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Week of July 2, 2006
Interview: 360 Backward Compatibility pro Albert Penello
>> From gamespot.com:
[QUOTE]
GameSpot News talked with Albert Penello, Microsoft's director of global platform marketing for Xbox, to find out the ins and outs of backward compatibility, and why some games make the list and others don't.
* GameSpot: First of all, can you give us a quick overview of what goes into making an Xbox game playable on the Xbox 360? Is each game a case-by-case basis, or do new emulators work for multiple games?
* Albert Penello: In the early days of the project, we spent a great deal of engineering time trying to make a general-purpose Xbox emulator capable of playing as many different games as possible. That basic platform has become more capable in the past months, and we're now able to address individual games one at a time. Our typical process involves several weeks of active development on a set of desired titles, followed by at least an equal amount of test time validating the work and checking on the status of other games that might use similar technology.
* GS: How long does it take, on average, to make a game backward compatible?
* AP: Anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. Sometimes one of our developers will noodle over a completely broken game and miraculously make it work in an afternoon. Other times, games appear to work perfectly at the outset, but actually have a number of insidious problems discovered in test. Unfortunately, we've seen no relationship between the desirability of a game and its technical challenge.
* GS: At some point, making Xbox games BC is going to stop. Is that when the Xbox is fully phased out? Is it before?
* AP: We're not going to forget about the console that got us where we are today. Xbox still has a very bright future with many top-tier titles coming out from the world's best developers. The bottom line is that we will care as long as our customers continue to. For that matter, we ourselves have personal favorite games that we're eager to see supported on the platform.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: gamespot.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
TeamXbox: The Red Ring of Death
>> From teamxbox.com:
[QUOTE]
One concept that is sure to make the blood run cold in any Xbox 360 owner's veins is the sight of the dreaded "red ring of death". More appropriately, the ring of light on the front of an Xbox 360 flashing red, indicating some major trouble is about to go down.
Since its initial launch, the Xbox 360 has taken on a bad rap- in the media at least- as a system that constantly overheats, is poorly manufactured, and is too unstable to be on store shelves. The aforementioned problems are just a few of the reasons people claim to have experienced when the dreaded flashing lights illuminate on their beloved console.
Whatever the reason for seeing them, these lights are never a welcome sight. We've read the plights of our forum members who've had to go through the process of getting a new Xbox 360 when they've gone caput, and heard the problems experienced with trying to get a new system. So when several of us at TeamXbox had our systems go the way of the dodo, we decided to record the process from beginning to end, to see what all is involved, and maybe offer up some friendly advice for those who've yet to experience this issue. We also gave Microsoft a chance to chime in on the subject, and they've obliged, which does show us that the console maker is all about righting the red-ringed fleet.
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Read More: teamxbox.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
New Xbox 360 Coming with HDMI port?
>> We received this image from a source who wishes to remain anonymous. An Xbox 360 motherboard with a HDMI-port, interesting ...
Our source has seen 3 of these motherboards already, so it looks like Microsoft might be working on a new Xbox 360 version with a HDMI-port. However it's totally unknown when/if it'll be released to the public and if this will be included with all packages or only on the Premium. Or, who-knows, maybe it'll be for a 3rd package ... maybe even with an internal HD-DVD drive after all, to compete with the high-end PS3? (but that's pure speculation and MS PR recently denied working on an internal HD-DVD).
A digital output would certainly come as good news for those out there with new HDTV-sets and it could be pretty useful for the HD-DVD addon too, certainly if those movies will ever be HDCP-protected (Image Constraint Token flag). However people who already paid $400 for their 360 might feel less happy if Microsoft releases this soon.
