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Week of October 14, 2007
Xenon360 Crystal Clear Sample Pictures
>> We already showed you sample pictures of the Black Xenon360 replacement case some days ago, and as promised here are a few of the Crystal Clear edition.
It features the same textured plastic as the Black edition, which makes it look a lot like the Xbox1 Crystal LE Microsoft released in 2004 in Europe.
During installation of the case you can either leave or remove the top RF cage, for the pictures below I removed it so you can see the motherboard through the case.
Official Site: www.xbox-central.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
CNet's Console Holiday Ratings: Xbox360 - Mediocre
>> From cnet.com:
[QUOTE]
Generally speaking, it's Microsoft that has the most to worry about this holiday season. I believe the Xbox 360 will take the day when this whole console battle is over, but all in all, it looks like the next few months will be tough.
A quick glimpse at the Gamestop release calendar will tell you everything you need to know for this holiday season. In a word, the games lineup is mediocre -- at best. Sure, games like Call of Duty 4, Assassin's Creed, and Mass Effect will be hitting shelves, but only the latter will be exclusive to the Xbox 360. And to be quite honest, it's the exclusive titles that will shape this holiday season.
Microsoft has already done what it had to do -- get Halo 3 out the door and enjoy unprecedented hardware and software revenue. In fact, the release of Halo 3 solidified the company as a major player in this business for years to come. But the main problem with its strategy of releasing the game so early is the lack of true hardware-sellers. Sure, Mass Effect looks neat, but is it on par with a game like Halo, which is the main reason the majority of people bought an Xbox 360 in September? I doubt it.
Overall Xbox 360 outlook for the holiday season: mediocre.
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Full Story: cnet.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
HowTo Wear Your Halo Helmet
>> From kotaku.com:
[QUOTE]
After reading of the MTV intern's plight to create a Master Chief costume earlier this week I remembered that some reader had sent me a picture showing a pal of his wearing the helmet from the Legendary version of the game on his head.
I had asked him to email me the details on how it was achieved and then never heard back. So I decided to do it myself... big mistake.
Before I walk you through this let me point out two things: I had to use a glue gun to put my helmet back together. That's because the center black piece that takes up all of the headroom is in fact also the frame that holds the whole thing together. The second reason? I'll leave that no-brainer till the end.
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Full Story: kotaku.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Survey: 580 Million USD In Console Download Revenues In 2007
>> From gamasutra.com:
[QUOTE]
According to a pair of new surveys released by IDC and IDG Entertainment (IDGE), the booming market created by online-capable consoles means that online console download revenues will triple from $133 million in 2006 to $583 million in 2007, with bigger increases expected in the future.
"By the end of 2007, over 31 percent of online capable video game consoles in North America will be in active online use by 14 million online console gamers," said Pidgeon. "The increase in revenue derived from the online use of game consoles, including subscriptions (mostly Xbox Live), downloadable content, and advertising represents the largest growth in the console software sector. In North America alone, online console revenue will triple from $133 million in 2006 to $583 million in 2007. Consumers are increasingly purchasing games by non-traditional means such as downloads or subscriptions."
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Full Story: gamasutra.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Analysts: September Xbox 360 Victory To Be Short-Lived
>> From gamasutra.com:
[QUOTE]
Following NPD's release of September sales results, Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter and simExchange's Jesse Divinch have said the industry is on "solid footing," and predicted that the Xbox 360's victory over Wii should be short-lived.
Pachter noted that other analysts will likely note that without Halo 3's contribution to both software and hardware sales, growth was actually down 7 percent year over year. He added, though, "Although sales of Halo 3 accounted for all (and then some) of the growth during the month, the game clearly drove hardware sales that will position the industry for even greater sales in November and December, when many Halo players will be ready for a new challenge."
Finally, though the Xbox 360 saw higher sales than both the Wii and DS, Divinch says the victory "is expected to be short lived with the Wii regaining the top spot for the remaining months in 2007."
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Full Story: gamasutra.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Toshiba Working On HD DVD Xbox 360?
>> From kotaku.com:
[QUOTE]
A pretty convincing rumor reports that Microsoft is teaming up with Toshiba to make a new Xbox 360 to compete with Sony's HD-enticing Blu-ray PS3. Here are the potential proposed specs that would come standard in the new device:
- HD DVD
- 1080p w/HDMI (doesn't sound much different)
- Wireless Networking
- dual HD tuners with program guide (no dvr?)
