iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 09/08/2026

August 8th a PAL region Xbox console, serial 4052****1605 uploaded the 2 missing DLCs for SWAT: Global Strike Team to the XCAT database. That title is now fully archived! The DLC will be shared with Rocky5's downloader and Insignia. Thank you XCATters! consolemods.org/XCAT

consolemods.org

XCAT

Xbox Content Archive Tool (XCAT) is a utility that runs directly on an Xbox console to assist in finding unarchived DLC and other lost content. When the application is run, It will scan the Xbox hard drive for any content that has yet to be archived and upload it directly to the servers of the XCAT Team...

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 27/06/2026

We have Starcraft Ghost!

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 27/06/2026

I will be at a small game swap in Hamilton, ON today with an OpenXHD demo system with side by side dual analog+OpenXHD HDMI video out, S/PDIF over mini TOSLink audio out, and debug into on screen from the OpenXHD itself. Come buy some games and see the difference an all digital solution makes!

A poster for Hamilton Game Swap presented by Dorkalicious on June 27th 2026 11AM to 3PM.

Dual 720p video output capture from OpenXHD, digital on top, analog on bottom. Running HDTV Test Application v1.8

Top: OpenXHD HDMI output from an Original Xbox boot animation.
Bottom: Original Xbox analog video out through a THS7376 video amp.
Right: OpenXHD debug info.

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Reposted by Harcroft

OpenXHD @openxhd.org · 25/06/2026

Outputting HDMI is one thing, but doing it *correctly* is another thing entirely, and how do you know you've done it correctly? By building yet another board! This is our "test sink" which receives an HDMI signal, decodes it, and displays info about the incoming video stream and metadata.

A photo of a green circuit board with a HDMI cable, USB C, and several colored cables connected. At the center of the board is an Analog Devices ADV7611.

A screenshot of serial output from the green circuit board's processor. The output is a work in progress but shows some information about the HDMI AVI Infoframe metadata

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Reposted by Harcroft

OpenXHD @openxhd.org · 11/06/2026

Video mode switching demo using Evox M8+ bios which has stock 5838 BIOS video modes. Captured using a dual input Datapath VisionAV-HD scaled to 1280x720 with OBS. OpenXHD top, YPbPr through a THS7376IPWR video amp bottom. We aim to be BIOS agnostic so you can use your favorite bios.

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Reposted by Harcroft

OpenXHD @openxhd.org · 04/06/2026

When working out the kinks in handling the pixel bus clock things went a bit off the rails. Don't worry, we fixed it :)

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 23/05/2026

The firmware dev guys working behind the scenes on OpenXHD are incredibly smart.

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 21/05/2026

I was unable to find 2 sources for the exact 3.5mm port we are using. I was able to find two entirely different parts that I could make fit in the same footprint from different suppliers The cost of just the combo port was over $6 CAD while the cost of the LED and 3.5mm TRRS port is roughly 50c CAD

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 20/05/2026

Iterating gets expensive. This isn't even the final form! Also thicc traces do not save lives.

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 19/05/2026

I used up 1/2 of the 500g spool of the orange basic PLA that came bundled with my current 3D printer on iterating on these. The standoffs may see further imrpovements, but the current 3mm and 12mm models are functional. The original AV port plug was designed by EqUiNoX improved by EMAXX.

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 18/05/2026

I have been hard at work getting a final round of hardware out as Clegg polishes the firmware.

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 17/05/2026

XCAT news! Our last find was almost 2 months ago. Console 2051****3402 found the last missing roster update for ESPN NBA Basketball (2K4) NTSC. All DLC for this game is now archived and is available on Rocky5's downloader. consolemods.org/XCAT Please keep on XCATing!

consolemods.org

XCAT

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 11/04/2026

The crazy things that show up at local retro gaming stores. (these are two different consoles)

A Crystal original Xbox with a $350 CAD price tag and the words "Harcroft Refurb" hand written over the price.

Holy shit is that Hamunaptra after a sandstorm for a very dirty original Xbox motherboard!?

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Reposted by Harcroft

Derf @consolemods.org · 07/04/2026

Does anyone have the capability and consoles to take very high res shots of original Xbox motherboards? We're looking for the level of resolution of the wonderful shots @jft-jnftech.bsky.social took of Xbox 360 motherboards ("Image" section next to each model) consolemods.org/wiki/Xbox_36...

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Reposted by Harcroft

Derf @consolemods.org · 25/03/2026

Fixed my oscilloscope tonight and played with some vector stuff. Managed to adapt a vector brick breaker sample to use a 360 controller.

