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Week of November 5, 2006
Connect360 v2.8
>> A new version of Connect360(info) has been released, it's a tool to stream your music, images and with the fall dashboard upgrade also wmv videos from your Mac OSX to your Xbox 360 console.
What's fixed/new (since v2.4):
* (v2.8) Adds WMV+WMA video playback (Use Flip4Mac to convert your videos to WMV)
* (v2.8) Minor bug fixes
* (v2.6) No longer shows empty Podcasts playlist if podcasts are not being shared
* (v2.6) Improves iTunes 7 compatibility
* (v2.6) Fixes artist tag missing when viewing song information on the 360
* (v2.5) Added "Do not share podcasts" option
* (v2.5) Fixes browse Albums by Artist bug
* (v2.5) Performance optimizations
Official Site: http://www.nullriver.com/index/products/connect360
Download Trial: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Rumour: Microsoft wants Capcom?
>> From xboxway.com (rumor warning!):
[QUOTE]
In the last EGM (Electronic Gaming Monthly) issue a rumour was reported about Microsoft intention of acquiring Capcom in order to make the famous Asiatic software-house a first-party developer.
Obviously, this is something like a sci-fi rumour! Capcom is one of the greatest Japanese software-houses and during its 27 years of activity it has never been a first-party developer.
Capcom acquisition would certainly help Microsoft with Xbox 360 sales in Japan as it will imply the exclusive on several games such as Devil May Cry (which has always been a Sony PS exclusive) and Resident Evil series.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: xboxway.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
XBOX360 HD-DVDRom UDF Reader v2.5 Windows XP BluePrint
>> A driver is released to allow the use of the Xbox360's HD-DVDROM on your pc!
The same day the XBOX360 HD-DVDROM Addon was released to the public in USA, we at blueprint figured out how to use it in windows, now as of this moment, officially, the movie that came with the hardware "King Kong" is currently a Dual Layer (30GB) disc so it would appear the studios are aiming for that size minimally for the majority of movies to start off with at least, this of course mean's you will not be directly copying any hd-dvd's as of yet. However, the most important thing is were now able to read the UDF (Universal Disc Filesystem) v2.5 which is currently used by the Toshiba Corp with there first generation HD-DVDRom drives. You can see the entire contents of the HD-DVD Media when in the drive.
Again, these are litterally Toshiba Corp drivers for the file system used with HD-DVD. We did not create these drivers ourselves, so we cannot modify them, however there availability is limited to specific machines which were familiar with from our places of business, and we will continue to get the latest updates of these drivers and make them available to you as they're released to us.
Full Readme: xbins.org
Download: n/a (May be illegal Under EUCD/DMCA)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Kotaku: Xbox 360 HD-DVD Impressions
>> From kotaku.com:
[QUOTE]
While I think the need for two separate pieces of hardware is unnecessarily unwieldy, Microsoft developed the interface in a way that allows you to access all of your neat 360 features while watching a movie. So you can still chat and get messages and alerts while watching a movie.
Unfortunately, there are also some missteps. For instance, the included remote control works fine, but I couldn't get the eject button to work. When I pushed it the 360's tray popped open instead of the HD-DVD player's. Not a huge deal, but a little annoying. Another annoying thing is that neither the remote nor the 360 controller seem to let you access certain features, like zooming or pan.
It's also a little annoying that the HD-DVD doesn't seem to have a separate power button. Instead you just need to let it stay on whenever your console is on. Not only does this draw more power, it adds to the noise and heat of the console. This is completely unscientific, but I think that HD-DVD player, when it's playing a movie, is actually louder than the Xbox 360. Fortunately, while the HD-DVD player gets warm, it's no where as big a heat producer as the Xbox 360.
