Just a quick comment on the original topic...
The thing I appreciate most about what they've done with PLAY is the networking and centralized control. The 64-bit thing is a given, and really only a matter of time. I also take very seriously Christian's cautious stance on the subject. There's a lot more to be considered than just getting the samples into RAM.
Anyway, if VSL could implement some centralized control system for networked VIs, that would be nice. Mind you, my recent experiments with FXT have revealed that to be a *brilliant* system, so it's not a huge problem. But the main thing is that I somehow can't see the multiple-machine sample "farm" going anywhere, anytime soon. Or even getting much smaller, for that matter. I mean, the network aspect of PLAY still implies a multi-machine setup (even though it's 64-bit), and the AI (DVZ) system *requires* multiple machines. My current setup actually doesn't host *any* VIs on my sequencer/DAW and I **LOVE** it! It's like being back in the 80s, with a room full of samplers, ready and waiting! Sweet. Not only that, but my FXT instances are all hosted on slave 1, so the "band" is persistent across projects, sequencers, and so on -- Logic, Live, Finale, Sibeius... I just load up whatever sequencer I want to use, and the orchestra's ready and waiting! (About 8 months and 2 machines later, I finally figured out a simple and convenient way to use these beasts. Nice!)
J.