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`How things Work: Working of Xbox 360
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`Thursday, February 11, 2010
`
`Working of Xbox 360
`
`How Xbox 360 Works
`
`Microsoft's first video gameconsole, the Xbox, has sold more than 20 million units worldwide
`sinceits introduction in 2001. Despite the Xbox's impressive power,thelist of big-name video
`gametitles to support it and the success of the Xbox's online component, Xbox LIVE, Sony's
`PlayStation 2 still outsoldit.
`As the gameindustry movedinto the next generation of video game technology, Microsoft
`was determined to dethrone Sony's PlayStation. Enter the Xbox 360.
`
`
`
`te
`;joe
`
`http://how-does-things-work. blogspot.com/2010/02/working-of-xbox-360.html
`
`Photo courtesy Microsoft Corp.
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`Working of Xbox 360
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`7/27/2017
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`How things Work: Working of Xbox 360
`
`Xbox 360.
`
`Microsoft rebuilt the Xbox from the ground up. From the nameto the look to hardware and
`features, the Xbox 360 is a radically different and more powerful machinethanits
`predecessor, Far more than a video gameconsole, the Xbox 360is a total media center that
`allows users to play, network,rip, stream and downloadall types of media, including high-
`definition movies, music, digital pictures and gamecontent.
`In this article, we will learn about the hardware and features that make the Xbox 360 a leap
`forward into the next generation of gaming consoles.
`
`The Xbox 360, like all video game consoles,is just a computer with hardware and software
`dedicated to the function of running video gamesoftware. The original Xbox was essentially a
`Windows PC with a modified Pentium III processor, somerelatively powerful graphics and
`audio hardware and a modified version of the Microsoft operating system Windows 2000, all
`packagedin thatdistinctive black box. The Xbox 360 is also a specially packaged computer,
`but once you lookinside, you realize that this console has quite a bit under the hood:
`
`« Custom IBM Power PC-based CPU with three 3.2 GHz cores
`
`* Custom ATI graphics processor with 10 MB embedded DRAM
`e 512 MB 700 MHz GDDR3 RAM
`
`e Detachable and upgradeable hard drive -- all models except the Core system
`* 12x dual-layer DVD-ROM
`* Support for up to four wireless game controllers
`e Three USB 2.0 ports
`*« Two memory unit slots
`
`As you can see, Microsoft intends the Xbox 360 to be a serious game machine. The company
`is also serious about reaching more audiences with the Xbox 360. On the next , we'll look at
`variations of the Xbox 360 that are marketed to different kinds of gamers.
`
`Xbox 360 Consoles
`
`Microsoft released two versions of the Xbox 360 in November 2005: the Xbox 360 Premium
`
`Package and Xbox 360 Core System. Since then, the lineup has undergone some changes.
`The Premium Package is now knownsimply as the Xbox 360 console. A new Elite system hit
`store shelvesin April 2007. Microsoft announced another new system, the Xbox 360 Arcade,
`
`in October 2007.
`
`The Xbox 360 debutedat the
`2005 E3 Expo Microsoft booth.
`
`http://how-does-things-work. blogspot.com/2010/02/working-of-xbox-360.html
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`How things Work: Working of Xbox 360
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`The Core System is "plug and play" -- in addition to the console,it includes a wired controller
`and an AV cable. The Xbox 360 comeswith a wireless controller, an HD AV cable, an
`
`Ethernet connectivity cable, a headset and a removable 20-GB hard drive.Initially, it also
`included a DVD remote,butthis is no longer available as part of the package.
`The Xbox 360 Elite is similar to the main Xbox 360, with a black case, matching wireless
`controller and headset. It also includes a larger 120-GB hard drive and an HDMI cable.
`To combat Nintendo's surprise powerhouse, the Wii, Microsoft announced the Xbox 360
`
`Arcade in October 2007. Aimed at casual gamers, the console will come with betweenthree
`and five Xbox LIVE Arcade gamesand will probably include "Pac-Man," "Uno" and "Luxor 2."
`
`Microsoft has also prepared subtle variations of the console for marketing tie-ins. To
`
`commemoratethe release of "The Simpsons Movie,” Microsoft created a run of 100limited-
`edition Simpsons Xbox 360s, which were given away in promotions. Fans of Bungie's "Halo"
`game series can purchasethe "Halo 3”limited edition Xbox 360, which comesin "Spartan
`green and gold" and features a matching controller.