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Team XTender XCM 360 Cases - All Colors
>> Here are some pictures we received from r0wdy showing a nice overview of the Team XTender XCM 360 Replacement Cases in all colors currently available except the chrome:
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
GaryOPA Xtreme Hitachi-LG Firmware v1.2 (v32, v36, v46, v47, v59)
>> GaryOPA released an updated version of their Hitachi-LG firmware (all versions) package that now includes the 3 tweaks released earlier in the Birdy Xtreme FW for Hitachi-LG v46D v1.2:
[QUOTE]
XTREME v1.2 - NEW VERSION OF ALL FIRMWARES FOR ALL HITACHI'S
This release is greatly improved release over v1.1 releases!
#1: Auto-Detect of all Hitachi firmware builds
#2: Auto-Retry if FLASHing or RESTORing fails!
#3: Auto-Verify of firmware FLASH or RESTORE!!
--: The FIRST three updates, helps stops all those BRICKs!
--: The NEXT three updates, everyone has been waiting for!
#5: Once your drive has been updated to v1.2, you can easy but the drive back into Mode B for updates or later SS extraction usage, by just powering-up the Hitachi with your drive TRAY in the fully OPEN position.
#6: No more auto-opening of tray when in Mode B, this will be helpful when the FW update for SS extract is ready.
#7: Dashboard timeout fix - If when booting a backup game, and the dashboard displays OPEN TRAY, you just need to press the EJECT button, the tray will stay CLOSED, but the dashboard will "auto-trick" into reading the game!
Our next release will include a "merged" version of "F900" for all drives, which will allow users to extract the SS from originals on their PC without the need to flash back and forth between two FWs.
This currently is in the works, but please no questions on WHEN.
WHEN, it is available you will KNOW, we need to finish it first!
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: n/a (release by GaryOPA on xboxhacker.net)
Full Readme/NFO: xbins.org
Download: n/a (might be illegal under DMCA/EUCD)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Birdy Xtreme Firmware for Hitachi-LG v46D v1.2 tweak
>> Birdy released a v1.2 firmware for the Hitachi-LG GDR-3120L v46D based on Commodore4Eva's Hitachi-LG v1.1 FW on the XBH forums:
[QUOTE]
This is a tweak of the orginial Commodore4Eva Xtreme firmware v1.1
It include 3 tweak:
* 1: Mode B tweak
If you start your Xbox with tray opened, the hitachis start in ModeB.
Start your xbox, open the tray.
Now power off your xbox by disconnecting power supply.
Start again your xbox, your drive is in ModeB .
Easy ;-)
* 2: Tray open/close in ModeB (without adapter, hitachi on power supply from xbox).
Correct the open/close tray faulty operation when your drive is in modeb with Windows.
Now in modeB you can use your drive without problem.
* 3: Dashboard TimeOut tweak with DVD DL ;-)
During disk recognition, this tweak fake the open/close function. If your disc are not recognized yet and you received the "Open tray" from dashboard.
Press the eject button -> xbox say opening but tray stay closed.
Press again the eject button -> xbox say "closing" -- "reading disc"
No more timeout!!
[/QUOTE]
Note that the modified FW is currently ONLY for the Hitachi-LG with FW v46D.
Carranzafp posted a video of this v1.2 FW in action:
Official Site: n/a (by Birdy and based on Commodore4Eva's release)
Download: n/a (might be illegal under DMCA/EUCD)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Japan: Games that Could Save Xbox 360
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
It's no secret that the Xbox 360 could use a boost in Japan. Games like Blue Dragon, an upcoming shooter from Square-Enix and few other Japan-friendly titles may provide the system with just what it needs to appeal to Japanese consumers.
