Xbox 360 Getting New Disc Format, Testers Wanted

[SPH73]

I don't own a 360, but I've been hearing a lot about bad discs lately from friends who have old/original 360s. My guess, knowing admittedly little about the 360, is this program would be a new pressing method that would hopefully work on all versions of the 360.

Adding new Antipiracy measures would be extremely difficult given that everything must be backwards compatible with old games.

That's the hot button issue here.

I want to hear the tech savy people on this forum weigh in on this issue.

How could this be accomplished? How could they modify the existing DVD format so that it still works with existing systems and yet somehow staves off piracy or improves the Xbox 360 experience?

I have to say I'm really intrigued by this development.

 

[Devin]

Can we please end this needless discussion?

 

[Nebz]

Can we please end this needless discussion?

It's already ended but that article is the same wording OP posted here which still makes it a bit skeptical and misleading.

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.

I’ll be sure to update this post if the program fills up.
Sign up for the Xbox LIVE Update Preview Program

Update: This preview will not impact voice/party chat at all.[/p]
Source

 

[SPH73]

Can we please end this needless discussion?

Not until you put that link in the OP post.

Also, its not a new optical format, which would mean new hardware just a year after the 360 Slim hit the market.

Really, no one on this forum is dumb enough to believe MS would do something that ridiculous right? Seriously, raise your hand if you're stupid enough to believe what the OP is implying.

(I'm just busting your balls here kids. don't take this personally.)

The beta software comes on a disc, which means it must work with existing hardware. You'd think the OP or anyone other than me would have been the first to point out this obvious fact.

 

[notmeanymore]

Okay people, stop. http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/115/1158240p1.html

I don't like linking to IGN, but they've gotten in contact with Major Nelson who has stated that it's not Blu-ray.

This leaves 2 possibilities:
HD-DVD
A DVD disk, but somehow read and written differently from standard DVDs. (This would allow Xbox hardware to stay the same, while also allowing a new "format" to arise.)

Plus, I can already almost guarantee you that it's not new games they're testing. Note in his blog the line "As part of the preview program, you will receive a copy of Halo: Reach along with other possible rewards."

This leads me to believe, that they'll be re-packaging Halo Reach in this new format and giving it to testers to well, test.

 

[MelodieOctavia]

I don't own a 360, but I've been hearing a lot about bad discs lately from friends who have old/original 360s. My guess, knowing admittedly little about the 360, is this program would be a new pressing method that would hopefully work on all versions of the 360.

Adding new Antipiracy measures would be extremely difficult given that everything must be backwards compatible with old games.

That's the hot button issue here.

I want to hear the tech savy people on this forum weigh in on this issue.

How could this be accomplished? How could they modify the existing DVD format so that it still works with existing systems and yet somehow staves off piracy or improves the Xbox 360 experience?

I have to say I'm really intrigued by this development.

Very well. Since this is going to be a dashboard update along with testing a new disc format, I have a theory.

Stay with me because this is a long one.

Microsoft waited until the "LT" drive firmware was released, and did not plan a future banwave. Instead, they compiled and analyzed the data sent out by these modded units, and based on that information, they have found a way to instantly detect not a modded console, BUT a copied game. It may be as simple as reading an identifier on the disc (Taiyo Yuden CD-Rs for example have an identifier of TGY02, but there may be other ways)

So, a new disc format along with the new dashboard update may just help identifying modded consoles almost instantly with background processes reading various data sent from the DVD drive.

 

[Joe88]

thanx, signed up for it

 

[Nebz]

Just so I'm not paranoid... Am I the only one not able to view it on the Connect.Microsoft Dashboard after adding and not able to find it in the Product Directory?

 

[Devin]

Just so I'm not paranoid... Am I the only one not able to view it on the Connect.Microsoft Dashboard after adding and not able to find it in the Product Directory?

I can't find it either.

 

[Fudge]

Wow, you guys make a big deal over something this small?! GOD DAMMIT!

I'll fix it.
EDIT: Already fixed.
EDIT 2: @SPH73 Why would I think its Blu-Ray? Do you really think I'm that dumb? Of course its just a new way for them to combat piracy.

 

[Crass]

IIRC Xbox 360 discs only have a 6 or 7GB partition for game data on each disc, despite them being 8.5GB capacity dual layer DVD discs. So maybe they're re-structuring the disc so the game data partitions are bigger. Either way I doubt it will make much of a difference to the end user, your still better off just installing the game to your HDD, so its not like they could improve loading times off the disc better than that.

