A couple of days ago, we featured a video demonstrating Team Xecuter's PS3 Hard Drive Xtender (HDXT). This console accessory allows PlayStation 3 owners to buff up their PS3's internal SATA space with external (and hopefully beefier) hard drive, bet it an IDE or SATA kit.

Now, in case the readers were wondering just how far along the team is on their project, a quick trip to Divineo indicates some good news - the PS3 (HDXT) is now on sale for a sum of US$ 24.95 per unit. In addition to this news, the team has also released a separate Sata to IDE converter, although we're not sure how much this will cost.

We thank Bigbob6383 for the tip!

 

We've previously reported on Hyperdrive and Paradox loader">Team Xecuter's PS3 Hyperdrive project, and their much awaited Paradox. Well, here's some more updates on Team Xecuter's plans for the PS3.

According to a recent post over at their forums, it seems that they're listening to the criticism over their designs for the the PS3 Hyperdrive project. So they went back to the drawing board, tweaked the design, and have already gone into production of the new PS3 Hard Drive Xtender (HDXT).

To the right is an image of the new design.

They state that these are the three main goals of the new product:

• To be able to add any SATA or IDE Hard Drive externally to the PS3 - so there was no need for any expensive 2.5" SATA Hard Drive upgrades if the need for a very large hard drive was required in the near future.
• To make the adapter a clean design and pleasing to the eye.
• To be simple and cheap.

The Xecuter PS3 HDXT is a caddy type frame that should plug into the PS3 internally where the 2.5" SATA drive would normally be. All you have to do to is put that in, and then clip on the faceplate, afterwards, you should have a clean external SATA connection.  What's more, they've also designed a simple and cost effective SATA to IDE converter. Using the little thing you can now attach any had drive of your choosing, any way you wish.

If you want to see more of the pictures of their prototype product, our "read" link below should lead to the thread containing said images. Take a gander if you wish.

They hope to have this clean, cheap, and simple product in time for the European PS3 released. They say that they will announce pricing for the thing as soon as they have costings finalized. We'll update you as soon as we get more info on Team Xecuter's plans for the PS3.

The word on some forums is that Hyperdrive and Paradox loader">Team Xecuter will be releasing a simple "adapter" for the PS3 that is cheap and easy to use. It is reported that the "adapter" is set to work with their still-upcoming PS3 Hyperdrive. The adapter will be ready in 3 weeks in time for Paradox Loader, which is real, and works/loads in a method that is "similar to psp"

If in case you're a bit confused, we'll run through it again for you. Remember those rumors about a PS3 ISO loader by Internet release group paradox? The one Max F. reported on last December, and the one we reported to be undergoing testing around a week ago? Well, a post by Xecuter on the Team Xecuter forums confirms that the Paradox Loader works. He says:

I am releasing a simple adapter first that is cheap and easy to use - will be ready in 3 weeks in time for Paradox Loader (which works)

The adapter Xecuter was talking about, is an early release just so that PS3 users can hook up larger drives with ease while while they wait for the PS3 Hyperdrive. Xecuter says that what we're waiting for should work well in tandem with the Loader. The Hyperdrive is set to have the following features:

• Connect any 3.5" SATA Hard Drive to the PS3
• Developing ability to connect IDE hard drive
• Supports up to 750GB (maybe more thats all we have here)
• Switch between external HYPERDRIVE and internal 2.5" HDD
• HYPERDRIVE USB2.0 Support to dump data to/from HDD

We'll update you folks about this in 3 weeks time. Or sooner if more information is made available. Stay tuned!

Just in case you'd want to check out the thread regarding this, just click on the Read link below. There's a lot to pick up from it, actually.

Demonstrations like these, it's like they're saying that 2.5 inches of SATA seems somewhat cramped. You've got Team Xecuter xecuting the Hyperdrive, you've got T-ZONE wiring a 750GB box to the PS3 (before shrink-wrapping it or something), then you've got this. Kurouto Shikou's PS3 ESATA, which allows users to plug "any hard drive" to the PS3 through it.

