New PS3 4.1 Update Allows HD DVD Compatibility
by Pravin on April 1st, 2008 in news.
As part of a cross-licensing agreement with Microsoft, the latest PS3 firmware update allows the PS3 Blu-ray drive to play HD DVD discs, complete with the HDi interactivity layer. In the other part of the cross-licensing agreement, the Xbox 360 will now come with a Blu-ray drive built-in. Microsoft Xbox spokespeople were quick to mention that they still believe the future of movie viewing lies in downloads and that they have a commercial — actually a documentary — produced, directed, written by, and starring Michael Bay attesting to that high-def strategy.
When asked why they waited this long to announce these breakthroughs, Microsoft pointed the finger of blame in Sony’s direction saying that Sony only downloaded the 360’s HD DVD emulator when it finally became free. Sony spokespeople responded that they’d have downloaded it months earlier had their Xbox Live account not been banned due to Halo 3 cheating, and mentioned problems using Visual Studio 2008 on their “Vista Capable” workstations.
Warner Bros. was in on the plan all along, and that’s why they kept their HD DVD options and release slate open until May. Having confused these negotiations with those of the striking Screen Writers Guild, it appears that Universal and Paramount weren’t kept abreast of the developments, and thus they quit making HD DVDs in March. Amazon’s Jeff Bezos denied knowledge of the deal, as did DeepDiscount.com, but many are highly suspicious because both of these retailers continued advertising Bee Movie on HD DVD at their sites’ home pages well into the month of March.
Representatives from both Sony and Microsoft denied any payoffs to each other, but it’s been rumored that the money was confiscated by EU officials who wanted to promote fair competition by subsidizing NME, makers of the HD-VMD format.
We’ll have more information on this incredible story as it develops.
April 1st, 2008 at 4:04 am
Well, never let it be said you don’t have a sense of humor! LOL!
April 1st, 2008 at 4:09 am
Good one! Made me smile
April 1st, 2008 at 5:13 am
surely not, april fools
April 1st, 2008 at 6:35 am
That’s not funny!
April 1st, 2008 at 7:02 am
Too bad there is know way to track how many people get pissed when they find out this is a joke. I wish I had thought of it first.
April 1st, 2008 at 7:48 am
First impression after reading this email was, “Wow, HD DVD is not dead all along then”. But then, I realized its April Fool’s Day, and I said, “Aw man, what a bummer”.
Good one Pravin!
April 1st, 2008 at 8:14 am
is this real or a april fools joke? need to know before i tell all my mates who got a hd dvd player (even when i told them that blu-ray wuld win)
April 1st, 2008 at 8:23 am
how angry will people be who rushed to sell there hd dvd plays or add-on to xbox 360 on ebay now? hope this is a 1st april joke
April 1st, 2008 at 8:38 am
“4.1 update” perfect, laughs out very loud! If only it were true! *Again* the feelings of loneliness resume and I am abruptly returned to the present. Only to realize HD DVD will never be on any Sony player(for now). It could happen, maybe…..
April 1st, 2008 at 8:41 am
Just wanted to add… this was a simply brilliant piece of writing:
“Microsoft Xbox spokespeople were quick to mention that they still believe the future of movie viewing lies in downloads and that they have a commercial — actually a documentary — produced, directed, written by, and starring Michael Bay attesting to that high-def strategy.”
April 1st, 2008 at 9:12 am
Ahhhh… we can all appreciate this today I think… http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/41/betamaxhd.html
April 1st, 2008 at 9:39 am
Really cool! The best April’s joke I’ve read today. Really well written article (as usual).
I can not believe the post saying that it’s not funny. That must really be a joke if anything.
Congrats Pravin!
April 1st, 2008 at 12:05 pm
It was so funny that nearly wet my pants. Good one Pravin!
April 1st, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Worst april fools attempt ever.
April 1st, 2008 at 12:23 pm
I fell for it. I downloaded the latest update and tried to play my HD DVD.
April 1st, 2008 at 3:42 pm
kinda wish this would happen
April 1st, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Aw come on… it’s not really the “worst april fools attempt ever” is it? I actually got some Diggs on this one.
April 7th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Whoopsies, thought this was real in ways but accidentally got bummed. :P!
I wish it’ll happen though, :)!