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Week of April 23, 2006
Couple Find Love Through Xbox LIVE
>> It's weekend again ... so here's a bit of entertainment news ;)
From ananova.com:
[QUOTE]
A couple are planning to marry after they "met" while playing their Xbox's 4,300 miles [that's ~6920km] apart.
Claire Wilcox, from Cardiff, played Xbox golf with American Shane Nelson, from Missouri, after he joined her virtual game online.
They chatted for hours after the contest and they began a cyber-romance. One month later, Shane proposed.
Claire accepted Shane's proposal after visiting him.
They will wed in Cardiff in July, and plan to set up home in the US.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: ananova.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
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(Saturday 29 April 2006 13:13 EST) - (Category: Xbox_Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Team XTender: XCM360 LE Chrome in OXM, Pack3 Pictures and Full Case
>> From teamxtender.com:
[QUOTE]
* Our XCM 360 full cases are now available. The available colours are Black Knight, Gold and Crystal Clear cases. Below is a picture of our Black Knight case. For sales inquiries, please email: sales -AT- teamxtender.com
* Pack 3 of our XCM 360 Faceplates is now complete. Take a look at the complete product installed in the XBOX 360!!! As well our chrome XCM 360 faceplates as recently been featured in the Official XBox Magazine. Below is a scan of the article. WOW!!!
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.teamxtender.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Ninety-Nine Nights Helping Xbox 360 in Japan?
>> From gamasutra.com:
[QUOTE]
With Ninety-Nine Nights denied a top ten entry at number eleven, the Xbox 360 saw sales barely double at 3,990 units sold, compared to 1,106 for the GameCube (and 25763 for the PS2). This leaves the format without any obvious rallying point in terms of near future releases, with only the Mistwalker titles now appearing to offer any major boost for the format in Japan.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: gamasutra.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Next Build of Transcode360 will get AC3 Support and More...
>> Runtime talks about the upcoming version of Transcode 360(info):
[QUOTE]
* Little did I know that in developing DVD ISO and VIDEO_TS streaming I'd end up with a practical solution for handling 5.1 audio. So along with a number of other goodies, I'm pleased to report that the next build will once again feature AC3 support :D
* Just as (if not more) important is a new 'Easy' installation option that no longer mandates that you install an NT service, this completely avoids all the nasty permissions issues that are typically involved with services and networking.
* Finally after a little perseverance I managed to find and fix a nasty AV sync bug primarily affecting US-orginating content encoded at 23.97 fps.
All in all the next build is shaping up very nicely indeed!
Now onto some admin: I'm seriously considering reorganising the testers group and opening up internal builds to project sponsors who're interested in gaining access to early builds, testing and generally living life on the bleeding edge!
I still need to work out whether or not it would be feasible to coordinate - anyway is this something that would interest you?
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://runtime360.com/category/blog/transcoding/
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xtreme Enterprise Fantasy360 Smoke Controller Full Case
>> Xtreme Enterprise informed us their new Fantasy360 Smoke Controller Replacement Case has been released. This is a full case replacement for the wireless Xbox 360 controller (like the blue one we showed you before), so it's not just the front plate:
[QUOTE]
By now, everyone who is a true Xbox360 fan should already be familiar with the Fantasy360 full replacement case. As promised this time, we showcase the Smoke Black color, fully installed:
First off, we shot a nice picture of the top view (almost) of the installed smokey. Looks like a Gem of the Jewel if you know what I mean. It is of a color that reminds us of the Limited Edition first-gen Smoke Xbox, first released in Japan only.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.e-linksoft.com/ and http://www.xbox-central.com/blog/
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft: The Essential E3 Preview by Next-Gen.biz
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft might be keeping their best stuff hidden until the show. If that's the case, it's pretty interesting, because their known line-up is still one of the best of the year. Gears of War and Halo 3 lead the charge.
* Halo 3
In terms of publisher's heavy artillery, there are few guns as big as the one Microsoft is flashing in Bungie's Halo 3. The latest word is that it can be expected to show up at E3, though it likely won't be playable, or even running in real time on real hardware. A video is expected. Given that there isn't even an official release date for the game yet, it's somewhat fortunate that there will be any sign of the game at all.
