Microsoft claims first with native Blu-ray support [for their OS]

[Blaumann]

Microsoft has announced that it is the first operating system developer to more completely incorporate Blu-ray support into its platform, with the addition of the Microsoft Feature Pack for Storage which will allow Windows XP, Vista, Server 2003 and Server 2008 users to burn Blu-ray discs directly from the OS without the need for usually expensive third party applications.

The software giant says the upgraded storage patch will add the ability to "lock down removable storage with a certificate or password to prevent the theft of secure material and will also add new forms of Smart Card support for government workers and others that depend on the standard to access networks and data."

Although the update is still a test beta, it is expected the full release will be within 3 months.

This new approach from Microsoft should help to speed up the rate of adoption for Blu-ray hardware, especially as prices continue to lower for drives.

https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=1663

http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/15123.cfm
http://www.electronista.com/articles...u.ray.support/

[arush5268d]

Coolness!

[Blubaru]

Ubuntu(linux) has had Blu-ray support for over a year now.

[arush5268d]

Originally Posted by Blubaru

Ubuntu(linux) has had Blu-ray support for over a year now.

Yes, but is it incorporated into the O/S?
Windows has Blu-ray support too, and has had it. This new patch integrates Blu-ray into the O/S.

[dadkins]

Originally Posted by arush5268d

Yes, but is it incorporated into the O/S?
Windows has Blu-ray support too, and has had it. This new patch integrates Blu-ray into the O/S.

Yes! I have an AR190G - 2006 model year running XP(first BD laptop sold in U.S.).
As soon as this is final and released, I'll have it!

[Blubaru]

Originally Posted by arush5268d

Yes, but is it incorporated into the O/S?
Windows has Blu-ray support too, and has had it. This new patch integrates Blu-ray into the O/S.

As far as I know.

[marzetta7]

My understanding is that this is also in beta form. Not production ready...kind of hard to claim "native" Blu-ray support when

a) It certainly isn't native, otherwise this feature pack would have already been integrated into Window Vista or will be provided as a download via Microsoft Update that can be easily attainable and installed, much like a patch.

and

b) It is a test beta, and isn't due out for another 3 months.

Not trying to be a stickler, and it is good to finally see Microsoft give Blu-ray its support after screwing off with HD DVD for many years, but to claim "native" support. I don't think so, simply marketing fluff on their part.

I won't be suprised to see Apple have native support in Mac OS X come their September special event...or maybe at MacWorld in January. We'll see.

[arush5268d]

Originally Posted by marzetta7

My understanding is that this is also in beta form. Not production ready...kind of hard to claim "native" Blu-ray support when

a) It certainly isn't native, otherwise this feature pack would have already been integrated into Window Vista or will be provided as a download via Microsoft Update that can be easily attainable and installed, much like a patch.

and

b) It is a test beta, and isn't due out for another 3 months.

Not trying to be a stickler, and it is good to finally see Microsoft give Blu-ray its support after screwing off with HD DVD for many years, but to claim "native" support. I don't think so, simply marketing fluff on their part.

I won't be suprised to see Apple have native support in Mac OS X come their September special event...or maybe at MacWorld in January. We'll see.

I'm thinking that you are a bit confused as to the meaning of "native support"

[marzetta7]

Originally Posted by arush5268d

I'm thinking that you are a bit confused as to the meaning of "native support"

No, I'm certainly not. Microsoft means native as in native to the the OS, that is, more specifically native in that there are not third-party apps needed to deal with Blu-ray discs. I understand this completely.

Maybe it was my first comment that led to your inference--but let me be clear on my first point, that simply I find it interesting to say the least that they've worked diligently over the years to work against Blu-ray by promoting HD DVD and bad mouthing Blu-ray and continue too in order to support their real goal toward downloads but then are first to "claim native Blu-ray support."

