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Week of March 7, 2004
XBC 4.0.1 Released
>> From xbconnect.com:
[QUOTE]
Fixes in 4.0.1
1. Fixed game room transparency problem.
2. Added code for hosts that properly reports GameFull. We have noticed many games marked as full which are not. It is normal to see some but not as many as we noticed. note: For this to work the host must run this build.
3. Fixes control placement on Game room for certain skins
4. Added longer description to Multi Box compress
5. Ops names are in Green in main chat.
6. When hosting your ping will show as 'N/A' when you refresh your game list.
7. Removed player history until further notice. This would cause all sorts of nasty problems.
8. Added longer description to Multi Box compress
9. The game chat was logging into the host directory
10. The "player left" was not functioning properly
11. Fixed Invites not working
12. Added Right-Click Menu to the PM List.
13. Re-arranged a few buttons on the interface to make it more user friendly.
14. New XBC Logo on the Login window.
15. Added support for WinPCap 3.1
16. Fixed autologin getting caught in loop with wrong password.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: xbconnect.com
Download: xbconnect.com or xbox-scene.com
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(Saturday 13 March 2004 23:09 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
XBMC Incorporates Xenium LCD Support
>> From Xbox Media Center
[QUOTE]
We are pleased to announce that from today XBMC now also have support for the Xenium LCD. LCD support was already added several weeks ago to XBMC, however until know we only supported the SmartXX-LCD. Our thanks this time goes to Team-OzXodus who donated 20 Xenium chips, 4 LCD's and the source code for adding Xenium-LCD support, thanks guys!
Forum discussion: Xenium-LCD support in XBMC
[/QUOTE]
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(Saturday 13 March 2004 09:06 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox Crystal Edition not all with Xcalibur
>> Like Xbox-Linux metioned in an earlier news today, it looks like the Xbox Crystal Edition will not (all) contain the new Xcalibur videochip (xbox v1.6).
Grez of the xbox-scene forums and Foxtoto2000 of the gueux.net forums both managed to get one of these Xbox Crystal Edition (officially this console shouldn't be available before March 19th ... but it looks like some shops sell them already).
Both have an Xbox with a Focus videochip.
The man. date: 2004-02-02 (grez) - 2004-01-29 (Foxtoto2000)
Serial: 221 2005xxx 40605 (grez) - begin with 40505 (Foxtoto2000)
Xbox version: v1.4 - 3.3v is on LPC (grez and Foxtoto2000)
Here's a picture of the crystal xbox with a focus videochip taken by Grez of our forums
Gamespot about HD check on Xbox LIVE
>> From gamespot.com:
[QUOTE]
RUMOR #3: Microsoft is quietly scanning the hard drives of Xbox Live users to see if they have been modded.
Source: The well-written, skeptical, and sometimes wholly creative Spong.
The official story: "One of the ways Microsoft protects its intellectual property, in this case Xbox, is through the use of innovative technical solutions. We believe technology, in addition to education and awareness can be effective in protecting publishers' rights while maintaining a rich product experience for customers--by ensuring the use of genuine hardware and software."--official Microsoft spokesperson.
What we heard: When we started to hear the far-fetched but fairly numerous reports that Xbox Live users' hard drives were being remotely scanned by M'soft to see whether they were factory issue or illegally modified, we became curious, and just a little paranoid.
Bogus or not bogus?: After additional reads of the Microsoft statement, especially the lead, which began, "As you know, intellectual property is very important to Microsoft," we knew: Not bogus.
[/QUOTE]
Thanks to acura90integra for the news.
HoRnEyDvL's plead for help
Using MechInstaller with Action Replay
>> From Xbox-Linux:
[QUOTE]
Sam Lucas has written a tutorial about how to use an Action Replay for MechInstaller(info). Read it here and post your experiences here. (By the way: There is at least one 'Crystal' Xbox with a Focus encoder - let's see...)
[/QUOTE]
ccXgui 0.3.3.0
>> [XC]D-Ice released a new version of ccXgui(info). What's new/fixed:
* FULL PARTITION/DRIVE SUPPORT
-you can now share your entire HDD :)
* Corrected info
* Corrected link to homepage
* Fixed port selection
* Added extra kill command
-should help closing ccxstream better
Official Site: http://dott.lir.dk/ccxgui/
Download: here
dvd2xbox v0.5.5
>> dvd2xbox(info) is a file manager utility for the xbox.
Whats New/Fixed:
+ added lame encoder for audio ripping. Now dvd2xbox supports ogg vorbis and mp3.
+ added a second page to the settings menu for the audio parameters (left/right dpad for switching).
+ disk browser supports multi select for copy and rename option.
+ ACL: added xbe filename caching. *.xbe is much faster now and enabled per default. This may fix issue with games that have more than one xbe's which needs to be patched (was already default by auto patching mode).