So now the question becomes: what of Halo 3 will be shown? Will it be enough to usurp announcements for games with more solid information? It's pretty much assured that until the Microsoft press conference, there won't be any more information. But it's Halo. No matter what they decide to show, it's worth talking about.
[/QUOTE]
Read More about Crackdown, Viva Pinata, Lost Odyssey, Too Human, Blue Dragon, N3: Ninety-Nine Nights, Mass Effect and Gears of War at E3 on next-gen.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
XboxMediaCenter (XBMC) 2006-04-27 CVS T3CH build
>> T3CH released a new CVS compile of XboxMediaCenter(info).
This T3CH-compile is a complete snapshot of what is in CVS at the time the build was compiled, with just a few small additions.
XBMC is in a FEATUREFREEZE at the moment, so T3CH decided to make more than one BUILD per week. If you want to report bugs, please do it the PROPER way, see here.
Here's the added/changed/updated stuff from the changelog since the 2006-04-21 T3CH CVS release:
* updated: python is updated to version 2.4.3 and now moved into a dll. Do not forget to update the system folder
* updated: dvdplayer ffmpeg to mplayerhq cvs and changed maxstreams to 42 instead of the standard 20 ( don't forget to update your system/dvdplayer dir )
* added: Player.HasDuration conditional visibility tag.
* changed: if contenttype indicate flv, skip probing in dvdplayer (skips one seek)
* changed: removed old python copy-string from Build.bat since it's no longer needed
* changed: Karaoke display now uses a linear texture (should be marginally faster + less memory)
* changed: Removed mastercode settings from xboxmediacenter.xml - they're now only in the GUI. Cleaned up the code + GUI look as well.
* changed: dvdplayer now uses xbmc filesystem for shout/http streams instead of it's own. means shoutcast information will be displayed for aacp streams
* changed: content type is now available in the CFileItem, and thus available to players for codec selection
* changed: [ 1042376 ] Recording stops after 100 songs - now goes to 999 songs.
* changed: "empty CURL created" logs from warning to debug level.
... rest of changelog (including many fixes): here.
Noteworthy, XML and Script changes in this build:
* This build has the potential to be very buggy with scripts due to the fresh python! If many severe bugs are found (& fixed) I'll make a new one soon.
* Please note: Support for skins with versions < 2.0 has been removed
* updated: python is updated to version 2.4.3 and now moved into a dll. Do not forget to update the system folder
* fixed: bug in samba port code for retrieving directory listing from old lanman servers.
Also reneabled large read requests with workaround for bug in windows servers as per samba.org.
* XboxMediaCenter.xml: Mastercode settings has been Removed (are in UI now)
Keep in mind this is a CVS snapshot of the current development tree. It's not an official (stable) point release. Use only if you know what you are doing.
Official Site: http://www.xboxmediacenter.com / http://sourceforge.net/projects/xbmc
Download Binaries: n/a (built with XDK) | Download SourceCode: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft Increases Xbox Shipment Target, Increased Xbox 360 Loss
>> From gamasutra.com:
[QUOTE]
Tech giant Microsoft has announced its third-quarter financial results for the period ending March 31, 2006, showing revenue of $10.90 billion, a 13% increase over the same quarter of the prior year. Profit for the quarter was $3.89 billion, or a 17% increase compared with $3.33 billion in the prior-year period.
However, particularly relevant to the video game press were comments made in the conference call following the results, during which officials revealed plans for five to five and a half million Xbox 360s to ship to stores worldwide before June 30th, the end of the company's fiscal year. This was up marginally on the previous 4.5-5.5 million estimate.
The company also revealed that it had shipped 3.2 million Xbox 360s thus far, including 1.8 million in North America, according to a TheStreet.com report, after repeated shortages due to manufacturing problems stymied many consumers over the holiday period and early 2006. However, Microsoft VP Peter Moore commented in a post-results call: "Our supply challenges are behind us operationally". The company also announced 10 million Xbox Live Marketplace downloads, including over 4 million Xbox Live Arcade games - though many of these were not paid, obviously.
