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Week of April 19, 2009
XBMC for Xbox SVN rev19585 9.04-beta1 build - T3CH
>> T3CH released a new SVN compile (rev19585 9.04-beta1) of XBMC for Xbox(info).
This T3CH-compile is a complete snapshot of what is in SVN at the time the build was compiled, with just a few small additions.
Special Notes and Noteworthy/XML/Script changes:
* The beta1 release of XBMC 9.04, codenamed "Babylon". I've again extensively tested this build and it seems really stable.
* The network buffering problems causing ie. stuttering audio playback should all be fixed.
* Check out the full changelog since the April 04th 2009 Svn Rev19213 build here
Keep in mind this is a SVN snapshot of the current development tree. It's not an official (stable) point release. Use only if you know what you are doing.
Official XBMC Site: http://xbmc.org (manual and FAQ)
Official T3CH Site: http://t3ch.yi.se (release RSS feed)
Downloads: Xbox Bins (n/a - built with XDK) | other platforms | sourcecode
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Rumor: GTA IV Getting Xbox 360 Elite Bundle Treatment?
>> From kotaku.com:
[QUOTE]
Microsoft looks like it may be prepping yet another Xbox 360 Elite bundle for later this year, according to retail sources, bundling its higher-end console with Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto IV.
Listings for the Xbox 360 Elite GTA IV Limited Edition bundle were sent to Kotaku earlier this week showing a $399.99 price tag, but offering little in the way of concrete details. No release date, no expanded information on what, beyond GTA IV, will be included in the package.
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Full Story: kotaku.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft Slumps In Third Quarter As Xbox 360 Sales Swell
>> From gamasutra.com:
[QUOTE]
Increased Xbox 360 and PC revenue couldn't keep Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division from reporting operating losses of $31 million during fiscal Q3, a year-on-year decrease from $106 million in operating income.
Microsoft attributed the decline to increased R&D.
However, the company's game-related revenue was up 16 percent year on year, largely thanks to more Xbox 360 console sales -- 1.7 million in the quarter ending March 31st, 2009, to be exact.
In slides shown alongside Microsoft's earnings call, the company revealed that, according to its own calculations, game and accessory attach rates for the Xbox 360 have increased to 8.3 and 3.9, respectively.
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Full Story: gamasutra.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Finally: The Xbox Live Community Game Index
>> From xbox.joystiq.com:
[QUOTE]
File this one under "Absolutely Fantastic Idea." An enterprising netizen by the name of Nick Gravelyn has created the Xbox Live Community Game Index (or XBLCG if you prefer). Seemingly answering our prayers, the site organizes Xbox Live Community Games, details important information for each one and, more importantly, allows users to rate each game. That's right, it took a community developer to implement functionality that Microsoft should have had on day one.
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Official Site: http://xblcg.info
News-Source: xbox.joystiq.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Maximus USBXtractor, 360 Power Unit and Xtractor Reader v2.9
>> Maximus released new HW for the Lite-on drives:
[QUOTE]
The USB Xtractor function is to read the UNIQUE-PER-DRIVE Key of the Liteon Drives, its functionality mimic the original 360 Xtractor Pro version but this model does not incorporate RS232 (AKA DB9) connector, only incorporate USB port, it also combines the origninal 360 Xtractor Pro Spear functionality all in one simple and portable device. Due to the fact that most modern PC's do not include a DB9 port, this is fully USB compatible!
USBXtractor Feature List:
* Portable with Full Case Design
* USB Support inside Windows (Liteon Key dumping)
* OnBoard Read Button fully Compatible with Maximus Xtractor Reader Software
* USB Cable Included!
* High Quality and Heavy Duty Parts
* Safe and Tested Design
360 Power Unit (Dongle) Feature List:
* Supports all 360 DVD Drive Models (Hitachi, Samsung, Benq, Liteon)
* Minimalistic approach eliminates the need for Power+Eject cable. It plugs directly on the DVD Drive
* Support Manual Mode-B (for Hitachi drives) and Manual Eject
* Power on Led Indicator
* Croc clip cable included
* High Quality and Heavy Duty Parts
* Electronically Safe and Tested Design with its onboard PPTC (resetable) fuses
Maximus Xtractor Reader Software 2.9 has also been updated to support the USBXtractor
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Official Website: http://www.usbxtractor.com
Download Manual: here
Download Xtractor Reader v2.9: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
AP25: FIFA 09 LIVE Log, No New Checks for Now
>> C4EVA analyzed the Xbox LIVE checks on FIFA09 today after the news of the possible activation of AP2.5. Right now there are no new checks, but AP25 will be monitored for any activity in the future!
