Review X360dock review

[Devin]

GBAtemp.net review of the...

Manufactured by: Team x360dock
Review samples supplied by: Team x360dock

By Devin

Review Contents & Index:

• Introduction
  
  - Official Feature List
• Packaging and Contents
• Design, and Impressions
• Set-up and Usage
  
  -Hardware Installation
  -Software Set-up
• Performance, and Compatibility
  
  -Xbox 360
  -Original Xbox
• Conclusion

Introduction

The x360dock is a USB ISO Loader for the Microsoft Xbox 360 console priced between $72.95, to $90 USD. . It allows you to play downloaded Xbox 360 ISOs from the internet on your Xbox 360 console, without having to install modified firmware on your disc drive but your disc drive keys are still required for the x360dock to function. The x360dock is quite unique. It allows you to play ISOs directly off your computer's internal hard drive, by using a standard Mini USB cable. So no need to go out, and buy a external hard drive. Similar Xbox 360 USB ISO Loaders do not have this feature, and are priced a bit higher than the x360dock at the time of me writing this review.

Official Features List

• Direct PC HDD USB ISO Loading. The x360dock allows you to play ISO games directly off of your computer's internal hard drive.
• Clean Mode. This feature allows the x360dock to still function, even after Microsoft releases a update to the Xbox 360 console.
• A nice friendly GUI. The GUI is very simple, and easy to use.
• Solderless. No need for any additional tools for installation.
• Compatibility The x360dock works with all Xbox 360's, except for those with certain disc drives. A compatibility table can be found here.
• AP25 support Games with the AP26 Anti-Piracy measures can play just fine.
• XGD3 support Games in XDG3 Format play just fine.
• Easy Assemble/Disassemble The x360dock can be assembled, and disassembled as many times as wanted to different Xbox 360's. However in order to use the x360dock, you must have your Xbox 360's disc drive keys, which are different for every Xbox 360. To obtain the keys, additional hardware is needed.
• Power Reduction The x360dock, makes it so the original disc drive in your Xbox 360 doesn't have to work. By doing so your disc drive's lens isn't as stressed, and the disc drive doesn't have to consume as much power.
• USB 2.0 support The x360dock supports USB 2.0, meaning that you can transfer data faster to the Xbox 360 console.
• DVD/DL/Multigame compatible The x360dock allows you to play games that have multiple discs, as has support for single layer games.
• Full upgradeable by USB/JTAG. The x360dock's firmware can be upgraded via USB cable, or by a JTAG programming cable.
• Drive mode This feature allows you to use your Xbox 360's original disc drive, in order to play legitimate disc games.

Packaging, and Contents

•Sata Cable
•Power Cable
•x360dock Board
•Ribbon Cable
•Sticky Padding

Design, and Impressions

Design
The x360dock motherboard itself has a nice feel to it, very sturdy doesn't feel like it'd break if bent a little bit. The board itself is very nicely labeled in white text where everything should connect to. Such as the Sata/Power cables to the disc drive, and Xbox 360 motherboard.Very user friendly. The Sata, and power cable are standard edition, but they are a bit longer to accommodate the installation. Next up is the USB Dongle, the plastic feels a bit cheap. It has a greasy feel to it, but other than that it serves it's purpose very well. The x360dock team was even nice enough to make it a pass through, so you won't have to dedicate one of your USB Ports to the x360dock. Lastly, is the Ribbon Cable. Although it's pictures may make it look easily snappable, it's quite sturdy as well as flexible in order to suit the needs of slipping through the insides of your Xbox 360.




