PS2 or Xbox Mod?

[Magnet_Eye]

Hey! I got a new Slim PS2 for xmas. Before I go opening it, I have to decide....

Should I modchip it? Is it worth it? My other option would be to sell it and get an XBOX instead, and modchip that. The thing i like about the XBOX is it has that Xbox Media Center software. I had planne don building a Media Center PC, but havent had the extra $$$...so the Xbox would solve 2 things at once! Games AND Media!

Anyway, if anyone wants to post thoughts and also post recommendations for chips for both systems that would be much appreciated!

Thanks! 

[crashwg]

The Xbox also supports a HD vs the new slim PS2s.  On which you can put your entire collection of Xbox games and even some you don't own... 

It emulates perfectly NES, SNES, Genesis, more and emulates some N64 and playstation.

Xbox is about 500% easier to install modchip too and even has solderless install methods.

[pointdablame]

I'd have to say that the Xbox is far, far more versatile.  If you can only have/mod one, I wouldn't hesitate to mod the xbox.

The Xbox can double as a streaming media player, and home theatere PC, an emulation machine, a dvd player, and of course an Xbox with all your games on the hard drive.  There really is no comparison.

Get an xbox and a big hard drive, mod it, fill it with videos, roms, games, mp3s, etc and you'll be good to go.

[clanggedin]

You can't add a hard drive to the slimline PS2. You can with the Xbox or older PS2.

[crashwg]

You can't add a hard drive to the slimline PS2. You can with the Xbox or older PS2.

But only the Xbox can support HDs over 128 gigs or whatever that stupid # is...

[SOAPboy]

You can't add a hard drive to the slimline PS2. You can with the Xbox or older PS2.

But only the Xbox can support HDs over 128 gigs or whatever that stupid # is...

yet people have 4 300 gigs in their xboxs.. hmm..

theres work arounds

[GGKoul]

You can't add a hard drive to the slimline PS2. You can with the Xbox or older PS2.

But only the Xbox can support HDs over 128 gigs or whatever that stupid # is...

Yep, there's work arounds for this.  200+ is possible.

[GGKoul]

Modding a PS2/Xbox - Remember, once you mod it, you can't play online.  BUT... with the Xbox, you can use Xbox Connect to play online.  Haven't tried it yet, but my buds use Xbox Connect and it works good.

I have a unmodded PS2 to play online games with buddies and a modded Xbox to just play games.

If your just going to play game and never go online, I would get a Xbox and then mod it.  Adding a larger HD and adding some cool apps is very easy to do on the XBox.  Plus you can play alot of romsets on the Xbox.

[crashwg]

You can't add a hard drive to the slimline PS2. You can with the Xbox or older PS2.

But only the Xbox can support HDs over 128 gigs or whatever that stupid # is...

yet people have 4 300 gigs in their xboxs.. hmm..

theres work arounds

No crap they have 300 gigs in their XBOXs!  Hence where I said "ONLY THE XBOX CAN SUPPORT HDS OVER 128 GIGS"! 

Trust me on these things.  I have a modded PS2 with a modchip and HD and will soon have a modded Xbox just as soon as my chip arives which should be sometime this week.  I have done extensive research on both consoles and know what each are capable of.

BTW, what's up with all the talk recently of modding consoles and such?  Granted this is the Console section of this great forum known as BYOAC but there are MUCH better places to be doing research like this.

If you want information on xbox go to www.xbox-scene.com

For PS2 stuff, search google as there is no web site that stands out in my mind as to the BEST place for PS2 related stuff.

P.S. Don't take this as a personal attack or anything of the sort.  I am simply stating that you should do the research and make an educated decision, you'll be much happier with the results.

[SOAPboy]

You can't add a hard drive to the slimline PS2. You can with the Xbox or older PS2.

But only the Xbox can support HDs over 128 gigs or whatever that stupid # is...

yet people have 4 300 gigs in their xboxs.. hmm..

theres work arounds

No crap they have 300 gigs in their XBOXs!

[nipsmg]

Also, for older xboxes, there are SOLDERLESS SOLUTIONS. Buy modchip, buy solderless adapter for $10 more, screw down the adapter, put the modchip on it, play.

Even for v1.6 & v1.6b xboxes (where you would have to rebuild the LPC Using 5 wires) they've made rebuild boards that cost like $3.  You lay it over the bottom of the board and drop solder on 5 contacts, no wires.  Then you can use the solderless adapters for the chip on the top of the motherboard.

I think the easiest modchip for the PS2 has like 12 WIRES!!! Trust me, they're a royal pain in the ass.  The contacts you have to solder to are TINY.  And the Xbox allows you to store all your games, and runs tons of emulators, even MAME. The ps2 still requires you to burn everything, and it's not nearly as useful or versatile as the xbox.

--NipsMG

[Pieman2004]

Hello I just got back on the site and saw this topic. Thought I would throw in my thoughts. (hmm, I thought two times.. now three.. dang)

Anyways, the new slimline PS2 (some call it the PSTWO)  can support a hard drive. You just have to use an external hard drive. Since it has USB2.0 now, an external hard drive is fast enough to load the games from. You just need the software.