+ from 0.5.4 release: added xbe title editor.
+ fixed: sticky right disk browser window bug.
Official Site: n/a (By WiSo)
Download: n/a (built with XDK)
News-Source: xbins.org
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(Thursday 11 March 2004 20:24 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Gentoox: DreamX Vs Xbox
>> ShALLaX got a DreamX (Xbox with upgraded CPU running at 1.4Ghz instead of 733mhz in the normal Xbox) and he ran some tests under Gentoox (performed on fresh Gentoox Home(info) 3.0c installation).
You can check out some benchmarks he made here.
ShALLaX also wrote some 'first impressions' with some pictures: here.
If you want to help out ShALLaX for all his work on Gentoox, read here and here
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(Thursday 11 March 2004 19:03 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
ccXgui 0.3.2.0
>> [XC]D-Ice released a new version of ccXstream Server GUI(info).
What's new/fixed:
* Advance options.
-Change port
-Autostart server moved to advance settings
-Hide on start moved to advance settings
-Auto restart server button added (no need to use the restart button. Restart when you add a share)
* Better installer, so smaller file to download
* Better packing system, so exe file should be smaller :-)
Official Site: http://dott.lir.dk/ccxgui/
Download: here
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(Thursday 11 March 2004 14:22 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
NeoGenesis v16
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(Thursday 11 March 2004 12:18 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
XBMP briefly reviewed by Tom's hardware
>> From Gamester17 on xboxmediaplayer.com:
[QUOTE]
Tom's Hardware Guide (probably the most famous computer hardware site on the internet) has posted a very brief article about the most current standalone "Multi-talented Multi-Media" appliances for the living room. It shortly compares the multimedia capabilities of NorthQ NQ5000, KiSS DP-500, Cd3o C300 and an Xbox running Xbox Media Player with the conclusion that "the scope of functions offered by a modified XBox has little or no competition". Sadly they misquoted a price of $289 (€300) for a modded Xbox which will give people a false impression, as today you can practically mod an Xbox for free via software, alternatively there are always cheap modchips what will do the trick for under $20. In the end one is left imagining what the people at Tom's Hardware would have to say if they wrote a full review of XBMC instead of XBMP, (as our successor of XboxMediaPlayer(info), XboxMediaCenter(info) has already surpassed it's predecessor in more ways than one)
[/QUOTE]
Link to the full review: www.tomshardware.com
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(Thursday 11 March 2004 06:16 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
(Europe) Anti-piracy directive could expose consumers
>> From zdnet.co.uk:
[QUOTE]
Minor copyright infringements could lead to harsh sanctions under the anti-piracy directive approved by the European Parliament on Tuesday, according to a UK civil liberties group. The directive could trigger sweeping changes to the UK's intellectual property laws, it says, including raids, equipment seizures and the freezing of bank accounts used for file copying.
"It is very disappointing that the amendments we had worked on to limit the scope of the directive to commercial piracy didn't pass," said Ian Brown, director of the Foundation for Information Policy Research. "What we have ended up with is a vague, potentially wide-ranging directive. Groups concerned about the directive will now have to try to persuade 25 member states to do good implementations, since we have not been able to prevent these problems at a European level."
Once the Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement Directive (IPRED) directive is approved by ministers, as is expected on 11 March, member states will have two years to adopt the directive's provisions into national law, which is a process that gives states significant leeway in interpretation.
[/QUOTE]
Read the full story on zdnet.co.uk.
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(Wednesday 10 March 2004 12:54 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
M-Systems claims 90GB fast flash disk breakthrough
>> Xbox 2 firm says it's a breakthrough
By INQUIRER staff: Wednesday 10 March 2004, 15:34
ISRAELI FIRM M-Systems, which has a deal to provide technology for the Xbox 2, said today it has released a 2.5-inch ultra ATA 90GB solid state drive that can transfer data at 100MB/sec burst rate.
In sustained read/write rates it delivers 40MB/sec.
The ATA-6 flash disk supports Ultra DMA 5 transfer modes, and will work at high altitudes, as well as in industrial and military applications.
The device is intended as a drop in replacement for ATA and SCSI mechanical hard drives. It complies with a number of military standards from the DoD, the NSA, the USAF, the US Army and the US Navy.
The products are already available, M-Systems said
News-Source: www.theinquirer.net
Thanks to kl0wn (irc)
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(Wednesday 10 March 2004 11:00 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Next gen console war over before it began?
>> From bbc.co.uk:
[QUOTE]
The war for supremacy between the next generation of game consoles is over and Sony has won, say analysts.
The Informa Media Group predicts that Sony will sell more than 30 million PlayStation 3s in Europe by 2010. It puts Microsoft in second place with 10 million sales and Nintendo trailing in third with five million.
[/QUOTE]
More on bbc.co.uk.
Thanks to Gamester17 for the link.