The truth is, if you ask me right now which console is the most enthralling, it's the Xbox 360. Microsoft's policy seems to be, loosely, to put out original games with beautiful graphics and sparkling concepts, with simple enough play and big enough budgets to qualify as entertainment first, videogames second. The queue of "Japan-friendly" games soon to release is now quite formidable: Lost Planet, Dead Rising, Project Sylph, Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, Cry On (Mist Walker and cavia's positively brilliant-sounding action/adventure/RPG with Katamari / Shadow of the Colossus-esque elements), and the Gundam FPS by Dimps all look like spectacular games with texture and value. Trusty Bell, Namco and tri-Crescendo's RPG about the composer Chopin, will likely be very interesting as well, at the very least.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: next-gen.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Copy protection hole in Blu-ray and HD DVD movies
>> From heise-security.co.uk:
[QUOTE]
The Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD are new data carriers for high-resolution motion pictures. For fear of piracy, Hollywood had the developers install a cornucopia of copy prevention mechanisms on them. For instance, the film data on the disks are protected by means of the Advanced Access Content System (AACS). Digital output only reaches the monitor via connections encrypted by means of High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP). This copy protection chain is designed to ensure that no unencrypted data can be grabbed.
But this security chain has a giant hole. Computer magazine c't has discovered that the first software players running on Windows XP allow screenshots of the movies to be created in full resolution. To do so, you only need to press the Print key on your keyboard while the movie is running. Such a screenshot function could then be automated to produce copies of HD movies both from Blu-ray Discs and from HD DVDs picture by picture. As c't calculated, the performance of current PC systems is sufficient for a clean recording using this procedure. Once a pirate has all of the individual pictures, they can be put together to create a complete movie and mixed with the audio track that is grabbed separately.
When asked to comment, Toshiba confirmed the security hole found by c't, which affects the computers already sold, and announced updates for the player software and graphics card driver. These new software versions should disable the screenshot function.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: heise-security.co.uk
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xbox 360 Sales see Slight Gain this Week in Japan
>> From punchjump.com:
[QUOTE]
Media Create Co. on Thursday reported that the Xbox successor sold 1,897 units from June 26 to July 2.
By comparison the console sold 1,169 units the week prior.
In addition, the Xbox 360 charted two software releases in the top 50 software sales in Japan during the same period. In recent weeks, the top 50 had been without an Xbox 360 title.
While the 360 neared 2,000 units in sales for the week, the Nintendo DS sold 153,566 units, the PSP 25,935 units, and the PS2 23,133 units in the same period.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: punchjump.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xbox 360 and Wii Orders Ramping Up, Say Chip Makers
>> From digitimes.com:
[QUOTE]
While talk of an early launch of the Nintendo Wii game console circulates in the market, chip makers including, ATI and Silicon Integrated Systems (SiS), said orders for their chips used in game consoles, including the Wii and Xbox 360, are picking up.
ATI, which supplies the graphics chip for the Wii, reported that the contribution from its consumer electronics chips business this year grew to 20% from last year's 15%, according to a Chinese-language Commercial Times report.
SiS, the southbridge chip supplier for the Xbox 360, is also cited in the report as saying that orders started picking up from July.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: digitimes.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Globe 360 Diagrams for Toshiba-Samsung and Hitachi -LG
>> The team behind the Globe 360(info) DVD FW chip for the Xbox 360 (a dual-FW type of mod with DVD Drive-key 'Bypass') released their installation diagrams from the Hitachi-LG GDR-3120L and Toshiba-Samsung TS-H943 drive:
[QUOTE]
Added installation diagrams for Samsung and LG/Hitachi drives.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.globe-360.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
GaryOPA Xtreme firmware for Hitachi v32, v36, v46, v47, v59 Xbox 360 V1.1r5
>> This release is the same as our last release "XTRM-HITACHI-ALL-V1", but with an updated FLASH.BAT and the addition of the v32 firmware!
Our next release will include a "merged" version of "F900" for all drives, which will allow users to extract the SS from originals on their PC without the need to flash back and forth between two FWs.
This currently is in the works, but please no questions on WHEN. WHEN, it is available you will KNOW, we need to finish it first!
NOTE: This package is an improved DCMA compatible release, originally based on "Commorade4eva" release for v47.
