Project

:)

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This first release is based on XDSL (http://www.x-dsl.org/ - XBox Damn Small Linux)
It contains Xwindows, base system, DMX4Linux, Open DMX USB drivers, and various
other dmx viewers and tools (look in the window manager menu 'DMX')
Most usefull is probably the XMMS plugin (Audio Player) which can modulate the audio
from mp3 and output DMX to dimmers etc, it works quite well!

To use this file, you must allready have XDSL, simply replace the XDSL 'KNOPPIX' file
this download (which you must rename to 'KNOPPIX' and burn to CD or ftp it to your xbox)

Download from SourceForge.net

 

Blah Blah...

With the recent news the XBOX-360 will be release soon, it's highly likely a busrt of second-hand previously mod-chipped Xboxes will be up for grabs cheap at 2nd hand shops, local computer markets, trading posts + classifieds.. the same happend when playstation 2 came out, lots of modded PS1's hit the market for around $50!!

there is even a software mod so you dont even open the case (but you can't play games any more, but who cares about that). My modchip is a Executor type, and actualty has a switch to enable/disable it, and it gives HDD and Network activity LED's. Fitting it was easy with the instructions included and online, a little soldering and it's done.

a modded xbox can easy run linux 2.6! its almost just like a real pc, with a 700mhz intel pentium coppermine, 64mb RAM, 4 x USB (game) ports, 10gig IDE hdd, 100Mb Ethernet...
there is drivers for all the hardware, including the led on the front, and shutdown, use the game pad in X windows etc..

I have an xbox i mod-chipped, but i have not played games on it for ages, so i plan on converting it to an multi-port art-node, piece by piece.

i have allready use a open dmx usb with my xbox and dmx4linux,
i compiled all the dmx4linux apps i could,. and made a .iso file which i will upload to sourceforge (it's all open source) eventually. it has a couple of programs, and a xMMS plugin to visualize the audio spectrum on the dmx device, from music playing from the xbox. linux for xbox allready exists, but i want to strip it down...

possibly remove the dvd drive (or insert a hdd switcher circuit) and install a compact flash IDE adapter.. (reduce the moving parts) so i can have different cards to boot different jobs

create a loopback filesystem on my pc, just a kernel compiled for xbox, busybox, libc and art-node. install this on the xbox. and bang, a cheap standalone art-net to dmx converter, with no PC overhead to worry about..

art-node will be modified to include a display, and remote programming from an art-net console, and also the open dmx usb will be added to the list (not as reliable however).

a baby $30 12v black and white tv from the supermarket will be removed from it's casing and mounted along with the xbox into slim wooden case i will make, with padding and a fan, and a small compartment in the back to store a miniture game controller (incase of bordem, showing off etc..).
the dmx devices i will use (2 open widgets) will be mounted into the back of the
case also.

the whole thing should be about the size of a small tower PC case.

the aim is to keep costs to a minimum, everything will be documented and
photos etc... and all the info and software will be released to the public.

i think that with cheaper xbox's soon it will be a very viable solution if you
have no budget > $300.. and also it all open source (except the xbox part)

i commence in 10 days... :)

 

 

 

 

 

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