As for specifics on the Xbox 360 and Xbox's financials, the company's Home and Entertainment division, which includes the Microsoft Xbox video game console system, PC games, the Home Products Division, and TV platform products for the interactive television industry, lost $388 million for the quarter on $1.06 billion in revenue, a sharp increase from the $175 million loss the previous year.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: gamasutra.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Nintendo Revolution Officially Renamed 'Wii'
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
Nintendo has officially ditched the drab "Revolution" name for its next-gen console, and adopted the more sophisticated "Wii".
"While the code-name 'Revolution' expressed our direction, Wii represents the answer. Wii will break down that wall that separates video game players from everybody else."
"Wii will put people more in touch with their games ... and each other. But you're probably asking: What does the name mean? Wii sounds like 'we,' which emphasizes this console is for everyone."
"Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what language they speak. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii. Wii has a distinctive 'ii' spelling that symbolizes both the unique controllers and the image of people gathering to play."
"And Wii, as a name and a console, brings something revolutionary to the world of video games that sets it apart from the crowd. So that's Wii. But now Nintendo needs you. Because, it's really not about you or me. It's about Wii."
[/QUOTE]
Read More: next-gen.biz and revolution.nintendo.com
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(Thursday 27 April 2006 13:02 EST) - (Category: GamingGeneral) - (Posted by::
)
E3 2006: The Worst That Can Happen
>> From gamedaily.com:
[QUOTE]
With all of the hype surrounding this year's E3, it's very easy to focus on all of the positives. Sure, Revolution looks and sounds cool, but what if it totally blows? And what about the PlayStation 3? I certainly don't want to derail the hype train, but there are certain things that are definitely worth pondering, and it all begins with the two little words:
What If.
* Revolution games have GameCube graphics?
* The PS3 is really $500 or more?
* Viva Pinata sucks?
* Revolution games make my arms tired?
* PS3 isn't playable on the show floor?
* Sonic Team is making a NiGHTS sequel?
* I drop the Revolution controller?
* Microsoft torpedoes Nintendo's Virtual Console?
* Square Enix continues to short change Microsoft?
* Sony has a sound online strategy?
[/QUOTE]
Check out the whole article on gamedaily.com.
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
JoyTech 9200 Digital LCD Monitor for Xbox 360
>> Lik-Sang sent us some information about a new addon from JoyTech: a 9.2 inch Digital LCD Monitor for the Xbox 360 (~180usd/~145eur). Here are the full specifications from the tech sheet:
[QUOTE]
Features:
* High Definition Digital 9.2 inch LCD colour screen provides ultra pin sharp picture quality and true RGB colour definition. The TFT screen provides a wide 160-degree viewing angle for a clear picture in any seated position.
* SRS 3D Surround Sound dramatically improves audio quality by providing stereo sound with a rich spatial effect.
* Integrated twin modular Stereo Speakers use Dynamic speaker box to deliver full rich sound.
* 2 Stereo Headphone Outputs for private multi player gaming.
* PAL50/60/ NTSC auto switching function
* Multi Digital OSD menu allow you to adjust your Monitor sound and picture settings.
