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Week of April 9, 2006
Xboxexpert's Xbox360 Watercooled CPU and GPU
>> 'Xboxexpert' posted a very good article/guide on how he made his own watercooled Xbox 360 on our forums.
Here's what he used to watercooling both the IBM PowerPC CPU and ATI GPU:
* Thermaltake CL-W0042 Rhythm Home Theater DVD Style External Liquid Cooling System
* KOOLANCE GPU-180-L06 GPU Chipset Heatsink
* KOOLANCE GPU-180-H06 VGA CARD GPU WATERBLOCK 1/4" ID
* 10ft of 1/4" ID 3/8" OD PVC Clear Tubing
He also placed several passive heatsinks on other chips of the Xbox 360 motherboard. 'G0t M4xx 21' is now working on a special case-mod for this watercooled Xbox 360 with a flush window and regular windows, a blue 'ring of light' and blue hard drive lights (normally on, shut off when there's hdd activity) to make this a fully finished and great looking product. Pictures of the fully finished console will be released soon.
Here are some pictures of the watercooling mod by 'Xboxexpert' already:
Check out the full article/tutorial by xboxexpert and more pictures on forums.xbox-scene.com.
Transcode 360 v1.0 Beta 3
>> Runtime released a new version of Transcode 360(info):
[QUOTE]
I'm happy to announce the release of Transcode 360 Beta 3, the newest version of the XviD / DivX playback solution for Xbox 360 and Media Center Extender devices on Windows Media Center 2005. Once more this beta release is provided in advance of the final release to encourage community feedback and to help us better understand the areas we need to focus on.
New in this release:
After a lot of painstaking testing we believe we've addressed the aspect ratio issues that affected Beta 2, and for the most part AV sync, playback choppiness and a couple of issues that should make for easier installation (notably MPEG2 codec co-existance). Additionally, Beta 3 also features support for subtitles.
To enable the optimum transcoding solution T360 now supports multiple transcoding engines: ffmpeg, mencoder and Windows Media Encoder plug-ins are provided. As I mentioned in my previous post, mencoder has been selected as the best candidate for our solution as it offers us lots of flexibility supporting a staggering 299 codecs. It is this then that we will be primarily focused on supporting.
If you have a little programming experience you're welcome to create your own custom plug-in wrappers, or contribute to the project by improving on what we have. Full C# source code for the majority of the plug-ins is included as part of the distribution.
I'll be taking it a bit easy now at least for the rest of the holiday. That said, I'll pop into the forums over the next couple of days to provide answers to some of the frequently asked questions. The plan over the short term is to update the online documentation as its beginning to look a bit dated.
Finally I would like to thank my team of testers who've been working with me to iron out the bugs, as well as you the community for your support and generous donations. Many thanks! Happy downloading!
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.runtime360.com
Download: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
XBMC Fox - Firefox Extension to Send Media URLs to XBMC
>> From LiquidIce629 on forums.xbox-scene.com:
[QUOTE]
This adds a new option to the right click menu in Firefox which will send URLS to XboxMediaCenter(info) for onscreen playback.
It also allows you to paste the URL of any video or audio file on the web into a textfield and have it play on your TV.
Install this extension like you would any other. Usually just dragging the XPI file into the browser works well.
Once installed, restart Firefox, then goto Tools -> Extensions and select XBMC Fox.
Press the Options Button at the bottom of the window. In the options box type in the ip address of your xbox.
Make sure that the webserver is enabled on your XBMC by going to: Settings --> Network -> Servers -> Web Server
Go to a website that links directly to media files. Right click on a link and goto 'Play in XBMC'.
You can also go to Tools - Paste URL to XBMC and paste in the URL to any audio/video file.
I am awaiting approval to mozdev, which will provide an easier installation. Until then you can download the XPI file from sourceforge here[sourceforge.net].
Save it to disk then drag the .XPI file into your firefox window to install.
