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Microsoft further clarifies Xbox headset incompatibility
Existing Xbox 360 headsets are not compatible with the Xbox One, which is something we've known since May, but why exactly is that the case? Why can't John Halo and or Jane Codblops continue to make use of their hefty investment in an expensive headset brand? Well, as it turns out, the plugs are different. "The Wireless Controller has been redesigned to allow for higher data transfer speed between the controller and the console," Microsoft told Game Informer in a statement. "This also required creating a new expansion port design for headsets and future controller add-on devices which is different from a standard audio plug input." Microsoft goes on to say that it "plans to develop solutions in the near future to allow consumers to connect many brands of wired gaming headsets to the Wireless Controller for gaming and chat audio," though it does not say what form those solutions may take.
New Apple TV won't play nice with older HDTVs
A failure to read the specs carefully on the second generation Apple TV unit could lead to heartbreak, as many users report in a support forum thread that trying to plug the hockey puck into a HDMI-to-DVI cable and many HDTVs that may not support 720p sources leads to a distorted, wavy, picture. The specs for the second gen unit do specifically call out HDMI and 720p 50/60Hz compatibility as a requirement, but for many who are replacing first gen Apple TVs that worked just fine in the same setup it's a hard pill to swallow. However, all is not lost, as some users report that running the signal through certain HDMI switchers first resolved their issues. Of course, some may wonder why you're still holding onto an HDTV from the Bush (or maybe even Clinton) Administration anyway, but not us -- we understand loyalty.
Samsung and Panasonic 3DTVs use same active shutter glasses tech, but are (mostly) incompatible
At a recent London shindig to promote its 3D television sets, Samsung revealed that the active shutter glasses used to view its glorious, mighty, breathtaking 3D content are based on the same technology as Panasonic's, only they're reversed. That is to say, using your Sammy 3D specs to view Panasonic's 3DTVs won't work -- unless you flip them upside down. You read that right, the two companies have opted for different implementations of the same technology, resulting in the farcical outcome that glasses will be interchangeable between their sets only if you're happy to wear them upside down. How that's gonna help the 3D takeup effort, we don't know, but Samsung R&D chief Simon Lee does see a light at the end of this dim, poorly focused tunnel, stating that manufacturers are likely to agree a common active shutter glasses standard "as early as next year." You might wanna look XpanD's way if you want universal compatibility before then, or away in disgust if you're already tired of all the absurdity surrounding 3D.
Samsung sued for defective Blu-ray players
We'll be straight with you -- we aren't surprised one iota by this one. For those keeping tabs, Samsung's slate of Blu-ray players have been plagued with issues essentially from day one, and while it has released a flurry of firmware updates over the years in an attempt to mend a variety of incompatibility issues, even its recent BD-UP5000 hybrid player is being axed early on after giving owners all sorts of fits. Apparently, one particular buyer isn't taking things lying down, and has decided to file suit against the mega-corp alleging that it has sold "defective Blu-ray players" to consumers. According to the suit, Sammy was "fully aware of the defective nature of the player [BD-P1200, in particular] at the time of manufacture and sale," and it also claims that the firm has "failed to provide a remedy consistent with the products' intended and represented uses." More specifically, the verbiage picks on the units' inability to play back select BD titles, and while some fixes have indeed been doled out, we still get the feeling many consumers have been left dissatisfied. Needless to say, this outcome should be interesting.[Thank, Nfinity and Prey521]
Blu-ray early adopters "knew what they were getting into," apparently
As if there hasn't been enough debate over the inability of Profile 1.0 players to make the leap to Profile 1.1 / 2.0, the folks manning the Blu-ray booth at CES gave us all something else to yap about. According to BetaNews, BD representatives on hand proclaimed that early adopters "knew what they were getting into" when they purchased a player that lacked advanced functionality such as Bonus View and BD Live. Apparently, BDA President Andy Parsons felt the same way, as he noted that it was par for the course for technology to evolve and change. 'Course, we suppose there's no room to argue with that, but we can certainly sympathize with folks yearning for an easier way to receive Profile updates. Then again, it's not like the Blu camp had much choice but to pull the trigger and rush players to market if it wanted to keep pace with HD DVD, right?[Thanks, Andrew and Jason]
Wii modchips hit a snag, won't work with some recent Wiis
This 1st generation of Wii modchips was humming along so smoothly, but it looks like a recent Nintendo manufacturing modification has rained on their parade for the time being. While the chips do work fine in early Wiis, and that DVD upgradability should keep 'em humming for some time to come, the Wiinja, CycloWiz and WiiKey chips all fail to work with Wiis running the D2B Panasonic chipset, which shows up in certain Wiis, mostly ones purchased in late January / early February. The only way to check for the chipset is to pry open the Wii and look for yourself, and the incompatibility means that even the DVD upgradability won't allow current modchips to run on these systems. Both the CycloWiz and Wiinja teams have confirmed the problem, and are already working on new versions to get around the Panasonic chipset, but you might want to make sure your Wii is compatible before you blow your cash on a non-working modchip.[Thanks, waruwaru]
The Descent giving fits to BD-Java-less Blu-ray players
If you've just picked up the recently released The Descent on Blu-ray disc, hold back from tearing the plastic off just a minute. If you're using a first-generation Blu-ray player that doesn't yet support the "BD-Java environment," chances are you'll be graced with a depressing black screen instead of an action-packed thriller. Users across the web are complaining that the film isn't playing back on their particular Blu-ray player, and High-Def Digest has suggested that units that don't play nice with BD-Java extras are having a hard time swallowing (and playing) the featurette-packed disc. Sony's BDP-S1 and Pioneer's BDP-HD1 have been singled-out as the two most problematic players in this ordeal, and while Sony has promised a firmware update to add BD-J support "early this year," the Pioneer users are currently out of luck. Notably, Panasonic units, Samsung's BD-P1000, and Sony's own PlayStation 3 are having no troubles, although some Samsung devices may need the latest firmware installed to overcome any glitches. Hopefully more manufacturers will get on the ball and start supporting these newfangled extras that were supposed to make high definition discs worth more than the pretty resolution, and kudos to Lionsgate for pumping this one up with BD-J action -- even though some of us are still trying to make it spin.[Via High-Def Digest]
SK Telecom fined for incompatible music-playing handsets
While Verizon had its own go 'round with the law about crippling Bluetooth functionality on its phones, now South Korea's SK Telecom is facing a stiff fine of its own due to antitrust violations. The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) tagged the telecommunications giant with a $356,070 fine after taking issue with programming installed on handsets that only allowed users to play back music purchased through the firm's "Melon" music service. Interestingly, the report claims that "MP3 files obtained legally through different online sources cannot work on SK Telecom licensed phones, forcing MP3 file users to purchase only MP3 files from Melon," which leads us to believe that MP3 -- at least in this instance -- refers to any digital audio file. Nevertheless, the company now has 60 days to correct the problem and allow users to rock out to whatever tunes they so desire, so those affected by this snafu should be good to go come February.[Via Techdirt]