Impressions
At first, I was a bit skeptical at the USB Loaders. After being on the Xbox scene for quite some time, at which only JTAG's or Xbox's with the Reset Glitch Hack were able to USB Load games so the USB Loader looked like paradise. Only there was a catch, they were expensive. If you don't already know, I'm a very cheap person, so the x360dock with it's low price greatly interested me. The price, as well as the fact that it's solder less were a key component. As a bonus, it allowed me to USB Load games directly from my PC's HDD. Instead of having to buy a external HDD. The install is simple just plug it into your Xbox 360, connect all the wires, and connect it to your PC. Run the simple software, and you're off. With my experience with the x360dock, I'd say it's definitely worth the buy. Especially if you don't have the money to grab a expensive disc drive emulator, such as the x360 key. A few other features, as well as a hardware revision will make this a must buy for the Xbox 360 consumer. The team promises to make it Xbox Live safe, and add in a DVD Drive Key extraction feature in a later update. The new revision coming out in a few months is a touch screen remote, that is bundled with the x360dock that allows you to plug in a external HDD to play games, the touch screen allows you to select your games by looking at the case art. Lastly, a few things to mention. The x360dock team mentions the ability to survive Dashboard updates, using a clean feature. The x360dock doesn't modify your Disc Drive in any way, so Microsoft won't see that it's been modified keeping it from getting patched. Whether, or not it's detectable on Xbox Live has yet to be determined. At the moment, C4Eva and the x360dock team believe it is not Live safe. Use on Live, at your own risk.

Set-up and Usage

Hardware
The x360dock installation process is quite simple. Just open up your Xbox 360, exposing the bare motherboard. Disconnect your disc drive from the Xbox 360, connect the sata and power cables to the x360dock, connect the disc drive to the x360dock using the cables provided with the x360dock. (Assuming you already have your drive keys, which are required. You need key.bin, and inquiry.bin. Multiple methods can be found with a quick Google search on how to do so.) Then slide the ribbon cable into the x360dock's clip labeled USB, make sure it's securely locked into place afterwards slide the slip through the spacing beside the Xbox 360's AV cable port. Carefully proceed to close up your Xbox 360, making sure not to catch the ribbon cable on anything. Now, take the end of the ribbon cable sticking out of the spacing beside the AV cable port, and connect it to the clip on the USB dongle included. Plug the USB Dongle into your Xbox 360's back USB port, and connect it you your PC by plugging in the Mini USB cable. Now, boot up the Xbox 360 while the USB Dongle is connected to your PC. Windows should prompt you for a driver for it, guide Windows to the driver, and it should install successfully. Once done, take your Xbox 360 Drive keys and put them in the same directory as the x360dock program.(Which you can download from the x360dock site, as well as the latest firmware and drivers.) Click the button labeled "Set Up", and choose what Xbox 360 you are using. After that, you may click "Open ISO" which will prompt you to choose a ISO from your computer to play, or you may click "Open ISO with Reboot" which will prompt you to select a ISO from your computer, and once selected it'll reboot the Xbox 360 and then proceeds to load the ISO. Overall the installation process took me 25 minutes, but even if you're new to the Xbox 360 scene, it should only take you about 45 minutes to install the x360dock. The following pictures are of my quick installation of the x360dock, as well as a few pictures of the board itself.






Software
The x360dock software is extremely novice friendly, it allows the user to select a ISO to boot, and how it is to boot. Here are the options.

Set Up Allows you to choose what Xbox 360 console you are currently using with the x360dock.

Open ISO Allows the user to select a ISO from their computer for the x360dock to load.

Open ISO With Reboot Allows the user to select a ISO from their computer, and reboots the Xbox 360 and proceeds to load the ISO.

Drive Mode Allows the user to use the Xbox 360's original disc drive to play discs.

Performance, and Compatibility

Xbox 360

Dead Island

Driver: San Franscisco

Sonic Generations

Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Tenkaichi

Batman: Arkham City

X-Men: Destiny

Dead Rising 2: Off The Records

Battlefield 3

Rise Of Nightmares

Gears Of War 3

Halo 3

Call Of Duty: Black Ops

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Catherine

Alice: Madness Returns

From the selection of games I've tried above, 100% of the games worked perfectly.. Regardless of whether, or not the game had anti piracy measures such as AP25, or is in XDG3 format. The x360dock doesn't support Homebrew, only Microsoft signed games. If you were to edit a ISO, it will not boot on the Xbox 360.