One pic, and only one pic on the site, and we don't know how this plugs, welds, sits on, slots underneath, or otherwise connects to the PS3. The Google weblation didn't help much either - though it did identify the peripheral as a "conversion baseplate" (it's somehow "installed" in or into the PS3, but again, no help from our source material on this matter). Luckily, Akihabara had some very helpful details about PS3 ESATA. They didn't specify if by "any hard drive" they meant IDE as well as SATA, and/or both 3.5 and 2.5 inches, though. But at least you can use ESATAs (external SATA drives - puts the E in PS3 ESATA), so that much is confirmed.

Anyway, if you can give us a hand on interpreting all these descriptions, the Via Link will take you to the original Japanese-language Kurouto Shikou site featuring the PS3 ESATA. Confirm or deny our suspicions, we don't mind, we just need definite specs. Instructional manual also preferable; sale price, too (if any).

For those following the PS3 Hyperdrive chronicles, Team Xecuter has just released some updates on their work in progress. First and foremost, they've now finished the design for their product and have revealed pics of a test machine. Observe:

  

To recap, the PS3 Hyperdrive will allow you to connect an HDD - SATA supported, IDE still being tested - by a simple plug-and-play system. It can also plug into your PC via USB, thus making file transfer that much easier. As far as an updated list of features goes, check it out:

• Supports 2.5" and 3.5" SATA HDD (Also working on built in IDE support)
• Switch for SATA HDD (2.5"/3.5") w/ LED
• Switch for select output interface for PC (SATA or USB) w/ LED
• Special SATA female (Hyperdrive) to Male (PS3) connector with custom plug-lock design, easy install and just plug and lock.
• Release lock button for disconnecting Hyperdrive with PS3
• Molex power source input.
• Easy to install HDD inside the Hyperdrive.
• Built-in cooling fan.

Still no word when it'll be available though. But the team explained that despite being a bit slow on the development, they "just want to get things done right without having to address problems later down the road." Fair enough. For now, this update is very much welcome. Cheers to the team, and godspeed!

Man, the folks at Team Xecuter are quick. Not content with offering great mods to the Xbox 360 community, they've set their sights on making something for Sony's new flagship console. Of course, if you know Team Xecuter, then you know it's got something to do with connecting more stuff to your PS3.

Their new product is currently codenamed the Hyperdrive, allowing users to connect 3.5" SATA hard drives to their PS3. While they haven't tested the upper limits of their new project, they have confirmed the connection of a 750 GB hard drive onto their console, which should definitely bring in a lot of options once a full-fledged PS3 homebrew and modding scene develops (if people can only find more units, that is). While working on the Hyperdrive, however, the team is also planning to send out an adapter for people to connect with, so that those who really want to get into the spirit of things can do so without any extra waiting.

Here's the pertinent feature information from their announcement. Feel free to send them some love on their forums, alright?

• Connect any 3.5" SATA Hard Drive to the PS3
  
• Developing ability to connect IDE hard drive
  
• Supports up to 750GB (maybe more thats all we have here)
  
• Switch between external HYPERDRIVE and internal 2.5" HDD HYPERDRIVE USB2.0
  
• Support to dump data to/from HDD

When you connect the system announces the drive requires formatting etc and then promptly begins to prep it. All system settings are unchanged so they are stored internally to the PS3 and not on the HDD.

   

Sony is rolling out its Internal Blu-ray Disc Rewritable Drive known as BWU-100A. The BWU-100A is an internal drive with an IDE (ATA/ATAPI) interface and supports recording both 50GB and 25GB BD-R (write once) and BD-RE (rewritable) discs, as well as 4.7 GB DVD+R/+RW/RAM, 8.5GB DVD+R Double/Dual Layer, and CD-R/-RW discs.

It can store up to 4 hours of 1080 HD video on a single dual layer 50G BD disc making it ideal for storing HD videos and data as well as a computer backup.  It is expected to ship on or around August 18, 2006 but you can place your pre-order now. It retails for $749.90.

(Alright, you caught us with the price typo - we just wanted to discourage everyone from buying it so we could have them all for ourselves!)