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Design Your Own Xbox 360 Faceplate
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Accessories, Mods/Hacks, Xbox 360,
Pelican Accessories has an on-line faceplate designer for the Xbox 360. Users can select from a variety of solid colors, as well as a number of pre-set backgrounds. There are a few different colors for the power button on the console, and there are some pre-set “tattoo” patterns that can be applied as well. Those really looking for a personal touch can add custom text in three different graffiti-like fonts. For those bemoaning the lack of a hot pink faceplate with a gold tattoo can now have all their wishes come true.
Read More 
| Pelican Accessories
Related: Nyko Xbox 360 Faceplate Maker Video Review
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Segment Your Network For Better Xbox 360 Media Connection
Posted by Jake Ludington Categories: Features, Hardware, Mods/Hacks, Wireless, Xbox 360,
There’s some confusion around the appropriate steps to take in adding an Xbox 360 to a home network with optimal results. In an ideal universe, connecting an Xbox 360 with a wired connection is the best course of action. Wired connections generally guarantee close to 100Mbps per machine across a local area network. Wireless networking is significantly less reliable, with things like cordless phones and microwave ovens operating on the same frequency as the 802.11b and 802.11g standards.
802.11a is the standard Microsoft is recommending, but it’s not necessary. My own home network is segmented with an Xbox 360 on one 802.11g access point and all other wireless devices are on a second 802.11g access point. My wired Media Center successfully streams the 1080p HD content available from Microsoft’s WMV HD Showcase without any hiccups.
Click to continue reading Segment Your Network For Better Xbox 360 Media Connection
Datel Announces XSATA Availability
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Mods/Hacks, PC, Xbox 360,
Datel’s Xbox 360 Hard Drive connectivity solution is now available. At $39.99, it is a lot more expensive than the 360 Sata, but is clearly more polished. The XSATA sits sandwiched between the Xbox 360 and the hard drive, acting as a pass-through for normal operation. A USB 2.0 port sits on the back for connecting to the user’s PC. USB 2.0 compatibility makes connections to the PC a little easier, but it doesn’t look like the XSATA provides bus power for the hard drive, meaning the end user might have to lug the Xbox 360 to where ever the desktop computer sits.
Read More | CodeJunkies
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Xbox 360 SATA Adapter Review
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Hardware, Mods/Hacks, Xbox 360,
MaxConsole has a review of the pre-release Xbox 360 SATA adapter from 360 SATA. The short version of the review is that the device does exactly what it says it will do: allow users to connect their Xbox 360 hard drives to their personal computers without having to crack the case, allowing users to back up their save games or other information on the hard drive. MaxConsole received a pre-release unit, so it’s still the bare circuit board, and they are hoping the final version is a little more polished. The bare board definitely doesn’t do anything to inspire the most confidence in the world, but the target audience for this device probably won’t mind a whole lot.
Read More | MaxConsole
So you want to make backup copies of your saved Xbox 360 games or simply feel like prodding the contents of the hard drive? Instead of disassembling the drive unit, you can now purchase the 360SATA, an adapter that simply plugs into the bottom of the drive, and via an internal SATA cable to one of your computer’s SATA ports. It doesn’t get much easier than that. It’s inexpensive and apparently very popular as they are currently sold out, but back orders are being accepted so get in line.
Priced at $15 USD.
Read More | 360SATA via NordicHardware
We haven’t held back on our complaints regarding the lack of DivX support on the Xbox 360. While a hack was created back in January, it was too time consuming to set up for the average user. Finally, thanks to our friend Jake Ludington, you can watch your DivX content on your Xbox 360 with minimal fuss. Using a free product called MCE Video Encoder, you can convert DivX, XviD, and other video files on the fly, sending them to the Xbox 360 in easy fashion. Also, it supports fast-forward and skip ahead along with the standard play and pause features you would expect to find in a standard video product. Check out MediaBlab for all the information, including screenshots and instructions.
Read More | Jake Ludinton’s MediaBlab
Read More | Gear Live
As it turns out, it looks like a correctly built Xbox 360 should not be overheating at all. The problem is, there are some Xbox 360s out in the wild that were built incorrectly. A group of German modders took apart two Xbox 360 units that were purchased independently of each other, and they found that the protective foil had not been removed from the heatsink. The problem with that is obvious - the heatsink is being insulated by the foil and plastic, and thereby cannot do it’s job. Honestly, we are surprised the Microsoft would be shipping units with such an amateur mistake.
Read More | Xbox Scene
Modding The Xbox 360 Controller Into A Duke
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Mods/Hacks, Xbox, Xbox 360,
While we don’t agree, we know many a gamer who absolutely loved the original Xbox “Duke” controllers. You know, the ones that were about the size of a Gamecube? Well, one guy loved them so much that he refused to play his Xbox 360 using the standard controller. Instead, he opened up his 360 wireless pad, removed the joysticks, and replaced them with the more round Duke sticks from an old-school Xbox pad. Not being satisfied with that alone, he replaced the 360 directional pad with the more comfortable S-Type pad. He now says that gaming on the Xbox 360 is pure bliss - and he sent us two images to show off his work. Gotta hand it to the guy. We have one more image after the jump.
(Thanks, Rick!)
Click to continue reading Modding The Xbox 360 Controller Into A Duke
Guitar Hero Meets Karaoke Revolution
Posted by Brandon Gribin Categories: Culture, Mods/Hacks, PlayStation 2,
Brian Crecente has put up an entertaining feature on how to “rock two games at once.” That is, how to play Guitar Hero and Karaoke Revolution simultaneously. Brian figured that since both games feature the hit “I Love Rock and Roll”, he’d be able to play them together. What’s linked is a lengthy description of how Brian went about his endeavor as well as a video of the concept in action. Unfortunately, as he says, the songs don’t sync perfectly between the games but it sounds like it’s close enough.
We applaud Crecente for trying this out. While it looks like it takes some time to set up - as well as a good amount of equipment - we’d personally really like to play both games at once too.
Read More | Kotaku
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