Jump Into The Next Generation Of DVD

UK, 1st December, 2006 - Microsoft's greatly anticipated Xbox 360 HD DVD Player is now in stores. The exciting new add-on offers great value for customers, retailing at £129.99 (estimated retail price). Plus, for a limited time the HD DVD Player will come packaged with the Universal Pictures blockbuster film Peter Jackson's "King Kong" on HD DVD and the Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote. Users can just add an Xbox 360 HD DVD Player to their Xbox 360 console to create the ultimate home-theatre experience.

"The Xbox 360 HD DVD Player is the best high-definition movie experience and value on the market," said said Richard Teversham, EMEA Director of Marketing and Platform, Xbox. "The reviews, the word of mouth and the consumer response have all been crystal clear - HD DVD is the format of choice. We're not forcing movie technology on game players but are instead letting them choose how to personalise their experiences. If they want HD DVD, there's no better value out there."

The Xbox 360 HD DVD Player offers up to six times higher resolution than DVD, and following the Autumn 2006 console update, all Xbox 360 consoles have the ability to output native resolution 1080p games and movies. Users can enjoy blockbuster HD DVD releases, with tons of great titles available by the holidays from major movie studios including HBO, Paramount Pictures, StudioCanal, Universal Studios, New Line Entertainment and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

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About Xbox and Xbox 360

Microsoft revolutionized the gaming industry with the November 2001 launch of Xbox ( http://www.xbox.com), its first-generation video game and entertainment system, now sold in 26 countries. Microsoft introduced its next-generation system, Xbox 360, in the 2005 holiday season in Europe, Japan and North America, and launched the system in Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan in 2006. Xbox 360 ( http://www.xbox.com/xbox360) is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox Live online gaming service, and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around gamers.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

For more information (press only), please contact:

Marie-Claire Suter

UK PR Manager - Xbox & Games For Windows

Tel: +44 (0) 118 909 4599

Email: i-maries@microsoft.com