Necessity is the mother of invention. And there's a real need to make the process of letting your Xbox 360 play backups without flashing your firmware (especially for those of you who have backed up your extremely valuable original games).

This is where the NME-360 comes in. It claims to be a universal solution for all Xbox 360 consoles. No more need for tons of wires. No more need for risky workarounds that might brick your DVD by flashing the wrong files. And because there's no need for firmware reading or flashing, your firmware isn't touched at all. The only thing you need is to physically install the device with a few wires to your Samsung or Hitachi/LG drive, and that's that. The makers have thought of almost everything: the chip even stays off if you play the original game so it isn't detected when you play online!

We reported on the NME-360 a while back. Team underdOg has announced that they are now in the production stage of the new NME-360 version 1.1 with the following details:

• Samsung drives use 4 wires to connect to the NME-360
• Hitachi drives use 5 wires
• one optional wire to switch off network connection when chip is enabled
• one optional wire for indication LED at the front panel of the Xbox360 to see if chip is enabled or disabled
• no need to set booktype to DVD+R DL for Samsung anymore
• no need to use special DVD-writers
• supported drives: Hitachi 46, 47, 58, 59, Samsung ms25, ms28

They'll be shipping these out to sellers in a few days and they should sell for more or less $40 (necessity may be the mother of invention, but inventors have to eat).

By the way, those of you who have the NME-360 limited edition should note that there's a little mistake in the diagram. Pins 1 and 2 were switched by accident (just swap them around and things should work fine).

Xeno 360, the team that gave us the Xeno 360 Connectivity Kit, unveiled their latest mod for the Xbox 360: the Xbox 360 DVD Firmware Patchmod, which will work on both TS and Hitachi-LG drives. According to the team's official website the mod features:

• One chip for all DVD drives
• Samsung 4 wires
• Hitachi 5 wires
• Actel chip for high stability and superb performance

More details about the product, its price and availability will be announced by Xeno 360 in the coming days so watch for them right here on QJ.

Well, someone's very excited about his XBox 360 firmware hacks these days.

Carranzafp has released version 1.2 of his Maximus Hitachi Firmware Stealth Maker, and he's very proud of it. It's currently not Stealth Media ready, as he mentions in his release notes, but he's hoping that another hacker can implement it on his version for distribution to the community at large.

Version 1.2 is actually his 1.1 version with an included bugfix. Carranzafp writes:

The bug it only affects drives different from the 46 and 47 versions, it was a problem about the address checking for detecting MODEB. Dont worry nothing that could brick your drive, only affected the detection on MODEB to determine stealth or original.

Now will work fine for all versions. (I already do the test on the 59 without problem)

His readme notes the following features:

- Take an input hacked firmware and patch it to make firmware stealth
- Incorporates firmcrypt routines into the code (a little slower but I hope with that somebody will not kill his drive because a forgotten
crypt)
- You will have the following options:

FULL STEALTH:
* All the reads (memdump) will read as 100% original.

NON STEALTH ON MODEB:
* It will read the real hacked firmware when you are on MODEB (Not very useful for testing LOL)

NON STEALTH ON MODEB AND TRAY OPEN:
* When attached to windows if the tray is closed will read as original, when you open it will read as real non-stealth

NON STEALTH ON MEMORY VALUE:
* It will lookup an Internal memory value to determine if should be read as real or as original. You will need to POKE that memory value before do the dump

ENSURE NO STEALTH:
* This option causes ALWAYS read as real hacked, not very useful but here is it.

All those who have a Hitachi/LG drive with their Xbox 360 and have been looking to modify their MS console will be happy to know that garyOPA has just released v2.1 of the Xtreme Firmware. This one, again a 7-in-1, will also allow you to rip the Security Sectors; a feature which has mostly been available to only the Samsung drives.

He did release a v2.0 of the firmware, but it contained a few bugs, which resulted in a quick re-release. Here's the info from the release:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
OPA - Xtreme v2.1 firmware - Hitachi 7in1 - v32/v36/v40/v46/v47/v58/v59
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NEW PACKAGE: "OPA-XTREME-HITACHI-7IN1-V2_1.RAR" 08/08 - 991,956 bytes

 * ALL NEW XTREME V2.1 FIRMWARE FOR ALL BUILDS OF THE HITACHI DRIVES!

