HaloMods "Classic" Read-only Archive

Ok, we heard about microsoft adding this option to the fall update but my question is, do you think microsoft will copy the data to a single signed file and if so what kind of file do you think it will be?

I never thought of it that way. Probably a single file thinking about it...

I look forward to this feature. for Halo 3 at least.

A disc image, considering they said it works well with multi-disc games. The games that require multiple discs check for the next disc as a whole, not a specific file. It would only be logical for it to be a single disc image.

If it were a single file, wouldn't it take an inordinate amount of time to copy over?

Yodel wrote:If it were a single file, wouldn't it take an inordinate amount of time to copy over?

Um.. no..
And it wouldn't be copied as a single file, it would be packaged as a single file as the files are copied from the disc...

But yeah, there is no reason to make a thread about this because it has already been discussed concerning Halo modding, which is going to have the same relevance as any other application of this question to any situation. Whether it is in a signed file or not doesn't really impact anything relevant to anything, because you'd still have to overcome the other barriers, which are what actually matter, not where the files are stored, be it on a disc or on the hard drive. The content being on the hard drive is in no way different than the content being on the disc, and therefore how it is packaged will not change anything.

Simplified list for why this topic is pointless:
1) It won't affect modding at all, because the container it is in won't be any less of a hurdle than a disc, because modified firmware has been around for a very, very long time.
2) If you're not talking about modding, there is no concern with this, because you would never need to alter such a file or files. So the only explanation is that this thread is about modding, which goes back to my first point.
3) This has already been discussed.
4) Author admitted it was pointless.
5) Nobody can know how the files are packaged, and what they think will happen still won't change anything, read points one and two again.

Really, there is no legitimate reason for a discussion about this. We should bring back the "Which is cooler, wolves or bears?" thread too, right? It's just as nonsensical.

Tural wrote:

Yodel wrote:If it were a single file, wouldn't it take an inordinate amount of time to copy over?

Um.. no..
And it wouldn't be copied as a single file, it would be packaged as a single file as the files are copied from the disc...

Hmm, according to Wikipedia, the Dual Layer DVD that the Xbox uses can store up to 8.5 GB... I'm surprised that a transfer of that size wouldn't take a long time.

Yodel wrote:Hmm, according to Wikipedia, the Dual Layer DVD that the Xbox uses can store up to 8.5 GB... I'm surprised that a transfer of that size wouldn't take a long time.

You asked if it would take long because it's a single file, which is what I addressed.

Also, Major said it would take around 45 minutes if I recall correctly.

Tural wrote:

Yodel wrote:Hmm, according to Wikipedia, the Dual Layer DVD that the Xbox uses can store up to 8.5 GB... I'm surprised that a transfer of that size wouldn't take a long time.

You asked if it would take long because it's a single file, which is what I addressed.

Also, Major said it would take around 45 minutes if I recall correctly.

Oh, sorry if I was unclear.

45 minutes doesn't sound that bad, especially if you can do other things while you wait.

Omg.... This is awesome!!

Guessing this is your first time hearing about it? If so then you should also know that it comes with a catch, you still have to have the original game disc in the drive before you will be alloud the play it off the HDD.

turk645 wrote:Guessing this is your first time hearing about it? If so then you should also know that it comes with a catch, you still have to have the original game disc in the drive before you will be alloud the play it off the HDD.

Well, I suppose that would be good for anti-piracy, but suppose you copied to your HDD and then you scratch your disk later. But, still I am happy.

Sounds amazing, but confusing. Would this accomplish anything?

Console would be much more silent and the load times would be faster

latinomodder wrote:the load times would be faster

Wait, that could lead to an advantage in MP, right? Your map loads a few seconds before the enemie's. You get to the power weapon before the team gets there.

Corvette19 wrote:

latinomodder wrote:the load times would be faster

Wait, that could lead to an advantage in MP, right? Your map loads a few seconds before the enemie's. You get to the power weapon before the team gets there.

0mg h4x.

seeing as how some games dont start till everyone has thier maps loaded, its not likely.

I read the first post and that was all. What the hell is the point of this topic? Random speculation? Sounds pointless to me.

turk645 wrote:seeing as how some games dont start till everyone has thier maps loaded, its not likely.

I didnt know that.

By the way, this feature is clearly intended to be used with the 60 GB or 120 GB hard drives, not the 20 (which actually has 14 free when empty).

With regards to the time it would take, keep in mind that the 360 has a DVD drive which reads at up to 12x. For the DVD spec, 12x is about 21 MB/s. Assuming a healthy 8 GB game, the raw transfer of the data would take (8 * 1024 / 21) = 390 seconds, or about 6.5 minutes. Any additional time it took (45 minutes? Methinks a little less long) would be due to processor overhead in packaging + encrypting the image file, since HDDs have sustained write speeds well in excess of 21 MB/s.

Another reason to buy a 120GB hard drive?