 

[notmeanymore]

IIRC Xbox 360 discs only have a 6 or 7GB partition for game data on each disc, despite them being 8.5GB capacity dual layer DVD discs. So maybe they're re-structuring the disc so the game data partitions are bigger. Either way I doubt it will make much of a difference to the end user, your still better off just installing the game to your HDD, so its not like they could improve loading times off the disc better than that.

Maybe they're trying to fit more than 8.5GB of data somehow?

 

[Crass]

Maybe they're trying to fit more than 8.5GB of data somehow?

There just isn't any way to do that, other than possibly forcing all developers to use improved compression techniques, and that would only increase loading times. Like I said, it's more than likely just a new partition structure (while somehow keeping all the security checks in place). At this point, so late in the console's life, I cant imagine them doing anything drastic. Anything else would require a new hardware revision.

Edit: Gamespy just put a rumor that they could possibly be going towards double-sided discs, which would save the publishers money but would be a step back in convenience for the customers. Twice as likely to scratch a disc, and you would still have to manually eject and flip the disc over to use the other side. At this point it's still all speculation, but I doubt they are moving towards double-sided discs.

 

[SPH73]

EDIT 2: @SPH73 Why would I think its Blu-Ray? Do you really think I'm that dumb? Of course its just a new way for them to combat piracy.

On the first point... I'll be polite here and say "you said it, not me."

On the second point.. you only came to that conclusion after serveral other people in this topic pointed out the sloppy and deliberately misleading nature of your news submission. But maybe that was the fault of 1up.com. You were just following their lead.

Concerning this article, most of the uninformed people on the web and the trolls immediately thought bluray. Seems like 1up.com is deliberately leaving out crucial information. Sensationalist journalism always gets hits.

Meanwhile the real possibilities here are far more interesting than just the old "OMG XBAWKS BLEWRAY" bs.

 

[Fudge]

Maybe they're trying to fit more than 8.5GB of data somehow?

There just isn't any way to do that, other than possibly forcing all developers to use improved compression techniques, and that would only increase loading times. Like I said, it's more than likely just a new partition structure (while somehow keeping all the security checks in place). At this point, so late in the console's life, I cant imagine them doing anything drastic. Anything else would require a new hardware revision.

Edit: Gamespy just put a rumor that they could possibly be going towards double-sided discs, which would save the publishers money but would be a step back in convenience for the customers. Twice as likely to scratch a disc, and you would still have to manually eject and flip the disc over to use the other side. At this point it's still all speculation, but I doubt they are moving towards double-sided discs.

Its pretty much confirmed the new XGD3 format will hold about 1GB more and have more AP features. Quote c4eva:
QUOTE

[2011-03-29 11:00PM UTC] #fw so what do u think about new disc format [http://c4evaspeaks.com/new-xgd3-disc...d-dash-preview]?
[2011-03-29 11:11PM UTC] #fw MS will introduce xgd3 – 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!
[2011-03-29 11:15PM UTC] #fw C4 will this effect the launch of Slim lt? will it be delayed for some reason?
[2011-03-29 11:16PM UTC] #fw jeeboy:No
[2011-03-29 11:21PM UTC] #fw will know more once we get one of these new discs!

 

[purechaos996]

Signed up, already have halo, but I guess a 2nd copy wouldn't hurt lol

 

[Crass]

Its pretty much confirmed the new XGD3 format will hold about 1GB more and have more AP features. Quote c4eva:

[2011-03-29 11:00PM UTC] #fw so what do u think about new disc format [http://c4evaspeaks.com/new-xgd3-disc...d-dash-preview]?
[2011-03-29 11:11PM UTC] #fw MS will introduce xgd3 – 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!
[2011-03-29 11:15PM UTC] #fw C4 will this effect the launch of Slim lt? will it be delayed for some reason?
[2011-03-29 11:16PM UTC] #fw jeeboy:No
[2011-03-29 11:21PM UTC] #fw will know more once we get one of these new discs!

Interesting, it's as I suspected. Thanks for the info.

 

[shakirmoledina]

maybe its holographic... the one tht theoretically could store 500GB

 

[FireGrey]

i guess they're getting blu-ray, either that or a disc we haven't even heard of.

 

[Zorua]

Why only the United States?

I really wanted some nice freebies........