Original Xbox

Shenmue 2

Halo: Combat Evolved

Fight Night: Round 2

Halo 2

Just Cause

None of the original Xbox games I tested booted. The disc drive blade just sticks at the "Reading" screen. No ISOs were able to boot, but I've gotten word from the x360dock team, that Xbox original games will be supported in a later update. The x360dock doesn't support Homebrew, only Microsoft signed games. If you were to edit a ISO, it will not boot on the Xbox 360.

Conclusion

If I had to rate the x360dock, I'd give it a 9, out of 10. There's only a few minor issues that prevent it from getting a 10, first off is the x360dock board itself. The board could use a case, wouldn't want to short circuit if something metal were to hit it while it was in your Xbox 360. It would also look a bit nicer, not that you'd be seeing it that often. The USB dongle feels a bit cheap, as I've mentioned before, and the position of the clip inside it makes it a bit difficult to snap down to secure the ribbon cable in place. Other than those two issues, the x360dock is a wonderful USB Loader that has some very nice functions, and a great price in comparison to the other Xbox 360 USB Loaders.

[shoptemp]598[/shoptemp]

 

[wasim]

nice.... umm why's this in the EoF ?

 

[Devin]

Aha, just a small announcement. I've spoken with the x360dock team, as well as the owner of Digitopz a official x360dock reseller and they've both agreed to collaborate with me in creating a discount code, for GBAtemp members.

Here's the link to the Product Page, and the discount coupon is GBADEVIN. It'll give you $5 off the x360dock.

 

[Frogman]

Cool review, I didnt even know this existed

 

[DJPlace]

this is nice. i may look into a 360 just for this... but i'm wondering if i can get banned on live... LOL...

 

[amptor]

That is a pretty cool device. Now if only I was still into 360. I'm getting 007 goldeneye soon I thought that was rumor/vaporware but oops it is out. And I'm trying to shift over to Nintendo consoles for my gaming preference. Gotta get more Mario Kart in

 

[Petit Prince]

In fact , it's so famous in our french now . I have just bought it from this shop http://shoptemp.net/shop/digimaniaz.html .

 

[blade]

Seriously, this x360dock looks great.I've brought one from the official reseller http://www.oz3ds.com/product.php?id_product=54 and I've personally used it...very easy to intall and use XXD

 

[Devin]

Aha, it's a impressive piece of tech. From overlooking the review a few times, I see a couple mistakes I need to correct grammar wise. (Also need to add in the drive compatibility chart, which can be found on the x360dock site.) all of which I'll do in a bit, because it's 1:16 AM here and I'm a bit tired.

 

[MADKATZ99]

I was confused about "Once done, take your Xbox 360 Drive keys and put them in the same directory as the x360dock program."

So you still need to obtain your disk drive key? I'm a total noob with the 360 scene. If installation is as simply as taking it apart, plugging it in, then playing games straight off your computer it sounds unbelievable.

Aha, it's a impressive piece of tech. From overlooking the review a few times, I see a couple mistakes I need to correct grammar wise. (Also need to add in the drive compatibility chart, which can be found on the x360dock site.) all of which I'll do in a bit, because it's 1:16 AM here and I'm a bit tired.

I thought it was fine, apart from the, odd places of commas lol.

 

[Joe88]

I was confused about "Once done, take your Xbox 360 Drive keys and put them in the same directory as the x360dock program."

So you still need to obtain your disk drive key? I'm a total noob with the 360 scene. If installation is as simply as taking it apart, plugging it in, then playing games straight off your computer it sounds unbelievable.

you still need your drive keys as each drive has a unique key to work with that 360
so not entirely plug-n-play

 

[wasim]

nice review devin !

 

[Vinnymac]

[2011-10-30 06:49PM UTC] #fw zoneout:all ode are not live safe, already had one banned with xkey, rgh>ode, ode is expensive way of getting banned!

Source: http://c4evaspeaks.com/

Do not use Optical Drive emulation for Xbox Live. It may be just as expensive as burns, but it is stated that it is unsafe from the man himself.

