Hack N Mod - Amazingly Cool Hacks, Mods, and DIY Projects » Xbox 360

Build a Dirt Cheap and Powerful Media Center

Saikat — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:24:42 +0000

You’ll be hard pressed to find anything as useful and ‘open’ as the Xbox Media Center. The XBMC is your DIY entertainment hub on a budget: The host hardware (and therefore the cost) is yours to choose because XBMC is open source, free and cross platform. You can build your entertainment HQ from a high end processor heavyweight to a small, capable netbook. It’s actually really easy to setup as the tutorial below shows you how to build your own personal XBMC using a $200 Netbook from Acer.

The Parts:

Acer AspireRevo: Cheap on eBay – The netbook has 1GB of RAM, an Intel Atom 230 processor, 160GB hard drive and more importantly an integrated NVIDIA ION graphics chip that handles HD video and outputs it to HDMI.
XBMC Live: The Live CD for the XBMC installation based around a Linux distro with a light processor footprint.
A Flash Drive: Minimum 1.5GB formatted to FAT32 that will load the XBMC installation on the netbook.
Windows Media Center remote (optional): A USB receiver and lets you control the media center from a distance.

The Installation:

The tutorial gives an in-depth step by step approach to the installation and setup of the XBMC. To help you along, links to the source files are just a click away. Here’s a sketch of the setup process –

Download the XBMC Live installer with the updated NVIDIA drivers. Both the direct link and the torrent sources are given. The download is a 341 MB zipped image file.
Create the installation CD – Simply burn the unzipped image file to a CD using a CD writing software.
Install XBMC Live on a Thumb Drive – Because the Acer AspireRevo doesn’t have a DVD Drive, using a thumb drive as the installation source is the cheaper option.
Tweak the System BIOS of the Acer AspireRevo – A couple of changes for booting with the thumb drive and for smoother HD playback.

The Final Installation – Install XBMC from the thumb drive to the netbook’s hard drive.
Finishing touches for smooth play – For squeeze the most out of the graphics processor like HDMI playback, make some changes to the video and audio settings. Some final touches relate to setting up a file transfer protocol for streaming in third party add-ins and other files via a FTP program like FileZilla.

Well, the basic setup doesn’t seem that back breaking, especially when all source files are provided. If you have succeeded and are itching to stretch your experience further learn how to Turbo Charge your XBMC Installation. This tutorial takes you into ways to pull media from the internet for your listening and viewing pleasure.

Recline and enjoy!

We have covered many ways to take an Xbox to the next level - Launch into our Xbox and Xbox360 posts:

Resurrect a Dead XBox 360 into A PC

Saikat — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:00:02 +0000

Need a project for that dead Xbox 360? Check out this detailed Xbox 360 mod which converts the console into a functional PC. Give it a new identity – the Xbox 360 PC. If you are wondering about the specs that was pushed inside the small case of an Xbox 360, here they are:

3.0Ghz Pentium 4 HT (upgraded from 2.26GHz P4 at start of mod)
512MB RAM
60GB 4200rpm SATA HDD
DVD-ROM, CD-RW
8x USB 2.0 ports
Integrated Intel graphics

The main challenge with an Xbox to PC mod is fitting everything inside the cramped space of an Xbox 360. The CPU and the power supply have different sizes and line up differently. Innovation is the name of the game as electric0ant shows through careful planning and his project illustrations. Check out a few below. The complete step by step is given on his project page.

Step by Step:

The project is born from a faulty Xbox 360 scrapped for the outer case. Below is fitting the motherboard inside is the first test.

Installing Windows XP. In the final mod XP is exchanged for OS X.

Fitting the heatsink (taken from a dead P4 laptop) vertically.

Wiring up the power supply to the Xbox 360.

The Final Results:

The well illustrated project gives you the headsup about the pitfalls. Maybe you can work your way through it with your own take on it. Let us know what you would do differently if you managed to find yourself a spare Xbox 360 lying around.

Check out some Xbox 360 case mods we’ve covered in the past.

15 Exceptional Xbox 360 Case Mods

Saikat — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:20:09 +0000

So, you’ve got an Xbox 360 like millions of other people. It’s white, it’s boring, and it’s begging to be customized. It’s time to learn from the modding experts and stand apart from the average gamer. Throw in a few game inspired themes, chrome, and LEDs to create your own custom masterpiece.