- MP3 player dock (possibly a new open standard ala ipod...won't happen, Zune is USB)
- Toshiba is also exploring a 40-inch TV that can dock the 360
- This same TV dock could allow for more hard drive or component swappability
- Expected in late 2008 or CES 2009
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Full Story: kotaku.com | smarthouse.com.au
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
XCM Cases with HDMI-port and Air Tube Chameleon Coming Soon
>> From Team Xtender:
[QUOTE]
* A new XCM 360 replacement case with HDMI port will be released soon, the first 3 colors will be Christmas joy pack (bundle with Sexy Red wireless controller pad shell) , Black Knight with X logo and White.
* XCM 360 Air tube (Chameleon) will be released soon
XCM 360 Airtube wind tunnel, match perfectly with our XCM 360 replacement case ,and come with a light system that changes between various colors (6 colors in rotation).
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Official Site: www.teamxtender.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Sub-200USD HD DVD players just around the bend?
>> From pcworld.com:
[QUOTE]
Just a year-and-a-half since they launched, high-definition players are breaching the $200 barrier. If reports on the Web are correct, HD DVD is poised to break the $200 mark before the holidays. Toshiba has told me there's no official pricing moves with regard to their MSRP; however, reports on the Web indicate Wal-Mart may be prepping to sell a $198 HD DVD player.
If so, this is a significant and aggressive move in favor of Toshiba and the HD DVD format: They would be delivering what--up until now--only a no-name manufacturer based in Hong Kong has promised. And even then, Venturer Electronics has yet to release its $199 HD DVD player to market.
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Full Story: pcworld.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
US September NDP: Xbox 360 and Halo 3 Blow Away the Competition
>> From biz.gamedaily.com:
[QUOTE]
GameDaily BIZ has received the September sales data from The NPD Group, and the impact from Halo 3 could probably be felt around the world. Total video game sales rose to $1.36 billion for the month (a 74 percent increase), led largely by a dominating performance from Halo 3 sales and Xbox 360 hardware sales.
The three SKUs of Halo 3 (standard, limited edition, legendary edition) combined to sell 3.3 million units during the NPD reporting period. This had a great effect on Xbox 360 hardware adoption as sales for Microsoft's console topped all platforms at 527.8K units.
Nintendo's Wii, despite not really having any significant new software releases, was close behind with 501K units sold. The DS handheld also did quite well, selling another 495.8K. Looking at Sony's platforms, the PS3 sold just 119.4K units, while the surging PSP sold 284.5K and the PS2 maintained healthy sales at 215K. At the bottom of the pack, the old GBA sold 75K units.
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Full Story: biz.gamedaily.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Robbie Bach finally speaks about the 360 Arcade
>> From totally360.com:
[QUOTE]
The 360 Arcade SKU is no-doubt on its way after the recent wave of sightings of the bundle in stores and advertised at online retailers. However, it seems someone at Microsoft has finally broken the silence and spoke about the upcoming system.
That someone is Robbie Bach, Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices chief, who today confirmed that the Arcade is coming and that it's going straight for the Wii's jugular by targeting its market.
"Arcade becomes the ability to bring in a new set of audiences," stated Bach. "They're probably a little bit more casually focused, they're looking for a new family experience or they're more price focused."
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Full Story: totally360.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Amazon giving away 90 Xbox 360 'Heroes' systems
>> From amazon.com:
[QUOTE]
Register to win a Xbox 360 'Heroes' decorated game system. Artist Tim Sale lends his creative talents to creating a unique Xbox 360 game system enjoyed by Gamers and Heroes fans alike. Amazon.com will select 3 winners a day for 30 days. That's a total of 90 Xbox 360 Heroes game system to be given away! Register today for your chance to win. See official rules below.
Xbox 360 "Heroes" game system includes:
* Xbox 360 Console Includes 20GB Hard Drive (with HDMI)
* Xbox 360 HD DVD Player
* Heroes Season 1 on HD-DVD
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More Info: amazon.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Replacement Halo 3 Discs Are Here
>> From kotaku.co:
[QUOTE]
Show of hands who had their Halo 3 bonus disc all scratched up by the crummy tin box. One, two, three...OK, thousands of you.
The replacement discs have started turning up at homes, and while the new soft, beige packaging might not be as easy on the eye as a dark metal tin, it has done a better job of delivering functioning game discs to your 360 console.