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Read More: kotaku.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
(Japan) Xbox 360 sales +320pct last week
>> Here are the hardware sales in Japan for the week of 30 October to 5 November 2006. The Xbox 360 sold a wh0pping 6580 units, ... and that just 1 week before the PS3 Launch (in case you lived on Mars for the last few months: it launched today in Japan). The Xbox360 usually sells just over a mere 1000 units/week in Japan, so this is really a nice performance I guess ... and Blue Dragon is not even released yet ;)
* DS Lite: 113,097 (-28.73%)
* PSP: 23,725 (-8.43%)
* PS2: 20,982(-3.89%)
* Xbox 360: 6,580 (+320.45%)
* GBA SP: 1443 (-22.34%)
* Game Boy Micro: 1,299 (-3.85%)
* Gamecube: 647 (+0.47%)
* DS Phat: 373 (+227.19%)
* GBA: 20 (+33.33%)
* Xbox: 0 (-100.00%)
News-Source: joystiq.com and m-create.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
IGN KontrolFreek Prototype Hands-On
>> From gear.ign.com:
[QUOTE]
The driving sim fans at young peripheral designer KontrolFreek have developed a prototype add-on for gaming pads that aims to allow for increased driving sensitivity, accuracy, and comfort. The device itself is essentially a curved plastic piece that snaps over the left thumbstick to offer horizontal side-rails for the driver's thumb. Installation of the prototypes we received was as simple as it sounds, and the designers did a good job ensuring that the plastic tabs that secure the add-on don't limit the analog stick's full range of movement by coming between the shaft of the thumbstick and the molded stick-opening.
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Read More: gear.ign.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xecuter 360 Connectivity Kit Contest Part2 - Winners
>> Here are the winners of the 2nd part of the Team Xecuter and Xbox-Scene.com Xecuter 360 Connectivity Kit Contest.
Picking the winners was extremely easy this time ... as we got 25 prizes and 25 submissions that followed the main rules. It was also never so easy to win a prize on xbox-scene, you just had to make a quick 20sec video about X-Scene and/or Xecuter and submit it to us. Anyway too late now ... congratulations to the 25 that did the effort to participate :-)
These are the (forum) nicknames of the 25 winners and their respective ~20sec video (in no particular order):
Peempz (video), Textbook (video), Technoside2 (video), rocky5 (video), Xplic1T (video), yardguy00 (video), dr34m3r (video), terezin (video), Akoto (video), StealthBlade (video), edleob (video), Bjodom (video), ramzi22 (video), Wolf12886 (video), travis134sg (video), deadparrot (video), Blackbolt (video), ShadowOryan (video), morasco (video), thompa89 (video), wangerclump (video), schnoid (video), coldshivery (video), Cimlite (video), Jin356b (video)
If you see your nickname listed above PM me (XanTium) on the forums within 14 days with your full shipping address (that includes name and country - many seem to forget these 2) and I'll prepare the package and ship it to you via registred priority airmail. All prizes will be shipped from within the European Union. Prizes are offered by Team Xecuter.
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Is there really a 1080p advantage?
>> From cnet.com:
[QUOTE]
For this column, I'm going to go real-world on you and step into our A/V lab, where Mr. Katzmaier and I have set up five flat-panel HDTVs with native resolutions ranging from 1,024x768 (the Philips 42PF9631D 42-inch plasma) to 1,366x768 (the Panasonic TH-50PH9UK 50-inch plasma) to 1,920x1,080 (the Westinghouse LVM-47w1 47-inch LCD, the Sharp LC-46D62U 46-inch LCD, and the JVC LT-40FN97 40-inch LCD). We've hooked up the Samsung BD-P1000 Blu-ray player running the latest firmware and are using a Gefen HDMI Distribution Amplifier to pump out images to all five TVs at the same time. Then we pop in Mission: Impossible III, one of the best-looking Blu-ray movies we've seen to date. Our mission: see what differences we can discern in the picture quality at various resolutions.
Ultimately, we agree with the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF), a group that consults for home-theater manufacturers and trains professional video calibrators, when it says that the most important aspect of picture quality is contrast ratio, the second-most important is color saturation, and the third is color accuracy. Though resolution may be the most talked-about spec these days, it comes in fourth on the ISF list, and after you sit watching five TVs lined up side by side, you understand why. The fact is a relatively pristine high-def source such as Mission: Impossible III looks sharp on just about any HDTV, and your eye, when looking for differences, is drawn first to things like depth of detail in shadowy material (black levels) and the color of the actors' skin tone and how natural it looks.
