When we reported on the PSN Release Schedule leak story and the possible truth behind it, the dates and content listed were still only speculation. After recent revelations, it’s now clear that the schedule is in fact true.

The leaked European document was always potentially credible due to the correct date given to Warhawk: Operation Broken Mirror. Thanks to our very own Kelsey Hart’s digging into the Ratchet: Quest for Booty item on the list, further concrete reliability was added to the basket.

There were, however, some unlikely candidates – such as a Resistance 2 trailer, and a Lair Pack. These two have since been confirmed. The former was revealed to be making an appearance on GT:TV this Friday, and today Sony Japan provided the first details of the Lair update. The update will include the option to use much needed analogue controls, a new targeting icon, and rumble support. The release date for this update? April 17th.

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Even though the schedule lists the 15th as the date for these items, the April 17th relaunch of the Playstation Store accounts for the recalculation. Nonetheless, April 15th won’t be empty, since Playstation 3 firmware v2.30 will go live on that date – nicely slotting all the pieces together to create one hell of a Playstation Store relaunch next week.

Among other features, firmware v2.30 will include DTS-HD Master Audio output for Blu-ray videos, meaning the high-definition visuals of Blu-ray will now be matched with the highest quality audio:

DTS-HD Master Audio is literally bit-for-bit identical to the studio master recording and makes movie soundtracks and sound effects truly come to life. The technology delivers audio at the incredibly high rate of 24.5 mega-bits per second (Mbps) on Blu-ray disc, which is significantly higher than standard DVDs.

DTS-HD Master Audio also offers 7.1 audio channels at 96k sampling frequency/24 bit depths, so you’ll be totally immersed in the sound.

The firmware update will add DTS-HD High Resolution Audio as well, which is a similar output technology that requires less disc space. You can read more about both codecs here.

In regards to the new and improved Playstation Store, we can now present to you a video walk-through:

From Crackle: PlayStation Store video walkthrough

We can only hazard a guess as to what else is awaiting us next week, though we can provide a list of items when taking the validated release schedule into account: Super Stardust Pack, Lair Pack, Resistance 2 Trailer, Pain Add-on: Nigel, Dark Mist, Metal Gear Online Beta, Rock Band Song Packs, and Warhawk: Operation Broken Mirror. Oh and don’t forget, the US will be meeting Gran Turismo 5: Prologue!

Note: Although the leaked Release Schedule has been validated, all dates are subject to change. Let’s hope Playstation Home comes out before July.

*Update* -  Sony have since confirmed that the new Playstation Store will launch on April 15th, with content to follow on April 17th:

 To accompany the launch, the PLAYSTATION Store will see an exciting selection of content available from 17th April, consisting of the launch of the Metal Gear Online Premiere Beta, building up to the launch of the next chapter in one of PlayStation’s most loved franchises, Metal Gear Solid: Guns of the Patriots.

Also available will be Warhawk™: Operation Broken Mirror, a great new addition to the hugely popular Warhawk experience and Lair™: Diabolical Dragons Pack and Skyguard Upgrade pack, offering new and exciting features and functions. There will also be a collection of trailers including the latest for GTA IV, as well as a Sega Superstars tennis demo.