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Full Story: kotaku.co
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
MC360 Live Place Themes Showcase
>> From Team BlackBolt:
[QUOTE]
Hello fellow artists and creative folk! Blackbolt here sending out a message to everyone who has created skins for MC360 or is wanting to get their work available on the MC360 theme download service.
This weekend, Sunday 21st October 2007 at 11.59pm PDT will be the cut-off time for submittions to our forum. All skins will be judged by myself and then made available for download by MC360 the following day. These skins will only be available via the download service within the updated MC360 Live Place, not via the website.
So if you think you've already got a great skin, post a link in the official showcase thread and let me know about (no PMs!!!!) or if you've nearly finished an excellent skin, then hurry and get it uploaded!! Theres no limit to the number of skins that will be added, it could be 10, it could be 50, who knows, only me thats who! Just make sure your skin is online and still downloadable after sunday evening.
So get cracking guys!
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Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Heelys Reveals Game Shoe
>> From kotaku.com:
[QUOTE]
I can't figure out which I find more disconcerting. The sheer overwhelming fuglatude of these shoes or the fact that just don't make any sense what so ever. What the hell was going through their minds when they came up with this?
Brent: I know, let's take a pair of sneakers and slap the gutted remains of an Xbox 360 controller to the sole.
Frasier: Wow, grand slam Brent! Now, lets go roll around in the pool of money we made off of kids who like to skate on the back heels of their shoes.
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Full Story: kotaku.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
September Canadian NPD Numbers: 360 51.2K, PS3 15.6K, Wii 42.9K
>> The Canadian NPD numbers for the month of September 2007 have been posted on neogaf.com:
[QUOTE]
Hardware Sep'07:
Nintendo DS = 45K
PS2 = 16.5K
GBA = 8.6K
Xbox 360 = 51.2K
Wii = 42.9K
PSP = 22K
PS3 = 15.6K
Top 6 Video Games - Sep 2007
360 HALO 3 = 135K
360 NHL 08 = 54.5K
PS2 NHL 08 = 41.7K
360 HALO 3 LEGENDARY ED = 27.2K
WII PLAY W/ REMOTE = 25K
360 HALO 3 COLLECTORS ED = 24.9K
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Full Story: neogaf.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
PulseVU 2, 2X and SICKmods Fader
>> From SICKmods via email:
[QUOTE]
After much hard work of cramming as many features as we could into our products and taking into account all of your feedback, we are very proud to announce that the PulseVU 2, PulseVU 2X, SICKmods Fader, and Power Extender are now available! The PulseVU is an internal chip which controls LEDs to pulse along with the music coming from your console. Both the PulseVU and Fader can be used to slowly fade your LEDs in and out.
The PulseVU 2X replaces the PulseVU for Xbox360 and is now able to pulse and fade your Xbox360's Ring of Light and also up to 150+ LEDs! The PulseVU 2 is a simplified version, good for other consoles, which controls up to 18 LEDs and does not work with the 360's ROL. Both the PulseVU 2 & 2X now have the ability to calibrate to the audio coming from nearly any device, so they can be installed in practically any console, PC, or anything with a 3V-5V voltage source. Either will work in the Xbox1, depending on how many LEDs you need it to handle. 17 unique modes allow the PulseVU to pulse your LEDs with the internal audio, or set them to fade slowly in and out, or just be solid on, dim, or off. You can chose any of those modes for when the console is off and another when the console turns on, and you can change modes externally at any time using an existing button on your console.
The SICKmods Fader is the successor to the LED Fader 360 and is incredibly small, to fit even in the tight spaces of handheld devices. It also is universal, fading up to 10 LEDs by default and working with the Xbox360's Ring of Light. It has 15 unique modes to fade your LEDs or set them to be solid on, dim, or off. The mode changing for all of the new devices are now much quicker with a new mode swap feature and there is a quick disable feature allowing you to quickly turn the device off and then back on to the mode you had it on last. In the SICKmods Fader, you can also set the fading mode to fade the LEDs out completely, or have them remain dim between fades.
Our new Power Extender is an add-on that gives you the ability to connect as many LEDs to the PulseVU or Fader as your power supply can handle. Each Power Extender can handle up to 3Amps, which is 150 20mA LEDs in parallel. Multiple boards can be linked together to power more LEDs.
Thank you for all of the community support while we developed these new products. Members here have really pushed the limits and have created some insane LED light shows with our chips. We are looking forward to seeing what SICK mods you will create this time!