   - Now includes "Security Sector Extraction" for all Hitachi Drives

   - No other improvements, same as our earlier "Xtreme v1.3", this
     release just supports SS Extraction within Windows without the
     need to re-flash your drive back and forth between PLAY & RIP!

 * SMALL BUG fixes from last night release of our Xtreme v2.0 - 7IN1

   - #1: The new delay command frozed on some user's computer setups.

   - #2: Users with v46 drives had no TRAY FUNCTION after flashing...
    
         * To fix your BRICK (We are very sorry!, But it is fixable!)
         
           - manually open the dvd tray!
           - now power up your PC system
           - power up your bricked drive
           - re-flash the drive with 2.1

   - #3: Users with v47 drives had random "64" errors when playing...

         * To fix this problem, just re-flash your drive with v2.1

He also said that he will be working hard for a new version that would offer the same "Stealth" functionality, which has been offered for Samsung drives with the new Commodore4Eva firmware.

Don't you just love breaking news?

Team Xecuter, known for their attempts at bringing homebrew to the XBox 360, have recently made known their plans to take homebrew to a new level. They've announced their plans to bring the first homebrew modchip for the XBox 360, which they're calling the XHM.

As they've stated in their forums, they're going to release their modchip to anyone who wants it, source code and schematics and all, so that others can have a crack at improving and making something the whole community can enjoy. As they wrote on the forums, they are "releasing to the xbox scene... modchip development and putting it in the hands of scene hobbyists."

In its current incarnation, the mod patches DVD firmware on both Hitachi and Samsung drives. The Samsung mod is set to automatically differentiate between backups and originals and patches the firmware accordingly, while the Hitachi code uses manual enabling and disabling.

Even the makers are excited about the release, and its future in the homebrew scene:

From the first release you can expect a Samsung Version - Auto Intelligent Detection and only 11 wires. We have chosen a very easy and cheap IC to purchase and is written in a language which will be understood by the majority of enthusiasts.

Then we will release the Hitachi version - who's patching includes the new mediacheck hack !

Think of the possibilities....

1. Less than $5 - $10 in parts - why spend $60 on a device that does the same if not less ?

2. A complete range of features and up to date code which you can program yourself (Think about it - All drives on one mod, custom SS location, F800/F900 patching, Stealth Patching etc etc)

3. Incredibly fast updates with non reliance on 1 company or person

4. A bit of fun and hopefully a bit of education too !

The information page for XHM is still being set up at the moment, but you can keep posted here for developments on the XHM. You can definitely expect more news on Xecuter releases, as well as future revisions of the XHM project by other intrepid modders, as soon as we have them.

If you remember, about a week ago the Fractal team previously reported that the "ultimate universal 360 DVD firmware chip" will make its big firmware debut on the 20th of August. I guess, the Fractal team knows that when people are kept in the dark for too long, restlessness becomes them and eventually, they go nuts, so this photo of the final version prototype of the chip. Full scale production will commence in the coming days, so expect the chip to make it on it's promised date.

Features include:

• Reduced number of wires to solder
• On the fly patching! On-board firmware will remain unchanged
• Fully compatible with actual Security sectors without the need to reburn games
• Media fix for Hitachi readers for increased media compatibility
• Security sectors and game ripping on both Hitachi and Samsung readers
• Fully automatic disable feature for original game boot

It's been a while since we last heard from Commodore4eva's Xtreme Firmware for the TSH-H943. But now he has broken his silence and gave Toshiba-Samsung drives owners something to cheer about, with the release of Xtreme Firmware 3.0 for TS-H943 Xbox 360. I mean who wouldn't be thrilled, when the release comes with a tagline like this: "World first Media Stealth One Firmware Only Xbox 360 backup and extraction firmware modification!"

Before we go into the details, he would like to send his warmest thanks to to everyone who helped him with this project, either thru physical aid, or constructive comments thru various forums.