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(Wednesday 10 March 2004 10:39 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
SmartXX-OS build 3245
>> A new version of the SmartXX-OS(info) has been released.
What's new/fixed:
* Compatible with ED @ Chip
* Fixes a critical Bug (thx Bomberman)
* Fixed HDD Copy bug
* Fixes a Video mode
* Support for Snap IR Dongles
* Added Xbox Info Download in Xbox Info
Official Site: http://www.smartxx.com
Download: here
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(Wednesday 10 March 2004 07:02 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
(Singapore) Buy 5 Xbox games and get a FREE Xbox
>> From hardwarezone.com:
[QUOTE]
Get a Free Xbox – only at IT Show!
Gamers can rejoice as Microsoft Singapore offers you a chance to own the world’s most advanced video gaming system for free when you purchase 5 Microsoft Xbox games at S$69.90 each. Just purchase 5 Xbox games from a range of 22 great game titles and you will walk home with an Xbox video game console worth S$308 absolutely free.
This offer is valid for the first 500 customers only.
[/QUOTE]
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(Tuesday 09 March 2004 21:38 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox Media Center (XBMC) 2004-03-09 PROPER build
>> A new CVS Compile of XboxMediaCenter(info) has been released.
What's new/fixed (since last CVS release):
* Only 1 default skin is included in this build (Xbox Media Experience).
* Old skins from the 02-12 build will NOT work, you must delete them or install this build into another directory.
* added: Ability to passthrough any 48KHz stereo audio to an external decoder
* added: Ability to take screenshots (click left thumbstick)
* added: All-new OSD while playing videos, including brightness/contrast/gamma settings
* added: Compressed textures. Much faster skin loading and menu navigation
* added: Hardware YV12 to RGB converter for movie playback, greatly reduces CPU load
* added: OpenDMLv2.0 avi support
* added: Playback of Tivo (.ty) files
* added: Playback of internet video streams (using .strm files containing stream URLs)
* added: Playback of shoutcast audio streams (using .pls files)
* added: SmartXX LCD display support
* added: Support for playing MOD, S3M, XM and other tracker formats as well as SIDs (experimental)
* added: Video playlists. Y/0 to add to playlist, black/title to switch to playlist view.
* changed: Controller + remote button mapping. Display on remote = toggle fullscreen/menu. A = pause, B = stop, Y = OSD. Check keymapping.txt/pdf for full details.
Note: There was a 2004-03-09 release ealier, if you got that one get the new *proper* release (XBOX_Media_Center_2004-03-09_build-PROPER-IND)
Official Site: http://www.xboxmediacenter.com
Download: binaries n/a (built with XDK)
News-Source: xbins.org
Thanks to poing for the news.
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(Tuesday 09 March 2004 13:57 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox Next Specs Will NOT Be Announced at GDC 2004
>> Source: www.xbox365.com & GamesIndusty.biz
Speaking with Bloomberg, Microsoft Japan's Asako Miyata stated that Robbie Bach will appear at GDC and will discuss the company's software strategy for Xbox Next, talking about games for the console and some technical aspects of its format. Miyata also stated that the console's actual hardware will probably not be unveiled at GDC, and that a decision had not yet been taken to as to when the technical specifications of the system should be released.
Some commentators have suggested that Microsoft is holding back from a final decision on the RAM, and possibly on the inclusion of a hard drive, until it finds out what Sony is planning to do with the PS3 - so that the spec for the Xbox Next can be adjusted to out-perform Sony's system, at least in these areas.
It's already known that Xbox Next will feature six next generation IBM PowerPC processing cores, spread across three discrete CPUs, and an advanced graphics hardware solution provided by chipset manufacturer ATI. It's expected that the system will dispense with the hard disc drive in favour of a high capacity removable flash memory solution - effectively a large memory card.
Thanks to Nolga/System-Mods.com for the news.
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(Tuesday 09 March 2004 09:06 EST) - (Category: (default)) - (Posted by::
)
SmartXX ED @ Chip v1.0
>> From smartxx.com/SmartXX forum:
[QUOTE]
...stay tuned :)
[/QUOTE]
More information about what this is will be released soon. It's probably something with linux seeing Tux (the linux penguin) on the image and the word "ED" (name of the author of Xebian(info)) ... but I'm sure SmartXX will release details about this soon.
Xboxdash logo contest
>> From xboxdash.net:
[QUOTE]
WoW!! are first competition!!
xboxdash.net needs 3 new logo's and so we've decided to hold a logo contest. We invite all members of the xboxdash community to participate as contestants to make this site a more scenic place to be
So! lets! get! Cracking!
