Post by: ShadowGuy on September 20, 2008, 12:24:00 PM
QUOTE
This guide to end all the initial questions that people may have. Meant for those looking to buy or just recently bought a XeDK.
Different XeDK Types:
Demo Kit:
Used at trade shows like E3.
Looks exactly like a Retail 360.
The most basic model that will run unsigned code, and access PartnerNet.
Reviewer Kit:
Is a Smoky Gray Color, like a Dev Kit.
Usually has a 60GB Hard Drive
Shipped to reviewers at magazines, and websites.
Test Kit:
White like retail models.
Usually has a sidecar attached, if it doesn't wires will be coming from the top, allowing a sidecar to be attached.
Only the DVD Emulation port is installed though
Has larger Hard Drive, usually about 100-160GB.
Dev Kit:
Is a Smokey Gray color.
Has Kernel Debugging enabled
May, or may not have a Sidecar attached.
Usually has a bigger hard drive (100-160GB).
Extras:
Sidecar - This is the big chunk on top of some XeDKs that you see on the internet. It will have either one or two USB-B ports on the back, if it has one, then you can use the DVD Emulation feature, and play Debug/Work in Progress games directly from a computer's Hard Drive; if the Test/Dev Kit has two Ports one will be the DVD Emulation, the other will be the PIX (Performance Investigator for Xbox) port, which lets you see what the CPU is outputting.
Power Supply - 213W needed for Sidecar, otherwise retail PSUs will work fine
Benefits:
Play test/dev builds of unreleased/prereleased games
PartnerNet is free
DVD drive is not locked to console
Can be reflashed at anytime to any version
Play games off hard drive
Hard drive not locked to console, can use any size SATA HDD
Can take screenshots or videos of games
Play homebrew built XEXs
Backup games to your PC
Multi-region
Downfalls:
PartnerNet is nowhere near Lives status
Cannot play retail games (unless patched)
There is no warranty, so if you get the three red lights, you have to fix it yourself
Getting the SDK and/or SDK tools is much harder than getting the XeDK
Cost is significantly higher than a brand new retail 360
Not all games that are patched can be played
Questions:
How much should I pay for...?
The best answer to this question is, "How much would you pay for this ____(truck,car,house,monitor,...)?" If you still don't get it, there is no set price, it's all based on numerous factors (condition,what's included,type,...). The best advice I can give is base it on how much the other person is selling it for.
PartnerNet, tell me more...
Yes it's free, but you will find 1/900th the populace of Live on it and it does not interoperate with Live. You cannot download movies or TV shows. However, Live Arcade, updates, add-ons, and unreleased versions of those are available for free.
Where can I get the SDK?
http://xds.xbox.com/
Can you send it to me?
No.
How do I get it?
The best answer to this question and overall best advice before buying a XeDK, is to find it before you buy one. If you cannot get your hands on part of the SDK then your box will essentially be a crippled retail 360.
Different XeDK Types:
Demo Kit:
Used at trade shows like E3.
Looks exactly like a Retail 360.
The most basic model that will run unsigned code, and access PartnerNet.
Reviewer Kit:
Is a Smoky Gray Color, like a Dev Kit.
Usually has a 60GB Hard Drive
Shipped to reviewers at magazines, and websites.
Test Kit:
White like retail models.
Usually has a sidecar attached, if it doesn't wires will be coming from the top, allowing a sidecar to be attached.
Only the DVD Emulation port is installed though
Has larger Hard Drive, usually about 100-160GB.
Dev Kit:
Is a Smokey Gray color.
Has Kernel Debugging enabled
May, or may not have a Sidecar attached.
Usually has a bigger hard drive (100-160GB).
Extras:
Sidecar - This is the big chunk on top of some XeDKs that you see on the internet. It will have either one or two USB-B ports on the back, if it has one, then you can use the DVD Emulation feature, and play Debug/Work in Progress games directly from a computer's Hard Drive; if the Test/Dev Kit has two Ports one will be the DVD Emulation, the other will be the PIX (Performance Investigator for Xbox) port, which lets you see what the CPU is outputting.
Power Supply - 213W needed for Sidecar, otherwise retail PSUs will work fine
Benefits:
Play test/dev builds of unreleased/prereleased games
PartnerNet is free
DVD drive is not locked to console
Can be reflashed at anytime to any version
Play games off hard drive
Hard drive not locked to console, can use any size SATA HDD
Can take screenshots or videos of games
Play homebrew built XEXs
Backup games to your PC
Multi-region
Downfalls:
PartnerNet is nowhere near Lives status
Cannot play retail games (unless patched)
There is no warranty, so if you get the three red lights, you have to fix it yourself
Getting the SDK and/or SDK tools is much harder than getting the XeDK
Cost is significantly higher than a brand new retail 360
Not all games that are patched can be played
Questions:
How much should I pay for...?
The best answer to this question is, "How much would you pay for this ____(truck,car,house,monitor,...)?" If you still don't get it, there is no set price, it's all based on numerous factors (condition,what's included,type,...). The best advice I can give is base it on how much the other person is selling it for.
PartnerNet, tell me more...
Yes it's free, but you will find 1/900th the populace of Live on it and it does not interoperate with Live. You cannot download movies or TV shows. However, Live Arcade, updates, add-ons, and unreleased versions of those are available for free.
Where can I get the SDK?
http://xds.xbox.com/
Can you send it to me?
No.
How do I get it?
The best answer to this question and overall best advice before buying a XeDK, is to find it before you buy one. If you cannot get your hands on part of the SDK then your box will essentially be a crippled retail 360.
Rest is on XU
Post by: gamerfreak1727 on October 07, 2008, 01:26:00 AM
QUOTE(ShadowGuy @ Sep 20 2008, 02:24 PM) 
Awesome article, and awesome site too
I'm sure it will help many people that have just came to the xbox dev scene.
Post by: Lewie4 on February 12, 2009, 01:45:00 PM
Post by: Hyzepher on February 27, 2009, 10:00:00 AM
Post by: ShadowGuy on February 27, 2009, 01:36:00 PM
QUOTE(Lewie4 @ Feb 13 2009, 05:45 AM)
Thanks this is really helpful?
Is this a question?
QUOTE
Is it possible to run 360 game backups via DVD DL on these?
Yes.
Post by: torrentted on March 13, 2009, 08:27:00 PM
Post by: gamerfreak1727 on March 13, 2009, 11:15:00 PM
2. No, you can't access everything, including demos and games.
BTW, Xbox-Underground now has open registration, just in case anyone had tried to register before.
Post by: Eggwhites on September 28, 2009, 06:23:00 AM