Rumor: Xbox 360 to get one terabyte HDD??

A whopping one terabyte hard drive is rumoured to be in development for the next iteration of Microsoft's Xbox 360 console.

The increased capacity hard drive is rumoured to be launched at the same time with as Project Natal.

It is still unclear whether or not a Natal-equipped Xbox 360 will be released in 2010, with outspoken Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer recently backpedalling and apologising for misleading

Industry analysts have identified the limited storage space of the current Xbox 360 range as a major feature holding the tech back right now, particularly with the rapid developments in movies and games on demand services via Xbox Live.

"I don't see the timing between new release and digital download being a function of anything other than hard drive sizes," analyst Michale Pachter told GamesIndustry.biz. "I think as soon as we have large hard drives - think the rumoured Project Natal 'new' Xbox 360 with a terabyte of storage in 2010 - we'll have day-and-date downloads."

Retailer woes

Of course, such rumours have been doing the rounds on forums such as the massively popular NeoGaf for some time now. Yet it is only with the imminent games on demand service set to launch later this summer that they are now gaining traction.

Discussing Microsoft's new games on demand offering (due in August) Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter also told GI.biz: "While retailers may baulk at the possibility of day-and-date downloads, I don't see too many refusing to carry Microsoft product in retaliation."

Pachter adds: "Should a retailer boycott Microsoft, I think that the full force of the publishers would be brought to bear on that retailer, and they would find themselves starved for product."

source:tech radar

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Project NATAL for Xbox 360

Project Natal is the code name for a "controller-free gaming and entertainment experience" by Microsoft for the Xbox 360 video game platform. Based on an add-on peripheral for the Xbox 360 console, Project Natal enables users to control and interact with the Xbox 360 without the need to touch a game controller, through gestures, spoken commands,or presented objects and images. The project is aimed at broadening the Xbox 360's audience beyond its typically hardcore base. Project Natal was first announced on June 1 at the 2009 Electronic Entertainment Expo. Microsoft said that over 1000 development kits began shipping to game developers that same day. Microsoft has not revealed any price or release date projections for Project Natal, though several observers expect the control system to be released in late 2010.

Sensor device
An approximately nine-inch (23 cm) wide horizontal bar connected to a small circular base with a ball joint pivot, the Project Natal sensor is designed to be positioned lengthwise above or below the video display. The device features an "RGB camera, depth sensor, multi-array microphone, and custom processor running proprietary software", which provides full-body 3D motion capture, facial recognition, and voice recognition capabilities. The Project Natal sensor's microphone array enables the Xbox 360 to conduct acoustic source localization and ambient noise suppression, allowing for things such as headset-free party chat over Xbox Live.

The depth sensor consists of an infrared projector combined with a monochrome CMOS sensor, and allows the Project Natal sensor to see in 3D under any ambient light conditions.The active depth-sensing range of the depth sensor is adjustable,with the Project Natal software capable of automatically calibrating the sensor based on the gameplay and environment conditions, such as the presence of couches.

Project Natal is reportedly based on software technology developed internally by Microsoft and hardware intellectual property acquired from time-of-flight camera developer 3DV Systems. Before agreeing to sell all its assets in March 2009, 3DV had been preparing its own depth-sensing webcam controller, known as the ZCam.

Described by Microsoft personnel as the primary innovation of Project Natal, the software technology enables advanced gesture recognition, facial recognition, and voice recognition.The skeletal mapping technology shown at E3 2009 was capable of simultaneously tracking up to four users for motion analysis, with a feature extraction of 48 interest points on a human body at a frame rate of 30 hertz.Depending on the person's distance from the sensor, Project Natal is capable of tracking models that can identify individual fingers.

Technology demos
Three technical demos were shown to showcase Project Natal when it was revealed at Microsoft's E3 2009 Media Briefing:

* Ricochet - a Breakout-like game in which the entire body is used to bounce balls at blocks.
* Paint Party - where the player can make throwing motions to splash paint onto a wall. He/she can choose colours using speech recognition, and can pose to make stencils.
* Milo and Kate - a game in development by Lionhead Studios, in which the player interacts with a young child (Milo or Milly, selected by the user at the start) and his/her dog Kate, using items and passing him virtual items from real life actions. In an interview after the demonstration, Lionhead founder Peter Molyneux confirmed that the demo was in fact the long running Project Dimitri. In the demonstration available at E3 2009, only Milo was available to interact with.
* Burnout Natal - not showcased as a live demonstration, a demo based on Burnout Paradise in which the player uses an invisible steering wheel to control the vehicle.

source: wikipedia Read More..