I consider it a crock in that my biggest qualm with their claim of being first with "native support" is that it (the actual application or drivers that provide the nativeness) isn't even here in production--it is in a test beta form. Kind of hard to claim "native support" when you don't even have it working in production is all I'm saying. Furthermore, what will be the ease of acquiring this nativeness of Blu-ray on the Windows platform? Will we get "native support" by easily acquiring such functionality via its Microsoft Update portal or will this nativeness be buried under numerous technical white papers somewhere located in BFE, otherwise known as technet?

In addition, I'm saying that in my mind, "native support" ought to be easily implemented into the OS, much like a service pack or patch for Windows and an update via Apple's software update. In my experience, managing over 20,000 windows systems for a corporation, "Feature Packs" that Microsoft have provided for us in the past have been nothing but easy implemented, and are borderline primitive. So, needless to say, I'm not buying much into the whole "first with native Blu-ray support" marketing puff piece.

Just my 2 cents.

[CptGreedle]

Well I am glad M$ is not going to pull a Toshiba and decided to support BD, and also that this move will speed up adoption rates and lower prices, I am still upset Apple didn't do this first. They had the opprotunity to support Blu-ray last year but they let that slip.
However Apple is not the powerhouse MS is, and they also have a history of not being the first to adopt new technology which usually means it is more stable by the time they support it.
I hope that this move my MS will drop the player and media prices a lot, and boost the popularity of Blu-ray to a point where other companies, like Apple, will be compelled to increase their support.

[marzetta7]

Originally Posted by CptGreedle

Well I am glad M$ is not going to pull a Toshiba and decided to support BD, and also that this move will speed up adoption rates and lower prices, I am still upset Apple didn't do this first. They had the opprotunity to support Blu-ray last year but they let that slip.
However Apple is not the powerhouse MS is, and they also have a history of not being the first to adopt new technology which usually means it is more stable by the time they support it.
I hope that this move my MS will drop the player and media prices a lot, and boost the popularity of Blu-ray to a point where other companies, like Apple, will be compelled to increase their support.

I agree with everything you say here. I know I give Microsoft a hard time, but at least their comin' around and will eventually have Blu-ray support once their native support gets out of test beta form.

It certainly would be nice if the Apple event in September proved to revolve around systems with Blu-ray support, or say Final Cut Pro with built-in Blu-ray support.

Here's wishing!

[caliminius]

Originally Posted by marzetta7

No, I'm certainly not. Microsoft means native as in native to the the OS, that is, more specifically native in that there are not third-party apps needed to deal with Blu-ray discs. I understand this completely.

Maybe it was my first comment that led to your inference--but let me be clear on my first point, that simply I find it interesting to say the least that they've worked diligently over the years to work against Blu-ray by promoting HD DVD and bad mouthing Blu-ray and continue too in order to support their real goal toward downloads but then are first to "claim native Blu-ray support."

I consider it a crock in that my biggest qualm with their claim of being first with "native support" is that it (the actual application or drivers that provide the nativeness) isn't even here in production--it is in a test beta form. Kind of hard to claim "native support" when you don't even have it working in production is all I'm saying. Furthermore, what will be the ease of acquiring this nativeness of Blu-ray on the Windows platform? Will we get "native support" by easily acquiring such functionality via its Microsoft Update portal or will this nativeness be buried under numerous technical white papers somewhere located in BFE, otherwise known as technet?

In addition, I'm saying that in my mind, "native support" ought to be easily implemented into the OS, much like a service pack or patch for Windows and an update via Apple's software update. In my experience, managing over 20,000 windows systems for a corporation, "Feature Packs" that Microsoft have provided for us in the past have been nothing but easy implemented, and are borderline primitive. So, needless to say, I'm not buying much into the whole "first with native Blu-ray support" marketing puff piece.

Just my 2 cents.

Looking at the articles, I don't see anywhere where Microsoft is claiming native support other than the title of this thread, but the fact that it will be a part of the OS API's seems pretty native to me. You just sound like a hard core Microsoft hater. You talk about how Microsoft screwed around with HD DVD, but at least they picked a side. Where was Apple during all of it? Sitting there as a dead silent member of the BDA pushing their own download agenda. Apple and Microsoft seem like two sides of the same coin with no real difference between them.

