[majornelson.com (http://majornelson.com/2011/03/29/xbox-360-system-update-preview/)]
I am happy to announce that we're doing an Xbox 360 System Update Preview program for our next release, and the opportunity to sign up is now available. We are conducting an open call for US based participants* for a public preview to help us prepare for an updated Xbox 360 disc format. This is an important update as we continually strive to improve our products and we could not do so without the help of our great Xbox community. As part of the preview program, you will receive a copy of Halo: Reach along with other possible rewards.
Much like we did last year, you'll need to visit the Microsoft Connect site from this link and sign in with your Windows LIVE ID that is connected to your Xbox LIVE Gamertag. Once you complete the survey that is presented to you, the Connect site will provide program related updates and you will receive a mail once the selection process is completed.
A couple of points before you head off to register:
• We're looking for multiple thousands of participants, so your chances of making it in are good.
• This opportunity is open to Xbox LIVE Members in US region only*.
• To avoid any problems, read the survey carefully and double check all the information you provide.
• While both Xbox LIVE Gold and Silver members can sign up, priority will be given to Gold members in the selection process.
*Due to disc distribution limitations, this beta it will be limited to residents of the United States only.
Sign up for the Xbox LIVE Update Preview Program (http://connect.microsoft.com/xboxliveupdate)
I wonder what are the chances:
QuotePre-Release Software. You acknowledge that due to the unique nature of pre-release software update programs, there is a risk that this software update may impair your console's functionality or even render it inoperable. Consoles registered with the Preview program are the only consoles that will be allowed into the Preview program. If you update another console with the build, including by inserting a Preview game disc in a non-Preview console, then that console will be unable to connect to Xbox LIVE until the official software update release is delivered to the public.
hmmpphh not fair, i really want halo reach, why the hell dont us brits get anythin
Quote from: fizz on March 29, 2011, 11:19:52 PM
hmmpphh not fair, i really want halo reach, why the hell dont us brits get anythin
Xbox Live prices didn't increase here like they did everywhere else, that's something right? :)
Quote from: GamerMan316 on March 29, 2011, 11:34:43 PM
Quote from: fizz on March 29, 2011, 11:19:52 PM
hmmpphh not fair, i really want halo reach, why the hell dont us brits get anythin
Xbox Live prices didn't increase here like they did everywhere else, that's something right? :)
[/b]
maybe, but i still want freebies :D
Source: Xbox new disc format gains 1GB
A highly placed development source has confirmed to Digital Foundry that the new disc format being beta tested in a new dashboard upgrade adds 1GB to the storage of Xbox 360 game discs.
The maximum space allocated to game data on the current disc format is just 6.8GB out of a maximum of 7.95GB on a standard dual layer DVD, with over 1GB dedicated to a DVD-Video partition that also contained anti-piracy security sectors. Astonishingly, this meant that the last generation PlayStation 2 had a higher level of raw storage available to games developers than the newer Xbox 360. It seems that this video partition has either been drastically reduced or omitted completely in the new format Microsoft is looking to roll-out.
Beta testers of the new dashboard get a free copy of Halo: Reach once they are accepted into the new preview programme. We can assume that this isn't just a generous gift on Microsoft's part - more likely it is a disc pressed using the new format, and Microsoft is looking for data on performance on as many different systems as it can. There is no one standard Xbox 360 DVD drive: the platform holder has used drives from Samsung, Hitachi, Benq and Liteon across the console's five year history.
Halo: Reach occupied 6.6GB of space on the old format disc. Either padding or additional content will have been added to this new edition, or it may well simply be the case that the data is allocated into certain physical areas of the disc the video partition would have previously occupied.
It would make sense that the video partition would have been pressed into the inner-most area of the disc - the part that would be the slowest to read in data. So while developers will be able to make the most of the raw storage potential of the dual layer disc, they may well have to factor in slower read speeds in the freed-up space.