Xbox 360 Refurbished

If you're thinking about buying an xBox 360, you might have noticed that you can save money by buying a "refurbished" xBox. Sometimes the price difference is pretty significant. You may be wondering what exactly a refurbished system is, and why it's so much cheaper.

A refurbished xBox 360 is one that has been pre-owned, but unlike a regular used system, it has been tested by the manufacturers to make sure everything works properly. They use the exact same technology to check a refurbished system as they do a new system. So, if you get one that's refurbished, that means that it should theoretically be up to the same standards as a brand new model.

Refurbished machines are often used as replacements for xBox 360's that don't work. If you know anybody who has had to return their xBox because of overheating problems or faulty hardware, they'll get a refurbished one sent to them in return. If you're past warrantee, you have to pay for that refurbished machine, which costs $129 from xBox directly.

Refurbished xBox 360's from the manufacturer are like new. They test them the same way they test new units to make sure they meet quality standards. Some gamers have had problems with the refurbished consoles, but they are usually the same problems people have with the brand new ones, like the "red rings of death" caused by overheating. The problems with the consoles are due to some kind of faultiness from the get-go, not because they are refurbished.

Even though it's as good as new, some gamers feel kind of ripped-off by Microsoft for not replacing their new, malfunctioning units with other new units. Instead, they send you a refurbished one that has been used by somebody else. It's easy to see why that would be a little insulting.

Buying a refurbished system is only about as risky as buying a new one, but still it's probably a good idea to go ahead and pay for that extra warrantee. They offer warrantees of different lengths, and the prices for the warrantees vary accordingly.

Aside from buying a refurbished xBox directly, you can find refurbished consoles for sale on eBay and other online shops. You might be able to get one for under $100, but make sure you have a good warrantee.

There have been some stories about people buying refurbished machines off the internet (not directly from the company) that had some cosmetic damage, or that had some minor problems, so buyer beware. Any time you buy anything off the web, make sure you are dealing with a reliable dealer and there is some kind of warrantee or money back guarantee.

There are also lots of stories out there about gamers having trouble with their new xBoxes, sending them back, and getting refurbished machines that didn't work any better. Again, this is due to a problem with the system's design. It can't be stressed enough: get the warrantee. Shell out the money for the longest warrantee and make sure you are covered in case anything happens.
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Xbox 360 Accessories

Xbox 360 Accessories

Just like a car, Microsoft XBox consoles also have accessories. If you search for it online, there is an additional tax for shipping and delivery rate. You can get your Xbox accessories on www.amazon.com or even on www.ebay.com.

However, the XBox enthusiasts get theirs at toy stores. Besides, it is cheaper. Here is a list of the available accessories for the Microsoft XBox.

1. XBox Controllers

These are standard accessories, meaning they are made available when you buy the system. But some gamers tened to overuse their controller that they soon need a new one.

It is interesting to note that there is an array of XBox controllers available on the market. Like there are wireless controllers, XBox Eclipse controller, XBox Afterglow controller and so much more. It is all up to the gamer which one to get.



2. XBox Arcade Sticks

There are some games available for the XBox that can be controlled by arcade sticks for better game play. As opposed to the controller, arcade sticks can allow the gamers to flick their wrists more, therefore, there’s better control.

Best example where the XBox Arcade Sticks are compatible are the fighting games for the console.



3. XBox Steering Wheels

If there are fighting games, there are also driving games. Thanks to XBox Steering Wheels, the gamer can sit right in front of the TV set and drive away.






4. XBox Memory Cards

Memory cards aren't included when you buy an XBox console. This is because it isn't an essential accessory since the XBox has an 8 GB harddisk build-in. This can let the player save all his game information.

