Pursuent to this article about playback of H.264 video, MacWorld UK is reporting that Apple has released it’s third preview version of QuickTime 7 for Windows. QuickTime 7 is notable for its inclusion of the H.264 codec, to be used by HD-DVD and BD (Blu-ray Disc).

[Apple] declares its solution, “the industry’s first mainstream H.264 solution for streaming and playback of High Definition (HD) video on Windows”,

With the software originally scheduled for release this summer, testing is reaching a critical phase. Apple reports it is: “Determined to make QuickTime 7 the best it can be, and Apple welcomes your suggestions.”

Minimum system requirements include: 233 MHz Intel Pentium class or better processor; At least 128MB of RAM; Windows 2000 or XP.

Recommended system configurations are: 1.8 GHz Intel Pentium 4 or faster processor; At least 256MB of RAM; 64MB or greater video card; Windows 2000 or XP

Link: MacWorld UK - Apple ships QuickTime Windows preview 3