Well, it's finally out. Team Xecuter's Homebrew Modchip project has just released their source code for Samsung drives, with the Hitachi source code on its way very soon. As we've mentioned in the past, the Xecuter Homebrew Modchip is meant to be an Xbox 360 modchip made by hobbyists for hobbyists, uniting the homebrew community in developing and making the best modchip possible for everyone to benefit from.

There are currently two versions of the source: 1.0, which was the very first release, as well as 1.02, which carries some bug fixes and is meant to be more stable. Download and try both codes, either from our copy on the download site or on the Xecuter forums, to see the difference, and let Team Xecuter know your thoughts and suggestions on their project.

We'll also let you know when the Hitachi XHM source code comes out and inform you of future upgrades to the existing code. Until then, here are the release notes from the Samsung XHM release:

Package includes:

• SX18 code fully comented
• Version v1.0 , Auto detect media type
• Put in disc and away you go
• NO SLEEP mod as this is SX18 (SX28 will have sleep)
• SS PSN Patched to FC021E, Hombrewers can change it to whatever they want
• SS PSN currently set for NME Iso Images.
• Works well but its way off perfect - it's the first release after all
• Its an ASM file and you can edit it as a txt file, put comments after ( ; )
• Also included is the HEX file

We will prepare a full step by step of how the code works and do some LA state listings showing address and data and timing.

The Hitachi release is much easier and far better as the thing runs slower. That will be released in the next few days - just making it work well with ALL versions of firmware all in one mod.

We will keep updating the Samsung and add things to make it better and more stable but the idea is to get budding hackers out there to work with this.

Download: [XHM Source Code v1.00]
Download  [XHM Source Code v1.02]

Redline99 has released Drive Tools v1.1 Build 0004, a homebrew app for working with Xbox Drives. Drive Tools currently supports Xbox 360 Toshiba-Samsung TS-H943A  (c4e all versions designed for ss extraction), Hitachi-LG GDR-3120L (garyopa's 2.0+) and PC Samsung SH-D162C ( kreon .51+ ) although drives may not support each feature listed below:

• Save Firmware
• Get Drive Key
• Unlock Drive
• Get Security Sector
• Get PFI Sector
• Get DMI Sector

In this latest update, Redline99 reports the following changes:

• Fixed a couple SRB_DIR_IN to SRB_DIR_OUT
• Fixed Unlocking
• Fixed VB Bug for Radio Buttons
• Added SDG-605B/616T/616F Support (C4E 605b0800.bin)

In case your new to Drive Tools, but you want to try it this is how you install the application. First you  need:

• Visual Basic 6 service pack 6 runtime (included in the file: vbrun60sp6.exe)
• COMDLG32.OCX (6.1.97.82)

However, Redline99 says you can try the app before installing these because you may not need them after all.

Double click ocxdllreg.reg and click yes to add to the registry. You should then be able to Right mouse click on COM dll's (including OCX's) and select Register or Unregister. A reg file is included for convenience to register ocx's and com dlls. If this is too complicated, you may wait for the real installer which Redline99 may (or may not) include with future releases.

Download: [Drive Tools v1.1 Build 0004]

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

Ryanmp31 has announced that v2.0 of the Toshiba Samsung 360 Auto Flasher is now out. This tool makes a bootable USB key including all the files needed to backup, flash and recover your Samsung Xbox360 firmware, all in one simple automatic process! This version has been updated from v1.1 to work with C4E's newest v2.0 firmware.

Installation:

1. Extract the archive to your hard drive
2. Insert your USB Stick
3. Format your USB Stick with the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool included (HPUSBFW.EXE), select FAT32 and "Create a DOS Startup Disk" using the files included in the folder. Check the Pictures folder for visual assistance!
4. Copy the contents of the archive to the root directory of your USB Stick (if space is an issue, or you are using a floppy, simply copy the autoexec.bat and firmware + command folders over. If you know which card you have, you may copy only the neccessary folder within the firmware folder, e.g. Via or Nforce4.)
5. Run Bios Agent to find your chipset (see pictures folder)
6. Adjust Your BIOS Settings to boot from the USB Stick
7. Boot to your USB Stick
8. Run autoexec.bat to start.

If you want to use the tools on a floppy, all you have to do is copy over the necessary autoexec.bat, command folder, and needed firmware folder onto the floppy. Here are a few extra notes from ryammp31:

A few changes from the v1.1 patcher.... It doesn't need the -p or -u, it only needs the p or u (I took the - out of the program). Second of all, instead of writing the orig.bin to a new file, in hopes of getting the flasher out quick, I took that part out as well and now the program just overwrites your orig.bin with the correct values to make it the xtreme20.bin (although the name remains orig.bin. If you dont trust me, use a command prompt, and throw a copy of your orig.bin file into the same directory as this autopatcher, run the patch, then compare the newly created version of orig.bin (which will be xtreme20.bin, only diff is that it is still called orig.bin) to the xtreme20.bin from c4e with a hex editor. You will find that the only diff is in the area of your DVD drive key, as that is the entire reason for this patch instead of the previously used KDX tool that tended to botch some firmware. Finally, the PPF files that were included are not needed anymore, as it was used to apply the patch to create the xtreme0800. This is no longer needed as C4E'sv2.0 firmware has this 0800 function built in.

