A [Modernized] Guide for Converting the Original XBOX into a Media Center

2 August 2011

Introduction:

The fact that the original Microsoft XBOX can be modified into a potent media center computer has been well known by many for years; however, a number of the once useful guides scattered across the Web have become cryptic and outdated. Here I will attempt to provide a fully updated guide for those who still wish to transform their outdated gaming system into a piece of hardware worthy of the entertainment center. This guide will review the procedures needed to modify the console via a popular software exploit as opposed to using a mod chip. The steps listed below come from various sources on the net as well as my own personal experience (see the sources section).

XBMC4XBOX

A softmod results in the original operating system or “dashboard” being replaced with a homebrew one like UnleashX or EvolutionX, which was the first modified dashboard available. Some of them are rather limited in functionality by themselves, but can be greatly enhanced by launching applications from them like XBMC (which can also be used as a native dashboard). XBMC is a media center program first developed for the original XBOX, but has since been designed to run on numerous computer devices. The official version of XBMC in its current form no longer supports the XBOX, but others have continued its legacy by developing a modern version of the program designed specifically for the console, now known as XBMC4XBOX.

Features:

What can a modified XBOX do exactly? The original dashboard is limited to managing game saves on the hard drive/external memory cards, playing audio CDs, launching commercial game discs and playing region-specific DVDs with a proprietary playback kit. With a modded XBOX running applications like XBMC, on the other hand, you can do the following tasks (listed in no particular order):

  • Copy DVDs and games directly to the internal hard drive or networked computer
  • Play games/videos from the internal hard drive or videos from a networked computer
  • Region-free DVD player (even without the playback kit)
  • Play classic video game emulators
  • Watch videos streamed from YouTube, Apple Movie Trailers and dozens of other sources
  • Run custom Python scripts and Linux bootloaders
  • Check the weather and view RSS feeds
  • Transfer files to/from the XBOX via FTP or Telnet
  • Upgrade the internal hard drive to gain extra space for your files
  • …and more!

The only downside to modding the system used to be that XBOX Live gameplay was no longer possible. Microsoft has since discontinued online support for the console though, so mod away! Follow this guide at your own risk. I am not responsible for any errors or problems that arise.

Materials:

  • Original XBOX console + controller, A/V & power cables
  • An official copy of Splinter Cell (*any version of the original game but not the sequels)
  • Action Replay kit for original XBOX (somewhat difficult to find) -OR- memory card preloaded with the necessary softmod files (check eBay)
  • Router w/ available port + Ethernet cable
  • An FTP client like FileZilla

*Specific versions of 007: Agent Under Fire and Mech Assault games also work, but are not covered in this guide.

Procedures:

1. Download and extract the softmod files

I cannot provide a direct download link to the softmod here because a certain company is still surprisingly vigilant about quashing usage of the files. For now, you’ll have to Google around or check out the article linked in my references below to obtain the download. If you have a pre-prepared memory card with the necessary softmod files (obtained through eBay or other means), ignore this download and continue on to step 2. Otherwise, the ZIP archive contains 3 important files:

  • SID.Splinter.Cell.v2.0.XBOX-HQ.zip
  • SID.Splinter.Cell.v2.0.NTSC.XBOX-HQ.zip
  • SID.Splinter.Cell.v2.0.PAL.XBOX-HQ.zip

Extract the ZIP archive to a convenient location. The first file inside of it will later be used as the source code to install the new dashboard (using the Splinter Cell game). The NTSC and PAL files contain a special save profile necessary to launch the installation of the new dashboard. Your XBOX’s video region will determine which of the two region files you must use (generally speaking, North America and some of South America use NTSC and Europe uses PAL).

2. Download XBMC4XBOX (patience… the link may take awhile to respond)

The XBMCSVN site has the latest builds of XBMC4XBOX available for download, the most recent of which is version “3.0.1 Stable” provided in the link above. Don’t be confused by older guides that refer to the original T3CH version of XBMC from 2006. Extract the ZIP archive to a convenient location on your computer so that the appropriate files inside of it can be sent to the XBOX later on.