An XBox memory card is used when transferring a saved game from one XBox console to another. Some serious gamers also prefer that they back up their games, especially when it is a valued endeavor.

XBox memory cards are perfect for hardcore gamers. It is inserted in the console and plugged into the sockets on its two memory card slots.


5. XBox Headset With Communicator

The most successful game in the entire XBox franchise is “Halo”. Released in 2004, it is still as popular as ever. A headset with a communicator lets the gamer interact with the other players of “Halo” making it more real. Read More..

Life After Xbox Mods

Life After Xbox Mods


If you’re a novice gamer and you’ve decided to start out your gaming experience with an Xbox, you’ll probably have lots of people suggesting you to subject your Xbox to modding. Whether this is the right choice to do or not depends entirely up to you.

What Is Xbox Modding?

Modding is a technically illegal practice that makes use of various techniques and methods to get around security measures and other restrictions programmed by the manufacturer. Just a few months after the release of the Xbox 360 to the global market, the Internet had spawned a number of modding methods to allow players to get around signature checking and advertising and permit use of game backups and other add-ons.

What Xbox Has To Say About Modding

If and when you do allow the use of mods on your Xbox, this will automatically nullify your warranty contract with Microsoft, the maker of Xbox, because several mods require dismantling your gaming unit. It will also ban you from making full use of the Xbox Live Marketplace unless you’re able to install a mod whose sole purpose is concealing the use of mods.

Four Ways For Installing Xbox Mods

Modchip

? When you install this particular mod on your Xbox, you will have to hire a technician to disassemble your unit in order to insert the chip unless you believe you have the necessary technical skills to do it yourself. One little mistake can cause the whole unit to break down completely so care and precision must be exercised when installing this chip.

Upon installation, a modchip will allow you to play games and other add-ons that are presently considered unacceptable.

TSOP Flashing

? TSOP stands for thin small-outline package and this particular mod allows you to make the motherboard of your gaming unit writable. Be aware that TSOP flashing is only applicable for Xbox units V1.0 to V1.5

Softmod

? Unlike a modchip, softmods are any modification which is implemented through a software program. When softmod is installed, players are able to gain access to previously restricted parts of the game. If multibooting is implemented, softmods won’t affect your access to the Xbox Live Marketplace. Keep in mind however that softmods don’t always work.

Hot Swap

? Lastly, with hot swaps, you can use your very own desktop to change a particular set of information inside your Xbox’s hard disk drive.

Many things can go right…or wrong when you install Xbox mods so do be sure about what you want before taking any action. Read More..

XBox 360 Overheating Issues

XBox 360 Overheating Issues



Since the new XBox 360s came out, there has been lots of talk about overheating issues. According to Microsoft, this accounts for just a tiny percent of all their machines, but there are an awfully lot of overheating stories out there. Lots of XBox fans aren't happy with the way they're dealing with the problem.

Here's what usually happens: In the middle of a hot game your console freezes up. This happens a few more times, and then you see the Red Rings Of Death. The RR of D is not a feature of XBox, nor a foe in a fantasy game. The RR of D means that you're machine is overheating. Some people have reported seeing an orange screen flashing as well. The Rings shut down your machine and you lose your unsaved data. What it means is that it's overheated.

Some machines overheat after hours of play, but some do in as quickly as 10 minutes. Either way, the machine is defective and something has to be done about it.

Now, you can either send the machine in for repairs, or you can fix it yourself. Lots of gamers have been peeved at Microsoft's slow response to their overheating woes. They say that Microsoft is slow to repair the units. Often, they will offer a refurbished unit instead. Refurbished machines are as good as new, so it sounds pretty good, but there are tons of stories online of defective replacement machines. Some XBox owners have gone through 3 or 4 machines, all of which overheated!

It's a pretty sad state of affairs. Overheat sufferers claim that the company's customer service is less than helpful, and that they fail to adequately take responsibility for their faulty machines.

There are a few things you can do on your own to deal with overheating. Just like any other electronics, try to keep the back of the console clear so that the hot air can escape. With a well-made machine, this shouldn't be a problem, but if you have it all the way back against the wall, it might be a factor in why it overheats.