`On the next page wewill see what makes the Xbox 360tick -- the central processing unit, or
`CPU.
`
`Playstation 3s.
`
`Xbox Sales
`
`Becauseof delays in manufacturing, there were not enough
`Xbox 360s to meet the demandof the 2005 holiday season. As
`a result, Xbox 360s wereselling for as much as $2,000 on
`Web sites like eBay, andinitial sales figures were poor.
`However, Microsoft still got a jump on its competitors, as the
`PlayStation 3 and the Nintendo Wii did not release until 2006.
`According to industry analyst the NPD Group, as of August
`2007, the Xbox 360 sold 6.3 million Xbox 360s in the United
`
`States, to 4 million of Nintendo's Wii and 1.75 million Sony
`
`CPU: The Heart of the 360
`
`As with any computer, the CPU is the heart of the Xbox 360. Microsoft has outfitted the 360
`with a 165-million transistor, multi-core processor running three 3.2-GHz PowerPC cores.
`
`aT|
`Eachcore on the chip functions as a separate processor.
`Recently,
`hardware manufacturers have started combining several
`cores, or processors, onto one chip. This is a multi-core processor. Multi-core processors
`offer a combination of tremendous computing capabilities and efficient power consumption.
`
`————————)
`
`Theysplit
`heavy workloads over multiple powerful processors rather than giving all the work to one
`super-powertul processor.
`
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`How things Work: Working of Xbox 360
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`The Xbox 360 on display at the 2005 E3 Expo.
`
`The other interesting thing to note about the Xbox 360 CPU is that each core is capable of
`processing two threads simultaneously. Think of a thread asa setof instructions for a
`program's job. The core processes these instructions and does the heavylifting to get the job
`done. A conventional processorcan run a single execution thread. Because the Xbox 360
`cores can each handle two threadsat a time, the 360 CPUis the equivalent of having six
`conventional processors in one machine.
`Whatthis means whenyou are playing video gamesis that the Xbox 360 can dedicate one
`core entirely to producing sound, while another may run the game's collision and physics
`engine. The system mayallocate an entire processorjust to rendering hi-def graphics. It's
`really up to the game developers how the system's considerable resources are used, With a
`
`multi-core processor, the system is powerful enough to pull off the computational demands
`neededfor an amazing gaming experience without even breaking a sweat.
`
`360 Degrees
`According to J. Allard, Microsoft Corporate Vice President and
`chief XNAarchitect, in an interview with Gamespot,"If we
`
`were building another conscle in the 3D era, we'd just call it
`Xbox 2 ... So, we eliminated Xbox 2 from thelist. So, the name
`
`the gamerat the center of the experience."
`
`that we cameup with was Xbox 360, because weare putting
`
`The graphics processorunit, or GPU, is responsible for the heavy-lifting for the console's
`beautiful, high-resolution images.
`
`The GPU
`
`Anotherpowerful assetin the Xbox 360 is the Graphics Processor Unit (GPU). The Xbox 360
`boasts the new, custom-built 500-MHz ATI Graphics Processor card with 10 MB of embedded
`DRAM. While the 500-MHZ graphics processoris powerful, and 10 MB of DRAM provides
`ample memory for the GPUto doits job, the most innovative thing aboutthis cardis thatit is
`built on unified shaderarchitecture.
`
`Shaders are computer programsthat determinethefinal look of what you see on the screen
`when you're looking at computer animation. Shaders take rendered 3-D objects built on
`polygons(the building blocks of 3-D animation) and make them look morerealistic. There are
`two types of shaders: pixel shaders and vertex shaders.
`Pixel shaders alter the lighting, color and surface of each pixel. This in turn affects the
`
`http://how-does-things-work. blogspot.com/2010/02/working-of-xbox-360.html
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`How things Work: Working of Xbox 360
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`overall color, texture and shape of 3-D objects built from these pixels. Pixel shaders help
`"smooth out" 3-D objects, giving them a more organic texture.
`
`\
`
`The Xbox 360 with a custom, wood-grain faceplate.