[Sonny]

I still DO NOT like M$ AT ALL!!!!!

[X-Ninja]

Originally Posted by Sonny

I still DO NOT like M$ AT ALL!!!!!

Yeah seriously. The guy above you said "Hardcore Microsoft Hater". Well lets just say thats true for a minute-
If he's a hardcore microsoft hater, then there is a reason. That reason is normally the extremely large amount of "suck" in all their products (Zune, Vista, Oragami, X-Box 360), the hige failure rate of everything (X-Box 360, Windows Vista), and the fact that they use lies repeatidly in their advertising (360 games are all 1080p!).

Again, i dont think he is a "Hardcore microsoft hater", but if he is, he has a reason to be - and a reason to not trust them.
I am getting my I-Mac in less than a week () specifically cause i cant stand microsoft anymore. I have had an infinately large number of issues with them. ...an uncountable number of issues actually.

Im almost 100% positive there is some trick to this "native blu-ray" thing. Whether it be that you'll need to purchase something, or maybe you'll need to have Vista (thats probably gonna happen. But man... I [had] vista on my old laptop. ...no thanks), or a trick to "burn your Microsoft Digital Download movies to blu-ray disc in high definition! etc. etc.
Not to mention, im perfectly fine using third party applications to burn things. Always have, Always will.

And ill admit that i didn't read the article in the link, i just read what was posted on this site. I just really dont care enough to read it all (if there even is anymore) and have no reason to do so.

[spaceball1]

6 months since the death of HD-DVD, if you can't beat 'em......

[marzetta7]

Originally Posted by caliminius

Looking at the articles, I don't see anywhere where Microsoft is claiming native support other than the title of this thread, but the fact that it will be a part of the OS API's seems pretty native to me. You just sound like a hard core Microsoft hater. You talk about how Microsoft screwed around with HD DVD, but at least they picked a side. Where was Apple during all of it? Sitting there as a dead silent member of the BDA pushing their own download agenda. Apple and Microsoft seem like two sides of the same coin with no real difference between them.

There are other articles on the net where Microsoft does make the claim of native support. I suggest you google it.

As far as me being labeled as a Microsoft hater by you, I respectfully disagree. Microsofts great,...if by great you mean, creates shoddy products as x-ninja stated, filled with bugs, half-baked production applications and OSs, etc. Yeah, I like 'em, but only because they provide me with job security--as I spend my days fixing their POS OS. Do I wish my company would go with Macs, abosoutely, but we are so fully in bed with them, it would take a miracle to kick them to the curb. So no, I don't hate Microsoft, I just feel there is LOTS of room for improvement--for starters, they should stop trying to copy Apple with their own (Microsoft's) lame rebadges of their tech. You, know, actually try and innovate rather that buy company, use their technology, buy company, use their technology, or reverse engineer the technology of their competitors.

Anyhow, to your point that Apple is one in the same as Microsoft concering Blu-ray, I also disagree. Could Apple have done more to promote Blu-ray, absoultely, I think so. Would I have liked them too,...yup. But, the simple fact is, Apple never actively went against the Blu-ray Disc Association like Microsoft did. They weren't spewing lies about the format on the "forum that shall not be mentioned" and elsewhere by certain managers within their ranks, they didn't have consultants at companies doing the same (I had to listen to our Microsoft consultant for months on how the PS3 was too expensive, the Blu-ray format would fail, HD DVD was the greatest thing since sliced bread, etc,), and they (Apple) certainly didn't pour money into studios to sway them one way or the other. So, to address you thought, I again respectfully disagree.

[arush5268d]

Originally Posted by marzetta7

No, I'm certainly not. Microsoft means native as in native to the the OS, that is, more specifically native in that there are not third-party apps needed to deal with Blu-ray discs. I understand this completely.

Maybe it was my first comment that led to your inference--but let me be clear on my first point, that simply I find it interesting to say the least that they've worked diligently over the years to work against Blu-ray by promoting HD DVD and bad mouthing Blu-ray and continue too in order to support their real goal toward downloads but then are first to "claim native Blu-ray support."

