Windows To Support Blu-ray

August 19, 2008 By Digital Trends Staff

Microsoft has announced a new feature that will allow users to burn Blu-ray discs without using additional software.

When the hi-def wars began, Microsoft came down on the side of Toshiba and its HD DVD format. But Toshiba threw in the towel earlier this year, leaving the Blu-ray format as champion – and Redmond out in the cold.

Now Microsoft is taking steps to catch up. According to Information Week, the forthcoming Windows Feature Pack for Storage will let users burn Blu-ray HD discs from their computers without having to resort to third-party software.

The company has told developers through a site that the feature "enables the Windows platform to do master-style optical burning on Blu-ray media."

Windows Feature Pack for Storage, which is currently in beta with no release date announced, will work on both XP and Vista. Additionally, it will allow users to restrict access, needing passwords or certificates, for portable devices like USB sticks, and give driver support to ICCD/CCID smart cards.

Showing 2 comments

jason at 11:55am 19th August 2008 Microsoft's decision to add direct Blu-ray support to Windows may signal a broader move by the company to embrace the format, more likely it is an attempt to stay on par with apple.
The MS move could slow Blu-ray adoption down depending on how it is implemented.
But no matter what windows might or might not work with the xbox is going to be a different ball of wax.

right now USB 3 is more important to the pc market than blu-ray
James at 9:00am 19th August 2008 This may not seem like a big deal, but it's a step in the Blu direction for MS. It starts here and then before you know it, the Xbox 360 will be available with a Blu-ray drive.