A bit earlier in #FW/EFnet:
[QUOTE]
<+c4eva> AP25 threat is real, but only MS knows if it will ever be enabled, since it has been in drive fw since hitachi!
<+c4eva> action against ap25 will be taken when it is used, until then we can only monitor!
<+c4eva> ap25 involves host supplied LBA checks, encrypted with AES, LBA's are submitted by the host (360)!
<+c4eva> not all drives support it, and they will have to make sure all drives that do support give back reliable results! not as easy as it sounds!
<rift> c4eva so just to make sure i got this correct, you said the 360 makes the AES'd lba request correct? not the drive?
<+c4eva> rift: transmitted to drive to do the checks!
<+c4eva> fifa is fine
[/QUOTE]
You can find a dump on the LIVE log on xbins.org
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Some iXtreme v1.6 Details
>> C4E gave some details about the upcoming iXtreme v1.6 some time ago on #fw/EFNET. C4E wrote this prior the news of the possible new security (see our previous news item), so I guess things might still change. There's no set release date - they'll release it when it's ready.
[QUOTE]
<+c4eva> ix1.6 for benq is complete and in testing, samsung/liteon soon to follow, then there's hitachi last!
<+c4eva> ix1.6 - Strict Wave 3 compliance! hybrid (modified disks) will not boot!
<+c4eva> ix1.6 - Strict drive speed compliance - 12x only for game discs!
<+c4eva> ix1.6 - Support for SS V2!
<+c4eva> ix1.6 - Integrated 0800 for game dumping including SS v2!
<+c4eva> ix1.6 - Full support for all known game exceptions! eg ddr etc!
<+c4eva> ix1.6 - One shot boot mode! - allows a one off boot of gamedisc without stealth/partition checks (will still use stealth), use activate.iso disk to activate each time!
<+c4eva> ix1.6 - Support for easy drive key/version info cmd, same as liteon!
<+c4eva> ix1.6 has strict stealth/wave checking, one shot boot mode will boot wave(x)!
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Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
New Xbox360 Disc Protections? Bans to follow?
>> From xorloser.com:
[QUOTE]
I noticed the other day that when FIFA'09 for Xbox360 is patched with the latest update, the flags that specify what media the game is allowed to run from have changed. Originally it was allowed to boot from a standard original Xbox360 disc, however now it is only allowed to boot from a new media type which is basically an updated version of the original Xbox360 disc type.
Those who have ever looked into the depths of the Xbox360 disc authentication scheme know that a "new" type of disc authentication has been in the works since the Xbox360 was released. It is known as the AntiPiracy v2.5 checks, or AP2.5. Is this FIFA'09 patch a sign that AP2.5 is finally going to see the light of day? If so then the ban hammer is going to come down hard. Don't say I didn't warn you :)
The original Xbox360 game disc was reffered to as DVD-X(info)GD2, which I presume stands for Xbox Game Disc version 2 (with version 1 being the discs used on Xbox1). This new Xbox360 game disc just seems to be reffered to as an "updated DVD-XGD2″ , however to avoid confusion I will call this new disc type "DVD-XGD2.5″. Also since I am a lazy typer I will remove the "DVD-" prefix for the following text.
Based on what I remember from when I looked into the disc authentication, I can see three possibilities. In order of likeliness they are:
1) Possibly the XGD2.5 disc is actually physically the same as the XGD2 disc but has support for extra unknown challenge/response checks.
XGD2 discs are authenticated by a series of challenge response pairs. The Xbox360 sends challenges to the dvd-drive and then the drive sends back responses to these challenges based on information on the disc in the dvd drive. If the Xbox360 deems the responses to be correct, the disc is authenticated.