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Read the whole review on cnet.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
KDX Ultimate v0.56 and SCM360 v1.0
>> Two new tools to change what model/version a Toshiba-Samsung FW reports have been released, similar to what the new version of X360SAM(info) and rev.1 of the C4E's Xtreme firmware 4.2A/B package do.
If you change your DVD drive model or firmware version, this can cause an E66 since the last dashboard upgrade on consoles manufactured starting around end of May 2006 as we explained exclusively on our news some time ago. By changing what model/version the firmware replies, this problem can be fixed.
KaWeNGoD & Flash78 released SCM360 v1.0 with support to change version and model reported by Toshiba-Samsung firmwares:
[QUOTE]
Samsung Core Modifier 1.0
This progran can modifier information of samsung firmwares (real core ms25 and ms 28) to make exact version of xtreme 4.2X update (ms25, ms28, H46, H47,H58,H59)
In Xtreme 4.X can change default speed
Samsung Core Modifier v 1.0 (10/11/06) By KaWeNGoD & Flash78
Use: patch [firmwarename.bin] [model] [mode]
patch [firmwarename.bin] [mode]
Where [model] can be:
s25/s28/h46/h47/h58/h59/h78 -> change model
? -> show actual model and mode
Where [mode] can be:
A -> Change the FW and puts it in Fast mode 4.xA
B -> Change the FW and puts it in Quiet mode 4.xB
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: n/a, by KaWeNGoD & Flash78 on xboxhacker.net
Download: here
F360TEAM released a new version of KeyDrive Xtractor/Patcher(info) (KDX) with support to change the firmware-version reported by Toshiba-Samsung firmwares:
[QUOTE]
KDX Ultimate is a software capable to correct the E66 error induced by the last XBOX 360 dashboard update. The best advantage for this version it's capable to create an Xtreme 4.2A/B firmware with MS25 validation, avoiding this error.
To create this firmware, you don't need to download the Xtreme firmware. KDX Ultimate have built-in code capable to work directly with your original firmware making all the process a child game.
All this is only to make all more easy to join us to the Scene of the 360.
Features ver 0.56:
* Works with Xtreme 4.2A/B firmwares
* Works with original Samsung MS25 and MS28 firmwares
* KDX Ultimate can build a Xtreme Firmware 4.2A/B with MS25 ID
* We will add new Xtreme firmware and original Samsung firmware versions
* Support key change (obviusly)
* KDX Ultimate works in MSDOS, so you can build firmwares without booting windows
ROADMAP:
* KDX Ultimate will be improved to work with old original Samsung firmwares
Before using:
* You need dump your original firmware with MTKFLASH
For execute this software, you only have to write app name in MSDOS command line
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Official Site: http://www.foros360.com/
Download: n/a (could be illegal under DMCA/EUCD)
News-Source: xboxhacker.net
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
(N-America) October Sales: 220k Xbox 360 consoles
>> From gamasutra.com:
[QUOTE]
NPD's October video game hardware and software sales for North American have been released, and game sales actually saw a disappointingly slight 1% increase to $369 million, with total industry sales (including hardware and peripherals) up 16% to $642 million.
In terms of hardware numbers, the Nintendo DS dominated, selling 360,000 for the month.
The PlayStation 2 came in at around 235,000, with the Xbox 360 slightly disappointingly selling just under 220,000 units, the Game Boy Advance just under 170,000, and the PSP a marginally lackluster 130,000, almost a third the tally of the DS.
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Read More: gamasutra.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft: We want to go head-to-head with PS3
>> From gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
When asked about Microsoft's reaction to the news that the PS3 would not launch in Europe this side of Christmas, Xbox boss Neil Thompson replied: "In some ways it would have been good if it had, because then people could have really made the comparison. Sometimes it's worse when you're fighting a myth, than when you're fighting reality."
"We would have quite liked to have gone head-to-head on those issues because we feel very strongly that we have an incredibly compelling offering," he added.
And despite Nintendo warning retail channels its Wii console may sell out in Europe this Christmas, Thompson is adamant that the new system will not encroach on Microsoft's space.