Supposedly, the root of the overheating problem in XBox 360s is that they tried to cut corners by using cheaply made, slow fans. There are 2 fans on either side, and they are really important for cooling the console. You can always reach back there and feel if the unit feels very cold or super hot. If one of the fans is not turning, or if it is going too slowly, you might want to replace the fan yourself. Of course, it shouldn't be YOUR responsibility to do that, but considering all the headaches customers have had with Microsoft's replacement machines, it just might save you some trouble.

If you send the machine in for a new fan, they may try to gouge you for it. If you look on the web (check eBay), you can find the exact same fans that are used in the XBox 360 for as low as $10. It isn't too difficult to replace the fan yourself, and you can find schematics and tutorials online to help you.

Another minor repair you can do yourself is to put some Arctic Silver 5 on the heatsink. This is a cooling compound that you can buy online. If you apply it on the heatsink, which is located just between the CPU and the fans, it will cool down the components. People who have used Arctic Silver report great results. It seems to keep the unit from ever overheating again.

Remember also that your XBox 360 has a year long warrantee. The original warrantees were six months, but they've since extended it, and it's retroactive. That means if you bought yours within the last year, it still should be covered.

If you would like to save time and money you can fix your Xbox 360 yourself today using simple step by step VIDEO instructions and you could be playing your games again in 30 minutes starting from now!

NEW! You can get all the information and tools you need to make backup copies of virtually every video game you own with nothing more than a CD burner or DVD burner and your home computer. PLUS learn how to play all of your favorite games on your PC, no console, or mod chip needed! Read More..

How to Burn Or Copy XBox 360 Games

You can burn and copy your XBox 360 games, but it takes a little doing. It's not as easy as plopping it in and hitting "start."

There are 2 ways to copy games: you can copy games to your XBox hard drive, or you can use a PC. If you want to burn a copy of your games, you have to use a PC, and the process is a little more complicated. I'll probably say it again later, but you have to have a modded XBox to play copied games. The system is designed so that it won't play copied games, so if you plan on doing this, make sure your XBox has a mod chip first. Otherwise it won't work!

Copying Games To Your XBox Hard Drive

Copying games this way is pretty easy. You'll need one bit of software which is called DVD2XBOX. This is a totally legal piece of software that allows you to back up games, and you can get it for free online. Do a web search and you can find it. You might also want to make sure your XBox has plenty of hard drive space for the backed up games. If you plan to do this, I recommend upgrading your XBox hard drive first, so you have plenty of memory.

Once you have DVD2XBOX on your XBox, it will show up on the dashboard under "applications." If you open this software, it will walk you through step by step on copying and saving the games. It's pretty user friendly, but if you are unsure, there are some easy-to-follow tutorials on the web.

Copying Games To Your PC

This is a lot more complex, but it's the only way to burn your games to disk. You'll need more gear for this. You have to at least have an Ethernet cable, software for converting games to .ISO file, software for burning DVDs or CD-ROMs, and a mod chip in your XBox to play the copied games.

Here's how you do it: First, connect your XBox to your computer with the Ethernet cable. With the Ethernet cable, you can FTP the files and back them up on your hard drive. You'll need to do this in order to copy them. Once you're hooked up, load the games onto your computer using FTP.

The next step is to turn those games into .ISO files. To do this, you'll need some software like Qwix or ISO. Users have reported that both work pretty well, and you can download either one free on the web. They'll need to be in .ISO format in order to be burned onto DVDs.

Next, you'll need some kind of software for burning the files to DVD. Probably the most used software for burning XBox games is Nero's Burning Rom. It's easy to use and makes discs that are compatible with the XBox. Alcohol 120 is also pretty popular. If you want to use another software, just make sure that the discs it burns are XBox compatible. The specs should tell you this.

The best discs to use are recordable DVDs like DVD-R, DVD-RW, or CD-RW's. Before you start burning a bunch of stuff, you should do a test run. Burn one and make sure it works on your XBox before you go totally crazy and burn a bunch.

Now, just burn those .ISO files with Nero or Alcohol 120, and you're good to go. I can't stress it enough: Mod chips are expensive and hard to install, but if you plan to play burned games, you need one. Also, keep in mind that a mod chip voids your warrantee, and you can't do XBox Live with a mod chip.

