Repurposing An Original XBOX

acappellasaurus · February 18 2013, 07:38 AM

Someone recently gave me an original XBOX. I figured I could use it as a repurposed media center of some kind, as it plays DVDs and music. In addition to that, I am wondering...I've heard of the process of modding out older hardware like this, in order to play emulated games. I have young children, and it would be cool to set them up with some old Mario games and such. I am also curious if it is possible to swap out the internal dvd playback drive with a blu-ray player, since we've got a lot of those types of movies.

Any gamer techies have some knowledge or insight into this?

Yoda · February 18 2013, 08:50 AM

Umm, it's been a while, you'd probably better off checking the old xbox forum on xbox-scene. It's been a while since I messed with any of that stuff. Xbox is good for old school emulators, and Xbox Media Center (homebrew app) was fantastic for its time, but the system simply isn't powerful enough to handle HD content. Blu ray is definitely a no go on the original xbox.

The key word you are probably looking for is 'softmod'. I think it's relatively simple provided you have the correct game. And you might need to have a way of getting files onto an xbox memory card. Like I said, it's been a while. I used an actual modchip which involved some soldering work

Kelthaz · February 18 2013, 05:56 PM

Yeah, I'm planning to do the same as you. I already have a soft-modded Wii for emulators, but you can't go wrong with more options. I believe this is what you're looking for.

Lifehacker -- Transform your Classic Xbox into a killer media center

February 18 2013, 07:38 AM	#1
acappellasaurus Fleet Captain Location: Anchorage, Alaska	Repurposing An Original XBOX Someone recently gave me an original XBOX. I figured I could use it as a repurposed media center of some kind, as it plays DVDs and music. In addition to that, I am wondering...I've heard of the process of modding out older hardware like this, in order to play emulated games. I have young children, and it would be cool to set them up with some old Mario games and such. I am also curious if it is possible to swap out the internal dvd playback drive with a blu-ray player, since we've got a lot of those types of movies. Any gamer techies have some knowledge or insight into this?

February 18 2013, 08:50 AM	#2
Yoda Rear Admiral Location: San Diego	Re: Repurposing An Original XBOX Umm, it's been a while, you'd probably better off checking the old xbox forum on xbox-scene. It's been a while since I messed with any of that stuff. Xbox is good for old school emulators, and Xbox Media Center (homebrew app) was fantastic for its time, but the system simply isn't powerful enough to handle HD content. Blu ray is definitely a no go on the original xbox. The key word you are probably looking for is 'softmod'. I think it's relatively simple provided you have the correct game. And you might need to have a way of getting files onto an xbox memory card. Like I said, it's been a while. I used an actual modchip which involved some soldering work __________________

February 18 2013, 05:56 PM	#3
Kelthaz Commodore Location: Toronto, Ontario	Re: Repurposing An Original XBOX Yeah, I'm planning to do the same as you. I already have a soft-modded Wii for emulators, but you can't go wrong with more options. I believe this is what you're looking for. Lifehacker -- Transform your Classic Xbox into a killer media center __________________ "Who are you?! And how did you get in here?!" "I'm the locksmith. And... I'm the locksmith."

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