"It has the potential of taking consumers spend and wallet share away from us in general, but at a product comparison level it's not competing with us at all. It's an innovative, low-definition product," said Thompson.
"They are only a competitor in so much as they'll take consumers pounds and I'd like to have as many of those as I can," he concluded.
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Read More: gamesindustry.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
(AUS) New Xbox 360 bundles announced
>> From the press release:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft today firmly positioned Xbox 360 as the best value gaming gift this Christmas with the announcement of two incredible bundle deals allowing gamers of all budgets to enjoy the world's most powerful games console.
Offering savings of $100 off the RRP, the Xbox 360 Massive Entertainment Pack is crammed with everything you need to jump into the next generation of gaming. Containing the Xbox 360 wireless video game and entertainment system, an additional wireless controller, plus two great next-generation games: Project Gotham Racing 3 and Dead or Alive 4, it makes for an ideal gift for gaming enthusiasts.
If that's not enough, for a limited time you can also purchase the next-generation Xbox 360 Family Fun Pack and receive a bonus free game. Featuring the Xbox 360 Core Console, Xbox 360 controller and Kameo: Elements of Power, the Family Fun Pack is the perfect gift for the budget-conscious family. The Xbox 360 Family Settings also allow parents to fully customise the type of content their children can access, putting online safety first at all times.
The Xbox 360 Massive Entertainment Pack is available now for RRP $769.95 and the Xbox 360 Family Fun Pack is available from 16 November for RRP $499.95.
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Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft bets on fast Xbox growth in Brazil
>> From reuters.com:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft is going to start selling its Xbox 360 video game console in Brazil next month after years of planning, a company official said on Thursday.
Daniel Cervantes, director of Microsoft's Latin America games and entertainment division, predicted that Brazil's market could be Microsoft's biggest in Latin America for the Xbox 360 in the next five years. Microsoft started selling the console in Mexico, Chile and Colombia earlier this year.
Cervantes said 500,000 to 600,000 video game consoles are sold annually in Brazil, but they are brought there by third party vendors, not manufacturers. Analysts say there is a user base in Brazil for about 11 million game machines.
The company will be selling the Xbox for 2,999 reais ($1,399) in stores and on Web sites, but product brought to Brazil unofficially by third parties can be found for between 1,600 reais and 1,900 reais.
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Read More: reuters.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Peter Moore: Halo 3 Is Everything People Expect
>> From teamxbox.com:
[QUOTE]
Speaking to MTV News, Peter Moore has provided an update on the third episode in the Halo series as well as the delayed film adaptation.
While talking about the next wave of Xbox 360 exclusives the VP of Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft said he has already seen Halo 3 and believes it will meet gamers' expectations:
"I actually saw 'Halo 3' last week. It's everything people would expect to see in a next-generation version of 'Halo.' "
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Read More: teamxbox.com and mtv.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Engadget Xbox360 HD DVD hands-on
>> From engadget.com:
[QUOTE]
Well looky looky here, we landed an Xbox HD DVD drive. We're already all well aware of what it can and can't do; we just know you want the pics of the unboxing, it sitting next to the Xbox, and maybe a few bonus shots next to a real life HD DVD player. Hell, we'll even throw in some pics of it next to the competition (you know what we're talking about).
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More Pictures: engadget.com and also pixagogo.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
X360SAM v0.6
>> eXOBeX released a new version of X360SAM(info) - a small MSDOS application which will take your original Toshiba-Samsung TS-H943 firmware plus a hacked firmware (such as XTREME.BIN) and will create a new hacked firmware containing the correct DVD key and firmware version.
What's new/fixed:
* Two extra options:
1: either specify a Hitachi (XXXX) or Samsung (msXX) version to get the appropriate version string.
2: specify a WAS.BIN (or equivalent .BIN file), X360SAM will take the version number from there (Samsung or Hitachi).
* Version string copying range expanded, now copies $202e-$205d/$20bc-$20eb from Samsung and either $202e-$205d/$20ba-$20e9 or $202a-$2059/$20b6-$20e5 from Hitachi (all strings are 48 bytes).