Indeed, variety is the spice of life - and if you think that Commodore4eva's Xtreme firmware can do with a little competition, then kreon has got something for you. As he said some weeks back, he'll be coming up with an alternative firmware for Samsung SH-D162C - and he stays true to his word with Alternative FW for Samsung SH-D162C V0.60.

This release may not be the biggie Xbox 360 users with the SH-D162C drive are waiting for as there is still no SS extraction feature, yet kreon decided to release it anyway. As he explained, "why wait releasing something good just because something else hasn't been completed." If that's okay with you, go ahead and try kreon's creation and get the following features:

- Two types of unlock for XBOX 360 game discs. One for making xtreme style images and one for making wxripper style images. Both types of iso can be made using isobuster. As of the moment, there is no support for ripping using wxripper.
- A 'lock' function that will cancel any enabled unlock state. This can be very useful for custom applications.
- 'Error skipping' which basically speeds up the error handling of the drive. A complete wxripper style image (including video) can be obtained in 15-16 minutes, when error skipping is enabled. Getting through the critical area of LBA 19408-20479 will take you more than 20 minutes alone, if error skipping is disabled.
- Read and decrypt of SS. The SS returned from the drive is complete except for the missing C/R data at offset 0x200. This is very handy since you can compare the SS from the game in the drive to a SS found on the internet. No more coasters due to an incorrect SS.
- A much more streamlined command interface, which is good news if you intend to write an application that makes use of the drives extra features.
- The drive will default to unlock state 2 and error skip enabled when a 360 media is inserted. You can in other words use isobuster to obtain a wxripper style image without issuing any commands to the drive.
- RPC1 support (RPC-2 actually but with automatic change of drive region and RCE support).

A few reminders from kreon: when using a program like DVDinfo, you might see the drive reportsas RPC-2...don't fret, it's not a bug. As the developer explains, "The drive changes it's region setting according to the media inserted. The region code listed in DVDinfo (and other software like it) is the current region setting of the drive and it should match the region of the inserted media. If the media allows playback in more than one region, the drive region will be set to the region with the lowest number."

Another thing, don't bug him about when he'll be releasing the C/R part, "it doesn't help the process in any way," he says. But you can be assured that C/R is "progressing quite well", kreon is just not sure when it will be completed. If you do have any other queries or suggestions though, feel free to speak up via the comments.

kreon says that full challenge/response functionality can be expected in next releases. He also noted that credits go to FlexyZ for helping him test the firmware.

Hear ye, hear ye! Fractal Team announced the upcoming release of Fractal 360, the "ultimate universal 360 DVD firmware chip" on August 20. Fractal 360 is a comprehensive and efficient solution which will "push the boundaries within this mod category". Citing over five years of PCB manufacturing experience, Fractal Team says their 360 mod is physically designed "just as greatly as it is perceived".

According to their very cryptic website, Fractal 360 features, among other things:

• 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

They didn't put any pics or anything else about this mysterious Fractal 360. They did say its full features will be announced in the next two weeks. This should take our minds off the Wii and the PS3 for a while. We'll keep you posted.

Xbox-Scene managed to get their hands on some high-res pictures of Globe 360, a dual-firmware DVD chip with "on-the-fly" DVD-key patching. With a current retail price at $53 USD, the Globe 360 is compatible with all DVD-drives on the market. This plug & play chip lets you run unsigned code on your console without having to extract the drive-key from the original firmware. It also features an ON/OFF switch and is easily programmable. This chip should be available to the masses very soon, so make sure you get your pre-order before the stores run out!

The first batch of the dual DVD firmware chip Globe 360 was shipped to resellers a few days ago. Coinciding with the shipment is the release of updated installation diagrams with version 1.1 for both the Samsung and Hitachi DVD Drives.
 
To refresh your memory, the Globe 360 is a universal Xbox 360 DVD-Drive firmware upgrader. An upgraded firmware allows for better performance of your DVD drive while reading DVD-R DL support. It features DVD Drive-key "on-the-fly" patching, which automatically boots the "unsigned"  firmware on-board. Though it's marketed as "plug and play", the appearance of many solder points means there'll be much soldering involved in the process.

No word on official pricing, but the modchip is said to retail for $59.

 

Only 4 days after Ricoh announced the world's first hybrid HD-DVD and Blu-ray lens comes another ground-braking announcement from the Japanese company. Ricoh are going to release their own HD-DVD and Blu-ray hybrid player by late 2007/early 2008 onto the electronics market instead of selling their lens to larger manufacturers.

Ricoh's optical reader/writer that will be installed in the hybrid player works by using a new diffraction plate. The diffraction component adjusts the laser beam with its diffraction grating for each format and passes it to the objective lens. The lens then forms a beam spot at the appropriate depth for each disk format.

Before the announcement of their hybrid optical lens, I didn't even know who Ricoh were, but now it seems they may become a big player in the digital media market. Originally I thought their optical lens would be sold to established manufacturers such as Sony, Samsung etc and they would make money this way. However, it appears that Ricoh are taking their idea and going for the win by making their own player. They'll probably sell on the optical lens after the release of their own player to the big guns, giving their own player a head start. Good for them!