Click ME .. i'll take ya to the contest
[/QUOTE]
XBMC Vis Competition Update
>> From xboxmediacenter.com:
[QUOTE]
We got some bad news and we got some good news, depending how you look on it. The bad news is Team-Xecuter has let us know that the X3 has been slightly delayed so we won't have any prizes to hand out directly when the contest where about to end so we have decided to postpone the competition. The good news is that Team-Xecuter said they will still guarantee the prizes to the winners so we will only postpone the last submission date of the contest one month to the 18th of April 2004. This means more time for more developers to code and hand in their visualizations, so we hope that more Xbox, homebrew and visualisation programmers will step up and show us what they got.
More info: XBMC Visualization Competition
[/QUOTE]
MXM Logo Contest, Six Finalists Chosen
>> To view the list of the six winning finalists of the MXM Contest.. check MXM Logo Contest 6 Finalists
Vote for the FINAL "Official Logo"
The 6 finalists (winners of Xenium Modchips) will be contacted on XS by PM by the MXM staff.
Congrats to the finalists.
Xbox-Linux about new videochip (xbox v1.6)
>> From xbox-linux.org:
[QUOTE]
Beware special edition 'Crystal' Xboxes It is rumoured that the new white special edition Crystal xboxes due for release soon in Europe and elsewhere have a different video encoder chip (Again!). If this is true, Linux video output will be unusable. We advise against purchasing it for use with Linux for the time being, until we are able to check it out, and make the necessary changes to accommodate it.
[/QUOTE]
Xbox Live HDD-check ... code signature verifying
>> From readme:
[QUOTE]
xboxlive2.bin is the new HDD change-detecting code, whose disassembly was released by SmartXX. You can disassemble it again to verify that it is the same as what SmartXX released yesterday.
sigcheck.c checks the signature on the file. It can be compiled with something like this in Linux or Cygwin (the math library GMP is required):
gcc sigcheck.c -lgmp -o sigcheck
To run it, you need xboxkrnl.exe (or xboxkrnl.img) from a retail ROM. This is to remain legal - it's not a good idea to put the public key literally in a released file. The program will extract the public key from the EXE. To get this file, just use xbflash or xbtool.
./sigcheck xboxkrnl.img xboxlive2.bin
It will then tell you if the signature passed.
The reason I provided source code is so that it can easily be audited as being correct.
BTW, those looking for the XDK code that executes this: Look for places that call XcVerifyPKCS1Signature. Xbox Live games call it in two places, and one is the one you are looking for.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.smartxx.com
Download: n/a (contains some MS xlive code ... get it from the 'usual places')
Note: For those who didn't believe the disassembled code released yesterday was real, this should give them the proof they asked for.
Note that at this moment I can't say yet if Microsoft is banning people based on their HDD. There are lots of theories and ideas about what Microsoft does or will do with this HDD-information and only the future will tell. At this moment many people with large HDD inform us they are still on LIVE while a few also told us they got banned. More soon ...
Phoenix Bios Loader 1.4.1 (unofficial - by Yoshihiro)
>> Yoshihiro (of gueux.net) released a new version of the Phoenix Bios Loader(info).
What's new/fixed:
* Quick boot (no ani)
* Fixed Led's bugs
* Disable debug that was cause some bugs with news Xbox.
Official Site: http://www.gueux.net and http://phoenix.maxconsole.net
Download: here (bioses and RC4/EEPROM keys removed from package for legal reasons)
neXgen update
>> From xboxopensource.com:
[QUOTE]
If you have an XBOX over v1.1 then do the following....
Open settings.lua
Find:
writeeepromtoxbox()
Replace:
--writeeepromtoxbox()
This will save your XBOX as neXgen(info) is not writing the eeprom back to the XBOX correctly.
If you do or have run settings on a XBOX greater than 1.1 and got a B/W screen then...
[/QUOTE]
XBMC got a facelift today
>> From Frodo on xboxmediacenter.com:
[QUOTE]
Until now we where using a skin based on Windows XP Mediacenter. Unfortunaly this skin and its graphics are copyrighted by Microsoft.
Thanks to ShadowMx, Chokeman and Wabid we now have a new skin based on the Dell Mediacenter. This skin is legal, no copyrights and will be the default skin of XBMC from now on.
Its already in CVS, screenshots will be presented on the website soon, but here's a sneak preview.
[/QUOTE]
LinksBoks 0.9
>> From readme:
[QUOTE]
What is LinksBoks?
It's a fully fonctional WWW browser that runs natively on your Xbox, entirely controllable with the regular Xbox controller, for those who don't want/know how to run Linux on their console.
Its rendering engine is not as powerful as IE's or Mozilla's (no it doesn't support CSS or the latest eyecandies), but it should be more than enough for your casual browsing.
LinksBoks is a straight port of the Links2 browser. The version I have chosen is Sergey Karpov's "hacked" version, which adds a number of neat features (tabbed browsing, options manager, etc., see the site above).
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://ysbox.online.fr
Download: n/a (built with XDK)
News-Source: xbins.org
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