)

Thanks.

[smiley]

Yes you do need Cyberlink. Unless you can find other software to do it. But so far all I have found is Cyberlink. I have been watching sice Feb. and intervideo Win-DVD has said Blu-Ray support coming soon. I wouldn't recomend waiting for that.

[Lee Christie]

Originally Posted by smiley

Yes you do need Cyberlink. Unless you can find other software to do it. But so far all I have found is Cyberlink. I have been watching sice Feb. and intervideo Win-DVD has said Blu-Ray support coming soon. I wouldn't recomend waiting for that.

Then I'm confused, if both Vista x86 and x64 can play blu-ray with cyberlink, and can't play it without.. then what's this fuss all about regarding Microsoft having dropped support for Blu-ray & HD DVD in the 32-bit version of Vista?

EDIT: P.S. here's a link to what I'm talking baout (many more sites report the same story)

http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/24/v...r-on-most-PCs/

Quote:

""Oh my. Microsoft just announced that they won't support high definition playback on 32-bit versions of Vista, at all! In other words, unless you've recently upgraded to a Core 2 Duo or similar 64-bit processor, you won't be using that new Blu-ray or HD DVD drive to playback studio films when you upgrade to Vista. If that's your gig then you'd best get saving for a whole new rig, son, cause your old digs won't cut it."

[supersix4]

or you can just wait till someone gets fed up with it and figures out a way around it lol

[Lee Christie]

Originally Posted by supersix14

or you can just wait till someone gets fed up with it and figures out a way around it lol

No thanks, i don't want ot sit around and wait while my equipment gathrs dust. i'll by Cyberlink if I have to, but i thought that 64-bit Vista supported out-of-the-box playback of Blu-ray and HD DVD. (Yes I know 32-bit doesn't)

[smiley]

Originally Posted by Lee Christie

No thanks, i don't want ot sit around and wait while my equipment gathrs dust. i'll by Cyberlink if I have to, but i thought that 64-bit Vista supported out-of-the-box playback of Blu-ray and HD DVD. (Yes I know 32-bit doesn't)

Try it without Cyberlink, if it work let me know. But that goes against everything I have heard/read so far.

[Lee Christie]

Originally Posted by smiley

Try it without Cyberlink, if it work let me know. But that goes against everything I have heard/read so far.

I know, it goes against what I origonally thought, but I guess I've been misled by websites? Well i will try it soon.

Off-Topic: I just replaced my motherboard and my RAM does't fit so I'm sitting around waiting for replacement RAM, all i can do it surf the net on this darn laptop and wait. But when my PC is up and running and I reinstall Vista (64-bit this time) I'll try it and let you know.

EDIT: Oh by the way, one quick question, once you HAVE installed CyberLink, can you then view Blu-ray Discs via WMP/Media Center because CyberLink installed a codec (like with regular DVDs), or does it require you to launch CyberLink and view the movies from within the CyberLink player?