General Specification:
* Power source: DC in 12V via custom Xbox 360 AC adapter pass through
* Drive system: TFT Digital Panel (active matrix)
* Audio effects: SRS audio signal processor
* Audio speakers: 3watts - Dynamic Loudspeaker with box
* Output terminal: Xbox 360 AV connector, 2 Headphones terminal (0.25W x2)
* Electronic power consumption: Approx. 18W @ DC 12V
* External size: 295mm(w) x225mm (d) x115mm (h)
* Weight: Approx. 1,748g
TFT Panel Specification:
* Diagonal picture size: 9.2 inches (223mm) 9.2 inches (234mm)
* Effective viewing area: 201 mm * 121 mm 200.4(H)*120.2(V)mm
* Native Pixel Resolution: 800*480 RGB vertical stripe
* Screen manufacture: Sharp Electronics Inc
* Brightness: 380cd/m² Typical
* Viewing Angle: 65° up, 55° down, left and right 65°
* Horizontal Frequency: 31.5kHz
* Vertical Frequency: 60Hz
* OSD Controls: Digital
[/QUOTE]
Here are also some exclusive shots of the device we got from Lik-Sang:
More Pictures:
* Official press photo of screen
* Official press photo of remote
* Side/Front view
* Full view Xbox360-logo boot-up
* Power-adapter pass-through
* Video connector
Buy the JoyTech 9200 Digital LCD Monitor (180usd/145eur): lik-sang.com
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(Wednesday 26 April 2006 23:33 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Microsoft: 360 CPU Change Won't Affect Performance
>> With the report last week that Microsoft would manufacture the CPU using 65-nm SOI instead of the current 90nm some sites went on to say the CPU would run faster. Microsoft has now officially confirmed the CPU change won't improve the performance.
From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
When the CPU update was announced, many early Xbox 360 adopters felt as if they may be getting stiffed performance-wise, with reports of a cooler, faster CPU. According to Microsoft, no one is getting stiffed on the performance end, but later adopters may benefit from a lower 360 price tag.
Our Microsoft rep stated, "The move to 65 nm technology will lower our manufacturing costs. It's standard practice in the semiconductor industry to reduce transistor sizes every few years to be able to place more CPUs on a wafer. Doing so results in higher CPU yields and higher yields lead to lower manufacturing costs. We anticipate system performance will stay the same."
While shrinking the transistor will reduce heat production by the new CPU, which will go into production in first quarter 2007, our rep said, "the primary reason for moving to 65nm over time is not to reduce heat, but to reduce manufacturing costs." A quieter fan in the upcoming systems couldn't be confirmed.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: next-gen.biz
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(Wednesday 26 April 2006 16:43 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
KeyDrive Xtractor/Patcher v1.0
>> Juanker, Scener and Apolo of the F-360 TEAM released a new version of their KeyDrive Xtractor/Patcher(info) tool that will allow you to easily extract and write the unique DVD key to/from an Xbox 360 DVD firmware file (so no need to hex-edit it manually anymore).
From foros360.com/readme:
[QUOTE]
FEATURES v1.0
* Compatibility with Toshiba 46DH and 47DH and Samsung MN25 firmwares.
* This software can extract the key of any firmware supported and modify it easily
* Complete graphic environment
* Very user-friendly
* English version and Spanish version
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: foros360.com
Download (English version): here
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(Wednesday 26 April 2006 12:20 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Samsung DVD Firmware Hack for Original Xbox Out in the Wild, Xbox360 WIP
>> In fact, Commodore4Eva released it a few days ago already, but I was waiting for the smart guys on the xboxhacker.net forums to confirm the hack as real. The hack seems to be done a bit differently than the original (unreleased) Xbox1 hack by TheSpecialist (which was for the Hitachi-LG GDR-8050L drive) and as this modified Samsung SDG-605B firmware requires raw dumps, some patching and expensive DVD-DL recordable discs it took some time to be confirmed working. Commodore4Eva already released a firmware for this drive before, but it wasn't working correctly... this 2nd version however has now been tested and it looks like it's working.
From Commodore4Eva on xboxhacker.net[keep thread clean - technical posts only plz]:
[QUOTE]
Cracked Samsung SDG-605B/616T/616F Firmware for Xbox 1 v2
What's New:
* Totaly re-done to read security sector from image, will now work with all games and xbox live.
* Security sector moved to image
* Security sector now read from PSN $fd021e (originals) AND PSN $f9fa00 (backups. This is the next sector after end of xbox game data.)
* Patched read sector routine to work with originals and backups
* Patched debug cdb command (FF 66 05 or FF 06 05) for bank 0 rom checksum check to return original bank 0 rom checksum. Possible xbox live checker
* Extra debug cdb command found to unlock drive without any challenge response (FF 08 01)
Tested with unmodified xbox with copy of Halo 2 made using hot swap technique, clonecd, original dvd size was psn 30000-FCxxxxx. Added security sector to image with hex editor at psn f9fa00
Don't forget to include per game security sector into image. If need be, will post firmware to easily return security sector data
This will be similar to our soon to be released xbox 360 firmware.
