Xbox 360 Getting Updated Disc Format

finite

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finite

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This definitely wont be Blu-ray according to Larry Hryb. I hope it isn't just a new anti piracy method, but something that also allows devs to use more than 7GB per disc.
 
There was murmurs in the science industry at someone working out a new disk format holding 4-5 times the amount of a DVD but works on current hardware.
Must be going back about 2 years or so now.. then everything went silent.
Wonder if MS got their noses in.
 
Microsoft is seeking volunteers for a beta of a new Xbox 360 disc format.

"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," Major Nelson (Larry Hryb) announced today.

The Xbox 360 currently uses the DVD format for its video game titles. Sony opted for Blu-ray for the PS3, which can hold vastly more content than a standard DVD. Some Xbox 360 games comes on multiple discs due to a capacity limit of about 8.5GB on a standard dual-layer DVD.

"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," Hryb wrote. "As part of the preview program, you will receive a copy of Halo: Reach along with other possible rewards."

Of course, the announcement is very light on details so its unclear exactly what Microsoft is looking to introduce at this time. The company is seeking thousands of participants, and will give priority to Xbox Live Gold members (though Silver members can apply too.)
http://connect.microsoft.com/xboxliveupdate
 
The current maximum allowed space is 6.8 GB out of 7.95 GB on standard dual-layer DVD. That missing 1 GB is taken up by a DVD-Video partition containing anti-piracy security. Microsoft has apparently reduced the space needed for that partition, allowing developers to use the space now.

Unfortunately, that space is most likely on the inner part of the disc, which is also the slowest section to read from. So developers may gain 15 percent more space, but they may also have to account for slower read times from the new storage space.
Click to expand...

From what I'm reading its nothing to do with format, and more to do with the security partition being made made smaller
 
Oh well :) still its a nice improvement, plenty of content can be pushed into that area of the disk even with the slower read times, cut scenes .. menu's ..
 
Flash cards? Surely 30~gb flash cards can't be that expensive to produce? Plus, smaller boxes + less space taking on shelfs in shops.

I don't think we'll see 100% download only consoles for atleast 2 more generations. Although, at this point, PC games are pretty much download only with steam being so popular.
 
Yeap, the PSP Go proved that it isn't feasible.

The problem will also be no competition in the Market for download only services. Going by the pricing on PS3 full games recently, there isn't a snowballs chance I'd be spending that kinda cash on games.
 
There is no reason to waste over 1GB on security when it can be overcome so easily, may as well lessen it to a tiny amount so that the games still won't work on non flashed 360's but doesn't take up loads of room
 
Its better but i dont think it will make that much difference to using one or two disks TBH. Hopefully it means that they can use better quality audio/video compression for some games though.
 
Robert1986 said:
Flash cards? Surely 30~gb flash cards can't be that expensive to produce? Plus, smaller boxes + less space taking on shelfs in shops.
Click to expand...

There was some comment on the Giant Bombcast, I think, saying that this comes up every now and again and the two things stopping it are precisely the media cost and the shelf space. Not strictly the shelf space, but the need to have shelf space for two formats. It's a critical mass thing. We're basically stuck with DVD or blu ray boxes until a sufficient number of people are prepared to move.
 
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Anyone else get in this?

I signed up anyway even though it said US residents only, but I got the update this morning and there is the "Xbox Beta" section on dashboard.
 
OzyOly said:
Tell us more? :confused:
Click to expand...

The only thing it talks about is the updated disc format and that if you are in a certain region you may get a disc sent out to you or something like that.

Think they send you Halo Reach, but that would be just for Americans.

Doesn't seem to be any other visable changes.
 
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