I consider it a crock in that my biggest qualm with their claim of being first with "native support" is that it (the actual application or drivers that provide the nativeness) isn't even here in production--it is in a test beta form. Kind of hard to claim "native support" when you don't even have it working in production is all I'm saying. Furthermore, what will be the ease of acquiring this nativeness of Blu-ray on the Windows platform? Will we get "native support" by easily acquiring such functionality via its Microsoft Update portal or will this nativeness be buried under numerous technical white papers somewhere located in BFE, otherwise known as technet?

In addition, I'm saying that in my mind, "native support" ought to be easily implemented into the OS, much like a service pack or patch for Windows and an update via Apple's software update. In my experience, managing over 20,000 windows systems for a corporation, "Feature Packs" that Microsoft have provided for us in the past have been nothing but easy implemented, and are borderline primitive. So, needless to say, I'm not buying much into the whole "first with native Blu-ray support" marketing puff piece.

Just my 2 cents.

Hmmm. I'd have to agree with you 100%

[Bobby Henderson]

Originally Posted by marzetta7

Anyhow, to your point that Apple is one in the same as Microsoft concerning Blu-ray, I also disagree. Could Apple have done more to promote Blu-ray, absolutely, I think so. Would I have liked them too,...yup. But, the simple fact is, Apple never actively went against the Blu-ray Disc Association like Microsoft did.

Spun statements and anti-BD posturing in the press is the only difference I see between Microsoft and Apple regarding Blu-ray.

When it comes to actions, Apple and Microsoft have both been working hard to undermine Blu-ray in the interest of promoting their own video downloading businesses.

I really have to come down hard on Apple because they've been using their fashionable brand name and popular iTunes application to sell crap. Their HD-quality videos and rentals are nothing close to Blu-ray quality, but the company swaggers around as if it is. I guess after customers spent years eating up 128kb/s AAC music files believing that passes for CD quality then anything is possible.

Further, Apple is the only game in town for Apple hardware. It's not so easy getting a Mac outfitted with a Blu-ray burner. It's just about impossible if you want that in a MacBook Pro. At least on the PC side there's a lot of 3rd party hardware developers and a gigantic PC-modding community that makes all sorts of configurations possible.

At some point Apple (and Toshiba) are going to have to start incorporating Blu-ray burners into their notebooks or their product sales are going to seriously drop. The next notebook I buy will have BD burner. Companies who insist on not offering BD drives will automatically have their entire notebook lines overlooked.

[marzetta7]

Originally Posted by Bobby Henderson

Spun statements and anti-BD posturing in the press is the only difference I see between Microsoft and Apple regarding Blu-ray.

When it comes to actions, Apple and Microsoft have both been working hard to undermine Blu-ray in the interest of promoting their own video downloading businesses.

I really have to come down hard on Apple because they've been using their fashionable brand name and popular iTunes application to sell crap. Their HD-quality videos and rentals are nothing close to Blu-ray quality, but the company swaggers around as if it is. I guess after customers spent years eating up 128kb/s AAC music files believing that passes for CD quality then anything is possible.

Further, Apple is the only game in town for Apple hardware. It's not so easy getting a Mac outfitted with a Blu-ray burner. It's just about impossible if you want that in a MacBook Pro. At least on the PC side there's a lot of 3rd party hardware developers and a gigantic PC-modding community that makes all sorts of configurations possible.

At some point Apple (and Toshiba) are going to have to start incorporating Blu-ray burners into their notebooks or their product sales are going to seriously drop. The next notebook I buy will have BD burner. Companies who insist on not offering BD drives will automatically have their entire notebook lines overlooked.

I think I agree with you for the most part, however, I think Apple's inaction moreso than any action is what is undermining Blu-ray in any way.

[arush5268d]

Originally Posted by marzetta7

I think I agree with you for the most part, however, I think Apple's inaction moreso than any action is what is undermining Blu-ray in any way.

Actions speak louder than words.

And refusal to act / adopt is a pretty loud action.