Regardless, a 14-15 per cent boost in the space available to Xbox 360 developers is a very welcome advance, and some might argue it is somewhat overdue bearing in mind that the security scheme currently in place has proven to be inadequate for several years now. Tossing away the current system may also give Microsoft the opportunity to deploy a brand new anti-piracy strategy bearing in mind that its latest AP 2.5 (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-kinect-dash-anti-piracy-blog-entry) system was defeated within a couple of weeks.
Xbox 360 DVD firmware hacker "Commodore4eva" adding weight to the story by suggesting that the latest developer XDK confirms the changes:
"MS will introduce XBG3 - this will add more AP checks, CVI (content integerity) checks, increase the disc size and adds a new layer for protection issues - all in the 20500 sdk! bring it on," he posted on IRC (http://www.ripten.com/2011/03/29/microsoft-launching-new-xbox-360-discs-to-combat-piracy-what-it-will-do-brycew/).
Registration is now closed:
Via: [Major Nelson (http://majornelson.com/2011/03/29/xbox-360-system-update-preview/)]
QuoteUpdate: Thank you for your interest in the Xbox LIVE Update Preview Program! Sorry, at this time we are no longer accepting registrations for the program as we have reached our target audience volume. Please be on the lookout for additional opportunities in the future to participate in Xbox LIVE Update Preview programs. For those of you that have successfully completed registration we will be reaching out to you once we have completed the selection process for participation – within the next 2 weeks. You can check on your status by referring to your Connect Dashboard page and the icon in the upper right corner.
If you see Xbox LIVE Update = Pending then you have successfully registered and now you just need to wait for a follow up mail.
Microsoft has confirmed reports that some Xbox 360 consoles are not compatible with its new Xbox 360 firmware upgrade, and advised those affected to get in touch.
"Following a recent update to our system software, we have become aware of an issue that is preventing a very small number of Xbox 360 owners from playing retail game discs," Microsoft said.
"This issue manifests itself a as a unique 'disc unreadable' or 'disc unsupported' error on the screen. We are also able to detect this issue over Xbox Live and are proactively reaching out to customers that may be impacted to replace their console."
The console manufacturer urged those having problems to get in touch at www.xbox.com/support/contact "so we can verify if the console has been impacted".
Microsoft will replace borked machines with a brand new Xbox 360 S with 250GB hard drive.
The new firmware is thought to prepare the Xbox 360 for use with the new XGD3 disc standard, which adds 1GB of useable data to 360 DVDs.
Digital Foundry (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-new-xbox-dash-doesnt-work-on-all-drives) this morning reported that the firmware combats pirated software.
[source (http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-05-18-how-to-get-your-replacement-xbox-360)]
i havent played a game to day hope my dosnt work ;D
Eek, when's the upgrade being applied? My Xbox is only a few weeks old, hope it doesn't screw it up.
I hope both mine f*ck up so i can get 2 new xbox's
I think this update rolls out in different regions in the next week or so.
Doesn't sound like it affects any of the new Slimline 360's, maybe my old Elite that i haven't got round to selling yet will be affacted, fingers crossed ;)
damn my P.O.S. still works :'( (kind of)
Hey guys, not sure if this is posted in right area if not can someone move it but does anyone know what the new update was about??? Many thanks :-)
Quote from: DaveChaos on May 25, 2011, 02:22:14 PM
Hey guys, not sure if this is posted in right area if not can someone move it but does anyone know what the new update was about??? Many thanks :-)
(http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2011/05/spring530wmedheaderimg.jpg)
Even before that new app smell has worn off from Hulu Plus, Microsoft will launch its annual spring update for the Xbox 360 Dashboard. Images sent to Joystiq by a Microsoft tech support employee reveal that the next Dashboard update will begin rolling out on May 19.
According to the documents, the update will be distributed in six separate waves between May 19 and May 30 "to ensure a high quality deployment." Additionally, while not technically part of the automatic update, Avatar Kinect is listed for a May 27 arrival as a separate download.
Aside from offering support for the new Microsoft disc format -- which will "be used in future game titles releasing later in 2011" -- the spring system update will enable PayPal support on the console, extending the payment option "to new international markets." PayPal will be "the only user facing feature" of the update.
[source (http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/09/source-xbox-360-spring-2011-update-launches-may-19-adds-paypal/)]