*Update* I released a firmware for reading the security sector data. Use only to obtain SS data from games which is $0800 in length. Send custom cdb command (from dvdinfo pro: AD 00 FF 02 FD FF FE 00 08 00 00 C0). Save data as bin file.
*Update* Status Update for the 360
Things are moving quickly, patched security sector routine. Security sector now also read from $FB04E0, this is the next sector after xbox 360 game data.
Many debug cdb commands found including the firmware checksum routine which will be patched for xbox live checker, other debug commands will be patched as they return values from disk.
Interesting that the firmware checks for version of security sector data at $065f in SS data, being 01 (xbox) or 02 (360)
Read sector routine patched to read from originals and copies. I am working on it and should be complete soon.
[/QUOTE]
DVD Firmware Hack?
The hack is a modified firmware of the (original) Xbox Samsung SDG-605B/616T/616F DVD-ROM drive.
As you (should) know, all Xbox executables (XBE files) are signed by Microsoft (with a private key only MS has). This means that if you try to change anything to the XBE file, the signature will be wrong and the file will not boot.
To protect from booting raw copies of a game from a DVD-R or other recordable media, microsoft gave each XBE file a 'mediaflag'. This mediaflag tells the Xbox from which media (cd-r, dvd-r, dvd+r, dvd-rw, hdd, dvdxbox, dvdxbox360, ...) the XBE is allowed to boot. Changing this mediaflag in the XBE header is not an option as it'll break the signature of the file (see above), so ... what's done in this firmware hack is 'break' the detection of the disc.
Retail games usually get a mediaflag where they only allow 'dvdxbox' (Xbox discs - different than a normal DVD because it has some specific bad sectors etc). The modified firmware will trick the DVD drive into reporting a DVD-R (or other) as a DVDXBOX to the Xbox.
So... how does this work?
First of all you need a Samsung SDG-605B/616T/616F drive, this firmware release will only work with these drives.
Flash the firmware on the drive is easy: you'd have to open your Xbox (void warranty), connect the DVD drive to your PC (via IDE) and use the windows flasher software (MTK Win flash) to flash your drive with this modified firmware.
You also need a 'RAW' dump of an original game of your gameregion... images with ripped/moved stuff or XBE files with modified media, debug or regionflags etc. will NOT work. You can do a real raw dump by hotswapping a full DVD (a burned DL with 8,5GB of data for example) with an Xbox game after your PC drive loaded the first disc, then use clonecd and/or isobuster (for example) to dump the full data of the Xbox disc.
Then you'll have to add the SS (security sector) to the image (with a hex tool like hexworkshop for example). The SS is different for each game ... a few examples were included with the firmware release (Commodore4Eva now also released a special 2nd firmware to get this SS data yourself from an original Xbox disc by sending a special command with the drive connected to your PC). The exact position inside the image where you have to add this SS can be calculated. This SS is required and is on the 2nd layer, that's why you need to burn it on a DVD-DL. The unreleased Hitachi-LG GDR-8050L firmware by TheSpecialist works with DVD5 discs, but this modified Samsung firmware will not work with DVD5, even if the game is small enough to fit on it, it needs this SS data on the 2nd layer to work.
How to calculate the exact position of the SS is best explained by Geremia on the XBH forums:
"My big dvd (disc you used to swap with the original Xbox disc) has last sector = FCFFEF
FCFFEF-F9FA00=305EF, each sector is 2048byte(0x800 hex), so 305EF*800=182F7800 this is in hex the distance backward of the PSN F9FA00 from the end of the image file, use hexworkshop to find the right place.
BTW, it seems that this is the distance of the end of the F9FA00 sector, so the sector begins 0x800 bytes back, anyway in doubt i pasted the SS in both places."
