Xecuter Blaster360 Hitachi-LG 046/047 Fix PCB
Xbox-Scene :: Thursday, June 07, 2007
We saw this news at one wholesaler: [QUOTE] We have received a new batch of Blaster 360 from Team Xecuter that now comes with a special PCB called the Hitachi Fix. [/QUOTE] We found a bit more info about this issue on the team xecuter forums (http://www.team-xecuter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45645 ): [QUOTE] There were quite a few issues with some of the older Hitachi 046 and 047 DVD units when used with the Blaster 360 and we have spent a great deal of time investigating the cause. For those that have issues we have designed an immediate fix which requires a tiny amount of easy soldering to solve the poor latency of these Hitachi drives. You also have to cut the two traces between the two soldering points – its not difficult and easily reverible if you ever need to. Its simply adding 2 x missing 10nf capacitors to the DVD drive circuit board (as seen in the pictures) We will be providing these PCB’s free of charge for resellers to ship to customers who wish to try this solution to fix their problems (non booting, E64 etc). Shipping of the PCB fixes has started to all resellers. Here are some pictures, we will post install instructions when the fix is available to ship. [/QUOTE] Official Site: www.team-xecuter.com (http://www.team-xecuter.com )
Opportunities abound in nex-gen gaming platforms
Xbox-Scene :: Thursday, June 07, 2007
From techonline.com (http://www.techonline.com/product/underthehood/199900911?pgno=1 ): [QUOTE] The next round of game-platform redesigns may still be four to five years out, but chip and software designers in the areas of wireless, microeletromechanical systems, displays, miniature cameras, sensors, actuators and storage have an opportunity to be part of those multi-100-million shipments as platforms respond faster to user demands by converging on interactivity, connectivity and information display. The Ataris debuted in a different era, at a time of no competition and little pressure from users. That led to a design that was geared more toward cosmetics. “Back then they didn’t have to focus on margins and how they can save: it just had to look cool,” said Quirk. “Now we design more for cost, heat [management], cooling and [efficient] test.” Atari also made a profit on the platform, versus the games. That model has since been inverted, with only Nintendo now managing to scratch out a small profit from the platform, the rest–Sony and Microsoft–make their money on the aftermarket games, said Quirk. SI expected the current crop of designs to incorporate 65-nm process technologies, down from 90 nm, but that didn’t happen, so Quirk believes that’ll be coming soon from Sony and Microsoft as part of their cost-reduction strategy. That need for cost-reduction was the main impetus behind the Sony/Toshiba/IBM and Nintendo/IBM/ATI/Chartered partnerships, and while SI expects those partnerships to remain intact going forward, part of the strategy for future cost reductions will be the evaluation of second- and third-tier chip and software vendors as they jockey for a socket in the next round of platform designs. “There’s a lot more competition,” said Quirk. “Everyone wants to get designed into them. With volumes in the hundreds of millions, a design win for of these gaming platforms is huge, both from a press and revenue point of view.” [/QUOTE] Full Story: techonline.com (http://www.techonline.com/product/underthehood/199900911?pgno=1 ) (2 pages)
No Final Fantasy For Xbox 360
Xbox-Scene :: Thursday, June 07, 2007
From xbox360.ign.com (http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/794/794164p1.html ): [QUOTE] Looking for more Final Fantasy following the Xbox 360 port of Final Fantasy XI? Then you’re going to have to look to a different next generation system. A Square Enix executive has disclosed to Japan’s Nikkei BP that the company currently has no plans for Final Fantasy games on the 360. Noting that the PS3 is getting Final Fantasy XIII, the website asked Square Enix’s Shinji Hashimoto if the Wii or Xbox 360 will also be getting games in the series. “For the Wii, we have FF Crystal Chronicles in production,” replied Hashimoto. “As for FF on the Xbox 360, it’s currently a completely blank page.” [/QUOTE] Full Story: xbox360.ign.com (http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/794/794164p1.html )
Xtreme Boot Maker v0.5.4 Pulled
Xbox-Scene :: Thursday, June 07, 2007
From Klutsh on x-projects.org (http://www.x-projects.org/core/news.php?item.13.2 ): [QUOTE] Xtreme Boot Maker(info (http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox360-tools/XtremeBootMaker.php ))(info (http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox360-tools/XtremeBootMaker.php )) 0.5.4 has been dropped. Stoner who took over from 0.5.3 has tried to take XBM in a direction that was never intended. I did not realize that Stoner altered the Samtool executable (without permission) and released it for public use. DO NOT USE XBM 0.5.4 it may destroy your 360’s drive. I apologize for this error in judgment on my part, from now I will be the sole developer of XBM, working in conjunction the Caster420 and the Xtreme firmware team, to bring you stable and tested applications. Releases of XBM can be trusted from here, Xbox-Scene and 360mods.net. If you see mention of 360hax anywhere in any future release it was not done by X-Projects and should be treated with caution. Update: The majority of 0.5.4 is ok to use. Please do not use the advanced restore feature, this is where the only problem lies. [/QUOTE] Official Site: www.x-projects.org (http://www.x-projects.org )