P.S.: Also everything is in one auto-detecting batch control, no more BRICKed drives, due to FLASHing the wrong FW to the wrong version of drive, and updating does not start unless a BACKUP has been correctly stored and checked!!
* Hitachi-LG GDR-3120L v32 version is untested - For "ebay drives" & "beta x360"
* Hitachi-LG GDR-3120L v36 version is tested - For "ebay drives" & "pre-launch"
* Hitachi-LG GDR-3120L v46 version v1.1 - Same as "c4e" v1.1
* Hitachi-LG GDR-3120L v47 version v1.1 - Same as "c4e" v1.1
* Hitachi-LG GDR-3120L v59 version v1.1fixed3 - Same as "c4e" v1.1fixed2, but now with a patched "Flashsec", so it really works!!
Official Site: n/a (release by garyopa)
Download: n/a (might be illegal under DMCA/EUCD)
Xbox 360 DVD Firmware Tutorial/Guides: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Toshiba-Samsung 360 Auto Flasher v1.1
>> This package makes a bootable USB key including all the files needed to backup, flash and recover your Samsung Xbox360 Firmware, all in one simple automatic process!
1.1 Revision: Apparently the patch tool was not fully compatible with all version's of DOS. New version has been tested fully for compatibility.
Official Site: n/a
Download: n/a (might be illegal under DMCA/EUCD)
Xbox 360 DVD Firmware Tutorial/Guides: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
360 Aladdin: Toshiba-Samsung DVD dual-FW Chip
>> Some confusion on the web again ... here's some real info about this '360 Aladdin' DVD FW chip, that has been around for a while already actually.
It's another 'dual' (or 'multiple') firmware chip for the Xbox 360 Toshiba-Samsung TS-H943 DVD drive. From what I can see it has 2 flashchips, probably one for the hacked Xtreme FW (to boot Xbox 360 games) and one for the Xtreme 008 FW (to read SS of Xbox 360 discs on PC). It connects with the eject and power points on the Xbox 360 motherboard so you can easily switch between the 3 modes (firmwares). Boot with the power button to load the C4E's Xtreme 0800 FW (too read SS of original discs on PC), boot with eject button for C4E's Xtreme FW (to read Xbox 360 DVD+DL discs) or boot your console with the controller to boot with original on-board chip.
The mod is installed by a PCB going around the TS-H943 onboard FW chip, so that means you'll have to remove all the epoxy that's around the chip first (which isn't so easy).
Unlike what some sources say, this chip can NOT boot any unsigned executables or games of a different region - it's a simple DVD FW replacement chip with eject/power button control.
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
HD DVD to Use Thomson's New Film Grain Technology
>> From teamxbox.com:
[QUOTE]
Thomson announced that leading consumer electronics, software and technology companies are implementing its Film Grain Technology. Developed by Thomson's Technology division in collaboration with its Technicolor business, Film Grain Technology was recently adopted as a Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) registered disclosure document. Consumer electronics giants Toshiba and RCA; technology innovators Broadcom, Sigma Designs, Horizon Semiconductors and NVIDIA; and software leaders Microsoft and Sonic Solutions are set to deploy Film Grain Technology, with two Toshiba HD DVD players, an RCA HD DVD player and a Broadcom IC decoder now entering the marketplace.
The first tool of its kind formally documented in cooperation with SMPTE, DVD Forum selected Film Grain Technology for mandatory inclusion in HD DVD products. The technology allows compressed motion pictures to be delivered more efficiently and improves their visual quality. It enables film grain that is extracted before content is compressed to be faithfully re-created during playback.