As said above the hack will allow you to run raw dumps with MS-signed and unmodified XBE files only, so that also means the game must be of right region (as changing the regionflag in the XBE header would break the signature). Unsigned, homebrew executables would of course not work, again because signature check would fail. This hack could however help you boot a disc with the gamesave exploit which would then allow you to install an XBE exploit or flash your TSOP (Xbox v1.0-v1.5).
Microsoft and Xbox LIVE?
Can Microsoft check for this firmware? Probably (even if firmware could probably be changed to make it invisible again ... starting a cat&mouse game with MS)
Does MS check it already? Unlikely, but just like when they detect a modified bios, they will probably ban your Xbox from LIVE once the check is in place.
(Note that all info above is based on all stuff I read ... if I made any mistakes, let me know)
Download: n/a, firmwares contains copyrighted code (don't ask for it here or on XBH, we can't help you)
News-Source: xboxhacker.net[keep thread clean - technical posts only plz]
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(Tuesday 25 April 2006 23:52 EST) - (Category: Xbox_Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox 360 DVD Adapter Pictures
Verizon Presents The E3 2006 Free Xbox Live Gold Week?
>> From teamxbox.com:
[QUOTE]
An ad on Xbox.com has revealed a second Verizon-sponsored Free Xbox Live Gold event, this time running for more than a weekend. Here is the official word:
In honor of E3 2006 and since the first free weekend was so huge, we decided to do it again. And this time for a whole week - a full-on 7-day party. You wanted more. You're getting A LOT more. More time. More free Points. More stuff. So start inviting your friends. You might wanna quit your job, give away your pets, fire the girlfriend.This is the week you've been waiting for and it's all brought to you by Verizon.
[/QUOTE]
May 8th-14th? ... I'm not sure what that Adidas Xbox Live Football Free-For-All week (may 8th-15th) announced some weeks ago still means then. It also offered a week of free Xbox Live Gold. Maybe that the Adidas week is worldwide while the Verizon promotion is US-only?
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
IGN: Guide To Use LCD Monitor as Xbox 360 Display
>> From gear.ign.com:
[QUOTE]
Now that the Xbox 360 has launched console videogames into the High-Definition era, experiencing your games to their full potential has become an expensive proposition. 360 games look great in Hi-Def, but many are almost unplayable on Standard-Definition TVs. Condemned is a good example of a game that becomes much too dark on SDTV, and Tomb Raider Legends can also be rather hard to play on an old TV due to the necessity of spotting hidden vines and small details.
The case for the necessity of HDTV for proper Xbox 360 enjoyment is pretty solid, but the price starts climbing quickly. In addition to the $400+ for a 360 and games, players are also presented with the necessity of a proper HDTV, which adds thousands to the overall cost. What's a devoted gamer on a tight budget to do? PC monitors may be the answer.
[/QUOTE]
Check out the full guide on gear.ign.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Wal-Mart, Best Buy Drop Xbox From Sites
>> From gamepro.com:
[QUOTE]
Visitors to Walmart.com, Target.com, and BestBuy.com can no longer purchase an Xbox console from those sites.
These three key sites no longer show so much as an entry for the original Xbox console, though they do allow customers to buy Xbox-branded games and peripherals. GameStop.com and Amazon.com, on the other hand, allow customers to purchase pre-owned or refurbished Xboxes. But while pre-owned Xboxes are in great supply, there is no way to buy a brand-new, factory-sealed Xbox from these retailers. The Amazon listing show that the factory Xbox model is "currently not available."