Don’t Miss: 5 Ways to Hack your Xbox 360 Controller

Epic Halo Mod

Check out the detail as these two Master Chiefs battle it out. There is even a plasma pistol mixed in with the realistic terrain!

Xbox 360 Car Mod?

First up is the questionably legal Xbox 360 car mod. Check out the console in the dashboard – The Xbox 360 has been seamlessly fit into the car. The wireless controllers have also found a place for the driver and the passenger. Learn 3 ways to install an Xbox, PS3, or any console in your car.

Hot Rock case Mod for Xbox 360

The LED on the side glows with the rise in temperature of the gaming console. It’s time to switch off but not before admiring the LED luminescence.

Xbox 360 Hellboy Case Mod

Comic books and movies are the inspirations for case mods this year. If it was the Wall-E case mod or the Star Wars Nintendo Wii Case Mod then, it’s a Hellboy inspired case mod for the Xbox 360.

Chrome HDMI Case Combo

While this wasn’t done custom (it was a kit), the High Quality Chrome HDMI Case definitely adds style to the otherwise bland, white console.

Master Chief Helmet Case Mod

Another Halo inspired case but modeled on the Master Chief’s helmet. The Xbox bares its innards through the cutout in the shape of Master Chief’s visor.

Xbox 360 Laptop Mod

Why go back to being a computer when you are an Xbox? Because you get to be portable with a 17? 1280×720 progressive-scan LCD VGA monitor and Water-cooled custom-built radiator. A keyboard and Wi-Fi gives you the best of both worlds. Created by Ben Heck.

The 360 PC

This modder added keyboard and mouse functionality to his Xbox making it a compact, powerful “PC” but has the power of the Xbox to play cutting edge games.

Water Cooled Xbox Mod

Play your favorite games without worrying about the Red Ring of Death. It’s temperature controlled with cool blue water.

Half Life Mod

An Xbox case mod with a game theme is common, but what’s not common is the detail that goes into this Half Life inspired mod with cut away windows and raised HL2 logos.

Rockstar Case Mod

This one is for the GTA buff. All in silver and orange, with controllers to match, the case mod gives a transparent peek into its guts. It’s a special edition Xbox, not a custom case mod, but it looks stunning so we’re including it on the list.

The Joker Inspired Xbox 360 Mod

The Joker’s face pokes out accompanied by the now famous line, “Why so serious?” Creepy, but definitely a fantastic mod for Batman fans.

Gear of War Case Mod

This one looks evil and wicked. Blame it on the Gear of Wars addict who wants to kick some ass with this deadly mod.

The Xbox Millennium Falcon

If you know your Star Wars, you would want this to play your favorite Star Wars classics. Although it’s the original Xbox, it’s still worthy of being added to the list for inspiration.

Texas Longhorn Case Mod

A tribute to the University of Texas, this burnt orange stylish Xbox mod features a Longhorn logo as a window.

Dig deep into our archives of our past Xbox 360 mods:

Ben Heck: The Man, The Myth, The Legend.

Joe L — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:08:08 +0000

If for some strange reason you don’t know of Benjamin Heckendorn (Ben Heck), he’s the king of hacking and modding, a console modder extraordinaire who turns consoles into laptops, and just about any gaming related hack you could possibly think of. You can view all of his projects around HacknMod and by checking out his site, Gizmodo and Engadget.

Don’t Miss:

Some of his laptops are pictured above and below. A the top of the page is an interview with Ben and a brief walk through of his household lab. We definitely agree that tinkering with electronics is an extraordinary hobby and a fantastic way to make a living too

By the way, Hack N Mod is teaming up with Ben Heck for a super secret project to be announced later this year! More details to come – subscribe for free to stay posted.

DIY Need For Speed Racing Arcade

Joe L — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 22:03:29 +0000

You’ve probably played the classic racing games like Burn Out, Need for Speed, and Gran Turiso on consoles but using the standard controller just doesn’t cut it sometimes. Learn to build your own racing cockpit through this super comphrehensive step-by-step guide to bring the speed, thrill, and realism of the game to life. This is definitly not your average build tutorial, it’s a 66 page PDF walking you through each nut and bolt of the assemply process.

Above is an example of the intricate level of detail the tutorial. Each page shows these comprehensive diagrams with detailed measurements showing you how to build your own.