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 20/03/2026

New XCAT finds for march! Console 4262****4402 uploaded the oldest RF update from Spinter Cell Pandora Tomorrow on the 15th. Console 3043****5102 uploaded the final Mechassault update from Japan last night. XCAT is kicking butt preserving OG Xbox Live history! Keep on XCATing! consolemods.org/XCAT

consolemods.org

XCAT

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 25/02/2026

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKyV... We are still making progress. Things are looking good!

youtube.com

Halo 2 test OpenXHD RC2 Test

YouTube video by OGXHarcroft

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 17/01/2026

The first XCAT find of 2026 is here! Console 2156****4105 uploaded the Italian update 4 for Halo 2 from an 80gb Maxtor HDD. The last find was Halo 2 Japanese update 5 in December. XCAT is preserving the history of Xbox Live. Please run it even on old HDD upgraded consoles. consolemods.org/XCAT

consolemods.org

XCAT

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 31/12/2025

Happy New Year! To go with the recent Hardware update, I have an update from the OpenXHD firmware dev team for you. Thank you Clegg and everyone else on the dev team for your hard work! I also spent the last week reorganizing some hardware for an easier to hand assemble layout for the new board.

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 25/12/2025

Merry Christmas Xbox fans! It has been two very challenging years, but work continues on the OpenXHD project. Hardware is complete, pending updates from the FW dev team. Speaking of which, there is a FW dev team! Things are moving along quicky now and I will have more news for you soon!

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Derf @consolemods.org · 11/12/2025

I got cozy and wrote some homebrew for Xbox-Scene's Modfest 2025! This is a simple app that lets you set your Xbox 360's clock past 2025. I learned a lot and even documented a couple SMC commands on Free60 wiki. Get it on ConsoleMods or the Homebrew Store! consolemods.org/wiki/Xbox_36...

A screenshot of the Time Fixer app. It's white text on a black background with the text:

Time Fixer
01/25/2013 16:37:05 UTC
DPAD Left/Right or LB/RB to choose field
DPAD Up/Down or LT/RT to change time
Press (A) to save the chosen time
Press (B) to reboot
Reboot is required for change to take effect.

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 06/12/2025

Ridiculous project of the week: Unhappy with the 2MB storage limitation on Pico Zero and Tiny boards, I decided I needed more. A random discarded 16MB chip should enough!

A ridiculous flex PCB connecting a 16MB QSPI SOP8-208mil package chip to a Raspberry Pi Pico Tiny development board.

Picotool displaying 16MB of flash connected to a Raspberry Pi Pico developent board.

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 25/11/2025

It is a good week for xbox preservation! Console 1153****3505 uploaded Battlefield 2: Modern Combat Update 2 PAL for France, Germany, and Italy. We are only missing the newest update for Asia regions now. Please remember to run XCAT on all your old original Xbox HDDs. consolemods.org/XCAT

consolemods.org

XCAT

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 19/11/2025

LD50_II from the NorCalHalo group uploaded 2 previously unknown ESPN College Hoops (2K4) DLCs! NCAA Schedule Update 1 NCAA Roster Update 1 They have been passed onto Rocky5 to add to his downloader, and should be available to download soon! consolemods.org/XCAT

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 08/11/2025

Another Original Xbox preservation win. Console 4133****3905 uploaded the missing PAL update for (ToCA) Race Driver 2 XCAT is working to preserve original Xbox Live history and provide for the future of Original Xbox online gaming. consolemods.org/XCAT

consolemods.org

XCAT

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 05/11/2025

XCAT strikes again! Thanks to our friend hardly in Japan we have recovered another lost DLC for Thousand Land on original Xbox. The recovered DLC is already on Rock5's downloader. Please help recover lost Xbox Live content. Run XCAT on every OG Xbox hard drive you can find! consolemods.org/XCAT

consolemods.org

XCAT

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Hit Save! @hitsave.org · 08/09/2025

Our latest podcast episode is up! Earlier this summer Hit Save director @jonasrosland.bsky.social sat down CrunchBite, current project lead on the #XLinkKai tunneling program, and got the story behind one of gaming's most enduring community-driven projects dedicated to connecting gamers worldwide.

hitsave.org

Keeping the Dream Alive: Twenty-Two Years of Free Online Gaming with XLink Kai

Earlier this summer we sat down with CrunchBite, the third-generation developer and current project lead behind XLink Kai, the remarkable tunneling service that has been connecting console gamers acro...

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 10/08/2025

Shoutout to @mrmario2011.com for his coverage of the Skeleton Key ENDGAME payload for OG Xbox! www.youtube.com/watch?v=EysF... Don't forget you can use the Skeleton Key launcher menu to quickly backup your EEPROM by just putting the IP shown on the bottom left of the menu into your browser.