Official Site: n/a, by eXOBeX on forums.xbox-scene.com
Download: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Cliff Bleszinski (GoW): Xbox360 has far more potential down the road
>> Not so long ago Gears of War QA manager Preston Thorne said GoW pushes Xbox 360 to the limit, but today Cliff Bleszinski (lead designer for Epic Games' Gears of War) said in an interview with gamepro.com that the Xbox360 still has lots of potential:
[QUOTE]
* Having worked on Xbox 360, from a technology standpoint, how much more do you think the system can be pushed with future games?
* I think there's plenty of room to push and experiment when it comes to physics and AI and real-time lighting. I think we've only scratched the surface of what we can do with gameplay as well as the 360. There's far more potential down the road to do more stuff. As amazing as I think Gears is, and my gut tells me I still love playing it, I think we have a really incredible experience; I think we'll definitely push it further if we get around to dong a new version in the future.
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Read the whole interview on gamepro.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xbox 360 hack spurring demand for DL DVD discs
>> From digitimes.com:
[QUOTE]
Sources at Taiwan optical disc makers makers indicated demand has been warming up for DVD+R/-R DL discs recently, following the increased availability of a modding hack that allows for the playing of pirated games on Xbox 360 consoles.
Demand is also driven from the extending penetration rate of DL-support recorders, the sources added.
Global DVD+R/-R DL disc shipments are expected to reach 100 million in 2006 and should double in 2007, according to Japan-based Fujiwara research.
Current DVD+R/-R DL disc shipments are dominated by Taiwan makers including CMC Magnetics and Ritek, with CMC taking about a 20-30% share of the market while Ritek has 60-70%.
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Read More: digitimes.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Joystiq: Xbox 360 Wireless Headset review
>> From joystiq.com:
[QUOTE]
We picked up one of Microsoft's Xbox 360 Wireless Headsets and put it through the paces in a video review. It's been fantastic so far, especially when we've been fragging people in Gears of War. It's light enough that you hardly feel it (bringing you that much closer to the game! -- says Sony), and look ma, no wires!
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Read the whole review on joystiq.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xbox Video Marketplace set to go Worldwide (eventually)
>> From gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
The recently announced Xbox Live Video Marketplace, which will allow Xbox 360 users to download movies and TV episodes to their console, will eventually launch outside the United States according to Xbox marketing manager Aaron Greenberg.
Greenberg confirmed that while the current service is for the US only, it will eventually have global reach.
"The platform is built," he said, "and we're able now to get more locally relevant content on the market as we span across the world."
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Read More: gamesindustry.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft's Xbox 360 HDD workaround: buy another
>> From gamersreports.com in an interview with Aaron Greenberg, Xbox's Group Product Marketing Manager:
[QUOTE]
* GR: So this is a tough question, but you've got 13 gigs on that drive, how are users going to manage that?
* Greenberg: The way the drive works today, you can store about 15 hours of standard definition content and about 5 hours of hi-def content. And hey, we realize that for some users that's going to fill up pretty quickly. The movies are designed so that you watch them and then delete them, so we figure those aren't really something that's going to take up space. With TV shows, if you ever have to delete one, you can always re-download it again. So as much as we can, we're trying to work within the space confinements. With that said, we realize that the XBOX 360, because it is the only console on the market with a removable hard drive, gives us some flexibility over time. Right now we're obviously not announcing anything, but in the future we do have the ability to grow and expand in that area.
* GR: I know you guys can't talk about future products, but are you guys working on something so that existing users can get a bigger drive without having to get rid of any game saves, demos or other content?
* Greenberg: You know what, I don't know. At this point we're not ready yet to roll out a bigger hard drive. I can tell you what people tell me they do to get around this. What they do is they put their Live account on a memory unit and then they have one hard drive that they put their games or related content on, and then they have another drive that they put their movies and TV on. So you know, this isn't ideal, but there's some ways to work around that today. If you download the content on one hard drive, and save your Live account on the memory unit, you can still have your hard drives hold all the content. That's not a perfect workaround, but there's some flexibility that people can do.
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Read the whole interview on gamersreports.com.