[/QUOTE]
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xthom v0.3, Xmac v0.2 and Xzx81 v0.2
If a Clown Says Xbox 360's In Stock, Then It's in Stock
SmartXX OS Build 3408 Beta
>> Team SmartXX(info) released a beta version of the new SmartXX OS(info) for their SmartXX Pro and OPX chips:
[QUOTE]
SmartXX normally does not announce "beta" tests, but this was an really important one. Basically, it should be "stable", but we want more testers to test it. You can't kill anything, but atm we only recommend only users of SmartXX chips V1/V2/V3/OPXv2(2MB) to use it, as the recovery method is better there.
Fixed / New:
- Fixed Quickboot modes (now all modes should work perfect)
- First combined update for V1/V2/V3/OPXv1/OPXv2 after last common version 3403.
- Works on all chips (all versions between, 3405, 3406 had been chip dependent versions)
- Fixed false picture on V3
- Improved bootup speed
SmartXX wants to make people happy and we don't like giving "beta" to users. But the amount of code change was too heavy to give it free with a small public test. The bios was tested internally for 1 month now and no problems found .. but you never know.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.smartxx.com
Download: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Devil360 - Site Launched, Product Coming 06/06/06
>> We don't have much details about this new product yet, except that it'll be an innovative new product for the Xbox 360 and that it should be released on June 6th 2006 (06/06/06).
We hope we'll get more details about this product in the coming weeks. In meantime you can already check their site on devil360.com.
Official Site: http://www.devil360.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Kevin Bachus on Next-Gen Console Wars
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
Former Microsoft exec Bachus, who was part of the team that proposed the original idea of the Xbox to Bill Gates, said in an opinion piece for MCV, "...I believe that regardless of who comes out on top this time, the margin will be the closest it's been since the heady days of Nintendo and Sega. And as always, the winners will be the consumers and the publishers."
"360 still has a chance of winning the next-gen battle, but it's far from a certainty," Bachus conceded. "If our industry's brief history has taught us anything it's that there are no set 'laws' regarding console adoption - despite what the manufacturers might claim."
[/QUOTE]
Read More: next-gen.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
XboxMediaCenter (XBMC) 2006-04-12 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 changelog since the 2006-04-10 T3CH CVS release:
* changed: filenames from local harddrive are converted to UTF-8 as bioses like the Evox M8 Plus can support GBK charset This hopefully fixes parts of sf bug: [ 1456741 ] New Language Set Case some Unicode GUI Display Error
* changed: content of zip archives is converted from user charset to UTF-8 now
* changed: albumart passes c_str to visualistion instead of string object
* fixed: Controller thumbsticks could register left or right after first pushing up or down when the stick was rotated.
* fixed: Control.HasFocus and ButtonScroller.HasIcon had restricted ID ranges.
* fixed: Zoom animation couldn't assign different zoom amounts to x and y directions.
* fixed: [ 1467762 ] Incorrect flash type shown on TSOP flashed boxes
* fixed: redundant vis empty albumart update.
* fixed: ttf font's wouldn't show up in subtitle font selection.
* fixed: hopefully all issues caused by the extension handling and code cleanup [10-04-2006] should have been fixed
* fixed: ccx/xbmsp shares
* fixed: MyPrograms contextmenu wouldn't display launch options for xbe's
* fixed: [ 1467935 ] Unnecessary logging of ERROR: unable to load Startup.xml
* fixed: files/directories with url encoding strings such as %20 in them would fail to work over smb
Noteworthy, XML and Script changes in this build:
* CCX/XBMS(info)P + Trainers fixed
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
Podcast Interview with Xbox LIVE chief Aaron Greenberg
>> From vgmfusion.com:
[QUOTE]
We talk with Aaron Greenberg from the Xbox Live Marketplace team (the guy in charge in fact). Aaron's a great guy, and he dished out quite a bit of info to us.
We talked about Cloning Clyde, how to get games onto Marketplace if you're an indie developer, possibilities of movie downloads over Live, music deals, TV Shows (ala iTunes) and much much more! (Even some Nacho Libre comments!)
Program Highlights:
2:34 - Interview: Aaron Greenberg, and he gives us all the deets about how Xbox Live is doing, and what they're planning (... major Xbox live update this spring)
12:30 - Interview continues... Aaron talks about their Direct TV partnership, Marketplace vs. Sony and Nintendo's online solution
18:04 - Aaron talks about the Rare licenses, like GoldenEye coming to Xbox Live... and other things.