More Information:
PulseVU & Power Extender: http://pulsevu.com/
SICKmods Fader: http://fader.sickmods.net/
Resellers:
PulseVU & Power Extender: http://pulsevu.com/purchase/
SICKmods Fader: http://shop.sickmods.net/
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Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Market to Shift from Wii to Xbox 360 this Holiday?
>> From biz.gamedaily.com:
[QUOTE]
While Nintendo and the Wii have been credited with expanding the gamer audience over the last year and bringing in more casual players, it's actually Microsoft's Xbox 360 that may prevail during this crucial holiday season, according to Janco Partners analyst Mike Hickey.
As part of an investor note for Electronic Arts, Hickey commented that this holiday may see more of a hardcore focus. "We believe the recent release of killer content (Halo 3 - BioShock), lower hardware price points, and limited Wii (hardware/software) supply could shift market focus from Wii casual to 360 hardcore this holiday," he said.
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Full Story: biz.gamedaily.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
UK Also Gets 5 Free 5HD DVDs Offer
>> From xbox.com:
[QUOTE]
To bag your free five DVDs, first you need the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player - you can buy one now. Then print out this form, pick your DVDs from our great selection and send it off. Easy. Already got the Xbox 360 HD DVD Player? If you bought it after 1/10/07 and kept the receipt then you're laughing all the way to the post box.
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Note: This offer seems to be UK-only for now, too bad for the rest of Europe.
Buy the Xbox360 HD DVD Addon: amazon UK | amazon USA
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Red Ring of Death Condolence Cards
>> From joystiq.com:
[QUOTE]
If you know someone who recently experienced the loss of an Xbox 360, show some support by sending a Red Ring of Death condolence card. Created by Etsy user BSAngel, the card has the dreaded red ring design on the front, made from red crystals adhered by industrial strength glue. The card says inside: "May this card help console you during this difficult time. I am very sorry for your loss." Get it? Console and console -- it's a heteronym.
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Full Story: joystiq.com | etsy.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
As Bizarre, Bungie and BioWare Flee Microsoft, What Does This Mean For MGS?
>> From newsweek.com:
[QUOTE]
Three is a trend, or so the saying goes among journalists. So what are we to make of the steady exodus of highly acclaimed developers from the warm embrace of Microsoft Game Studios into the arms of others? Last Thursday's news that Electronic Arts had acquired BioWare Pandemic from Elevation Partners for nearly $800 million marked the third time in just three weeks that a top developer of multiple Xbox games has jumped ship. First, on September 26th, Activision announced that it would be purchasing the previously-independent U.K. studio Bizarre Creations, which made four Project Gotham Racing games for MGS between 2001 and 2006. A week later, rumors began to mount that Bungie--the brightest light in the MGS firmament by virtue of its three best-selling Halo games and the only one of the three Killer B's actually owned by Microsoft--had repurchased its independence from the Redmond giant. The rumors proved true, and by the end of the week, both parties released statements attesting to that fact. When EA made its announcement not even a week later, that BioWare--makers of the MGS titles Jade Empire and the forthcoming Mass Effect--and Pandemic would be joining its Murderer's Row, much of the focus was on whether or not EA overpaid (we'll tackle that in a subsequent post) and was it good or bad that EA's already formidable power was spreading unchecked throughout the industry like the baleful Eye of Sauron. Left relatively unexamined, with the exception of a few message boards, fansites and podcasts, was this: what does it say about Microsoft Game Studios that three of the industry's most renowned developers have slipped through its fingers in less than a month's time?
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Full Story: newsweek.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
IBM, AMD, Nvidia, Intel Talk The Future Of Gaming Processors
>> From gamasutra.com:
[QUOTE]
Last Thursday in San Francisco, Cadence held a roundtable discussion with high-level staff responsible for some of the most crucial processors in the gaming space.
According to AMD's Feldstein, who led the design for the Xbox 360 GPU, "The great thing about game console chips is that you're not bound by the linear path the PC has to take -- the dictators who say where the PC is going, like Microsoft." Feldstein even said Microsoft behaves differently when it comes to the 360. "You're also looking at a longer time. You're looking at something that has to live for years rather than months. It's a closed environment, you don't have the open factors of PC. It's a great place to prototype and design."
