Title: Datel XSata for Xbox360 - Mini Review
Post by: Deaths Head on June 21, 2006, 10:08:34 AM
Post by: Deaths Head on June 21, 2006, 10:08:34 AM
Well, my Datel XSata arrived in the post today.
My main reasons for getting it were a price blunder on the Datel website which meant I got it for ?23( or just under Ã,£16) and because should anything go wrong I will have a backup of my HD/Profile/Savegames. The RRP of the XSata is an extortionate Ã,£39.99 You can get it cheaper than that from Play.com for Ã,£29.99 (http://www.play.com/Games/Xbox360/4-/1021322/-/Product.html?searchstring=xsata).
And now the exciting bit. The box:
(http://www.fluffyfunk.net/xsata/XSata1.th.jpg) (http://www.fluffyfunk.net/xsata/XSata1.jpg)
Contents:
(http://www.fluffyfunk.net/xsata/XSata2.th.jpg) (http://www.fluffyfunk.net/xsata/XSata2.jpg)
Bottom of the XSata:
(http://www.fluffyfunk.net/xsata/XSata3.th.jpg) (http://www.fluffyfunk.net/xsata/XSata3.jpg)
Top of the XSata:
(http://www.fluffyfunk.net/xsata/XSata4.th.jpg) (http://www.fluffyfunk.net/xsata/XSata4.jpg)
The instructions state install the XSata first and then the HD into the XSata. However, when I attempted to do that the drive would not go into the XSata cradle. Instead I had to remove the XSata and attach the HD and then attach the XSata to the Xbox360. I believe it was tricky to fit due to the Interface connector not being in a fixed location since it is not held in place by anything other than the two SATA cables. The XSata does not use a button release mechanism like the HD, istead it has 4 clips (2 at each end) that clip into parts of the Xbox360 Case. There is no chance of it accidentily coming loose.
The description of the PC and Xbox360 sharing the HD is misleading. Only one of them has access to the HD at any one time. Which has access is dictated by the USB cable being plugged into the XSata when the Xbox360 is powered on. If the USB cable is not plugged into your PC, the Xbox360 has access to the HD and if the USB cable is plugged into your pc when the XBox360 is powered on then your PC has access.
When connecting for the first time, Windows XP automatically detected the drive and installed the necessary drivers. There was no need to install drivers from the included CD, it is installed as a USB Mass Storage device. The XSata uses the Oxford Semiconductor OXU921DS which is a Dual SATA Bridge Chip. Details of the chip can be found here (http://www10.edacafe.com/nbc/articles/view_article.php?section=ICNews&articleid=193826). Also located on the PCB is an 8Mbit Flash memory chip.
(http://www.fluffyfunk.net/xsata/XSata5.th.jpg) (http://www.fluffyfunk.net/xsata/XSata5.jpg)
Dont expect to see it show up in My Computer, the Xbox360 drive uses FATX which XP does not natively support. To browse the Xbox360 HD, you use the included Xplorer 360 software:
(http://www.fluffyfunk.net/xsata/XSata6.th.png) (http://www.fluffyfunk.net/xsata/XSata6.png)
I was pleasantly surprised at the Transfer speed. The XSata transferred 7.12GB in 7 minutes. Now all I need to do is figure out what I can do with the media files I have backed up. :)
QuoteThe problem with the Xbox 360s built-in hard drive is it just isnt big enough. 12GB of usable space might be sufficient for the casual gamer, but the hardcore joypad juggler needs more. With XSATA, the latest devious device from Datel, you can free up hard drive space by transferring content between your console and your PC. You need never run out of hard drive space on your XB360 again!
Using your XBOX 360 file manager software such as the free PC app Xplorer 360, you can transfer materials from your consoles hard drive to your PC, using your computers hard disc space to store demos, game saves and other such materials youÃ,¿re not currently using. When you need them again, just transfer back to the XB360s drive. Once the data is on your PC, you can email anything thats not locked to your machine or L!VE account to your friends for them to use on their own consoles too.
XSATA is a plug-and-play device that sits between your XB360s hard drive and the console itself. Theres no need to remove your XB360s hard drive to use it. The PC and the 360 can then `shareÃ,¿ the HDD so it can remain in place at all times. To connect, just plug the supplied cable into the High Speed USB port on the back of XSATA and into any spare USB port on your PC. XSATA is USB 2.0-compatible, so you can expect ultra-fast transfer speeds of up to 480mbps. It looks great too, with a blue laser giving a real cool edge to your console.