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
'New E3' Officially Goes Public
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
The media company behind GamePro magazine has officially announced that it will be holding a consumer-focused gaming event at the massive L.A. Convention Center--is this E3's real successor?
International Data Group (IDG), which is also responsible for the MacWorld Expo and many other events, will be holding the show on October 18-20, 2007, confirming previous reports. Unlike E3, the event will be open to the public.
While comparisons to the traditional E3 have run rampant (including here at Next-Gen), it appears that there are just as many differences as similarities between the two shows. Namely, IDG's show will be a consumer-centric event, as opposed to the trade-focused E3. Similarities between the two events have been primarily drawn from the fact that IDG's expo will take place at the "old" E3's former stomping grounds at the L.A.C.C. IDG's expo is also expected to host tens of thousands of attendees.
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Read More: next-gen.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
New Xbox 360 TV-Spot: Next Gen Xbox Live
>> A new Xbox 360 TV commercial is currently airing in USA/Canada promoting the Xbox LIVE service:
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
How-To: Transcode and stream videos on Xbox 360
>> From joystiq.com:
[QUOTE]
Last week's Xbox 360 Fall Dashboard update added support for the Windows Media Video (WMV) video codec. The feature was a welcomed gain for non-Media Center users who have been limited to photo and music sharing between their Windows PCs and Xbox 360s -- and to anyone who's longed to watch video files on 360 via a thumb drive or CD/DVD.
Unfortunately, licensing fees and digital rights concerns have limited the patch to WMV-support only.
Windows Media Center users have enjoyed on-the-fly transcoding for some time, courtesy of Transcode 360(info). While the developer says he expects "someone to knock up a transcoding solution not too far down the line" for Windows Media Player 11 and Windows Media Connect (read: not Windows Media Center), he suggests that it won't be him doing it.
So, until Microsoft adds support for more codecs or offers up an application capable of transcoding (to WMV) and streaming on-the-fly (okay, that will never happen), we're forced to manually transcode our non-WMV files into WMVs and then, if we wish to stream, point our 360s at the WMV files (on our PCs). That's the solution. Now, we're gonna show you how it's done.
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Read the whole HowTo on joystiq.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Destructoid mole: Microsoft announcements coming around Nov. 22?
>> From destructoid.com (rumor warning!):
[QUOTE]
One of the first big waves the mole drops on us has to do with Microsoft and some major announcements due around the pivotal shopping period of Nov. 22. Here's a look:
* On the hard drive: They are going to announce and release 80GB or 100GB hard drives, but not sure yet which one but possibly both. As well as the future 160GB and 200GB options.
* Cables: HDMI cables and prices should follow this hard drive news. Expect a $69.99 price.
* Game price drops: The Outfit for the 360 is dropping to $10 at Best Buy "FOR SURE." It's also a solid rumor that many will drop to $15 and $20 through the holidays. Madden 06, PDZ, THUG, King Kong, NHL06, Ridge Racer (already is) and most dated sports games.
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Read More: destructoid.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft's Scott Henson on TV and movies
>> From joystiq.com:
[QUOTE]
We recently had a chance to speak with Scott Henson, director of platform strategy for the Xbox 360, to get some more details on the high-definition movie and television downloads service.
Henson told us that the files would indeed be stored locally on the 360's optional hard drive unit; there would not be an option to stream videos from your Windows computer (after all, there are already ways to do that). The files will (predictably) be in Microsoft's proprietary WMV format, which has already proven to be a reliable delivery mechanism for HD content. Using this codec, they estimate a 22 minute high-definition television program (sans commercials) will weigh in at approximately 1GB, while the standard definition variant (which you will automatically own as well) will top out around 300MB. Due to bandwidth considerations, storage realities, and their insistence that 720p is the "sweet spot" for high-definition content, all Marketplace movies and television shows (like the existing trailers) will max out at 720p.
Henson said you'll have two weeks to start that downloaded movie rental and, once you have, you'll have 24 hours to finish it. Inside that 24 hour window, you'll be allowed to watch the rental as many times as you like. The television shows are download to own, similar to the iTunes Store. If you get a new hard drive, you'll be able to download them over again, as many times as you like.
