Microsoft embedding nerdy photo in Vista DVDs?

We don't have a Vista Business DVD of our own to confirm this one, but we'll just stick with the tried and true "it's on the internet, so it must be true" mantra. Apparently a blogger named Kwisatz has uncovered a "secret" photo embedded into the hologram that encompasses the Windows Vista Business DVD. This being Microsoft, the photo naturally depicts three total nerds, grinning excessively at their own cleverness. Of course, this could be a total Photoshop, but somehow we find such an embedding eerily plausible, so we're going to stay cautiously optimistic that this is real. Hit up the read link for full res versions of the discovery.

[Thanks, Gordon]

Update: A friendly tipster just sent us some pretty solid proof of the photos (yeah, multiple). Check after break to give 'em a look-see. Thanks, Matt!

Update 2: Yeah, it's as we called it: an antipiracy technique. Thanks for playing, everybody -- and no, we still don't know who it is. [Via Computer World]

[A Gupta @ Jun 13th 2007 10:26AM]

Well I certainly see the boxes near the Windows logo... can't get in nearly close enough to discern what's in the boxes though. That's some mad magnification they've got there.

[J. R. @ Jun 13th 2007 11:34AM]

I agree... There is 'something' there. And I can almost make out they top left guy's head. I'd say its very probable. Neat find!

[Martin Woodward @ Jun 13th 2007 11:53AM]

I can see a 4 rectangles in the appropriate places around the Windows logos on my copies of Vista Ultimate and Vista Ultimate 64-bit DVD's. Cannot tell if the picture is correct, but now I'm going to have to try... If this is a hoax, it got me.

[Martin Woodward @ Jun 14th 2007 5:12AM]

Story also confirmed on the Microsoft Vista blog, see http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2007/06/13/the-devil-is-in-the-details.aspx

[blackfeather @ Jun 13th 2007 10:31AM]

That's not even a GOOD photoshop job. I'd've at least curved the photo and skewed it so it followed the contour of the circle. Nevermind that the resolution is way higher than surrounding areas.

[James Sonne @ Jun 13th 2007 12:51PM]

Holograms don't have resolutions.

[blackfeather @ Jun 13th 2007 4:06PM]

Alright, Alright - I concede - I was too quick to call it photoshop. But any image has a resolution. Even film grain limits resolution of analog images. Hologram resolutions are limited by the wavelength of the laser. I called it wrong because in the original image, it stuck out too prominently from the surrounding grain.

[Zach @ Jun 13th 2007 10:32AM]

LOL, I think I just heard three simultaneous "Oh S***" come from Redmond. Those guys are probably canned.

[Guthrie @ Jun 13th 2007 10:32AM]

I couldn't find a manifier powerful enough to confirm this on my copy.

[Guthrie @ Jun 13th 2007 10:32AM]

I couldn't find a magnifier powerful enough to confirm this on my copy.

[Jon @ Jun 13th 2007 10:33AM]

Actually I am impressed. Reminds me of silicon companies embedding logos and other stuff on silicon chips. A more powerful magnification tool (they are using a macro mode from a bog standard Nikon 5700) could probably unearth more interesting easter eggs.

[Standingfast @ Jun 13th 2007 10:33AM]

Aren't all Vista Discs the same!!!?!?! So ANYONE with a copy of vista and a microscope should be able to confirm this...

[Neal @ Jun 13th 2007 12:19PM]

Yes, there are only 2 Vista DVD's - 32 and 64 bit. All DVD's of one or the other are the exact same, as all the bits for all versions of Vista are on the DVD's. The deciding factor as to what is installed is the key you use, which is why you can buy Home Premium on a PC, then choose to upgrade online and only need to put the DVD back in the PC, and step through the process of deactivating the current install and putting in the CD key for Ultimate (for example) and it will keep your files, installs, everything intact and just upgrade the O/S with the missing portions.

So this should be present on all Vista DVD's.

[Lt_Ladle @ Jun 13th 2007 6:08PM]

actually, there are different DVD's for different versions. If you buy and Ultimate DVD, it will say Ultimate, if you buy Business, it specifically says buisiness. Hit the read to see the Business DVD. Clearly not and Ultimate or Home Basic DVD

[hdub @ Jun 13th 2007 6:23PM]

The DVDs aren't different, or at the least the data on the DVDs isn't. The only difference is the packaging, and the Key that unlocks which ever version you paid for.

[strider_mt2k @ Jun 13th 2007 10:34AM]

Neat.

I'm fairly certain those guys in the holo developed some kind of awesome BBQ sauce or a dry rub that the MS folks really dug.

-because good BBQ really deserves to be honored by being used as a laser holographic security measure in these troubled times, does it not?

I for one think so.

[Khris @ Jun 13th 2007 10:44AM]

Let me check this on my free Express Vista upgrade from Dell!!

Oh.....wait......I still haven't received my upgrade from Dell yet! Sometime before the end of the month I'm told.

Good thing it was an EXPRESS upgrade! :)

[Sam @ Jun 13th 2007 10:54AM]

Why is this news?

[Manuel @ Jun 13th 2007 10:55AM]

In Soviet Russia, Windows pirates you!

[Anthony @ Jun 13th 2007 11:02AM]

I don't see the problem w/ this &, in fact, hope it's true. If Disney can do it, so should Microsoft. It almost makes them seem human.

[Aaron @ Jun 13th 2007 11:19AM]

Nope, not a Photoshop! I can tell you this is true, and not just on Vista Business. I just checked out my Vista Ultimate disc with a microscope, and it took a minute of searching, but I clearly saw the picture of those three guys. So there you go, confirmed.