If you did this, you wouldn't even have to mod it. You could just keep backups on your hard drive.

Therefore I say mod the xbox, if you are going to mod one or the other.

[clanggedin]

BTW... The PS2 can have HDs larger than 200GB now.. If you use HDAdvance.

[pointdablame]

yeah, the info in this thread thusfar for PS2 is a bit misleading.

You CAN use a larger hard drive on a ps2.  There are workarounds now, and they do in fact work.  There is also work being done, and probably IS done at this point, to use an external hard drive on the new slim PS2.

I still say the xbox is far more versatile and easier to set up, but the PS2 is not as limited as some people in this thread have said.

You can check out ps2-scene.org and ps2ownz.com for more PS2 info.

[crashwg]

According to Sony the new slimline PS2 only has USB not USB2...  Check it out, it's listed right there on their site!

Just finnished doing a little searching for the so-called "workarounds" to using a HD larger than 120...  Only thing I could find was HDAdvance 2.0 which apparently supports up to 200 gigs now.  Still no 300 gig but indeed better than 120!  I personally could not use this "workaround" with the way I do things because I prefer to use the hacked version of HDLoader that runs off of my memory card, NO DISKS BABY!

When I run out of space on my 120 I plan on modding my PS2 to have a removable drive bay and therefore be able to easily switch HDs and effectivly double or triple my HD space... 

I'm still standing by my recomendation of the XBOX though.  It's far more advanced when it comes to emulation and homebrew apps and also a more powerfull machine.  Plus I'm not a big fan of M$ so I prefer not to pay them if I don't have to if you know what I'm saying... 

[Pieman2004]

you can run a version of hdadvance off of your memory card as well. If you wanted to use the version that supports larger drives. You just have to use a new .elf file.

Also I believe they do not specify whether the usb is 1.1 or 2.0. They just say usb which could be either, since people have come up with a usbloader I would imagine that the usb inputs are fast enough to be able to play games off of an external hard drive. Which would mean they are 2.0. Although I do not have one so I can not be certain. It just seems logical.

[Magnet_Eye]

BTW, what's up with all the talk recently of modding consoles and such?  Granted this is the Console section of this great forum known as BYOAC but there are MUCH better places to be doing research like this.

If you want information on xbox go to www.xbox-scene.com

For PS2 stuff, search google as there is no web site that stands out in my mind as to the BEST place for PS2 related stuff.

P.S. Don't take this as a personal attack or anything of the sort.  I am simply stating that you should do the research and make an educated decision, you'll be much happier with the results.

I have and still am doing research...only reason I post here is because I know the people here are very helpful, usually not flamers and so on. I love this board, and if I can get the answers here, why not?

Thanks for all the replies so far! I think I am going to sell the PS@ and get myself an XBOX.

[Pieman2004]

whoa now. I don't think you should sell the ps2. I mean it's your decision, but I've always thought that there was a better selection of games for the ps2. The only thing xbox really has over ps2 in games is Halo. But if you are wanting it for media and emulating and such then that would be understandable.

[GGKoul]

Magnet_Eye!  Nice avatar!!!

[shmokes]

I vote for Xbox too.  Most the stuff is covered, but I'll throw in.  My wife now uses my xboxas much as me.  And I use mine for non-game stuff at least as much as playing games.  Since it's hooked up to my entertainment system,  I can access all the media on my PC.  So I can browse through my entire audio and video collection (the video collection has started expanding dramatically since I subscribed to netflix  ).  Also, since I got my Xbox I moved my ReplayTV unit into another room, since I can access everything recorded on my ReplayTV with my Xbox over the network as well.  And don't forget that you can stream hundreds of internet radio stations as well as tv stations to the Xbox.  This is all in addition to playing games from the hard drive and emulating N64, PSX, SNES, Genesis, NES and Sega Master System (and pretty soon Dreamcast).  Oh yeah...and it's a decent progressive scan DVD player.  And it will run Linux if you're into that.

Even when you get your PS2 modded it can only do games.  There are more games for the PS2, but there are still tons of great games for Xbox -- even a few exclusives that PS2 doesn't have like Halo 1 & 2 and Chronicles of Riddick and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 1 & 2 and Crimson Skies and Fable and Rallisport Challenge 1 & 2 and Ninja Gaiden and Top Spin and really a ton of others and a bunch of upcoming ones. 

[crashwg]

I'm changing my vote to PS2 because I can't figure out how this whole bios and dashboard and FTP crap works!!!

[shmokes]

I'm changing my vote to PS2 because I can't figure out how this whole bios and dashboard and FTP crap works!!!

Ask, and you shall receive.

[SOAPboy]

I'm changing my vote to PS2 because I can't figure out how this whole bios and dashboard and FTP crap works!!!

xbox-scene.com

[crashwg]

Oh believe me, I've been there!  Matter of fact I spent at least 80% of my time yesterday there and have had no luck.

People are infact trying to help...  It just seems that my Xbox wants to be dificult.

[SOAPboy]

Oh believe me, I've been there!