3. Copy the softmod files onto a memory card via Action Replay (section a) -OR- Use a pre-prepared memory card (section b)

a. If you have an Action Replay kit for XBOX, install the included software CD onto your Windows PC (compatibility mode or other tricks may be necessary for versions of Windows newer than XP). Plug the included USB cable and 8MB memory card into your PC. Drag and drop the SID.Splinter.Cell.v2.0.Xbox-HQ.zip and SID.Splinter.Cell.v2.0.NTSC.Xbox-HQ.zip files from the extracted ZIP archive downloaded in step 1 into the “PC Database” column of the Action Replay software (or the PAL version where needed). This process will create a “LINUX_Profile” saved game in the Splinter Cell folder and a separate “Linux Installer” folder. Next, drag and drop the “Linux Installer” folder into the software’s “Memory Card” column.

b. If you have a pre-prepared memory card mentioned in step 1 which contains all of the necessary (and compatible) softmod files, you are set. Continue to step 4.

4. Transfer the Linux installer files onto the XBOX hard drive.

Remove the memory card from the Action Replay kit (or your pre-prepared memory card) and plug it into an XBOX controller connected to the system. Verify the disc tray is empty and start up the XBOX so that the factory dashboard loads. Navigate to the memory area and continue down the file hierarchy to the active controller’s memory card. When you see the “Linux installer” (or similar) saved game, hit the right button-pad once to select the game, then select the “Copy” function from the menu to copy it to the system’s hard drive. With the pre-prepared memory card, copy both files to the system and continue to step 5.

Shut down the XBOX and go back to the Action Replay program on your computer. Repeat the same process with the “LINUX_Profile” file in the Splinter Cell folder of the Action Replay program. Copy it to the memory card (you’ll have to delete the Linux Installer from it first because the memory card capacity is too small to accommodate both folders) then plug the card into the controller, boot up the system and copy the saved game to the XBOX hard drive. Turn off the XBOX and continue to step 5.

5. Install the dashboard

Once the files are on the system hard drive, insert and run the Splinter Cell game. In your game save profiles you will see a new entry named “Linux” or something similar. Go into it and select “Check points.” Shortly thereafter you will see an install screen for the new modified dashboard. Before installing the actual modified dashboard, be sure to run backups of the original Microsoft dashboard and/or your EEPROM. When all of this is complete, select the option to install the softmod to the XBOX. At some point you will be given a choice to install either EvolutionX or UnleashX dashboard. I personally recommend UnleashX, but either will serve you well enough. If the dashboard offers more than one patch version, read help notes on the screen to decide which is best for your needs.

6. Configure the dashboard + FTP client & Install XBMC

Woot! The new modified dashboard has some cool features on its own, but the real power comes with XBMC. Plug the XBOX into a router via Ethernet cable. Go into the dashboard network settings and verify that the system is set to DHCP mode (this will cause the router to automatically assign it a LAN IP address) and that FTP is enabled. The settings on your network may vary. Next, download and install an FTP client like FileZilla on your computer. This will allow you to transfer files to and from the XBOX. In the FTP client, set the host address in the connection fields to the IP listed on the modified XBOX dashboard. The username and password are “xbox” by default on most modified dashboards. Leave the port field blank or type in 21 if necessary.

When a successful connection has been made, you will see the XBOX’s files displayed in a file tree. Navigate into the /E/Apps folder. Copy the entire folder named “xbmc” within the unzipped file folder from step 2 into the XBOX Apps folder. Reset the XBOX and navigate to the Apps menu on the modified dashboard. Select XBMC to launch it. All done! Now you can configure everything to your liking, including setting up network shares and viewing local/streamed multimedia content! The configuration of XBMC can be extensive, so I recommend checking out the XBMC4XBOX Wiki or other sources for help and recommendations.

All done – happy entertaining!

References:

Although much of this guide comes from my own experience, I could not have done it without this Lifehacker article written by Gina Trapini in 2007.

4 Comments | Entertainment, Primary Weblog, Tech | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by N. Palmer

Mac Tards

14 April 2011

Thanks to devices like the iPad and continued success of the iPhone, Apple’s popularity seems to be skyrocketing these days, at least in a transient way. Their ever-present marketing continues to convince people that their products are the end-all, be-all, who then give little regard for potentially better, often cheaper devices. Sure their mobile devices are pretty cool, but there are other options out there. Especially in the personal computer world, if you want an easy, minimized computing experience, Apple is certainly not the only solution, nor are they automatically better than everything else by any means.

