At the start of the mod I was all particular to make sure everything fit perfect that my adapter plate that goes between the laser assembly and the changer arm was tidy and in general to do a mod that I could be proud of but as time went on I realized this model was not “the one” so toward the end I busted out the tin snips, hot glue and got er done.  So forgive the hodge podge of open cases masking tape and components laying about.  In the next rendition we will have a clean and tidy mod, just not quite yet.

I usually publish how to do it articles but in this case I really don’t suggest doing it yourself on the model of changer I used as my proof of concept.  While it is possible to mod the CDP-CX225, the disc change mechanism is constructed mainly of steel, it really doesn’t lend itself well to the adjustments necessary to make everything fit. I had to do some significant alterations to the laser tray (the steel part that holds the laser pickup, spinner motor, rails etc )   To get it to fit we had to trim a little over a 1/4 inch of steel off the bottom and back of the laser tray.  This undoubtedly weakens the tray and could have allowed the rails to become out of alignment.  In the next revision of this mod I will be using a CDP-CX355 (Currently available at Best Buy and other retailers for $200)  The benefit will be that the laser tray does not need to be modified “as much”  the reality is there is no way to do this without modifying the laser tray but less is better.  I needed to do some extensive trimming of the laser mechanism of the 360 drive, and had to order an extended cable to connect the laser to the drive controller circuit board and used stacks of washers to get the right spacing.  Also think of all the new features we miss out on by not getting the newer version, dual jog dials, PC keyboard title entry, even blue LED's!

We get, a single place to put all your games and movies and easy to use remote.  With the menu system of the Sony we are able to create disc groups and organize our games and movies so we can find any of them quickly and view the title while sitting comfortably on the couch!  I don’t know about you but I have a pretty good movie collection I almost never use.  I have even watched movies I own from regular commercial broadcast rather than digging out the DVD and putting it in the player…  lazy I know.   But this solves all that.  Using the disc groups I can setup favorite game genres and movies genres into 8 different groups.  The LCD display is easy to read from across the room. 

 Sounds great but is there a downside?  Can I accidently change a game mid stream? 

Well yes, it is a "mod" but there are a few more polishing steps we can do to reduce the risk of grabbing a game spinning at full speed from the drive.  I've been using this test bed for over a week with flawless performance by following these steps to change a game.  From the 360 dashboard select the “My Xbox” menu and hit X to eject disc, when the disc is “ejected” the drive stops spinning the disc and we then grab the Sony changer remote and select whatever game or movie we want to load, the disc is loaded and we then press A on the 360 to “close the tray” this starts the disc spinning and that’s it!  Repeat as necessary.  I have also done a couple tests, if you yank the disc out while it is spinning, surprisingly it handles it really well, the disc mover arm tries to grab the spinning disc and it shoots across into the carrousel, no cracks no scratches(yet).

This isn't a new idea, even back in the Xbox 1 days we talked about a game changer.  We knew it was possible and we also knew it would be a pain.  (correct on both counts)  I should also mention we were not the first to do this mod I had already started the process when I found that Ben Heck had done one.  It's worth watching the first part of his show to see some details of how he went about it but at some point he diverges from using the Sony menu which is the gem of the whole thing!  His method use some sort of custom made controller to select discs.  I'm not sure why he went that route.  Perhaps his main interest was to see that it is impossible to yank a disc from the reader at a bad time.   The features we are most interested in is the menu system, LCD display, disc groups and being able to use the stock IR remote (or universal remote) to control it.

Anyway I think this thing is pretty cool and just wanted to get some words out here about it to see if anyone else agrees.  I want to make a kit that makes the process easy for the Do It Yourselfers out there.  Its looking like it will be a really simple process to install.  We will be doing the difficult part, trimming the steel of laser tray, drilling precise mounting holes, creating a new laser tray holding arm to replace the stock one as well as producing a new “spinner magnet” piece.  With these two pieces we will get perfect alignment that is necessary to provide years of reliable operation.  You’ll also get all the necessary wiring, tools and hardware to complete the mod.  Your task will be to open your console, disassemble the DVD drive to retrieve the circuit board, install the circuit board on the custom laser arm connect the cables and we are ready to install it in the changer.  Opening the changer will require removing 8 screws to take off the lid.  Once the lid is removed 6 more screws to remove the steel alignment bracket, disconnect the laser head and remove it, remove the stock magnet, snap in the new one then drop in the pre assembled laser tray run the wires to the 360, close up the cases and your done.  After writing down those steps it may sound more complex than it is I suspect the whole mod can be completed in less than 45 minutes by most inexperienced modders. 

I am loosing motivation and need a bit of encouragement.  I used the better part of a week modding the first one and it's looking like I will spend at least as much time working on the new model of changer.  And hey I already have one in my gaming center so I could just say screw it, you guys are on your own!  (don't worry that’s not the way we roll) 

So if you like it please motivate me to keep going! like us on facebook, subscribe to our videos on youtube or discuss in our forums.

If you have fat cash and want one now,  I'll do one with custom paint, CNC carved windows, lights and the full on Llamma treatment.  Just buy 5000 of this item and you will have my full attention and delivery in 30 days.  http://secure.llamma.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/36/products_id/139
No emails please, I'll contact you after I see your order.  You will get a custom just the way you want it or money your money returned if we cannot accommodate. 

- Llamma