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Microsoft to demonstrate Xbox with HD DVD drive

Greg Sandoval Former Staff writer
Greg Sandoval covers media and digital entertainment for CNET News. Based in New York, Sandoval is a former reporter for The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times. E-mail Greg, or follow him on Twitter at @sandoCNET.
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Greg Sandoval

Microsoft is scheduled to demonstrate the first Xbox 360 featuring an HD DVD drive on Monday afternoon at the DVD Forum in Los Angeles, according to event organizers.

HD DVD is the next generation of DVD, and Microsoft is among those supporting the technology in its struggle against the rival Blu-ray format. Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates said in January that Microsoft would roll out an HD DVD-equipped Xbox before the end of the year.

The Xbox 360 debuting Monday is expected to include an external HD DVD drive. Microsoft has covered its bases and said that a Blu-ray drive could be added should consumers favor that format.

Sony, one of the main backers of Blu-ray, has said that its PlayStation 3, due for release in November, will have the Blu-ray drive built in.