My main reasons for getting it were a price blunder on the Datel website which meant I got it for ?23( or just under Ã,£16) and because should anything go wrong I will have a backup of my HD/Profile/Savegames. The RRP of the XSata is an extortionate Ã,£39.99 You can get it cheaper than that from Play.com for Ã,£29.99 (http://www.play.com/Games/Xbox360/4-/1021322/-/Product.html?searchstring=xsata).
And now the exciting bit. The box:
(http://www.fluffyfunk.net/xsata/XSata1.th.jpg) (http://www.fluffyfunk.net/xsata/XSata1.jpg)
Contents:
(http://www.fluffyfunk.net/xsata/XSata2.th.jpg) (http://www.fluffyfunk.net/xsata/XSata2.jpg)
Bottom of the XSata:
(http://www.fluffyfunk.net/xsata/XSata3.th.jpg) (http://www.fluffyfunk.net/xsata/XSata3.jpg)
Top of the XSata:
(http://www.fluffyfunk.net/xsata/XSata4.th.jpg) (http://www.fluffyfunk.net/xsata/XSata4.jpg)
The instructions state install the XSata first and then the HD into the XSata. However, when I attempted to do that the drive would not go into the XSata cradle. Instead I had to remove the XSata and attach the HD and then attach the XSata to the Xbox360. I believe it was tricky to fit due to the Interface connector not being in a fixed location since it is not held in place by anything other than the two SATA cables. The XSata does not use a button release mechanism like the HD, istead it has 4 clips (2 at each end) that clip into parts of the Xbox360 Case. There is no chance of it accidentily coming loose.
The description of the PC and Xbox360 sharing the HD is misleading. Only one of them has access to the HD at any one time. Which has access is dictated by the USB cable being plugged into the XSata when the Xbox360 is powered on. If the USB cable is not plugged into your PC, the Xbox360 has access to the HD and if the USB cable is plugged into your pc when the XBox360 is powered on then your PC has access.
When connecting for the first time, Windows XP automatically detected the drive and installed the necessary drivers. There was no need to install drivers from the included CD, it is installed as a USB Mass Storage device. The XSata uses the Oxford Semiconductor OXU921DS which is a Dual SATA Bridge Chip. Details of the chip can be found here (http://www10.edacafe.com/nbc/articles/view_article.php?section=ICNews&articleid=193826). Also located on the PCB is an 8Mbit Flash memory chip.
(http://www.fluffyfunk.net/xsata/XSata5.th.jpg) (http://www.fluffyfunk.net/xsata/XSata5.jpg)
Dont expect to see it show up in My Computer, the Xbox360 drive uses FATX which XP does not natively support. To browse the Xbox360 HD, you use the included Xplorer 360 software:
(http://www.fluffyfunk.net/xsata/XSata6.th.png) (http://www.fluffyfunk.net/xsata/XSata6.png)
I was pleasantly surprised at the Transfer speed. The XSata transferred 7.12GB in 7 minutes. Now all I need to do is figure out what I can do with the media files I have backed up. :)
Title: Datel XSata for Xbox360 - Mini Review
Post by: Deaths Head on June 21, 2006, 12:52:54 PM
Post by: Deaths Head on June 21, 2006, 12:52:54 PM
You can extract your PGR3 Photos. :)
(http://img155.exs.cx/img155/7005/v00000013dm.th.jpg) (http://img155.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img155&image=v00000013dm.jpg) (http://img155.exs.cx/img155/8176/v00000020cx.th.jpg) (http://img155.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img155&image=v00000020cx.jpg) (http://img155.exs.cx/img155/2113/v00000037lk.th.jpg) (http://img155.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img155&image=v00000037lk.jpg) (http://img155.exs.cx/img155/9706/v00000045og.th.jpg) (http://img155.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img155&image=v00000045og.jpg)
(http://img155.exs.cx/img155/7005/v00000013dm.th.jpg) (http://img155.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img155&image=v00000013dm.jpg) (http://img155.exs.cx/img155/8176/v00000020cx.th.jpg) (http://img155.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img155&image=v00000020cx.jpg) (http://img155.exs.cx/img155/2113/v00000037lk.th.jpg) (http://img155.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img155&image=v00000037lk.jpg) (http://img155.exs.cx/img155/9706/v00000045og.th.jpg) (http://img155.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img155&image=v00000045og.jpg)
Title: Datel XSata for Xbox360 - Mini Review
Post by: Mardoni on June 21, 2006, 13:10:50 PM
Post by: Mardoni on June 21, 2006, 13:10:50 PM
I take it the HDD isnt powered over USB, so the 360 has to be on for it to work ?
