Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows published a review on Windows Vista Beta 1

Compared to the installation routine for Windows XP, Windows Vista Beta 1's Setup has been drastically simplified. I installed the beta in two ways on a number of different machines: As a clean install on a new partition, starting from Windows XP (see my screenshot gallery) and as a clean install as the only OS on the machine, booting from the Setup DVD (see my screenshot gallery). And yes, you read that right: Windows Vista 1 Beta 1, in either x86 or x64 form, comes only on DVD. In both cases, Setup only prompts you for a few simple items and then does its thing. An upgrade install (where you upgrade from XP to Vista) does not appear to be available in Beta 1.

Windows Vista Beta 1 Review