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 09/08/2025

OG Xbox archival news! The last missing Title Update for Project: Snowblind has been found. This game's XBL content is now fully archived! 5 PAL region DLC unlocks for Soldier of Fortune II: Double Helix also found! Thank you zeealucard! Keep rocking consolemods.org/XCAT

consolemods.org

XCAT

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 03/08/2025

I have contacted LoveMHz again about the edited screenshots and lies he is hosting about myself and friends in the Xbox community on his blog. He has made it clear he is content dispensing these lies. I am a little surprised he is determined to lie to everyone with no benefit.

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CrunchBite @crunchbite.teamxlink.co.uk · 01/08/2025

XCAT v1.08 is out! consolemods.org/xcat There is a 2-3x speed increase and better handling for network errors. Happy archiving! 🍻

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 20/07/2025

The hits just keep on coming for XCAT! Yesterday Xbox 3123****4305 uploaded: Star Wars: The Clone Wars DLC: Kashyyyk Conquest for PAL regions. Star Wars: The Clone Wars PAL TU Ninja Gaiden older PAL TU. Today Xbox 1175****5105 uploaded an older German TU for Far Cry Instincts. consolemods.org/XCAT

consolemods.org

XCAT

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 18/07/2025

Hopefully coming soon to an @insignia.live near you!

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 18/07/2025

Did you know the Japan exclusive game Thousand Land had DLC? I didn't either until cheato of Alpha Archive found 5 of 18 previously unknown DLC maps just a few days ago. These maps have been archived and are now available on Rocky5's URL Downloader. consolemods.org/XCAT

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 16/07/2025

Console 5035****3505 with a non stock ExcelStor J880 80gb HDD in it uploaded Halo 2 Update 4 German and 380 Yelo scene captures to the XCAT database today. We are down to 19 Halo 2 missing TUs. Korean, Spanish, Japanese Update 5 are still missing. consolemods.org/XCAT

consolemods.org

XCAT

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 16/07/2025

I've took a break from posting about the Xbox preservation work during some ongoing health issues that I thought would be resolved by now. The work never stopped, I've just been quiet about it. I'll start posting news and updates on the bounty of new finds again starting today.

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Reposted by Harcroft

Emma (IPG) @invoxiplaygames.uk · 11/07/2025

this is the RIAA's DMCA claim - later counter-claimed - towards youtube-dl github.com/github/dmca/... this is MakeMHz's DMCA claim towards an FTP client github.com/github/dmca/... in what world can you see what MakeMHz LLC is doing as good faith attempts at protecting their own copyrighted work

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Jordan Chase @goteamscotch.com · 15/07/2025

It doesn't seem like this should work, but it totally does! You can even still video chat with others over Insignia (Xbox Live) in 2025. Here's a guide on how you can mod an Eyetoy to work on Og Xbox: consolemods.org/wiki/Xbox:Ey...

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 14/07/2025

An unfortunate notice for XCAT: consolemods.org/XCAT We have ended attempts to restore XCAT functionality on the Stellar modchip FW 1.5.0+. When our lead dev spoke with LoveMHz to resolve the situation, they lied in their responses. I'm sorry we couldn't resolve this for you. 1/2

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 13/07/2025

lovemhz.com/blog/xbox-scene-theft-part-2/ Hey look more misleading statements, more conflation of unrelated issues, still refusing to remove deceitfully cropped images that tell complete lies. I guess it is just to hard for LoveMHz to tell the truth for literally one second, or to leave me alone.

ovemhz.com

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 12/07/2025

To LoveMHz: This is not an apology lovemhz.com/blog/xbox-sc... 1) Trying to excuse your poor behavior, state an intent to apologise then don't apologize. 2) You did not remove my name or the deceitful cropped screens: lovemhz.com/blog/xbox-sc... 3) You HID the retraction: github.com/LoveMHz/love...

lovemhz.com

Theft in the Xbox Scene - Part 1 Corrections

This is not an article I want to be writing. It is not something I ever imagined I would have to write.

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Reposted by Harcroft

Jordan Chase @goteamscotch.com · 11/07/2025

Skeleton Key is a freely available community built toolkit for the Original Xbox that runs on stock (unmodded) consoles - Softmod your console (Rocky5) - Change your video settings - Access your hard drive - Upload lost DLC content (XCAT) - Register with Insignia (Xbox Live replacement) (and more)

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 10/07/2025

There are no winners here. LoveMHz's attacks on the xbox community have made a mockery of the wide reaching collaboration we've all contributed to over many years. The success of Insignia, XCAT, new HW mods, preservation efforts + more are all part of that collaborative effort.

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Harcroft @harcroft.ca · 10/07/2025

Update on the LoveMHz spurious accusations against in the Xbox community: www.ogxbox.com/forums/index... They created a forum thread, levied more accusations, refused to respond to proof the accusations were false, ignored evidence their "clean" code may be taken from MS source leaks.

ogxbox.com

Clearing up the confusion

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