Category Archives: Video Games

Video Games

Inside the Xbox 360 Elite

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What all consoles think when they enter my basement

I’ve started the next Xbox 360 laptop and it’s going to use the Elite guts, allowing for a digital video connection among other things. I was very curious to see what changes, if any, were made inside the unit to account for the infamous “Red Ring of Death” problems. What I found was reassuring, at least for anyone buying the Elite, and provided some clues as to what might be happening in the defective units.

So for a guided tour in classic Ben style click below. I made the pictures nice and big because I personally can’t stand it when I try to find out what something looks like inside only to find postage-stamp sized pics that were probably taken with a 1997 Mavica.

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Podcasts, Video Games

Lord of the Rings of Light

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Build me a console worthy of Redmond...

Since Microsoft has apparently decided to “Fix ALL the consoles!” it seemed like a good time to re-release the audio intro from episode 13 of our podcast. It’s a movie trailer parody called “Lord of the Rings of Light” where a group of heroes have to return a broken Xbox 360 “from whence it came”.

Remastered in high-quality MP3 format, enjoy and have a swell remainder of a holiday weekend! Lord of the Rings of Light.

Articles, Video Games

Now Playing – the Benheck.com Wiki

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“I finally really did it, didn’t I?” Realizing there “must be a better way” to help people find info I have slapped a Wiki onto the site. Specifically in a subdomain, wiki.benheck.com.

This is what it looks like, in real photorealism

 We just fired it up yesterday so I encourage anyone interested to “get in there” and start adding content. We’d like to focus on gaming, technology and how-to’s, including some classic Atari projects from this site and help and support for some newer ones, like the 360 and controller modding.

Video Games

Very well, I shall build one more Xbox 360 laptop

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Since about 50% of my email involves requests for an Xbox 360 laptop, and since I like money, I have decided to relent and cave into the enormous pressure to build one more. Sigh.

Mysterious white boxes invade middle America

Proposed specs:

  • Xbox 360 Elite based, 120 gig hard drive.
  • Built-in WiFi.
  • New design.
  • HDMI – DVI adapter to allow digital video on the LCD screen. Probably still a 17″ widescreen.
  • Some sort of different cooling system, a little more refined than last time.
  • Whatever color the buyer wants!
  • Delivery by end of summer / early fall.

Please visit this page for the terms of this one-time offer, thanks.

In other news, I’m still working on a new prototype for my 3rd revision of the single-handed controller.  Should be the best one yet!

Articles, Podcasts, Video Games

Appearance on Spike TV’s Game Head

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This Friday, June 15th I shall appear on the latest episode of Spike TV’s Game Head show. This was filmed last month right here in Verona, WI and the interview takes place in my amazing basement/workshop. Here’s a preview:

3D version coming soon
This is where the “magic” happens.

Should be more in-depth than the MTV Gametrailers segment. (You may even get to see footage of my not-terribly-clean living room, depending on how they edit it) We discuss some of the same things as the MTV spot, but here we also play the Xbox 360 Laptop 2 and talk briefly with Jason Jones about our podcast. Check www.spiketv.com for times and schedules, and we’ll see you on the ‘tube!

Video Games

The Audio FX Pro 5+1 Headset

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The “mystery product” is no longer one. With the help of eDimensional I have designed a custom USB gaming headset called the Audio FX Pro 5+1, as shown below.


Audio FX Pro 5+1 Headset

This is the first Benheck branded product, plus it has an exclusive design by yours truly. Tired of headsets that all look the same (gray body+gray trim+gray interior=blah) I went for a retro feel, like something from the 40’s. These are really nice headsets, with full sized earcups that fit over your ears, not pressing against them. This is very comfortable, and also blocks external noises (ie, someone telling you to take out the trash). The Audio FX Pro 5+1 should start arrives in stores in early July. For a more information and a photo of the box, read on!

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