`
`Vertex shaders work by manipulating an object's position in 3-D space. "Vertex"refers to the
`intersection of two coordinates in space. The machine mapsthe position of an animated
`object in 3-D space bygiving it a value. These values are the x, y and z coordinates. By
`manipulating these variables, a vertex shadercreates realistic animation and special effects
`such as "morphing."
`In real-time graphics,like the kind you see in video games, shaders work with the graphics
`processor. The shaders makebillions of computations every second to perform their specific
`tasks. These computations are performedin steps through a series of computational
`
`components. Think of an assemblyline. In the world of hardware, these assembly lines are
`
`called pipelines.
`
`Traditionally, pixel shaders and vertex shaders have dedicated pipelines because each one
`has very specific and differing needs. As we learned before, the new ATI graphics card in the
`Xbox 360 has unified shader architecture. What that meansis that now, both shader types
`share the same pipelines. ATI figured out a way at the hardware level to address the needs of
`both types of shaders using the samepipeline.
`The apparent advantage of sharing pipelines is to add more assembly lines, making
`computation that much faster. ATI claims that this unified shader architecture allows for 48
`billion shader operations per second. The Xbox 360is thefirst device to use this type of
`architecture.
`
`On the next , we'll learn about how the Xbox 360fits in with your home entertainment system.
`
`Jacks, Tracks and Other 360 Features
`
`Input/Output The Xbox 360 supports up to four wireless controllers at once. It also has three
`USB 2.0 jacks, twoin the front and one in the back that can be used to plug in wired
`controllers for play or wireless controllers when they need to be charged. The USBjacks can
`also be used to connect deviceslike digital cameras, MP3 players and computer keyboards
`to the 360 (but the keyboard can only be used for text entry, not gameplay).
`Online The Xbox 360 has an Ethernet port to hook up to a broadband connection, as well as
`a slot for a WiFi card. The 360 is WiFi-ready “out of the box” and the bundle includes a
`connectivity Ethernet cable.
`TV Connections The Xbox 360 comes standard with both composite and component video
`connections to hook up to a TV. There are also optional connections for S-Video and VGA,
`and the console supports some SCART-type adapters used in Europe. The Xbox 360 Core
`System includes a standard-definition AV cable, while the other Xbox 360 bundles come with
`ATI Ex. 2133
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`Audio The Xbox 360 has multi-channel surrounding sound that supports 256 channels of 48
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`How things Work: Working of Xbox 360
`
`KHz, 16-bii digital audio. The 32-bit auclio processing is handled by the CPU. One of the most
`talked about new audio features of the Xbox 360 is customizable sounciracks. No matter
`
`what video game you are playing, you can olay or strearn your music during game play.
`Removable Hard Drive and Storage The original Xbox was quile innovative in that ithad an
`§-GB hard drive built into the console. The 360 takes the hard-drive concept one step further:
`The Xbox 3606 includes a removable 20-G8 hard drive, and the Xbox 360 Elite has a
`
`removabis 120-68 hard drive. The Xbox 360 also supports up to two 64-MB memory cards at
`one time.
`
`The Disc Drive in keeping with the idea that the Xbox 360
`is a full media center, ii sports a 12x dual-layer DVD-ROM
`that can read DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, DVD-R/RW,
`
`DVD+R/RW, CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, WMA CD,
`MP3 CD and JPEG Photo CD. You can buy an external
`HD-DVD player for the Xbox 360. The 360 does not,
`however, support Blu-ray.
`Ceoling The original Xbox took a lot of criticiarn for how
`large it was. The cooling system that kept the Xbox's rather
`hefty processor cool was the single greatest factor that
`contributed to the console’s robust size. Microsoft changed
`all this for the Xbox 360.
`
`in order to fit all that hardware into the stylish and slim form
`factor of the Xbox 360, Microsoft devised a cooling syste
`that combines a small, vacuum-sealed, liquid-cooled
`
`
`
`An Xbox 3806's external
`
`hard dtive
`
`sysiem with fans to mainiain a comforiable temperature inside the 300, The system reguilaies
`the temperature of the cores and adjusts the flow of liquid and fan speed accordingly.
`Additionally, the cooling systern morilors the core’s workload: If one or more cores are not
`needed for the job at hand (for instance, if you are using the Xbox 360 to watch a DVD), then
`the unused cores are automatically turned off.