[/QUOTE]
Read More: gamepro.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
FBA-xxx Pro v1.14
>> + T + released a new version of FBA-xxx Pro. What's new/fixed:
* Fixed an error made when adding the kiosk code. Y button should be properly disabled now. (thanks to djohng)
* Fixed a small error in the default_kiosk1 skin. (by djohng)
* Updated supported ROMsets based on the latest FB Alpha Plus. (thanks to Ferchogtx)
* The following sets have been added: ms6boot, kodb, sf2m1, sf2m2, sf2m3, sf2m8, sf2m13, sf2tlona, sf2tlonb, sf2tlonc, wofh, wofha, wof3js, wof3sj, wof3sja, wofsj, wofsja, wofsjb
Official Site: 1emulation.com forums
Download: n/a (built with XDK)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
UK Gets Own Pepsi Every-X-Minutes Xbox 360 Give-Away
>> From xbox360fanboy.com:
[QUOTE]
Gamers in the United Kingdom have a reason to guzzle un-tested chemical additives, for the next several weeks. Pepsi Max is giving away an Xbox 360 every 90 minutes as part of promotion related to the national football team. All you have to do is drain your syrupy beverage and text message the code under cap to win a fabulous next gen system. Unfortunately, the contest is for UK residents only.
[/QUOTE]
News-Source: xbox360fanboy.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xboxexpert's Watercooled Xbox 360 - Finished Mod
>> You might remember we showed you W.I.P. pictures of Xboxexpert's watercooled Xbox 360 CPU & GPU 2 weeks ago. He now posted images of his finished mod (made with help from 'G0t M4xx 21') on our forums:
You wonder about the temperatures? Xboxexpert did a few experiments...
Halo 2 non-stop for 1h:
CPU: 88F/31C, GPU: 100F/38C
Condemned: Criminal Origins non-stop for 1h:
CPU: 73F/23C, GPU: 84F/29C, GDDR3: 95F/35C
GRAW non-stop for 1h:
CPU: 73C/23C, GPU: 82C/28C
Check out more pictures of the finished mod on our forums, the tutorial/guide on how he installed the watercooled heatsinks is available here.
4sight Named Worldwide Licensing Agent for Xbox Brands
>> From the press release:
[QUOTE]
4Kids Entertainment, Inc. announced today that its subsidiary, 4sight licensing solutions, inc., has signed a multi-year agreement with Microsoft Corp. to manage the global licensing initiatives for the Xbox brand, including Xbox 360, the next generation video game and entertainment system. Under this agreement, 4sight will serve as the exclusive agent for Xbox on a global basis, paving the way for the internationally renowned gaming system to expand its reach into a wide ranging licensing program.
Under the agreement, 4sight will handle all merchandise licensing with Microsoft's Franchise Development team. This partnership comes on the heels of the 4Kids and Microsoft's recently announced collaboration - Viva Pinata.
[/QUOTE]
Read the whole pressrelease on teamxbox.com.
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(Monday 24 April 2006 15:22 EST) - (Category: Xbox_Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
WinUAEX v15
KeyDrive Patcher/Xtractor v0.5
>> Scener released a tool that will allow you to easily extract and write the unique DVD key to/from an Hitachi-LG Xbox 360 firmware file (so no need to hex-edit it manually anymore). As you might know each DVD drive on the Xbox 360 has a unique key. That key is checked by your Xbox 360 console (so you normally can't switch drives, or use a DVD firmware with a diff key than yours). If the keys don't match the Xbox 360 will give an error while booting. This tool allows you to read/extract the key and write a key to a DVD firmware .bin file.
From foros360.com/readme:
[QUOTE]
FEATURES 0.5:
* Program can patch any keydrive into any Hitachi firmware file
* Program can check if a firmware file is encrypted or not
* Program show the keydrive of a Hitachi firmware file
* Program can extract the keydrive into a key.kdx file
* Program can show the key extracted to a key.kdx file
* Program can create custom key.kdx files
BUGS 0.5:
* When you create a custom key.kdx, if you enter a number higher than FF, the program crash
NEXT FEATURES:
* Compatibility with Samsung drives
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: foros360.com
Download: here (firmware file removed for obvious copyright reasons)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Datel Play and Charge Kit for Xbox 360
>> From the press release:
[QUOTE]
April 24th, 2006 - At last you can kiss disposable batteries goodbye! The Xbox 360 Play & Charge Kit is all you need to juice up your wireless controller, even in the midst of battle.
Play & Charge Kit with NiMH Battery is simple to use. Just fit the supplied battery pack in your wireless Xb360 controller, and connect your controller to your console with the Play & Charge cable. The rechargeable NiMH battery pack is charged while you play! A red light on the cable indicates it's charging. When this turns green, you're fully charged - disconnect the Play & Charge cable and return to wireless gaming.