Setting the tone for his comments throughout the session, Intel's Randy Stude, whose company has no current console products since the cease in production of the original Xbox, argued that consoles do not help with innovation. "Throw Moore's Law out of the window when you talk about consoles -- except every five or ten years when one comes out. Moore's Law applies to the PC industry."
However, IBM's Jim Kahle, chief architect of the Cell project which resulted in the processor for the PS3, disagreed totally. "Moore's Law is about density, and density applies to cost. On consoles you're trying to get the cost down."
Peddie then posed the question that Stude argued earlier -- can consoles be considered a place for innovation in processing?
Feldstein said, "360 is where we got our 'go forward' architecture. You can make interesting tradeoffs in these convergence devices. If you don't oversize your system you have a system that attacks the problem -- especially in the game consoles, more entertainment."
Feldstein suggests that since game development has made a major shift to consoles, so too does chip innovation. "If you talk to [software] developers today, their prime target is the console first. This is almost universal. Then they spread it out to the PC. I don't think it was this way five years ago. This year they're starting to go to the consoles first, because it's a more consistent place to play games."
Feldstein talked practicals. "Cost downs are a real pain if you were Intel or AMD doing new processors, because you can't change anything." As processors shrink, "significant parts change. If you're doing an Xbox or a Sony, everything has to be consistent, the last game has to [run] the same as the first game that was bought. NVIDIA and AMD, we're so hell-bent to do the performance and the density and you have to restrain yourself because things have to stay the same." However, when questioned about the AMD GPU's role in the Xbox 360's billion-dollar unreliability issues, Feldstein demurred comment.
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Full Story: gamasutra.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Pachter: Sep. Games Sales Up 47pct on Halo 3, 450k Xbox360s
>> From next-gen.biz:
[QUOTE]
Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter believes that Halo 3 acted as a catalyst for bumper software sales through September, with Microsoft the obvious beneficiary in terms of moving games and Xbox 360 hardware.
Ahead of NPD's forthcoming announcement of September sales statistics, which Pachter expects to be released Thursday October 18, the analyst forecast software sales of $655 million, up 47 percent year-over-year.
The estimate reflects $530 million in sales contribution from new platforms (PS3, Wii, 360, PSP and DS), including $300 million in software sales for the Xbox 360, and current generation software sales of $125 million.
On the home console hardware front, Pachter predicts that Microsoft shifted 450,000 Xbox 360 units during September, in comparison to 425,000 Wii consoles and 150,000 PS3s, and forecasts growth throughout the holiday period.
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Full Story: next-gen.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Rare questions Microsoft's marketing of Viva Pinata
>> From gamesindustry.biz:
[QUOTE]
Viva Piņata developer Rare has questioned why its owner Microsoft decided to back Gears of War with such a high-profile marketing campaign, which left its own new franchise in the shadows last Christmas.
Software engineer James Thomas feels that the new family-friendly IP lost out to Epic's Gears of War, which enjoyed a much bigger marketing budget from Microsoft, helping it top the charts all over the world.
"Most interestingly I think from our point of view, it was interesting to see how the marketing budget was split last Christmas, because obviously everyone knew that Microsoft were publishing Gears of War and Viva Piņata," said Thomas, talking to Gamasutra.
"Yet, so much of the money went towards publishing Gears of War, which is going to sell millions anyway."
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Full Story: gamesindustry.biz
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xenon360 VS HDMI Xbox360 cases
>> From xbox-central.com:
[QUOTE]
With all the concern about whether the Xbox360 HDMI-versions are compatible with the Xenon360, we took a picture comparing side-by-side both cases to show you how it actually looks like at the rear-end of the party.
As you can see, we've straightened up the Xenon360 at the back-end making it flush instead of curvy like the stock machine. This means that should you actually decide to put a dremel to the Xenon360, it will not affect the hinged structure while still being able to accomodate the HDMI cables (theoretically). From our external observation, it seems that the highlighted portion (above) is the only part of the HDMI case that is different from stock, as even the USB/LAN port position looks unchanged. We will post more design news as we go along.