`Other Accessories There ara dozens of accessories on the market for the Xbox 386,
`
`including headsets, wireless controllers, cooling systems, rechargeable batteries and more.
`You can play compatible Xbox 360 games on your Windews cornputer with the Wireless
`Gaming Receiver for Windows. The Live Vision Camera allows players fo create an in-game
`version of themsecives in select games. The Abox 360 Wireless Racing Wheelis a force-
`feedback steering wheel controller with standard garnepad buttons and floor-mounted
`accsierator and brake pedals. The Messenger Kit attaches to Xbox 360 controllers and
`features a keyboard io message other players.
`in the next, we'll take a look at the Xbox 360 controller and how it has evelved frorn the
`
`original Xbox controller,
`
`Abox Controller
`
`The design for the Xbox 360 controller is based largely on the one used for the original Xbox -
`- the Controller &,
`
`.
`:
`http://how-does-things-work. blogspot.com/20 10/02/working-of-xbox-360.htmi
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`How things Work: Working of Xbox 360
`
`Shoulder Buttons
`Pr
`Guide Button
`4
`ee
`1
`Rubber a Start &
`
`a,
`
`Thumb =
`Sticks
`
`select
`Buttons
`
`
`
`Headset Jack
`
`©2005 HowStuffWorks
`
`The new Xbox 360 controllerIs a familiar
`
`design with several new features.
`
`The most noticeable difference in the Xbox 360 controllers from those for the original Xbox is
`that mostof them are wireless. Microsoft created a proprietary technology to deal with some
`of the latency and bandwidth issues that can be a problem for some wireless controllers. The
`Xbox 360 can support up to four wireless controllers at one time.
`
`The wireless controller comes with all Xbox 360 bundles except for the Core system, which
`includes a wired controller with a nine-foot cable. Everything else about the design is the
`same. Of course, wireless controllers are available separately if you choose to upgrade.
`
`controllerthat is shipped with all Xbox consoles.
`
`Conirol Issues
`
`Whenthe original Xbox was released in 2001, one of the most common complaints
`
`about the new console was the controller. Gamers worldwide criticized it for being too
`
`large and having poor button spacing. In Japan, where the Xbox sales were already
`
`suffering, Japanese gamers all but refused to use the large Xbax controllers, opting
`
`instead for smaller, third-party ones, This compelled Microsoft to create a smaller,
`
`redesigned controller for Asian markets that was released in winter 2002.
`
`Shortly after that, Microsoft released a slightly improved version of the Japanese
`controllerin the west called the Controller S. The Controller S is now the standard Xbox
`
`The new Xbox 360 wireless controllers can be powered byeithera pair oftraditional AA
`battries or a rechargeable battery pack. The battery pack can be “flash charged"in a charger
`or "trickle charged” via a USB connection to the console, andit alerts the user when its
`chargeis running low.
`The Xbox 360 controller has a Guide button in the centerofits face that provides a new
`functionality. This button is divided into four quadrants that light up to provide gamers with
`different types of information during gameplay. (Incidentally, the "ring oflight" power button
`on the console also provides this function.) For instance, during a split screen multiplayer
`match, a particular quadrantwill light up to indicate to a player which part of the screen he or
`sheis playing on at that time. The Guide button canalsolight up to let a player know he has
`received a message from another gamer.In this case, when the user pushesthe button, he
`or she visits the Xbox dashboard(the equivalent of a PC's desktop). The dashboard
`provides accessto featureslike messaging friends, downloading content, voice chat and
`
`http://how-does-things-work. blogspot.com/2010/02/working-of-xbox-360.html
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`How things Work: Working of Xbox 360
`
`customizing soundtracks, all while staying in the game. The controller has a standard
`
`headphonejack on the back so that the user can plug in a headset for voice communication
`during gameplay. Somewireless headsetswill also work with the Xbox 360.
`The new Xbox 360 coniroller has the samebasic familiar button layout as the Controller S
`exceptthat a few of the auxiliary buttons have been moved. The "back" and "start" buttons
`have been moved to a more central position on the face of the controller, and the "white" and
`"black" buttons have been removed and replaced with two new shoulder buttons that are
`
`positioned over the analog triggers on the backof the controller.
`Oneofthe great features of Xbox 360is its ability to let players compete against one another
`online.