[Bill @ Jun 13th 2007 11:19AM]

Oh well. I have the Microsoft Licensing version of Vista Business. Totally different label.

[tchiseen @ Jun 13th 2007 11:28AM]

I'd just like to say a big

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
WHAAAAAT

[illingist trooper @ Jun 15th 2007 1:41PM]

If people like you ran things, LIFE WOULD BE AS BORING AS YOUR POST

[Adoniteking @ Jun 13th 2007 11:31AM]

Kwisatz: you all just got punked!

[Tavis Veighey @ Jun 13th 2007 11:32AM]

Talk about White and Nerdy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbVtbc_XzrI
(I love Weird Al)

[Nando @ Jun 13th 2007 11:35AM]

Ted Raimi, is that you?!!!!

[pauly @ Jun 13th 2007 11:36AM]

Reminds me of the old MAC SE I had. If you held down a certain key combo when rebooting the computer, a picture of the developers would pop up.

[Carbonize @ Jun 13th 2007 11:39AM]

I remember something similar on the Amiga where holding down a combination of keys when switching on would display a message saying exactly what Amiga thought of Commodore.

[Konrad @ Jun 13th 2007 11:57AM]

I have a german Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit/32bit Version sitting here. I put the DVD on my scanner but couldn't get any closer (12800 dpi). But I think i is true.

[Neebs @ Jun 13th 2007 11:57AM]

Not on my Vista Premium OEM disc, but I didn't expect it to be.

[Konrad @ Jun 13th 2007 11:59AM]

Here are the links:
http://www.streamcom.de/winpic/scan1.jpg
http://www.streamcom.de/winpic/scan2.jpg
http://www.streamcom.de/winpic/scan3.jpg

[Mut @ Jun 13th 2007 12:18PM]

I scan Vista Ultimate's DVD with 1200 DPI:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1357/543692808_53c7147d22.jpg?v=0

It's true! tere is also another picture..it seems dog's face!!

[J @ Jun 13th 2007 12:22PM]

In autodesk inventor any reflective material reflects a picture of one of the programmers' miata in the parking lot at autodesk.

[Chris Baltar @ Jun 13th 2007 12:28PM]

This is true and is NOT photoshop and yes on the opposite side is a 2nd picture of 2 guys. The other two squares look to be just holograms but another guy here thinks one of them is a simple background like grass and clouds in the sky. I always have to wonder if people get fired for this type of stuff.

[prplhaze @ Jun 13th 2007 12:29PM]

It is real, I just submitted another image to engadget, and here it is for everyone else on flickr

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1396/544187539_c0804225c8_o.png

Taken with an Intravital microscope, 10x objective, using a Hamamatsu OrcaEX camera

[prplhaze @ Jun 13th 2007 2:24PM]

Here are the remaining 3 images from the DVD.. All taken from my copy of OEM Vista Ultimate.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1222/544349401_f690c7b926_o.png
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1239/544349503_1ba945c6df_o.png
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1104/544349513_1413aaa21d_o.png

[elies @ Jun 13th 2007 12:32PM]

Hi all,

I currently have some OEM discs of Windows Vista sold in Spain. I have looked under the microscope, and i can confirm it's true. There are also some more pictures, i have seen at least 5 different kinds!!!

It's very funny!

[James Elliott @ Jun 13th 2007 12:46PM]

Yep, just checked my vista business dvd with a jewler's magnifying thing (you know, the type they use in films to check diamonds etc, i have no idea why we have one).

There are a few pictures on there, at least 4. Haha. Good fun :)

[Standingfast @ Jun 13th 2007 1:27PM]

I just scanned my vista ultimate disc and the pictures are real!

[bradf @ Jun 13th 2007 3:28PM]

Outputting the image in Photoshop reveals this:
http://www.retrojunk.com/img/art-images/zodx3.jpg

[Scooter @ Jun 13th 2007 5:39PM]

the 'micro-' printing techniques are obviously already there. I attended a print expo in Hong Kong a few months back and one of the exhibitors was drawing crowds (of print geeks) by passing out magnifying glasses and inviting them to spot the image. It was there of course, and high resolution too. Incredible stuff.

[XesBOX @ Jun 13th 2007 7:11PM]

Proportionately the picture is about the size of a single quadrant in the Window's logo; easily seen without some super magnification.

This is a Photoshop job.

[BouncinDave @ Jun 14th 2007 11:50AM]

Want to know if your copy of windows is genuine

Look-for-the-geeks Ultimate Edition ®

[sheik124 @ Jun 14th 2007 1:12PM]

lmao, props to the dudes who got their faces on every Vista DVD :P

[Daniel S. @ Jun 14th 2007 1:39PM]

Holy crap, I checked my retail Vista Ultimate disc with my scanner and they are there. Try to duplicate that you pirates!

[Jeff Rankin-Lowe @ Jun 14th 2007 5:25PM]

For those of you who think this is all something new, Google "easter egg" and skip the ones that aren't related to software. Believe it or not, kiddies, some things were invented more than a month ago and have actaully been done before.

[Hastin @ Jun 14th 2007 6:02PM]

That's the second "i'm in your [noun], [verb]ing your [noun]z" joke in the last week. Abit much?

[aeo @ Jun 13th 2007 11:22AM]

@Hastin,

My thoughts exactly. But I've seen these types of statements a lot on the web lately. Where exactly did it originate? I feel like I'm being left out of some lame adolescent joke.

[Gizmo @ Jun 13th 2007 11:28AM]

Lol Cats. Funny the first time.

Can I has cheezburger?

I'm in ur base, killin ur dudz.

http://www.lolcat.com/