Related Racing and Arcade projects:

Nintendo Meets Xbox 360 with the SNES Emulator

Saikat — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:36:02 +0000

Super Nintendo (SNES) still has fans worldwide – Who doesn’t love the retro consoles? Thanks to SNES emulators, the Super Nintendo is still alive and kicking in some corners of the game world.

Emulation of the SNES is now available for a number of console platforms. Snes9x for example is a portable, freeware SNES emulator. Snes9x is coded in C++ for Linux and Windows. Many ports of Snes9x are easily available. SNES 9xGX specially, is a Super Nintendo emulator for the Wii based on the SNES9x.

But this hack could be the very first homebrew emulation for the Xbox360. The innovative project used the SNES9X GX emulator ported to the Xbox360. OS dependence was bypassed by using Libxenon (which is a library for writing programs for the Xbox 360). The end result, as the video shows is a success. The GUI may not be eye pleasing but you sure can get those old games back into action on your Xbox360.

Go back in time with some of our retro-hacking emulation projects –

Xbox 360 Hellboy Case Mod

Saikat — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 06:19:31 +0000

Comic books and movies are the inspirations for case mods this year. If it was the Wall-E case mod or the Star Wars Nintendo Wii Case Mod then, it’s a Hellboy inspired case mod for the Xbox 360.

One look at the entirely red Xbox 360 Hellboy Case Mod and you know the creator, Frank Gonzales, has stacked up a lot on Hellboy comics. The case mod matches the dark mood of the horror-hero. Unlike others, this case mod is about texture and art and less about hardcore cutting and grafting. Frank Gonzales, a graphic artist, has sauced up an Xbox 360 with a crusty surface, red paint job and the Hellboy logo in the center. The end effect looks like one of those collectors’ editions that comic book fans line up for.

Take a 360 degree perspective in the pictures below:

If you are wowed by case mods like these and trying to make your first cut then read our Ultimate Case Modding Tutorial.

Don’t forget to browse through our entire section of case mod hacks on HacknMod.

Powerful Blu-Ray Laser on a Keychain

jayrob — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:30:04 +0000

Here’s another fantastic tutorial from Jay, a DIY lasers expert. See all of our DIY laser projects. I picked up this little key chain light at Lowe’s. It is made from a solid piece of brass. It is very heavy duty, but very small.

Beam shot – with smoke. This is a 405nm ‘blu-ray’ laser diode. My camera happens to capture the true ‘violet’ color of the blu-ray using smoke.

Important: This is a class 3B laser and should be used with care. Proper eye protection for 405nm wavelength recommended. It can instantly damage the eye if it is pointed directly into the eye. Even reflections can cause eye damage.

I managed to get a FlexDrive inside there for an 803T blu-ray build! (then I made a red build, and then I made a 6X build – 268mW’s!). Here are the build pics:

I found that the stock, ’stacked’ button cell batteries were not enough to run a FlexDrive. The answer was to use a 3.6 volt Lithium 10180 battery. Or better yet… the tail cap can be drilled out to fit a 10280! The 10180 batteries are 90mAh… But the 10280’s, are 180 – 200mAh’s!

With this in mind, I chose the highest efficiency PHR diode that I could find to keep the current as low as I could and still have good power! 117mW’s @ 117mA’s! With a 10280, that should give around a 1 hour run time per charge.

For the 10180 fit: I shortened the spring on the tail cap just a little, because the 10180 is just a little longer than the 3 stacked button cells that came with the host. The only other thing that I did, was to bypass the little button circuit on the stock board to make it a momentary button switch.It had some kind of little circuit that allowed it to be a constant on / off switch, but this did not work with the FlexDrive, so I just bypassed the circuit…

Notes: Figure a setting of about 130mA’s to give (normally) 115mW’s of blu-ray with the 803T diode for around a 1 hour run time between charges with the 10280 battery. For a red, 275mA’s still gives me 200mW’s using the Sony/Senkat SLD1239JL-54 diode, along with the AR coated acrylic lens that I have linked below. I bought these from e-bay.