Current Xbox360 dvd-drive hacks work since the challenge/response pairs are stored in the security sector on the disc, meaning that all possible challenge/responses are known in advance. The best way for MS to solve this problem is to use challenge/response pairs that are not known in advance to the dvd-drive. So if a hacked dvd-drive receives an unknown challenge it will not have the correct repsonse to send back, therefore the authentication will fail and the copied game will not boot.
MS could do these extra checks when you connect to Xbox Live, and could even save unknown challenge/response pairs to a file on the flash of your Xbox360 in order to do the checks offline. They could also save challenge/responses to your flash when you update your console via Live or an update on a game disc.
2) Maybe the authentication of XGD2.5 is a superset of the XGD2 authentication. Therefore the FIFA'09 game could be pressed on the new XGD2.5 discs and still pass the XGD2 authentication checks. Then when MS is ready to initiate AP2.5 checks they could patch the game to only boot if it's disc passes the XGD2.5 authentication.
3) Or else I may just be wrong and there is no new disc type or it is totally seperate to AP2.5 :)
[/QUOTE]
News Source: xorloser.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Confirmed: Xbox 360 Elite Bundle with Fable II and Halo 3
>> From the press release:
[QUOTE]
For a Limited Time, Get "Fable II" and "Halo 3" with Xbox 360 Elite.
Beginning in May, fans can enjoy the premium experience of Xbox 360 Elite with two highly-acclaimed Xbox 360 exclusive games, including "Halo 3," the thrilling conclusion of Master Chief's epic fight against the Covenant and "Fable II," the masterful role-playing sequel with limitless choices and consequences. These two Games of the Year award winners combined with an Xbox 360 Elite console make this offer the definitive choice for anyone who wants a complete gaming and entertainment experience. The Xbox 360 Game Of The Year Bundle will be available for a limited time and will come at no additional cost, estimated retail price at $399 (U.S.).
In addition to providing two of Xbox 360's biggest blockbuster titles, the Xbox 360 Game Of The Year Bundle provides an incredible value with 120 GB of storage, a wireless controller, a wireless headset, an HDMI cable and a free Netflix trial. With the broadest selection of exclusive blockbuster games and the most robust catalog of TV shows and movies available from Netflix, now is the best time to own an Xbox 360.
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Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Japanese consumers satisfied with Xbox 360
>> From destructoid.com:
[QUOTE]
In a recent poll conducted by ASCII Media Works Japanese consumers were asked to rate systems in six different categories: Value for money, variety of interesting software, quality of visuals, external design, size/weight of console, and number of acquaintances who also owned the console. Turns out the 360 satisfies Japan in ways the PS3, Wii, DS and PSP never could. Media Works says that this is because the 360 was highly rated in every category except size/weight and acquaintances (duh) giving it a total score of 78.3. They also point to the PS3 (70.6) only getting good ratings in the visual category, with the Wii (70.6) getting mid-range votes across the board.
[/QUOTE]
Full Story: destructoid.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Adobe: Flash on Xbox360 'not beyond the realm of reason'
>> From news.bbc.co.uk:
[QUOTE]
[Adobe's] Flash Platform Business Unit general manager and vice president David Wadhwani said he still hoped to see Flash on the Xbox 360, as it is already running on the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii.
"I don't think it is beyond the realm of reason that we will see Flash on the Xbox.
"It would add clear value to their platform. But the decision is still their's to make."
[/QUOTE]
Full Story: news.bbc.co.uk
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Surreal64 XXX B5 - Command Line Patch v2.0
>> A new patch for the xbox1 N64 emulator...
"All it does is allow command line parameters to be passed in order to launch roms via shortcuts.
It comes in two flavors, one for XBMC style shortcuts and one for Evox style shortcuts (I havn't found a way to make them both work in one file dry.gif).
Also each flavor comes in two versions. Version 1 is almost a direct adaptaion of NATEDOGG's code which allows you to select the emulator and plugin before the rom launches. Version 2 I took a took a step further in that it launches directly into the game without any prompts."
Official Thread: forums.xbox-scene.com
Download: n/a (built with XDK)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
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