[owenowen]

Modding a PS2/Xbox - Remember, once you mod it, you can't play online.

[Will]

I wanted to throw one thing in that seems to get lost in the shuffle.I recently modded my x-box and was amazed to find that games now load about 4 times faster off the harddrive than they did off disk,crimson skies for example used to take about a minute to load and now takes 10-15 seconds.I vote for x-box mainly because the games lately are much better than what out for ps2.

[crashwg]

PS2 games load alot faster too so it's not just the xbox that benefits from playing games from the HD... 

But seriously though, I was just kidding about the whole changing of my vote thing.  I'm just frustrated with my POS xbox that apparently has a dead HD in it!

[Dave_K.]

I've been stuck trying to mod my xbox for about 2 months now.  Got the tsop flashed, but the drive will no read any burned media at all.  Even after several pot tweaks to the laser.  Utter crap.  My PS2 on the other hand was up and running in 1 day with a fliptop and hard drive.  This weekend I just got an FTP server running.  PS2 is easier to softmod. Period.

[rampy]

I'm changing my vote to PS2 because I can't figure out how this whole bios and dashboard and FTP crap works!!!

you should look for/google slaYers evox auto installer... once you have your mod chip installed you can pop this in and follow some basic instructions to get going.  Well that's what my research shows so far...  don't know about in practice.

rampy

[pointdablame]

I'm changing my vote to PS2 because I can't figure out how this whole bios and dashboard and FTP crap works!!!

you should look for/google slaYers evox auto installer... once you have your mod chip installed you can pop this in and follow some basic instructions to get going.  Well that's what my research shows so far...  don't know about in practice.

rampy

You're totally correct.  I've recommended that a few times on here.  If you are new to xbox mods, or getting frustrated, or simply want the damn thing up and running quickly, use Slayers.

It'll get your box in a workable state with a few button presses.  And once you have it up and running, its a simple task to switch dashboards or update apps, etc.

[rampy]

I've been stuck trying to mod my xbox for about 2 months now.  Got the tsop flashed, but the drive will no read any burned media at all.  Even after several pot tweaks to the laser.  Utter crap.  My PS2 on the other hand was up and running in 1 day with a fliptop and hard drive.  This weekend I just got an FTP server running.  PS2 is easier to softmod. Period.

I've got a question, and I assume you probably already know this as you are much more console savvy than me... but have you tried RW media?

rampy

[Dave_K.]

I've been stuck trying to mod my xbox for about 2 months now.  Got the tsop flashed, but the drive will no read any burned media at all.  Even after several pot tweaks to the laser.  Utter crap.  My PS2 on the other hand was up and running in 1 day with a fliptop and hard drive.  This weekend I just got an FTP server running.  PS2 is easier to softmod. Period.

I've got a question, and I assume you probably already know this as you are much more console savvy than me... but have you tried RW media?

rampy

Yes, I tried Sony CD-RW media...no go.   I don't have a DVD-RW though.  Anyway, over xmas week, I was finally able to get my new HD installed the hard way (cloaned the original drive using xlinux live-cd and DD the raw device after hotswapping to a PC...yuck!).  Now I just need to run the 007 exploit again and ftp everything over onto the new drive without fear of screwing anything up.

[Paul Olson]

I sold my PS2 after modding the xbox.  A modded xbox is the closest thing I've seen to a perfect product.  Xbox Media Center is better than any HTPC software I've seen.  It plays just about anything.  I have never used the DVD drive since I cracked open the case, everything was setup via FTP.  I touch the xbox once per day, to turn it on.  Wireless Logitech controllers take care of everything else.

Try it, you will love it!!!!

[Edgedamage]

Want more drives for the xbox get this: http://www.teamxtender.com/

Review here: http://www.xbox-scene.com/hardware/xtender.php

[M3talhead]

I've modded and I'll tell you first hand, the Xbox is easier, more versatile, and just plain faster. I've got an Xenium Ice running 2.1 with Evox as a dash and a 120GB seagate. I can now just cop games straight to the HDD and not need the disc to play.

Very cool for Blockbuster accounts. 

[Paul Olson]

M3talhead - You should try XBMC as a dash.  It works really well.

[crashwg]

Very cool for Blockbuster accounts. 

Shame shame... 

[Edgedamage]

Ugh I have everything needed to mod my xbox. Chip+evil software professional soldering station proper torx screwdrivers. Just gotta wait for some quiet time.

[SNAAKE]

Yes, I tried Sony CD-RW media...no go.

[Dave_K.]

Try memorex brand cdrw.If you want I can burn slayers installer on a dvdr for you..PM if you are interested(just paypal me the $2 for cost of disc+shipping).

Hey Snaake, couldn't hurt to try, PM sent.    Thanks.

[M3talhead]

M3talhead - You should try XBMC as a dash.  It works really well.

I'm running XBMC as a seperate app. Its a bit twitchy, but its really a nice piece of freeware.

 The main reason I even bought an Xbox was to turn it into a server. As it stands right now, a modded xbox is the cheapest file server you can buy.

[kronik]

Remember, if you're modding a Slim PS2.. get the laser volt reg mod as well.