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Official Site: www.xbox-central.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
XboxMediaCenter (XBMC) 2007-10-15 SVN rev10538 build - T3CH
>> T3CH released a new SVN compile (rev10538) of XboxMediaCenter(info) 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 Added/Noteworthy/XML/Script changes:
* added: new overlay ICON_OVERLAY_HD added: OverlayHD.png (Thanks to mikebeecham) changed: ListItem_SetInfo can now set "overlay" for type "video"
* added : music info dialogs now match video info dialogs changed : removed media overlays from dialogs
* added: [ 1803325 ] Advance EDL support, scenemarker support. thanks to drddt
* added: [ 1801795 ] Addition of episode bookmarks, multi-part episode files - thanks to s23@woot.net. - extend regexp handling for detection of multipart episodes - repeatedly apply the last successful season/episode regexp to look for additional season/episode pairs, then look for more episode numbers until the filename is exhausted. should handle detection of any number of x-part episodes over multiple seasons in one file, so i've removed the twopart handling. tested with the current 4 tv show regexps.
* added: mark as (un)watched for seasons and whole shows
* added: defaultartistbig.png (thx jezz)
* added : Movie-XML scraper with permission of site owner. Many thanks...
* added: static id for studio which is now visible on Movie Info dialog. changed: Movie Info dialog (actually resembles a dialog now rather than a window), default icons in artists/actors or related dialogs now show a different default icon.
* added: Additional parameter to the plugin function endDirectory() to allow the plugin to tell XBMC to just update the current directories contents, instead of fetching the content as a new directory. Allows previous/next items in plugin listings.
* Apple Movie Trailers (AMT) script updated to rev1545; still includes AMT plugin installer.
* I'm including the XBMC Win32 PC environment.exe that is meant for skinners & python developers, read more about the concept here. 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 2007-10-07 SVN Rev10457 build click 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: www.xboxmediacenter.com (manual and FAQ)
Official T3CH Site: http://t3ch.yi.se (release RSS feed)
Download Binaries: n/a (built with XDK) | Download SourceCode: here
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xbox 360 Arcade Unboxed: It Has HDMI
>> From engadget.com:
[QUOTE]
Thanks to Emanuel, an intrepid tipster who went above and beyond the call of duty, we managed to get a full unboxing of the Xbox 360 Arcade before Microsoft has even been able to send out a press release about the thing. Whenever the console officially lands, you can expect to pick up the hard drive free console for $279.99, which includes a 256MB Memory Card, a Wireless controller, an HDMI port minus the cable, and a disc that includes copies of Xbox LIVE Arcade games Boom Boom Rocket, Feeding Frenzy, Luxor 2, Pac-Man Championship Demo, and Uno.
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Full Story (incl. images): engadget.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xenon360 FAQ Posted
>> Xtreme Enterprise posted a new FAQ about their recently released Xenon360 replacement cases for the Xbox360 (sample pictures):
[QUOTE]
We're excited about the new release of our long-awaited innovation - the Xenon360 replacement console case for the Xbox360. Packed with features and a clean design concept, we have not only improved upon the original design, the stock look of the Xbox360 is also retained. After collating some feedback from our customer-base, here are some FAQs which we hope will be able to clarify some doubts you may have about the Xenon360 features :
Question : Is this case HDMI-version compatible (as in Elite version)?
Answer : No, this case is not compatible with the HDMI-version of the Xbox360. However, we have designed the case to be future-proof : future iterations of the Xbox360 (in this case, HDMI) can be accomodated with some simple modifications. This will be the only case in the market capable of doing this.
Question : Can original faceplates work with this case?
Answer : Yes, all original faceplates can be used on the Xenon360.
Question : Will the circular cutout on the sides of the case be there when I buy the case?
Answer : No, the circular cutout was for the prototype version of the case. We have since decided to discard this feature since customer feedback told us this is not a desired feature. The shipped case will not have this hole in the case.
Question : How durable are the tabs on the Xenon360 faceplates? I bought a 3rd party faceplate a while back and the first time I removed that faceplate, a couple of tabs broke off.
Answer : Xenon360 faceplates are built of the same material as the originals. We have not seen nor experienced any tab breakages at all.
Question : Why are there no stand pads on the case for it to sit horizontally?
Answer : Stand pads were deliberately omitted from the Xenon360 design to enable a cleaner design. We also noted that the original stand pads were too short to have served any purpose in case ventilation. While putting the Xenon360 vertically will not require use of any stand pads, a horizontal placement will require some kind of prop-up for proper ventilation of the Xbox360. This can be easily purchased off the hardware store and put at the 4 corners of the case. Pleae ensure that there is at least a 5-7 mm clearance from the shelve bottom to the base of the Xbox360 for ventilation purposes.
Question : Will you guys be coming up with a laptop (Ben Heck) version of the Xbox360?