US Army using Xbox360 Pad to Control SUGVs
Xbox-Scene :: Thursday, June 07, 2007
From zdnet.com (http://content.zdnet.com/2346-9595_22-67546-1.html ): [QUOTE] Enter the Future Combat Systems program, the Army’s largest modernization initiative. Now about four years old, the program envisions a family of high-tech gear including sensors, aerial drones, and manned and unmanned ground vehicles, all fully networked and linked to individual soldiers. (http://pictures.xbox-scene.com/xbox360/army/futurecombat8_550x367.jpg ) (http://pictures.xbox-scene.com/xbox360/army/futurecombat9_550x368.jpg ) This time, it’s the soldiers giving the SUGV (Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle) a hand. Note the familiar styling of the controller held by the soldier at left. A closer look at the controller and the operator’s goggles, as well as the tracks on the SUGV. [/QUOTE] Full Story: zdnet.com (http://content.zdnet.com/2346-9595_22-67546-1.html )
Microsoft Launches Ignition Program to Help Recording Artists
Xbox-Scene :: Thursday, June 07, 2007
Already kinda announced yesterday, but here’s the official press release (http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/jun07/06-04IgnitionLaunchPR.mspx ): [QUOTE] Microsoft Corp. today announced the launch of Ignition, a new program that gives recording artists with new releases a unique channel to reach tens of millions of consumers, whether they are browsing music online, playing games or catching up on the latest news. For the first time, Microsoft has packaged promotional opportunities across Zune, Xbox and MSN to help artists more efficiently reach consumers in all three audiences. In a world where high-impact promotional opportunities for new music can be limited, artists look for ways to make direct connections with their audience and leave a lasting impression. Ignition maximizes exposure for artists by engaging consumers with interesting content and reaching them frequently over a monthlong period through prominent placement on Zune Marketplace, Zune.net, MSN entertainment properties and the Xbox LIVE? Marketplace. For consumers, Ignition provides a steady stream of new music through online access to exclusive content, free song and video downloads, streaming video, editorial features, and artist playlists. “The Ignition program is designed to help artists connect with a substantial consumer audience,” said Christina Calio, director of Music Marketing for Zune. “Consumers are looking for ways to find new music, and Ignition helps connect artists with potential new fans by giving them multiple opportunities to listen to, watch or read about the artist across Microsoft’s online platforms.” The Ignition program launches with the U.K. band Max?mo Park (Warp Records/Caroline Distribution), whose current album, “Our Earthly Pleasures,” debuted at No. 2 on the U.K. charts in April and is receiving significant radio airplay for its single “Girls Who Play Guitars.” Throughout the month of June, Ignition will introduce new U.S. fans to this popular U.K. band through free and exclusive music downloads and features on Zune Marketplace and Zune.net, video downloads on Xbox LIVE Marketplace, and promotional video and music streams on MSN Video and MSN Music. [/QUOTE] Full press release here[microsoft.com] (http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2007/jun07/06-04IgnitionLaunchPR.mspx )
Xbox 360 Maker Mega-Merger: Flextronics Buys Solectron
Xbox-Scene :: Thursday, June 07, 2007
From forbes.com (http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/06/04/ap3784524.html ): [QUOTE] Singapore’s Flextronics International Ltd. [one of the companies producing the Xbox360] will buy rival contract electronics maker Solectron Corp. for about $3.6 billion in cash and stock. Solectron shares climbed more than 14 percent in morning trading. Under the deal announced Monday, Solectron will become a subsidiary of Flextronics, with Solectron shareholders holding a stake of between 20 percent to 26 percent. Flextronics, whose customers include Casio Computer Co., Dell Computer Corp., Eastman Kodak Co. , Ericsson Telecom AB, Hewlett-Packard Co. , Microsoft Corp. , Motorola Inc., Nortel Networks Ltd., Sony-Ericsson and Xerox Corp. , expects the deal to add at least 15 percent to its earnings. [/QUOTE] Full Story: forbes.com (http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/06/04/ap3784524.html )
XboxMediaCenter (XBMC) 2007-06-04 SVN rev9200 build – T3CH
Xbox-Scene :: Thursday, June 07, 2007
T3CH released a new SVN compile (rev9200) of XboxMediaCenter(info (http://www.xbox-scene.com/software/software.php?page=mediaplayers#newsitemEpyVVkpEFZGLaWTWZd )) for Xbox1. 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: * added: busydialogdelay option in advancedsettings to set the delay in milliseconds before the busydialog pops up. <busydialogdelay>2000</busydialogdelay> * I made this build yesterday so build date will say 3rd, but no changes has been made to SVN since, so enjoy this new T3CH. * For the first time I’ve removed a script. Snake was removed because it stopped functioning. If the author fixes bugs and add builtin update functionality, I might readd it in future. * I’m including the XBMC Win32 PC environment.exe that is meant for skinners & python developers, read more about the concept here (http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/forum/showthread.php?p=115893 ). It was built using Microsoft DirectX Summer 2004 SDK. * I’ve tweaked the win32 run_me_first.bat so it runs and then unmounts the virtual drives when you exit. For the full changelog (all added/fixed/changed/updated stuff) since the 2007-05-27 SVN Rev9113 (http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/sep/EElpkAAFEyyXkkHIoa.php ) build click here (http://forums.xbox-scene.com/index.php?showtopic=606722 ). 