Xbox 360 System Software

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Xbox 360 System Software (sometimes referred to incorrectly as firmware), is updateable software and operating system for the Xbox 360. It resides on a 16 MB file system and has access to a maximum of 32 MB of the system's memory.[1] While the System Software updates may sometimes provide updates to the system's firmware, it is unlikely that this occurs with many, or any updates. The updates can be downloaded from the Xbox Live service directly to the Xbox 360 and subsequently installed. Microsoft has also provided the ability to download system software updates from their respective official Xbox website to their PCs and then storage media, from which the update can be installed to the system. Updates can also be installed from game discs that require the updates to be able to play the game. All updates are mandatory if the user signs into Xbox Live. The latest version of the software is version 2.0.6690.0 released on 2008-04-18, however, the console is not yet (up to the end of December 2007 at least) being shipped with this version pre-installed, meaning an update is required.

Contents

[edit] Versions

Version Date Released Description
2.0.6690.0 2008-04-18
2.0.6683 2007-12-04
  • Support for DivX and Xvid video playback and AC3 audio.
  • Xbox Live Arcade trial games are no longer written to Gamercard.
  • Original Xbox games played now appear in the user's played games list.
  • Parental Timer.
  • Xbox Guide Opens Signficantly faster.
  • Inside Xbox news feed.
  • Game gameplay fades out when console is turned off.
  • Social Networking features.
  • Redesigned user interface.
  • Improved performance.[4] [5]
  • The ability to view your friend's friends list (Friends of Friends).
  • You can now put your name, city of residence and a biography under your gamertag.
  • The marketplace has been redesigned and is now more organized.
  • The user's downloaded videos are now organized by TV show and season.
2.0.5787 2007-09-20
2007-08-07
2.0.5759 2007-05-09
  • Added:
    • A separate, fifth blade for the Marketplace.
    • A more consistent interface for the Marketplace.
    • Windows Live Messenger integration with the Dashboard.
    • Switchable aspect ratio during video playback (Auto to Letterbox, Zoom, Stretch, Native).
    • Support for "Reference Levels" to video.
    • The information bar that turns on via the On-Screen Display (OSD) now shows exactly how much time has lapsed in the playback of the video file.
    • The ability to see the percentage of downloaded Video Marketplace content and where the ‘chapters’ exist for the said file.
    • Support for MPEG-4 videos.
    • Low-power background download function. The storage device, one core of the CPU, the fans, and any other components required for downloading remain powered, but rest of the system, such as the GPU and the disc drive, is shut off . System completely powers off once downloads are complete.
    • Download blocks to prevent a download from starting if it will not fit onto a storage device, without deducting any points associated with the content item.
    • Title of a game (when inserted into system) appears in the tray icon on the Dashboard menu. When highlighted, achievements and Gamerscore are displayed for that game based on the signed-in user.
    • More specific “Achievement Unlocked” message, detailing the achievement unlocked and how many points it is worth.
    • Windows Media protected content (WM-DRM), which can now be streamed from the PC to the console. If the WM-DRM license is missing or corrupted, then a specific error message is displayed to the user. Bookmarking is also stored for protected content.
    • Two new languages, Russian and Polish.
    • Option to boot straight into Media Center Extender mode (as well as changing the MC logo to the Vista version).
    • Option to automatically download all free Xbox Live Arcade games.
2.0.4552 2007-01-09
2.0.4548 2006-11-30
  • Improved performance on wired headsets when used with a wireless controller.
  • Video output issues on VGA connections fixed.
2.0.4532 2006-10-31
2.0.2857 2006-06-06
  • Added:
    • Option to resume DVD playback from where it was last stopped.
    • Option to boot to either a disc or the dashboard when system is turned on.
    • New slideshow options for Photo Viewing, which can save folder layouts between sessions.
    • Concurrent downloads, allowing multiple downloads as background tasks.
  • Other:
2006-03-02
  • Prepares console for future system and title updates.[7]
2006-01-30
  • Improvements to the Xbox Guide.
  • Option to retain your saved games when you delete a profile.
  • Increased accuracy of "last time played."
  • Network configuration improvements for Xbox Live members in the Netherlands.
  • More detailed messaging for unreadable disk or region errors.[8]

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Xbox Team : December 2007 System Update
  2. ^ Xbox 360 System update now available (no new features) - Xbox Lives Major Nelson
  3. ^ Xbox 360 console update: nothing to see here - Xbox 360 Fanboy
  4. ^ Xbox Team : December 2007 System Update
  5. ^ Xbox.com | Full Features List for 2007 Fall Update
  6. ^ Xbox 360 System update
  7. ^ Xbox Team : New System Update for Xbox 360
  8. ^ January 2006 System Update for Xbox 360