Film Grain Technology is a streamlined, low-cost solution that is embedded in broadcast and home theater play-out devices. Broadcasters maximize bandwidth; packaged media content creators gain disk space; and viewers see movies that match the filmmaker's intent. It is easily deployed with H.264 compression (also known as MPEG-4 Part 10/Advanced Video Coding), and can be adapted to support other compression solutions.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: teamxbox.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Microsoft Still Upbeat on Japan
>> From kikizo.com:
[QUOTE]
Sales of the Xbox 360 in Japan are not much better than the Xbox, which was itself shunned by most Japanese gamers. Despite a more concerted effort from Microsoft this time, the Xbox 360 has only sold around 150,000 units since it launched in December and it's regularly the worst seller on the charts. But Microsoft told Kikizo that it's not giving up yet.
"We're committed to Japan for the long run, and we're off to a solid but not spectacular start, and I think that's what we expected to happen," Microsoft's Shane Kim told Kikizo recently.
Kim pointed out that success in Japan is dependent on game makers making games specifically for the Japanese audience.
"I think our expectations are realistic," he said. "We don't expect to 'win' in Japan, but I do think we can 'win' the next generation."
[/QUOTE]
Read More: kikizo.com and full interview[kikizo.com]
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
XCM 360 Full Chrome Case now available
>> From Team XTender:
[QUOTE]
Our XCM 360 Full Chrome Case is now available. Experience the beauty of chrome in its entirety. This will become the center piece for you living/game room. Also we are proud to announce that the "X" cut XCM 360 Black Knight Limited Edition is now also available with 3 LED colours: Blue, Red and Green. For Wholesale inquires for these wonderful products, please contact sales -AT- teamxtender.com
For retail inquiries, please contact our official resellers at:
www.decalgirl.com | www.modchipman.com
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.teamxtender.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
AbuseX - Abuse for XBox v1
Bloomberg: Microsoft's Allard-Created Portable Due This Xmas
>> From gamasutra.com:
[QUOTE]
A news report from financial website Bloomberg claims that Microsoft plans to release a J Allard-overseen wireless portable music and video player in time for Christmas, in a move to directly compete with Apple's popular iPod player.
The news follows a March report from San Jose Mercury News reporter Dean Takahashi that Allard is heading efforts to create a new portable, Xbox branded game console, with other prominent Xbox figures also being involved and some music/video functionality - but it is unclear whether this device is the same as the one cited in the Bloomberg report.
According to the news agency, Microsoft's upcoming digital player, whose creation is being overseen by J Allard as well as Xbox executive Robbie Bach, will include wireless internet connectivity, so users will be able to download music without a computer - a feature not currently supported by the iPod.
However, as previously mentioned, there is no mention of anything video game related with regards to the forthcoming handheld, which will apparently feature a higher quality screen than currently available on the iPod, leaving the possibility of game compatibility extant.
[/QUOTE]
Read More: gamasutra.com and bloomberg.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
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(Wednesday 05 July 2006 19:37 EST) - (Category: Xbox_Xbox360) - (Posted by::
)
Globe 360 Dual Firmware DVD Mod with Drive-key Bypass
>> Alcema posted on eurasia.nu about a new DVD firmware chip for the Xbox 360. It's a dual-fw style of mod (not a FW patch mod), but it has something special ... the FW you fash on this flashchip will not have to be patched with your DVD-key:
[QUOTE]
I want to signal the upcoming release of a new modchip for X360, Globe-360. This is not simply a dual-firmware mod, with this modchip you don't need to extract the drive-key from your console because it's PLUG&PLAY. Thanks to the ACTEL CPLD this modchip bypass the drive-key check; your original firmware stays intact all the time. There is no need for any firmware-reading or flashing, you can reprogram the on-board flash easliy with independent eprom programmer (aka Willem-prog) and replace it in the clean socket PLCC connector. More details (price, diagrams, how-to, resellers,etc) will be available soon.
Features:
* Plug&Play : DON'T NEED the extraction of drive-key from the original firmware of drive on your console, only install the chip and the "unsigned" firmware on-board will be boot .