Fully charging the NiMH battery takes up to six hours, after which it will give 30 hours of uninterrupted wireless action. Why not buy one for each hand controller so all your friends can join in the fun?
Play & Charge Kit with NiMH Battery is in the shops this month, and costs £14.99/$14.99. It can also be bought direct at www.codejunkies.com or by calling 08456 010 015.
[/QUOTE]
Download the full press release: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
FBA-xxx Pro v1.13
>> + T + released a new version of FBA-xxx Pro(info). What's new/fixed:
* Added ini switch for kiosk mode. (see kioskmode.txt for details) (by djohng)
* Uploaded 'kiosk_skins' package containing 2 skins for use with kiosk mode. (again thanks to djohng)
* Re-enabled use of fbaxxx.ini in d:\ini\ for setting kiosk mode.
* Added ROM info for svcpcba. (not working)
* Fixed kof2k2bl.
* Fixed some DAT errors.
* Several ROMset updates and additions.
Official Site: 1emulation.com forums
Download: n/a (built with XDK)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
A Chronology of Xbox History Part4: 2002
>> We already reported about Part 1 (1999), Part 2 (2000) and Part3 (2001), here's now part 4 (2002) of the Chronology of Xbox History by Dean Takahashi:
[QUOTE]
My book (The Xbox 360 Uncloaked: the Real Story Behind Microsoft's Next-Generation Video Game Console) kicks off with this year at the beginning of 2002, with Robbie Bach and Seamus Blackley joining Bill Gates on stage at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas after the launch of the Xbox in North America. You'll see some interesting new characters appear in the timeline that didn't figure in my first Xbox book. The timeline mentions emails that the Xbox leadership sent out to the team.
[/QUOTE]
Check it out on mercurynews.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
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(Monday 24 April 2006 10:32 EST) - (Category: Xbox_Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
XBGM# v0.9.0.7
>> KaYa released a new version of XBGM#(info) - a game manager for Xbox using Avalaunch(info) and UnleashX(info) dashboard features:
[QUOTE]
Sorry for the Big delay but i moved and i didn't get Internet for 3 months.
Now everything is fine and i am working back on XBGM#.
New release XBGM# 0.9.0.7:
* Add German translation (thanks to Doug Danat).
* Add XBox-360 iso support.
* Fix bug (thanks for reporting).
Update FAQ here.
I release only the zip binary package xbgmsharp-0.9.0.7.zip.
In order to install it, please read this.
I would suggest to update to the lastest version mono 1.1.13.6 here.
XBGM# 0.9.0.7 will only work with Mono 1.1.1x.y and Gtk-sharp 2.8
If you have problem running xbgm# read this.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://xbgm.sourceforge.net
Download (zip binary package): here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
ZsnexBox v1.2
>> Nes6502 released a new version of ZsnexBox(info), a port of the Zsnes Super Nintendo emulator to Xbox on our forums.
What's new/fixed:
* Fixed the rom browser so it displays and scrolls correctly regardless of how many games are present.
* Directories are no longer displayed because they are not supported yet.
* The GUI background music volume can be adjusted with the right analog stick. Up increases and Down decreases the volume.
* The ini is only used for loading screen position values
* Software filters can only be set in the GUI
* Surround sound added. Surround sound can only be turned on/off in the GUI
* Added player 2 support. Please note: HOTSWAPPING IS NOT SUPPORTED. Just make sure your controllers are plugged in BEFORE starting the emulator. Also, some users have reported having to unplug controllers and DVD sensors from ports 3 and 4.
* Screen resizing/moving implemented. This is only for the in game emulation display and not the GUI.
* Added a small amount of width to the rom browser.
* Moved Save State and Load State to reduce the chance of accidentally saving/loading when not wanting to
Back + Left Trigger = Save State
Back + Right Trigger = Load State
Official Site: n/a, by Nes6502 (official support thread on our forums)
Download: n/a (built with XDK)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
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