Features:

Stealth Media implemented into firmware. Backups now appear exactly as original disk regardless of which disk check command used by Xbox 360
Enable0800 mode supports extraction of raw PFI (Physical Format Information) and raw DMI (Disk Manufacturing Information)
Support for loading of extracted PFI and DMI from disk
Non-Stealth Backups automatically enhanced with embedded PFI for Xbox 360 and Xbox 1
Included new Video.iso for Xbox 360 and Xbox 1 backups, now the same as originals

Extraction part of firmware enabled with Enable0800 DVD. ISO included. Burn to DVD+R dual layer disk.
In Enable0800 mode, allows drive to function natively under Windows without any hardware conversion/adaptors
Boots all Xtreme Xbox 360 backups
Boots all Xtreme Xbox 1 backups
Boots all Xbox 360 originals
Boots all Xbox 1 originals on Xbox 360
Use on Xbox Live at own risk

The full article awaits after the jump!

We have all been treated to Commodore4eva's genius everytime he has an update on his Xtreme Firmware for Hitachi drives. And I could only guess how many of you out there got inspired because of his work. Maybe a handful of you have already generated systematized gameplans on how you could improve the firmware or maybe even supersede the master's work.

I think Birdy is on the right track when he released a set of tweaks for the Xbox 360 based on Commodore4eva's work, namely Mode B Tweak, Tray open/close in ModeB and Dashboard TimeOut tweak with DVD DL. If you want to see how the tweaks are executed, he has also included a video for our viewing consumption.

------------------------------------------------------
Xtreme firmware for Hitachi 46D Xbox 360 V1.2 (tweak)
------------------------------------------------------

This is a tweak of the original Xtreme firmware 1.1

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 !!!!

Thanks to everyone !! specialy to Commodore4Eva and Seventhson

If you're thinking of buying the 360 Aladdin DVD FW chip because you wanna boot any unsigned executables or games of a different region, well, better spend your money elsewhere because this one is not gonna grant those wishes of yours. This baby is a simple  DVD FW replacement chip with eject/power button control. Apparently, there were certain reports that added booting unsigned content to the chip's functions, which misled gamers into getting one of their own.

For the record and to set things straight, it's another 'dual' firmware chip for the Xbox 360 Toshiba-Samsung TS-H943 DVD drive. It has 2 flashchips, most likely 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 three modes (firmwares).

But then again, it looks good and from the reviews that it got, this thingamajig gets the job done. If this one costs less than $40, then I won't be surprised if people would buy them.

Everybody has their good days and bad days, right? Well, yesterday was a bad day - especially for our faithful forum family. Due to a series of unfortunate events that were enough to make us pull our hair out (yes, we're all bald now, even the ladies), the QJ.NET Forums have been down for the last 24 hours.  After a year of uninterrupted  service on our forums, it was bound to happen eventually. Despite the rumors, this was nothing more than miscommunication with our server hosts - nothing malicious or diabolical about it at all. Just a Grade-A snafu.

Nevertheless, the forums are now back online and everything is as it was. Just in case you've forgotten how to get there (a common withdrawal symptom), here's a direct link back to the QJ.NET Forums Directory where you'll find forum categories for each and every one of the QJ Blogs. And in case some of you have never visited the Forums, here's some highlights that you should check out - especially if you're a new 1.50 PSP user looking to get into homebrew!

PSP:

• FAQ's, Guides, and Tutorials - Your one stop shop for details on how to do just about anything with (or to) your PSP!
• PSP Homebrew and Hacks Help - If the Tutorial section doesn't answer your question, one of our many helpful and knowledgeable PSP experts will!
• PSP Development Forum - Find out what homebrew developers are up to - they're cranking out new stuff everyday!
• Official eLoader Forum - If you're sticking with 2.0 - 2.60 Firmware, this is the place to be!

Next-Gen:

• Xbox 360 Forums - Talk about all the latest that Microsoft is offering!
• PS3 Forums / Wii Forums - Plenty of rumors and excitement going on waiting for these two systems to be released!

Nintendo DS:

• NDS Homebrew - No reason the PSP should have all the fun!
• NDS WFC & Games - Join up with our community and play with your friends online! A great place to exchange friend codes!

Consumer:

• Apple Forums - One of our newer and fast growing forums, take a bite out of the Apple!
• Gadgets and Electronic Forums - Another new community here at QJ.NET but quickly on the rise! Get in on the fun!

QJ.NET:

• QJ.NET News and Help - This is where you'll find out about what's new with the QJ.NET Forums! If you've got a question, comment, problem, or suggestion about the site, this is where to go!

Plus so many more forums! Again, we sincerely apologize for the unscheduled downtime - if it happens again, we'll eat our hats... which we now need to keep our hairless heads warm!