* Electronic Switch ON/OFF : enable or disabile the chip when turn-on your console by power button, you can check the state of chip by a led-indicator
* Firmware-drive UPGRADE: you can use an upgraded firmware for better performance of your dvd-drive to reading dvd-r DL support ( eg: you should use on LG/Hitachi the firmware vers. 059 instead your original 047D or 46D).
* Easy Reprogrammable Flash eprom: the on-board flash eprom is mounted on a socket connector for an easy and clean remove in order to fast reprogramming it.
* COMPATIBILE whit ALL DVD-drive on the market (LG e SAMSUNG).
* High reliability through ACTEL cpld technology.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.globe-360.com (news via eurasia.nu)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Team Underdog NME-360 Updated FAQ
>> Team Underdog.com updated their FAQ for their upcoming NME-360(info) device, a chip that will allow to patch the DVD firmware of the Xbox 360 drive 'on-the-fly' only when needed (so not for original x360 discs):
[QUOTE]
We found more questions in different forums which we added including our answers to the FAQ and thanks to the guy on XBS for correcting our misspelling - it just got too late in the night when we set up the FAQs. ;-)
* Q:Will NME360 work with my drive?
A:Yes! If you have Hitachi/LG or Toshiba/Samsung drive
* Q:Is it hard to install?
A: Not for experienced technicians, anyway the Samsung drive is much easier to do.
* Q: What is the difference between NME-360 compared to the Xtreme bios mod
A: First of all we think that our code is cleaner and more sophisticated. NME 360 is an intelligent chip which automatically switches itself off if you play an original game, therefore you donīt need any external switch whatsoever. No need to have dual firmwares , no need to read out any keys from the drive and no chance to brick your drive.
* Q: Can I play Xbox Live with NME 360
A: Yes you can! When you play original games NME 360 will not patch anything, so the drive is like an original unmodified one. We recommend that you DON`T play backups on live, due to the risk of being banned.
* Q :What kind of media should I use?
A:You need to use dual layer media, we have found that Verbatim DVD+R DL is the best to do backups on and itīs REALLY important that you use good media.
* Q:Do I need to tweak my laser?
A:If you have Hitachi/LG drive you should tweak it, especially the 47DJ drive. Check tutorials for how to.
* Q: Will the ISOs made with the converter still play on a Xtreme patched drive?
A: Yes, we don't touch the Xtreme security sector, we just add our own, so it will play fine.
* Q: Why is your solution not compatible with Xtreme images?
A: We started developement before the Xtreme hack was available, and decided that the end of the 2nd layer was the perfect spot for the security sector. As it is not at the same location as the Xtreme hack, the ISO needs to be converted first.
* Q: Can you explain a bit more in detail?
A: To keep the number of wires as small as possible, we carefully selected the location of our security sector, and choose PSN 0xFFFC021E. Originally the SS is at 0xFFFD021E. Also our security sector is of a more compressed type, requiring less patches in the firmware, and therefore less wires to solder.
* Q: Will the Nme360 chip work on a drive which is flashed with a Xtreme firmware?
A: No, It was developed for original firmware versions only.
* Q: What's the price of your fantastic NME-360 Modchip?
A: Our suggested retail price is 39.95 Euro and resellers may feel free to get in touch with us or our distributors for quantity discounts.
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.team-underdog.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
XboxMediaCenter (XBMC) 2006-07-03 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.
Noteworthy, XML and Script changes in this build:
* XBoxMediaCenter.xml: HAS BEEN REMOVED! (bookmarks are kept in UserData\sources.xml)
Here's the added/changed stuff from the changelog since the 2006-06-25 T3CH CVS release:
* added: shadowColor to the ControlButton in Python.
* added: two new python functions:
xbmc.playSFX(filename) -- Plays a wav file by filename
xbmc.enableNavSounds(yesNo) -- Enables/Disables (True/False) nav sounds
* added: visible condition Weather.IsFetched, is true if the weather data is downloaded
* added: builtin command skin.theme. cycles skin themes (skin.theme(-1) to go backwards). skin label "skin.currenttheme". themes are now at the mercy of the skinner.