21:52 - Interview continues with talks about in-game advertising, and even possibilities of a free Xbox Live that's supplemented by ads right in the interface.
26:20 - Comments about the Xbox 360's camera, and what their potential plans for it are.
[/QUOTE]
Read More/Download podcast: vgmfusion.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
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(Wednesday 12 April 2006 21:39 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
More Free Xbox Live Gold En Route: Free Week by Adidas
>> From 1up.com:
[QUOTE]
A little birdie let it slip that there's another free Xbox Live Gold experience on the way for all the Silver users next month. Starting on May 8 (and ending on May 15), Adidas will clap its hands and magically transform all all ye Silver users into Gold accounts.
It'll be known as the Xbox Live Football Free-For-All, and during the week new content, running the gamut of trailers to demos and gamer pictures, will be released each day. The main reason for the week of free play is to get gamers to play Fifa World Cup 2006.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: 1up.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
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(Wednesday 12 April 2006 17:05 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
dvd2xbox v0.7.5
>> WiSo released a new version of dvd2xbox(info).
What's new/fixed:
* beta: added iso ripper to dvd2xbox. Please note that the raw ripping highly depends on the reading capabilities of your DVD drive. Couldn't test it due to missing softmodded box. Any reports are appreciated (http://forum.ws0.org/viewforum.php?f=9)
* fixed: added a workaround to avoid screen flashing when switching context
* fixed: limitation of 1024 files and directories in the file manager
* fixed: remap of d: to the dvd drive when started and no disc is inserted
* added: quick scan when starting the game manager
* added: some simple gui sounds
* changed: reboot from main menu does a soft reset now
* changed: text scroller has now pixel based movement
* skinning: added item defaultmenuback for default menu background images
* skinning: added item activexbeicon to show the game save image of the highlighted game
* skinning: added variable mbpersecond to display the average transfer rate in MB/s
* updated PM3 skin (thanks to Jezz_X)
Official Site: http://dvd2xbox.xbox-scene.com
Download Binaries: n/a (built with XDK)
Download Sourcecode: here
News-Source/Full Readme: xbins.org
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Transcode 360 Beta3 W.I.P.
>> From runtime360.com:
[QUOTE]
"Just in case you guys and gals are wondering what is happening, we are actively working on the next Beta release of Transcode 360(info). We're actively coding/testing/banging our heads against the TV set to a produce quality product."
Here's a heads up on what to expect in our next release:
The aspect ratio issues have been resolved, we've greatly improved (if not resolved) AV sync and playback choppiness, and implemented subtitles. Further to this we've also taken steps to improve compatibility that will make for friendlier co-existance with other codecs.
We've added the ability for those with a little programming experience to create their own custom plugins to transcode content. We'll be including C# samples utilising FFMPEG, MEncoder, VLC and Windows Media Encoder.
After a great deal of testing its looking like MEncoder is the best suited for our solution, but if you prefer one transcoder over the other you can always specify which by editing the Transcode 360 configuration file.
I realise that there are plenty of features up on 'The Todo List' that haven't been included and we will get round to them once we're comfortable that we have a stable foundation on which to build these very-nice-to-have features; in the meantime you could always show your support for the project by donating a couple of dollars. The total project donations recieved to date are just shy of $100 versus 18,000+ downloads. As a thank you I'm adding contributors to the Sponsors group on our forums; currently this entitles you to priority support but in future this may extend to early access to builds.
Time permitting expect a new beta to follow very shortly!
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.runtime360.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
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(Wednesday 12 April 2006 00:31 EST) - (Category: Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Xbox360 Quick Charge Kit Coming Next Week
>> From Team Xbox GamerScore Blog:
[QUOTE]
It's official. The Xbox 360 Quick Charge Kits are on their way to retail, and I'm told they'll begin appearing on store shelves as early as next week. April 18 is the official "MSD" (Microsoft speak for the targeted date we tell retail we begin shipping, "Microsoft Ship Date"). Add a few days for some retailers to get them out of their distribution centers, into stores, and onto store shelves.
