Computer Audio & Video: Windows Vista changes how audio and video are handled

Howstuffworks has the best summary of Windows Vista as related to audio and video rendering that I've read thus far. The highlights are:

• The graphics and audio drivers will run in user mode instead of kernal mode so that errors with either will not cause 'Blue Screens of Death.'
• Vista supports DirectX 9 but is really built around DirectX 10.
• DirectX previously did not require graphics hardware to support many DirectX capabilities; now, however, only three features are optional.
• Finally, the sound volume coming from each application can be separately controlled.

There is even more interesting information about Vista in the article for those who are interested.