Other than the warning, ODE is a great idea for gamers who don't want to JTAG or just want to be able to play their backups without the hassle of burns and failed attempts. I completely understand why it is useful. Just make sure you don't go on XBL with this.

Devin: not to be a party pooper but you posted this at 12:27 AM......If you didn't pirate Sonic Generations you must be the fastest man alive.

 

[Costello]

I was confused about "Once done, take your Xbox 360 Drive keys and put them in the same directory as the x360dock program."

So you still need to obtain your disk drive key? I'm a total noob with the 360 scene. If installation is as simply as taking it apart, plugging it in, then playing games straight off your computer it sounds unbelievable.

you still need your drive keys as each drive has a unique key to work with that 360
so not entirely plug-n-play

wow yeah, if thats the case the review needs to be updated because I assumed the same...

 

[Devin]

I was confused about "Once done, take your Xbox 360 Drive keys and put them in the same directory as the x360dock program."

So you still need to obtain your disk drive key? I'm a total noob with the 360 scene. If installation is as simply as taking it apart, plugging it in, then playing games straight off your computer it sounds unbelievable.

Aha, I've updated it a bit before I have to go to school. Yes, your Disc Drive keys are needed. Specifically key.bin, and inquiry.bin.

nice review devin !

Thanks.

[2011-10-30 06:49PM UTC] #fw zoneout:all ode are not live safe, already had one banned with xkey, rgh>ode, ode is expensive way of getting banned!

Source: http://c4evaspeaks.com/

Do not use Optical Drive emulation for Xbox Live. It may be just as expensive as burns, but it is stated that it is unsafe from the man himself.

Other than the warning, ODE is a great idea for gamers who don't want to JTAG or just want to be able to play their backups without the hassle of burns and failed attempts. I completely understand why it is useful. Just make sure you don't go on XBL with this.

Devin: not to be a party pooper but you posted this at 12:27 AM......If you didn't pirate Sonic Generations you must be the fastest man alive.

I've added such warning in the review, and yes I bought Sonic Generation. (That picture was taken a few days ago. ;D)

I was confused about "Once done, take your Xbox 360 Drive keys and put them in the same directory as the x360dock program."

So you still need to obtain your disk drive key? I'm a total noob with the 360 scene. If installation is as simply as taking it apart, plugging it in, then playing games straight off your computer it sounds unbelievable.

you still need your drive keys as each drive has a unique key to work with that 360
so not entirely plug-n-play

wow yeah, if thats the case the review needs to be updated because I assumed the same...

yeah,,,, currently users need to put the key.bin and inquiry.bin files in the software folder, so users have to get those two files by themselves.

Yes, currently they need to do the above. Which I mentioned requires additional hardware. However, if the x360dock is ever updated to extract the keys by itself there will be no need for additional equipment.

 

[Costello]

and how exactly do you get those files?
IIRC its very complicated?

 

[Kiekoes]

Awesome review man!

 

[Playgame38]

Great review! I am a big fan of USB and ODD emulators, but I don't support piracy. One of these ODD needs to implement a 'rip' feature so I can backup my purchased games. The only reason I would use these is to reduce heat and try to provide longevity to the console.

 

[Joe88]

Great review! I am a big fan of USB and ODD emulators, but I don't support piracy. One of these ODD needs to implement a 'rip' feature so I can backup my purchased games. The only reason I would use these is to reduce heat and try to provide longevity to the console.

the 360 already supports this by default, you can copy the game to your hdd to improve loading speed
the drive only checks the disc to make sure the game is a legit copy then shuts down and plays off the hdd

 

[Fudge]

and how exactly do you get those files?
IIRC its very complicated?

It's not that complicated, however it varies in difficulty depending on what type of DVD drive you have. As far as phat consoles go the only drives that are somewhat hard to retrieve keys from are Lite-on brand ones. There's a few different methods for dumping the keys off them. For all the other phat drives, it's relatively simple, just hook the drive up to your PC, dump the keys off it, profit.