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Xbox 360 History

Xbox 360 History

The Xbox 360 is the successor to Xbox video game console from Microsoft. It was referred to in the past as Xbox Next or Xbox 2 or simply Project Xenon. Microsoft has scheduled its launch just before Christmas of 2005, the biggest shopping season although it was unveiled on 12.05.2005 on MTV. Xbox 360 is an answer to Sony’s PlayStation 3 and Nintendo’s Revolution game consoles. Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system as it is fully known as would usher a totally new era of high definition digital entertainment which is personalized and connected always.

Who designed the Xbox 360?
Xbox 360 is designed by the very innovative Astro studios, San Francisco, USA in collaboration with Hers Experimental Design Laboratory, Osaka, Japan, resulting in sleek and stylish exterior packed with powerful hardware, software and services.

The Xbox 360 comes with:
Xbox Gamer Guide: An entertainment gateway that connects to your games, movie, friends, music and available downloadable content. The Xbox Guide Button, a one touch interface gives you instant access to content you want, be it the gamer card of the player who just invited you to play, or to new downloadable content for the game you are currently running.

Personalized interface: Xbox 360 lets you create your own customised system for a unique experience. With changeable facia plates, it is very easy to change the make up of your console. Power on your system and you can customize the look and feel of the System Guide and Gamer Guide with various unique skins. The faces and skins can form a unique combination to reflect your personality.

Ring of Light: The Xbox 360 console is divided into four glowing quadrants which are also collectively called the Ring of Light. This Ring of Light, along with the Xbox Guide button controls the entire system. The guide button visually connects you to your games. The Guide button apart from connecting and controlling your experience also controls the startup and shutdown of the system. . The Xbox 360 supports both wired and wireless controllers and accessories by the virtue of which all operations can be controlled from the comfort of your couch.

Xbox Live: Xbox 360’s Xbox Live is where games and entertainment come alive. This is a unified interface where you can play with anyone, anytime anywhere. By connecting your Xbox 360 to a broadband internet connection, you can instantly access Xbox Live Silver, to announce your digital identity via your gamer tag or gamer card. You can talk to others using voice chat, and access the Xbox Live Marketplace — all right out of the box, at no extra cost. When you upgrade to Xbox Live Gold, you get access to the ever exciting world of online multiplayer gaming. By using intelligent matchmaking, and accessing all your achievements and statistics, Xbox Live Gold brings you nearer to your competition at your terms.

Games: Xbox 360 redefines the whole gaming experience in terms of what they look like, sound like, feel like, and play like in order to engage you like never before. All Xbox 360 titles have resolutions of 1080i and 720p resolution in 16:9 widescreen formats, anti-aliasing support for movie-like graphics and of course, multi-channel surround sound.
Not to mention you can amplify your music, photos, video, and TV. You can watch DVD movies in the comfort of your couch. Xbox 360 also supports progressive-scan DVD’s. The Xbox 360 hard drive can be used to rip music and share your latest albums and pictures with friends and family.

Xbox 360 Accessories Fact Sheet
A successor of the Xbox gaming system, Microsoft’s new Xbox 360 and its unique line of Xbox 360 system accessories extend your digital entertainment experience beyond the console.

Xbox 360 Faceplates
A never before feature – Xbox 360 is centralized around gamers. As a fully customizable design, Xbox 360 gives you the freedom of changing the look of the console to reflect your tastes and personality. The face plates like most Nokia Cellular phones can be changed with extreme ease to express your moods or your sense of style.

* Interchangeable faceplates allow you to create a unique system.
* Find cool, swappable and changeable cutting-edge designs.
* Faceplates come in a lot of varieties and designs.
* Regardless of chosen faceplates, the system remains fully functional.

Xbox 360 Memory Unit
Xbox 360 comes with a 64MB memory unit to further enhance your gaming experience. This memory unit facilitates you to save the in-game achievements and gamer profiles. These units are portable and enable you to start off from where you left quickly and easily. You can easily carry around the Memory Unit in a carrying case which is extremely portable and can fit on a keychain. This memory unit is absolute plug’n’play. Xbox 360 can hold up to two memory units, thus making it upgradeable.

Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote
The Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote is designed in such a way that it becomes an integrated control center for the entire Xbox 360 system. The Media Remote facilitates your entry into the world of digital entertainment by the touch of a single button. Play DVD’s, music, control your TV and your PC with a single integrated controller. This option is to let you kick back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

Accessories Designed for Xbox Live
Xbox Live Camera
The Xbox Live Camera for Xbox 360 lets you video chat and message with your friends and gives up the true gaming and entertainment experience. As an integrated part of Xbox 360’s Xbox Live experience you can connect and communicate with friends while playing, listening to music or watching movies. When you play motion-detection-enabled games online the Xbox live camera inserts you into the game and helps you control the characters.

Xbox 360 Headset
The Xbox 360 Headset enlivens the online gaming experience beyond your imagination helping you to talk to friends, your team mates to finalize strategies or trash talk your opponents out of the game through Xbox Live, all this during play time. Xbox Live also comes with a message service which you can use to leave short vocal messages for your family or friends.

Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter
The Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter takes your Xbox 360 experience way beyond your home, synchronizing with the Xbox 360 main system seamlessly. You can transfer videos and music to your Xbox 360 system from your PC with ease, chat up your colleagues and friends, play games using Xbox Live, and more without wiring it all up.

Xbox 360 Wireless Controller
Xbox 360 through the optimized wireless technology offers the ultimate in wireless gaming within a 30 ft range for 40 hours with the help of 2 AA batteries. With warning systems in place you can plug & charge with ample notice for uninterrupted playing. The wireless controller also supports the Xbox 360 headset for voice communication. The wireless controller has all the functionality of the standard controller enabling you to use all the gaming and entertainment features from your couch. The wired controller comes with a 9 ft cable. Read More..

Xbox 360 Tips: How To Install A New Hard Drive (Big Size)

Xbox 360 Tips: How To Install A New Hard Drive

If you’re wondering why you’d wish to install a new hard drive in your Xbox 360, here’s something to consider. Imagine increasing the normal 8 to 10GB hard disk drive of your Xbox 360 with something more substantial like a 120GB hard disk drive, or one that would allow you to save multiple games. That’s wonderful, isn’t it? And that’s what you’ll get once you purchase and install a new hard drive in your Xbox 360.

Step One: Saving Files
Before installing a new hard drive to your Xbox 360, it’s important that you save what needs saving first. Start with the critical settings of your Xbox: this is what makes your unit operate normally. Use an alternate dashboard like the EvolutionX to save your system’s setup. Secondly, copy drives C and E to your desktop’s hard disk.

Step Two:Creating A New Boot Cd
You will use your alternate dashboard in upgrading your Xbox 360 and in order to install a new hard disk drive to your gaming unit. More detailed information about this particular step can be found on the websites of EvolutionX and other alternate dashboards for the Xbox 360. As long as you follow instructions carefully and completely, you won’t encounter any problem at all in this step. Make sure that you copy and burn the newly created data on a CD format which your Xbox will be able to read.

Step Three: Replacing The Hard Disk Drive
Open your gaming unit and replace the hard disk drive with the one you’ve purchased. Check first if your new disk drive is preset to “cable-select”. Secondly, make sure that the necessary wires are connected properly. Keep your old hard disk drive in a dry and secure place for backup purposes.

Step Four: Installing The Cd And File Transfer Protocol (Ftp)
It’s time to install the CD that you’ve created in Step 2. If things don’t pan out as they should, this may mean that you used an incompatible CD format or the wrong data for rebooting. Go back to Step Two once more and recheck everything.

Step Five : Transfer C And E
If Step 4 proceeds smoothly, just click the necessary button to let the installation of the new drive to commence. Afterwards, re-upload drives C: and E: which you saved previously on your desktop’s hard disk drive.

Lastly, make the necessary changes to allow your Xbox 360 to accept your newly uploaded drive C: and if nothing goes wrong then you’ve succeeded installing your new disk drive. Save away!

source: FreeArticle.com

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