* added: AIFF codec to paplayer.
* changed: use alternate time calculation for dvdplayer if ffmpeg gives us negative duration
* changed: builtin skin.theme now uses delayed skin loading bumping the usability somewhat.
* changed: ignore "the" when sorting now applies to programs.
* changed: a toast message is displayed if last.fm username/password is wrong
* changed: cddb info is displayed even if tag reading is disabled
* changed: moved playlist window content into a directory class
* changed: moved shares of media windows into the view state
... rest of changelog (including many other updates/fixes): here.
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
Mimesis v3
>> From projectmimesis.com:
[QUOTE]
It's finally done. We have really had a great time working on this version and we hope you enjoy using it. Included in the package is a user manual as well as the first official Mimesis(info) Lite package builder.
Just in time for the 4th of July, grab the latest copy and have fun!
There is a lot of new content on the servers with support for well over 15 games.
We are very pleased with how the re-write has turned out. Almost none of the code from previous Mimesis versions has been used in version 3 and thanks to a lot of very generous projects in the Xbox community, Mimesis now has more features than ever. Team Avalaunch(info) was kind enough to donate some IRC code to get the update feature off of the ground and we learned so much by pouring over the extensive source of open source projects like XBMC and neXgen(info). As most of you know, Mimesis has been a learning experience for both Ramzi and myself since the beginning, and version 3 is no exception; we learned tons.
Here are a few things to look forward to in the latest version:
CHG: Completely re-written skin engine
CHG: New and improved download queue system
CHG: Game launch feature now works and is configurable
CHG: The storage path is now configurable
CHG: Fixed button sensitivity issues
ADD: Offline content management
ADD: Automatic Mimesis upgrade feature (using irc and ftp)
ADD: Inherit the network settings from your dashboard
ADD: Connection watching thread
ADD: Config setting for writing debug lines to a log file
ADD: Config setting for on-screen debug output
ADD: Managing non Mimesis content
ADD: Support for UDATA packages (ex: gametypes)
ADD: Config setting for which skin to use
ADD: Embedded xbe icon
ADD: Support for the DVD remote
ADD: Server syncing process introduced to lessen load times
ADD: Support for IGR
ADD: Settings screen
ADD: Help screen
ADD: New rendering engine with prompt dialogs
ADD: Filter content by type
[/QUOTE]
Official Site: http://www.projectmimesis.com
Download: n/a (built with XDK)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
NME-360 FAQ, Xtreme ISO Convert Tutorial and Samsung Diagrams
>> Team Underdog released a FAQ, Xtreme ISO convert tutorial (the NME-360 mod will not work with a standard 'Xtreme-image', the Security Sector (SS) patch is different apparenly) and the diagrams for the Toshiba-Samsung drive for their NME-360(info) device, a chip that will allow to patch the DVD firmware of the Xbox 360 drive 'on-the-fly' only when needed (so not for original x360 discs):
[QUOTE]
Added a small FAQ and a little tutorial about how to make Xtreme Images work with the NME-360 Modchip to the HOW-TO Section. Also added the installation diagrams for Samsung drives which you can see as a quicky as we are working out some alternative points so you won't need to scratch off the ugly glue. Oh and we see people discussing about the compatibility of our chip to the Hitachi drives because the diagram stated the 47DH drive. We just want to confirm that our chip works with all currently available Hitachi drives. No matter if 46 DH, DJ or 47 DH, DJ. We deleted the small misleading in the Hitachi diagram.
F.A.Q.:
* Q:Will NME360 work with my drive?
A:Yes! If you have Hitachi/LG or Toshiba/Samsung drive
* Q:Is it hard to install?
A: Not for experienced technicians, anyway the Samsung drive is much easier.
