>> GaryOPA mailed in to let us know Microsoft has finally started using the new BenQ VAD6038 drive for the Xmas'06 production run (MFR date November 06 and up) to replace the Toshiba-Samsung and Hitachi-LG drives Microsoft dropped. Of course they didn't change all production lines to this new drive at the same time ... but starting November 2006 (Xbox360 MFR date) it's possible you'll get this new drive.
According to XBOXIZGOOD, who already got an Xbox360 with this new drive, the BenQ VAD6038 runs super-quiet compared to the TS and HLG drives and even loads stuff a bit faster and smoother.
The new drive is based on Philips design (remember the Philips VAD6037 drive was already found before in some Xbox360 dev kits (no AES key), never in retail 360s though).
It was already announced for a while the retail Xbox360 would soon get a new 'BenQ-LiteOn-Philips' drive (these 3 companies merged their ODD business).
Cilix posted some pictures on our forums of this new drive he found in his November-13-2006 retail Xbox360:
Of course right now there is no modified firmware yet for this drive yet. Drive hardware has to be analyzed and firmware dumped first before work on a modified FW can start.
According to GaryOPA prototypes of this drive in March 2006 were based on the BenQ 1650V PC drive and you could use MTKFLASH to dump the firmware. If you have one of these final (November 2006+) BenQ VAD6038 drives and can help them get this drive or dump the firmware: let 'em know. There's also a XBH thread (serious/hacking posts ONLY - thx) about the new drive.