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Read More: joystiq.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Survey says: loads of juicy rumors
>> From xboxic.com:
[QUOTE]
Certain Xbox Live subscribers got an e-mail today asking for their participation in a super long survey earlier today. It asked participants how interested they were in certain first party accessories and Live features.
The most interesting excerpts:
* How interested would you be in buying an Xbox 360 branded mini-keyboard plug-in device for your controller to make text messaging and chat easier, assuming it would cost between $19-$29?
* Paying per song (~$0.99/song) to download music to your Xbox 360 hard drive from a music service. You would be able to use this service while playing a game.
* Paying a subscription per month (~$14.99/mo) to stream any and all music to your Xbox360 from a library of over 2 Million songs. You would be able to use this service while playing a game.
* Paying per video (~$19.99/movie, $1.99/TV show) to download standard definition full movies and TV shows to your Xbox360 hard drive
* Renting movies (~$3.99/movie) that are downloaded in standard definition to your Xbox 360 until you watch them and then are deleted
* Paying a subscription per month (~$5.99/mo) to access 10-20 internet radio stations streamed to your Xbox 360. You would be able to use this service while playing a game.
* How interested would you be in using an integrated Xbox 360 Web browser that would allow you to access and browse the Internet over your Xbox Live connection?
* How interested would you be in participating in beta tests for upcoming games if they cost an additional incremental fee?
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Read More: xboxic.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft confirms Xbox 360 shipment forecasts: 15mln by end June 2007
>> From news.yahoo.com:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft Corp. on Tuesday confirmed its forecast for shipments of Xbox 360 video game consoles and said its ability to convert occasional online gamers into console users would be key to growth.
Peter Moore, vice president of Microsoft's entertainment and devices division which oversees Xbox, confirmed the company's expectation that Xbox 360 shipments would reach 10 million by the end of 2006, and 13 million to 15 million by the end of its 2007 fiscal year.
The software company's fiscal year ends June 30, 2007.
In October, the company said it had shipped 6 million consoles worldwide.
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Read More: news.yahoo.com
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+70 GB hard drive spotted, HD DVD useless?
>> From xbox360fanboy.com:
[QUOTE]
Hot on the heels of the confirmation of downloadable movies and TV shows on Marketplace comes this picture from a recent Microsoft press event. If you look closely, you'll notice that the hard drive has an entire 70 gigs free. In other words, that larger hard drive rumor has surfaced yet again. Given all the recent announcements, it's fairly safe to assume a larger hard drive is coming. It's just a matter of when. We're betting that you won't see these larger hard drives before Christmas. Microsoft might announce them -- especially in the wake of the Video Marketplace -- but we doubt they'll release them. Why not? Because Microsoft wants to sell as many 360 HD DVD players as possible, and a larger HDD plus Video Marketplace is in direct competition with that.
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Note: It's indeed very likely that MS will release a larger HD some day, however the above picture is probably just another Xbox360 devkit HD like with all the previous 'larger HD' rumors.
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Sony Slams Microsoft TV Deals
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft's TV and movie downloads are available to owners of the higher-priced (and more popular) version of Xbox 360, but not to Core system owners who do not have a hard drive. A spokesperson for Sony offered, "PlayStation 3's content is designed for everyone to enjoy right out of the box, no matter which configuration you purchase. We would never segregate or shut out any of our consumers from our entertainment experience because they didn't buy the top of the line system. Both PlayStation 3 versions available on November 17 include hard drives for downloading content."
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Read More: next-gen.biz
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Commodore4eva's Xtreme firmware 4.2A/B Rev.1 for TS-H943 Xbox 360
>> Commodore4eva just released a new firmware for Toshiba-Samsung TS-H943 Xbox 360 drives:
[QUOTE]
What's new/fixed:
(v4.2 rev1) Updated firmware and Make files for Error 66 swapped drives/motherboards from Hitachi XBox 360 and for MS25 consoles manufactured around/after end of May/start of June 2006. There is no change for drives already running Xtreme 4.2x
Technical details:
Fall update 2006 included DVD Drive version lockdown on consoles manufactured around end of May/start of June 2006. These consoles are now locked to the version of DVD drive that came with the console. If the DVD drive is different than original drive, Error 66 will be displayed. The response of the Atapi Inquiry command is compared to the stored original drive response to achieve this. (Thanx to DeViLs360 for initial find. Smiley Consoles manufactured before end of May 2006 do not perform this comparison. Only MS25 drives affected by Error 66 with Xtreme 4.x should use the Make file for MS25.