Some time ago while waiting for a humanities class to begin, a student initiated a conversation about purchasing computers. I bit my tongue so I could hear the unblemished outcome. Sure enough, a Mac user piped up and proceeded to give the usual speech about how he/she never has viruses and just loves his/her Macbook Pro more than anything, especially evil Windows computers. The funny thing is, all this person seems to do is play flash games (yes, kind of ironic given the battle between Apple and Adobe), check e-mail and use Microsoft Word. Um, I’m pretty sure you don’t need a $2,000+ computer to do that. A $400-500 HP aluminum body laptop would be just as good for that. Oh yeah, and the HP has an easily-removable battery and can play Blu-Ray movies if you opt to upgrade the optical drive. Utilizing common web-sense while surfing, I don’t remember having a virus or blue-screen on my PC in the last few years.

My university recently renovated its computer store. Upon completion, I found that for some reason it had simply been turned into half of an Apple store (you know, lots of room for like three items, strong white lighting THX-1138 style, etc.). Eh, they better have either received a ton of money from Apple to do that, because if not it is just a hopeless display of Apple-tardedness, *sigh*. Some people make the generic excuse that Apples are better for graphics and stuff. Nope, Adobe Suite works just as well on PC, AVID is great like Final Cut Pro, and my laptop’s GPU “pwns” the one used in any current Apple computer.

Points that further communicate my rant:

  • Apple moved to Intel-based (read: PC) hardware a few years ago… the only difference is the OS and subsequent hardware restriction, and Linux (free) beats them all for secure, general usage anyway.
  • Apples cannot play Blu-Rays because Steve Jobs apparently doesn’t like them.
  • Apple users are constantly at the mercy of Steve Jobs and his desire for excessive control and restriction.
  • Spending money on any number of PC manufacturers will often get you worlds more hardware for the buck than the same amount spent on an Apple computer, and they’ll occasionally throw in an extended warranty without robbing your wallet for additional cash.
  • Try building your own computer for use with MacOS. Sure it can be done taking painful measures and possibly putting up with limited functionality, but if Steve Jobs had his way it would explode in your face and you’d be thrown in bottomless pit.
  • Try installing a ton of great PC-only programs out there on MacOS without using virtualization (especially those useful in the IT world).
  • I shouldn’t even need to mention trying to play real games on MacOS.

In conclusion, I [sort of] apologize for going off on a PC fan-boy rant. All I want to communicate to everyone is that Apple products are not better than everything just because it is Apple. I think the following video summarizes my frustration at people who want everything that Steve Jobs says is awesome. If you like Apple, fine. Just like it for the right reasons and don’t just spout off what you’ve been programmed to say.

2 Comments | Primary Weblog, Tech | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by N. Palmer

The Soap Opera Effect

5 March 2011

You hurriedly travel home to open the new HDTV you just purchased. After connecting the countless wires and expensive components, you fire up your new machine to watch your favorite Blu-Ray movie. At first glance, everything is crisp and glorious, but then, something just doesn’t look right… what could it be?

Have you ever noticed on certain newer HDTVs that movies and some television shows look “too real,” as if they were shot with a home video HD camcorder? This irritating phenomenon that catches many HDTV owners off guard is called the “soap opera effect,” and happens because of “enhanced” refresh rates, extra interpolated frames and other gimmicky settings. Sure it looks great for the football game, but it effectively eliminates the beautifully crafted and color-corrected look that help make movies so captivating.

Thankfully, there is a fix (at least, for most televisions). Simply navigate into the television’s video settings (there may be a unique menu for every input) and look for settings called something like AMP (Auto-motion Plus), motion enhancement, cinema mode, etc, and turn them off. These settings often find themselves in the “Advanced” section of the picture or video menu. This may require some experimentation, but when you turn off the correct setting(s), the difference will be obvious to those with cinematically-attuned eyes.

The effects produced by these settings aren’t all bad, however. In fact, some people even prefer the overly realistic look. You should also consider leaving it on for any broadcast, cable or satellite television inputs unless you often watch movies on them.

In any case, good luck and happy watching!

1 Comment | Primary Weblog, Tech | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by N. Palmer

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