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: www.xboxmediacenter.com (http://www.xboxmediacenter.com ) (manual (http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/wiki/index.php?title=Xbox_Media_Center_Online_Manual ) and FAQ (http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/wiki/index.php?title=Frequently_Asked_Questions )) Official T3CH Site: http://t3ch.yi.se (http://t3ch.yi.se/ ) (release RSS feed (http://t3ch.yi.se/feed.rss )) Download Binaries: n/a (built with XDK (http://www.xbox-scene.com/xdk.php )) | Download SourceCode: here (http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/wiki/index.php?title=What_Is_Source_Code )
Gates Hints At New Xbox Control System
Xbox-Scene :: Thursday, June 07, 2007
From gamasutra.com (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=14184 ): [QUOTE] As detailed by technology website All Things Digital (http://d5.allthingsd.com/20070530/d5-gates-jobs-interview/ ), Gates was taking part in a live conversation with Apple founder Steve Jobs, when Gates began to discuss the use of 3D online interfaces and the increasing role of the PC as a home media and communications center. He ended his comments by saying, “And as we get natural input, that will cause a change… Software is doing vision and so, you know, imagine a game machine where you’re just going to pick up the bat and swing it or the tennis racket and swing it.” As the similarities behind his concept and that of the Wii were pointed out, Gates responded: “No, that’s not it. You can’t pick up your tennis racket. And swing it.” “You can’t sit there with your friends and do those natural things. That’s a 3D positional device. This is video recognition,” he added. [/QUOTE] Full Story: gamasutra.com (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=14184 )
Microsoft Ignition to Unite Xbox, Zune, MSN for New Music
Xbox-Scene :: Thursday, June 07, 2007
From .dmwmedia.com (http://www.dmwmedia.com/news/2007/06/03/microsoft-ignition-to-unite-xbox-zune-msn-for-new-music ): [QUOTE] Combining an audience of approximately 30 million regular users, Microsoft’s Ignition program, to be announced tomorrow, will leverage three of its largest services – Xbox Live, Zune, and MSN – to offer customers new music acts. The Ignition program will expose emerging artists to the broad Microsoft audience for a month, with the first participating band being Maximo Park from the UK. The band’s first single will be offered as a free exclusive download on Zune, a free music video for download on Xbox Live, and as a streaming video on MSN. According to Reuters, Microsoft is “demanding exclusive content and hands-on participation from the artists involved.” Christina Calio, Microsoft’s director of music marketing, said, “We don’t want the same thing that is going out on MTV.” Ignition’s success will depend in large part on the quality of the acts it promotes. Microsoft is hoping to be a filter for its audience, something MySpace, for instance, currently lacks. But it’s the lack of a filter that many MySpace users enjoy. The ability to “discover” music and recommend it to friends is one of the success stories of the online social networking movement. Microsoft is, in essence, attempting to modernize the MTV model and distribute it over a range of services with which few companies can compete. [/QUOTE] Full Story: .dmwmedia.com (http://www.dmwmedia.com/news/2007/06/03/microsoft-ignition-to-unite-xbox-zune-msn-for-new-music )
Genius MaxFire Pandora & Pandora Pro Review
Inside HW :: Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Beside the standard gamer desktop systems, there are more and more “muscled” gaming notebooks available. It is no longer strange to set all the options to “high” when playing games on a notebook, even in great widescreen resolutions. If you already have the opportunity to play the newest Need for Speed on the road or in a park, why not play it with a gamepad?
Profits rise for Mad Catz
GamesIndustry.biz :: Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Mad Catz has revealed full year operating income of USD 6.4 million (EUR 4.7m), a significant climb compared to last year’s loss of USD 9.2 million (EUR 6.8m).
EA exec appointed chairman of ISFE board
GamesIndustry.biz :: Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Electronic Arts’ senior VP for Europe Jens Uwe Intat has been appointed chairman of the board of the Interactive Software Federation Europe.
Former Human Head boss sets up new studio
GamesIndustry.biz :: Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Timothy Gerritsen, the former CEO of Prey developer Human Head, is teaming up with other company veterans to establish a new development studio in Madison, Wisconsin.
E for All registration opens
GamesIndustry.biz :: Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Registration has opened for the E for All Expo, to be held at the LA Convention Centre October 18-21.
Redundancies hit Sony US
GamesIndustry.biz :: Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Between 80 and 100 workers at Sony Computer Entertainment America have been made redundant as part of plans to restructure the business and reduce costs.
Vrabeck to spearhead new EA Casual division
GamesIndustry.biz :: Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Electronic Arts has formed a new casual games division and appointed former Activision exec Kathy Vrabeck as president.