Changes have also been made to the resulting Hitachi/MS25 reporting firmware to make them more similar to their original firmwares.
To use the updated Make files (only if getting Error 66), just copy your existing Samsung firmware to the extracted directory and rename it to orig.bin. Then run the corresponding Make file for your Original drive. This will create the modified X42a.bin/x42b.bin.
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Official Site: xboxhacker.net
Download: n/a (May be Illegal under DMCA/EUCD)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
High-Def Movies and TV Series on the Xbox 360 MarketPlace *updated*
>> From the press release:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft Corp. November 6 announced agreements with CBS, MTV Networks, Paramount Pictures, Turner Broadcasting System Inc. (TBS Inc.), Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment to bring an initial lineup of over 1,000 hours of hit TV shows and movies to Xbox 360™ gamers in the U.S. by the end of the year. Furthermore, Xbox 360 will be the first gaming console to bring standard and high-definition TV shows and movies via digital distribution over the Internet directly to the consumer.
Beginning Nov. 22, on its first anniversary, Xbox 360 will be the first gaming console in history to provide high-definition TV shows and movies directly to gamers in their living rooms. Xbox 360 gamers will have access to the full-length TV shows as downloads to own and movies to rent via download from the Xbox Live® network, the worldwide leader in online distribution of high-definition gaming and entertainment content. This announcement also brings with it several additional "firsts":
* For the first time, consumers will get an integrated gaming and entertainment experience on a gaming console that includes downloadable high-definition TV shows and movies. This new full-length content adds to the ever-expanding number of choices gamers have on their Xbox 360, whether they want to play games or play a movie on a disc or as a download in high definition or standard definition.
* For the first time CBS will deliver high-definition download-to-own TV shows including "CSI," "Jericho," "Numb3rs" and remastered "Star Trek" episodes; gamers can buy them and watch them repeatedly.
* For the first time on any platform, NASCAR.COM will deliver download-to-own condensed versions of select NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races from "Race Rewind."
* For the first time, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will make 50 of its most intense fights available for download as well as select episodes from the original season of "The Ultimate Fighter" reality series.
"This groundbreaking announcement is a win for everyone," said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. "It connects our partners with one of the most coveted audiences in entertainment today, and provides even greater value to our Xbox Live community, allowing them to enjoy the games and entertainment they want, when they want it."
The initial lineup of TV shows available for download to own and feature films available for download to rent will include a growing catalog of popular hits. Examples of content that will be available on the network by the end of year include the following:
* "Robot Chicken" and "Aqua Teen Hunger Force" from Adult Swim
* "CSI," "Survivor" and "Star Trek" from CBS
* Emmy and Peabody award-winning "South Park" and "Chappelle's Show" from COMEDY CENTRAL
* "The Real World" and "Pimp My Ride" from MTV
* "Avatar: The Last Airbender" and "SpongeBob SquarePants" from Nickelodeon
* "Skyland" and "The Nicktoons Network Animation Festival" from Nicktoons Network
* "M:i:III," Nacho Libre" and "Jackass: The Movie" from Paramount Pictures
* "Carpocalypse" and "Raising the Roofs" from Spike TV
* "Race Rewind" provided by NASCAR.COM
* Select episodes of the original season of "The Ultimate Fighter" reality series and the "UFC: All Access" shows from the UFC
* "Breaking Bonaduce" and "Hogan Knows Best" from VH1
* "The Matrix," "Superman Returns" and "Batman Forever" from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
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UPDATE: Gamevideos.com posted a video showing the marketplace with TV shows, movies & HD content
More details on xbox.com
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ZsnexBox 2.99b1
>> Nes6502 released a new version of ZsnexBox(info), a port of the Zsnes Super Nintendo emulator to | | | | | |