Answer : We will need to see a poll for this to determine feasibility and demand.
Question : Why is there a 7% tax on paypal checkout? Any handling charges?
Answer : Xtreme Enterprise is based in Singapore where our sales tax is 7%. We have waived all handling charges for the purchase of the Xenon360 for all customers.
Question : I just bought a Xenon360 through paypal. I need to know how long does it take to ship this item to me and if there is any tracking number.
Answer : For local orders in Singapore, we will be informing you directly for collection. For International Orders, customers will be receiving a shipping status email from us within 5 working days.
As all online payments via paypal are automatically accepted, there is no requirement for customers to check back with us if we have received your payment. We will like to advise customers though, that due to the large volume of online transactions we receive each day, it will be prudent for you to send us an email (sales@e-linksoft.com) if you do not receive a shipping status confirmation after 07 days of making the transaction. This is a back-up measure that we encourage customers to use to ensure that your orders do not get missed.
Shipping Agent : Speedpost International
Originating Country : Singapore
Tracking Information : Not Provided
Estimate Arrival : 10-14 days (published)
Notes : Customers should notify us when package arrives
From experience, shipping times published by Speedpost International is only used as a guide. Packages to USA are usually transferred from Speedpost to USPS, from a central collection centre (eg. Philadelphia). Some customers have their packages arrive within a week of posting while others close to 4 weeks. For other international locations, we will need you to update us on parcel receipt. We seek your kind understanding and patience on this as we are unable to anticipate how fast/slow it will take for Speedpost International to do their job.
If you prefer to use any other alternative ways of shipping, do keep us informed. We have had requests for UPS Expedited courier services to be used so that the order can arrive within a more predictable schedule (5-7 days) for important events (eg. birthdays, party events etc). As this is an expensive option, we do advise customers to do this only when absolutely necessary.
Question : Do you have an online customer service where I can check back on my purchase directly?
Answer : If you have further questions or enquiries with regards to your order, do not hesitate to send us an email at sales@e-linksoft.com or chat with our online customer service on MSN at limtk55@hotmail.com.
Question : I am a wholesaler and wish to make a bulk purchase of your products. Can you direct me to the relevant department/person-in-charge for a detailed discussion?
Answer : We invite all genuine wholesalers who are interested in our products to send in your applications for wholesale opportunities with our company. As we understand that there will be some general enquiries with regards to our product lines, you can submit your enquiry to our contact email sales@e-linksoft.com. In order for us to process your enquiry, we will need the following information to be provided:
a. Your Company Name (required)
b. Your Company's Physical Address (required)
c. Your Company's Sales Representative and Contact number (required)
d. Your Company Website Address (Optional)
Please allow 1 business week for us to conduct a verification of your enquiry. Failure to provide the above information will render the wholesale application invalid. Please do not ask for the price list as we will only release such information upon enquiry verification.
We strictly do not deal with the following categories of enquirers:
a. Ebay Resellers
b. Individuals without the above-mentioned requirements
c. Companies without a physical operating address
d. Companies who are not able to meet our minimum order quantity requirements
Note : We may require, during the verification process, for all wholesale enquiries to be forwarded to us by fax officially as proof of genuine enquiry. Company letterheads are to be used.
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Official Site: www.xbox-central.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Xbox 360 Arcade SKU Spotted in the Wild
>> From engadget.com:
[QUOTE]
Although there's still no official word from Microsoft about the Xbox 360 Arcade, we've just received a second picture of a boxed unit sitting on the shelves of a retail store: this time in a Methuen, MA store, only miles away from the unit spotted in Haverhill. New details include a Harry Potter / Lego Star Wars back, along with details on included games -- we can make out Uno, Pac-Man, Luxor 2, and two other indistinguishable logos.
If our eyes don't deceive us, that blurry pricetag is showing off a $280 pricetag.
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Full Story: engadget.com(1) | engadget.com(2)
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
Team Underdog Announced New Xbox360 Product
>> Team Underdog (makers of the NME-360 range of Xbox360 DVD Patchmods) announced they'll release a new Xbox360 product soon. We don't have any additional info but as soon as we'll get some we'll let you know of course:
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Get ready for a new release coming from your favorite team for Xbox360 mods.
Watch this space - we have a surprise for you!
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Official Site: www.team-underdog.com
Discuss this news item on our forums: forums.xbox-scene.com
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