* Q: What is the difference between NME-360 compared to the Xtreme bios mod
A: First of all we think that our code is cleaner and more sofisticated. NME 360 is an intelligent chip, NME automatic switches itself off if you play an original game, there for you donīt need any external switch whatsoever. No need to have dual firmwares , no need to read out any keys from the drive and no chance to brick your drive.
* Q: Can I play Xbox Live with NME 360
A: Yes you can! When you play original games NME 360 will not patch anything, so the drive is like original unmodified. We recommend that you DON`T play backups on live, due to the risk of being banned.
* Q :What kind of media should I use?
A:You need to use dual layer media, we have found that Verbatim DVD+R DL is the best to do backups on and itīs REALLY important that you use good media.
* Q:Do I need to tweak my laser?
A:If you have Hitachi/LG drive you should tweak it, specially the 47DJ drive. Check tutorials for how to.
Tutorial to convert an Xtreme image to make it work with the NME-360 modchip: click here
Toshiba-Samung Install Diagram:
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The installation diagrams from the Hitachi-LG drive were already released earlier, if you missed it you can check it out here.
Official Site: http://www.team-underdog.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Toshiba-Samsung 360 Auto Flasher v1.0
>> This package makes a bootable USB key including all the files needed to backup, flash and recover your Samsung Xbox360 Firmware, all in one simple automatic process!
Thanks to Flash78 for the tool! Translated by geebee.
C4E patcher based upon xtreme_legal_patcher sources, thanks to JbOnE for compiling DOS version :) Thanks to geebee for the organization and .bat work.
PS- Incase anyone is wondering why we re-invented the wheel, the kdx dos based key patcher has proven to be very unreliable. The patcher included
is based on the xtreme_legal_patcher patches the firmware to c4e's hack, without messing with any of the key's. No more botched firmwares
and headache's for those of you trying to figure out 'what went wrong' :)
Official Site: n/a
Download: n/a (might be illegal under DMCA/EUCD)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Gentoox Sparkle v2.0, Resctoox v4.0, Pro v3.0 and Home v5.0
>> ShALLaX released a new version of Gentoox Sparkle(info), Resctoox(info), Gentoox Pro(info) and Gentoox Home(info). From gentoox.shallax.com:
[QUOTE]
I've tested Home v5.0, Pro v3.0, Sparkle v2.0 and Resctoox v4.0 under E: installations only (I do not have an available hard drive with enough capacity to test F: or native installations). Under these conditions, they appear to work fine. I'm not at all happy with the loopback filesystem performance, though. For this reason I am only considering these intermediate releases. They are just being released as a "catch-up" to the latest releases of available software (most notably Linux v2.4.32). Once I have upgraded all of my systems to this latest kernel I can start looking at other more recent filesystems such as XFS and JFS which were not present in the Linux v2.4.22, which was supplied with older versions of Gentoox.
The Pro download is considerably smaller after removing a lot of orphaned packages while the Home download remains at around the 800MB mark. Both still fit on a CD, so no DVD media is required! The total upload size I have to get through is 1.0GiB so it may be a while until you see the releases. Keep watching this space!
Sparkle v2.0 - Done
Resctoox v4.0 - Done
Pro v3.0 - Done
Home v5.0 - In Progress - ETA 2am 04-Jul-2006 BST
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Official Site: http://gentoox.shallax.com
Download: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Update about MC360 Superman Returns Theme
>> From Team Blackbolt:
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Hello everyone, I thought I would update you if you where waiting for the Superman Returns Theme today for MC360 (an X360 reproduction skin for XboxMediaCenter(info)). Due to Englands wonderful performance in the World Cup, coupled with a fantastic Portugese Goal Keeper and topped by an excellent display of sportsmanship by a certain Portugese striker, I didn't finish the theme pack today. I apologise for the delay, but I want to have it finished early this week for everyone that wants it. Thanks for waiting for it and thanks everyone for your continuous support.
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Official Site: http://blackbolt.x-scene.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
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