Thats a PITA for me as my 360 is in the living room and my PC is in a completely different room and neither are easy to move :(
Thats a PITA for me as my 360 is in the living room and my PC is in a completely different room and neither are easy to move :(
Title: Datel XSata for Xbox360 - Mini Review
Post by: Deaths Head on June 21, 2006, 13:14:10 PM
Post by: Deaths Head on June 21, 2006, 13:14:10 PM
No, the HD is powered from the Xbox360.
Title: Datel XSata for Xbox360 - Mini Review
Post by: Vini on June 21, 2006, 16:26:32 PM
Post by: Vini on June 21, 2006, 16:26:32 PM
Quote from: NimrodI take it the HDD isnt powered over USB, so the 360 has to be on for it to work ?
Thats a PITA for me as my 360 is in the living room and my PC is in a completely different room and neither are easy to move :(
What you need then sir, is the Xecuter Connectivity Kit Ã,£25 at divineo or about Ã,£15 on ebay.
Title: Datel XSata for Xbox360 - Mini Review
Post by: Mardoni on June 21, 2006, 17:06:43 PM
Post by: Mardoni on June 21, 2006, 17:06:43 PM
By jove I think youre right :)
Its a shame that the XSata doesnt do some clever FATX to CIFS/FAT32 stuff as then I wouldve been able to plug it straight into my NAS adaptor.
Oh well :)
Its a shame that the XSata doesnt do some clever FATX to CIFS/FAT32 stuff as then I wouldve been able to plug it straight into my NAS adaptor.
Oh well :)
Title: Datel XSata for Xbox360 - Mini Review
Post by: Deaths Head on June 21, 2006, 17:50:36 PM
Post by: Deaths Head on June 21, 2006, 17:50:36 PM
To be honest, its doing enough clever stuff as it is...
I believe the main chip which is a 2 x SATA <-> USB2 which just happens to be an Arm7 processor and 1MB Flash attached to it. I believe what its doing is receiving data from one SATA to the other unless the USB lead is connected, then it pipes the SATA with the HD attached to the USB.
I think the main issue of it doing what you want is Power. They should have considered adding a power port so it didnt need to be connected to the 360. I doubt it would be difficult to add.
I believe the main chip which is a 2 x SATA <-> USB2 which just happens to be an Arm7 processor and 1MB Flash attached to it. I believe what its doing is receiving data from one SATA to the other unless the USB lead is connected, then it pipes the SATA with the HD attached to the USB.
I think the main issue of it doing what you want is Power. They should have considered adding a power port so it didnt need to be connected to the 360. I doubt it would be difficult to add.
Title: Datel XSata for Xbox360 - Mini Review
Post by: Mardoni on June 21, 2006, 18:30:44 PM
Post by: Mardoni on June 21, 2006, 18:30:44 PM
I am tempted to get one to see if I can mod a Universal Power adaptor into it.
I have just noticed a rather large problem with the Xecuter kit...I dont have SATA on this Shuttle, lol :)
I have just noticed a rather large problem with the Xecuter kit...I dont have SATA on this Shuttle, lol :)
Title: Datel XSata for Xbox360 - Mini Review
Post by: Goblin on June 21, 2006, 23:20:12 PM
Post by: Goblin on June 21, 2006, 23:20:12 PM
Quote from: Deaths HeadYou can extract your PGR3 Photos. :)
Ah, another man who appreciates the DBR9. Now tell me, is it because youre crap at the game? Thats why I drive it, everything else of similar power is too tail happy for me to put in a single lap of the Nordschleife without spinning out a dozen times.
We should hop on for a little one on one action sometime :)
Title: Datel XSata for Xbox360 - Mini Review
Post by: Deaths Head on June 21, 2006, 23:59:24 PM
Post by: Deaths Head on June 21, 2006, 23:59:24 PM
TBH, I have had PGR3 since December and have played it all of 30 minutes... So the choice of car is because I like the DBR9, not because its easier than the rest...
Nimrod, this seems to be what you are after:
http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/sep/EEVpAkVFVVpeTBHmci.php
Nimrod, this seems to be what you are after:
http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/sep/EEVpAkVFVVpeTBHmci.php