The official "ERP" of the Quick Charge Kit is $29.99. (More trivia: manufacturers aren't allowed to set a price in the US--we can only set our price to our retailers, and we can give an "estimated" price, based on average selling price (ASP)).
[/QUOTE]
Read More: gamerscoreblog.com and you can also check a short review on joystiq.com.
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Paramount Pictures teams up with Xbox Live
>> From CNet news.com:
[QUOTE]
Paramount Pictures and Microsoft are entering into a partnership under which the movie studio's content will be integrated into the software giant's Xbox Live service, the companies said on Tuesday.
The program will launch Wednesday with free, high-definition, downloadable content from two summer 2006 Paramount films: "Mission: Impossible III" and "Nacho Libre."
[/QUOTE]
Read More: news.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft's pre-E3 2006 Conference Invite Coins
>> From kotaku.com:
[QUOTE]
I received my official invite to Microsoft's pre-E3 dealio over the weekend. The invite was wrapped around a plastic cylinder that was filled with little cardboard coins. The coins had images of trendy guys and gals on one side and strange little images on the other. One of the coins said Hollywood May 9: the date and location of their show. A few others say Xbox 360 and one says Games for Windows.
[/QUOTE]
Read More Info/Pictures: kotaku.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
A Chronology of Xbox History Part2: 2000
>> Last week we reported about Part 1 (1999), here's now part 2 (2000) of the Chronology of Xbox History by Dean Takahashi:
[QUOTE]
Here's another installment on Xbox history from my book, "The Xbox 360 Uncloaked: The Real Story Behind Microsoft's Next-Generation Video Game Console. This post contains the events of the year 2000, when Microsoft was still planning the original Xbox.
[/QUOTE]
Check it out on mercurynews.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft boosts Taiwanese Xbox 360 chip orders
>> From gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
According to a report on the Digitimes website, translated from the Chinese language Commercial Times, the company has notified its Taiwan-based semiconductor partners that chip orders will be seriously ramped up, beginning this month.
The report claims that orders in the second quarter of the year are likely to double those of Q1, suggesting that Microsoft is making a determined effort to ensure that supplies of the machine are not only sufficient to cater for the current consumer demand, but plentiful enough to meet the traditionally hectic holiday season at the end of the year.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: gamesindustry.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Team Xecuter: Site Down, Xbox 360 DVD Firmware and HD Adapter *UPDATE*
>> Here's some news we received from Team Xecuter(info):
[QUOTE]
The Xecuter site was hacked last week and our server was severely messed up. We are doing our best to get back online as soon as possible.
There are no 360 Hack updates. As we are not getting involved in any kind of actual illegal dvd firmware hack, we are relying on other parties just like anyone else, and we have received no updates on this for a while.
Due to the fact that the hack promotes piracy only, we have no inclination to develop any hack - only to design tools that will make connectivity easier.
In the meantime here is a picture of our own version of a nice cheap 360 HD connector which will be available shortly.
[/QUOTE]
*UPDATE* Here's an update we got from Team Xecuter:
[QUOTE]
We are reading some really retarded responses to this last news post. First of all we have NEVER stated that we were working on the hacked firmware. We said others were working on it - so why the hell some idiots are claiming otherwise is beyond us. We have always said we were making connectivity tools and software to make things easier - items such as a SATAHD to USB2 convertor and 360DVDROM PC power adapter and also Windows based flashing / reading software. All this is still in development and we have not deferred from this. Also no it wasn't MS who messed with the site, and no this isn't a publicity stunt ffs - why the hell do we need publicity or hits to our site, we so don't give a shit about that. If we wanted publicity we would just say nothing and then make one news post one day about a hack of some sort and that would be all the publicity we need, so forgive us for wanting to keep those who have an interest up to date with any kind of progress. Some flame children need to grow the fuck up.
[/QUOTE]
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
XBox Live Active Desktop Friends List
>> From gamersreports.com:
[QUOTE]
Thanks to an anonymous tipster, we bring you a simple HTML solution to having your XBox Live friends list always on your desktop.
First of all, you need to decide which format you want to use. Look at the images below and decide if you want to use the friends list and gamercard display, or just the friends list. If you want to use both card and friends, you will be using the 360infoctr.html file. If you just want the friends list you will be using the 360infoctr-fronly.html file.