Considering run time (boost vs buck vs diode used), IgorT did some calculations that theoretically should allow using a higher current with a red diode build! Because the red diode takes less voltage, and the driver doesn’t have to boost. A 200mW red, should be about the same battery life as a 200mW blu-ray. (I’m guessing about 1/2 hour at this higher current with a 10280)

Here are the AR coated acrylic lenses for red diodes. You’ll get about 10% more power with these (vs AixiZ acrylic), and they fit right into the AixiZ module! Additional mods:

Meredith glass lens modification fit for AixiZ – 20% increase in power for red vs AixiZ acrylic! (back opened)
405-G-1 glass lens modification – 26% increase in power for blu-ray vs AixiZ acrylic! (back opened)

For a 6X build
A normal efficiency GGW 6X diode, set at 180mA’s, will give you around 170mW’s. (AixiZ acrylic lens – back opened) But with my 405-G-1 glass lens modification, you will get at least 26% more power!

Tail cap mod

I found just enough room in this host for a 10280, by drilling out the tail cap. Now there is room for a 10280 (200mAh), which is twice the capacity of a 10180!.

Battery tip:
The AW web site where I ordered the 10280’s, says 180mAh’s, but the batteries say 200mAh’s on them. I thought I would show that it is an easy mod to expose the negative end of the battery edges. This is needed with this build using the longer batteries. Because of the tail cap mod, there is no longer a center spring.

Battery Current Draw – for 3 different builds: Here are my three different builds and the current draw on fully charged (200mAh) 10280 batteries…

High efficiency PHR-803T blu-ray set at 117mA’s and putting out 117mW’s. (AixiZ acrylic) – 175mA’s battery current draw.
Sony/Senkat SLD1239JL-54 red set at 275mA’s and putting out 200mW’s. (AR coated lens) – 228mA’s battery current draw.
High efficiency (freak) 6X blu-ray set at 183mA’s and putting out 215mW’s! (AixiZ acrylic) – 288mA’s battery current draw. (268mW’s using my 405-G-1 glass lens modification!
I”m guessing the 6X build will be 30 minutes run time (or less), but who cares?… 268mW’s of blu-ray in a Key Chain build!

Build tip:
Before you complete the build, make sure you check to see if you are getting a voltage reading between the negative end of the battery, and the host! If you are getting any kind of a voltage reading here, then you have not disabled the stock switch circuit good enough.

There is a connection from one edge of the board (which is ground), that goes to the center. This has something to do with the way the little circuit would let the switch be a ‘constant on’ switch. I found that I needed to ’scrape’ through this connection to by-pass the circuit completely.

Otherwise, I got a voltage reading from the negative end of the battery, to the host. Strange… On one of my builds, I actually got a small current draw here, and it would slowly drain the battery. After I did the above ‘fix’, the problem was solved.

Here is a video showing a much less powerful blu-ray build of mine lighting matches. You can see that just a very small amount of smoke in the air from the matches will make the blu-ray beam visible. That one is only 80mW’s. My 268mW Key Chain build is much brighter!

Final Results:

(Beam shot – with smoke)

Here’s a photo of the laser in action. Hope you like this project! – Jay

You may also enjoy these other laser builds:

This post was submitted by a Hack N Mod fan, just like yourself. If you’d like to earn money from your projects, feel free to contact us.

U.S. Army Xbox Live Headset

Joe L — Sat, 30 May 2009 19:06:49 +0000

This is a fantastic and quick weekend project for you.� Take an authentic U.S. Army Vietnam-era headset and turn it into a custom Xbox Live headset.� It’s incredibly simple to pull off – Basically just cut and connect a few wires and you’re good to go!� A few more pictures and directions can be found at the blog post above.

You could even use it to play Xbox Live in your car if you’ve installed a gaming console.

X-Ray Photography of Gaming Controllers, Consoles

Saikat — Thu, 28 May 2009 04:03:41 +0000

This gaming hobbyist has shown that there is more than one way to take a photograph. He has found a unique way to get something more out of his work as an x-ray technician.

His “camera” of choice is an X-Ray machine of course:

Using his spare hours, he has stacked up quite a collection of X-Ray photographs of gaming consoles. From Wii-motes to a PSP and even X-rays of cartridges, he has captured them all in black and white.

The hobby is uncommon and almost weird. The effects though are extraordinary. The X-Ray photographs look like detailed blueprints. Take a look at his collection of photographs on Flickr and you will surely appreciate his work. Â� They would definately make for some cool wallpapers too.

If taking unique snapshots is your game, then look through our collection of photography hacks.