A cost analysis of Vista content protection [LWN.net]

A cost analysis of Vista content protection

Posted Dec 25, 2006 1:45 UTC (Mon) by dkite (guest, #4577)
In reply to: A cost analysis of Vista content protection by lutchann
Parent article: A cost analysis of Vista content protection

Very simple.

Microsoft will end up writing most of the video drivers for the card
manufacturers.

Already the closed video drivers available for X have microsoft code in
them.

The spec is very complex, and most of the function is system level as
opposed to video driver level, the only problem being that it has to run
in the video processor. Why not have MS write the complicated
communication and trip handling bits, and focus on the particularities of
your hardware.

If it isn't the case now, it will as Nvidea and ATI have trouble
delivering adequate performance and consistency, and MS starts losing
sales because of it.

And since MS will own the code, which IS the spec for the hardware, how
can anyone else have a go at it?

My opinion is that this will be an utter failure for everyone involved.
It will take a few years to shake out.

Derek

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