Once you have done on all the editing, go to desktop properties, select the desktop tab, and hit customize desktop. Then select the web tab, hit new and find the main html file (360infoctr.html or 360infoctr-fronly.html) and hit ok. Once you have it listed and ticked on, hit ok then hit apply then hit ok. There you go, Xbox Live friends list active desktop!
[/QUOTE]
Read More: http://www.gamersreports.com/news/2098/
Download: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
XboxMediaCenter (XBMC) 2006-04-10 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. If you want to report bugs, please do it the PROPER way, see here.
Here's the added stuff from the changelog since the 2006-03-23 T3CH CVS release:
* added: if album info from the currently playling album is downloaded it will update the music overlay with the new cover
* added: xml header with encoding to language files. Language files now support UTF-8
* added: pythonscripts can now decide what playcore to use. This allows playback of streams that mplayer does not support.
* added: initial code to provide albumart to visualisations
* added: Startup.xml support for skin intros. The skin itself should switch to Home.xml at the appropriate time using ReplaceWindow(Home).
* added: Better video resolution choice for playback, thanks to Markeen.
* added: playlist field to SmartPlaylists.
* added: reversible attribute to animations, and tag to skin.xml to assist in developing skin animations.
* added: content-type detection for playercore selection. fixes auto startup of aac+ streams on shoutcast and flv streams on google-video
... rest of changelog (including many fixes): here.
Noteworthy, XML and Script changes in this build:
* Skin animation (BETA); effects switchable in settings
* New Settings system for video-resolution, pay attention to Settings-My Videos-Player-Resolution and set it to 4:3 or 16:9 instead of default (Auto)
* SMB client updated
* Keymap.xml: new function to hide the video and viz in the homescreen using the BLACK button
* XboxMediaCenter.xml: changed default RSS feed in XboxMediaCenter.xml to another X-S feed
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 targets Eastern Europe with Xbox 360
>> From gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft plans to launch the Xbox 360 in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and South Africa via both specialist and mainstream retailers by the end of 2007, according to European Xbox boss Chris Lewis.
Speaking to the Financial Times, Lewis said that launching in new territories was a key part of company strategy with regard to securing a strong foothold in the console market before the PlayStation 3 arrives in November.
Lewis went on to say that each territory will have access to a localised version of Xbox Live, enabling them to communicate with other gamers using their own language, and that local helplines will also be established.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: gamesindustry.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Nimblesoft 360 Friends v1.0.3
>> From nimblesoft.com:
[QUOTE]
Since I'm such a fanboy of the Xbox 360 I decided to write this app. 360 Friends is an Xbox Live friend list notifier. It will tell you who is online/offline, let you view gamercards and notify you when a friend's status changes.
This is the main window. It shows you your friend list and the current status of each friend..
Left: Showing the number of friends online at startup. Right: Shows the status of one of your friends has changed
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.nimblesoft.com
Download: here (Note that Xbox-Scene cannot vouch for the safety of this software. Please use caution)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
WinUAEX v10
Trial of alleged Xbox slayings to begin
>> From Associated Press via wired.com:
[QUOTE]
Kay Shukwit is still trying to cope with the August 2004 deaths of her daughter and five of the young woman's friends, who prosecutors said were beaten to death with aluminum bats over an Xbox video game system.
"I'm living with the loss. I'm living with the horror, with all the thoughts and everything and I still can't believe what's going on," said Shukwit, whose daughter, Michelle Nathan, was 19 years old.
Jury selection is set for Monday in Deland for three of the four men charged with the beating deaths.
Prosecutors allege Troy Victorino, 29, Robert Cannon and Michael Salas, both 20, and Jerone Hunter, 19, organized the attack to retrieve an Xbox video game system that Victorino lost when he was kicked out of a different house in Deltona.
The victims, some of whom were sleeping, did not resist or try to escape the attack, investigators said.
Salas, Victorino and Hunter are charged with six counts of murder and eight other felonies. Cannon already has pleaded guilty and will receive life in prison in exchange for his testimony. Prosecutors said they will seek the death penalty for the remaining defendants.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: wired.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
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