`
`Xbox LIVE
`
`Xbox LIVE is an online subscription service that allows Xbox gamers to play video games
`together and download additional game content using the Internet. Once online, gamers can
`play one anotheroverthe Internet and talk to each otherin real-time using the headset
`(included in the bundle). Xbox LIVE has created a huge online community of gamers
`challenging one another worldwide. The Xbox 360will also usherin the next generation of
`
`online game play and online community with the new, revamped Xbox LIVE.
`
`The Xbox 360 Is WIFI-ready so that gamers can Jump on Xbox LIVE wirelessly.
`
`The new Xbox LIVE has enhanced matchmaking and feedback systemsaswell as voice chat
`and video conferencing. It has a new, more seamlessinterface and is a generally more robust
`system for communicating during online gaming. Xbox LIVE on the 360 is divided into two
`services: Xbox LIVESilver and Xbox LIVE Gold.
`
`XboxLIVESliveris a free service that ships with all Xbox 360s and allows any Xbox 360
`
`user with a broadband connection to get online and create a gamertag as well as a new ID
`type called a gamercard. The gamercard is a profile that displays a gamer'sinterests, skill
`level, competitiveness and gaming accomplishments. In addition, gamers can use Xbox LIVE
`Silver to chat, download content and play certain games. Xbox LIVE Silver allows gamers to
`access mostof the features of Xbox LIVE. The one key feature missing from the free service
`is the ability to play multiplayer games online.
`In orderto play in multiplayer matches online, you must upgrade to the subscription service
`known as Xbox LIVE Gold. The Gold service hasall the functionality of Silver plus the ability
`to play multiplayer games. Additionally, Xbox LIVE Gold has exclusive content, tournaments
`and events.
`
`Serious gamers know the Xbox 360 has a great slate of gamesavailable forit.
`
`Xbox Games
`
`http://how-does-things-work. blogspot.com/2010/02/working-of-xbox-360.html
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`How things Work: Working of Xbox 360
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`Ashistory has shown time and again, the latest and greatest console is nothing without great
`games. Microsoft has set out to create a series of blockbustertitles in-house for the Xbox 360
`as well as make deals with as manythird-party developers as possible. Game developers are
`attracted to the prospect of creating games on such a powerful canvas, andin the years to
`come theywill find new ways to build gamesthat push the potential of the Xbox 360.
`One game franchise more than any other has defined the success of the Xbox and Xbox 360:
`"Halo." Microsoft acquired game developer Bungie Studios in 2000 to bring the gameto the
`
`original Xbox. The game took off and spawned a sequel. Then, on September25, 2007,
`came "Halo 3." In 12 days,it had already surpassed the biggest-selling gamein 2007, "Wii
`
`Play," selling 3.3 million copies and pushing the Xbox 360 ahead of the Wii in numbers of
`
`consolessold for the month [source: Casamassina]. Microsoft even released a special
`"Halo"-themed Xbox 360 console for hard-core fans.
`
`The game even seemsto have affected the motion picture
`industry. Ticket sales for the October 5, 2007, weekend
`only totaled $80 million, a 27 percent decrease from the
`same weekend the year before [source: Brodesser-Akner,
`Claude]. Some movie executives blame Bungie and
`Microsoft for stealing their sales.
`Belowisalist of games that released with the Xbox 360.
`For a completelist of current and upcoming games, check
`out Xboc.com Games.
`
`
`
`Halo 3 is one of the most successful video
`
`e "Kameo: Elements of Power"
`
`e "Perfect Dark Zero"
`
`e "Project Gotham Racing 3"
`* "Call of Duty 2"
`e "Need for Speed Most Wanted"
`e "Peter Jackson's King Kong”
`* "Madden NFL 06"
`
`« "GUN"
`
`¢ "Condemned: Criminal Origins"
`e "NBA 2K6"
`about someof the Halo3features.
`
`games in history by earning over 300
`milllon dollars In first week sales. Read
`
`e "Ridge Racer 6"
`
`e “Tony Hawk's American Wasteland”
`s
`"QUAKE4"
`
`* "Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 06"
`e "Amped 3"
`« "FIFA 06: Road to FIFA World Cup”
`e "NHL 2K6"
`
`e
`
`"NBALive 06"
`
`No comments:
`
`Post a Comment
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