Microsoft will launch an HD-DVD drive add-on for its Xbox 360 console in November, a company executive said Wednesday. Xbox 360 HD DVD Drive The drive will be available in Japan on Nov. 22 and will cost 19,800 yen (US$168), Takashi Sensui, general manager of the Xbox division of Microsoft’s Japanese subsidiary, said at a Tokyo news conference. The drive will allow Xbox 360 owners to watch HD-DVD video content on a suitable television. The system will allow viewing at up to 1080p (1080 lines and progressive scanning), which is the highest of several picture levels judged to be high-definition. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe The drive is due on sale in other markets, but Microsoft did not announce pricing or availability. Xbox 360 HD DVD[2] HD DVD is one of two formats competing to become the de facto replacement for today’s DVD standard. The format is backed by Toshiba and a number of other companies including Microsoft and Intel. Its rival, Blu-ray Disc, is backed by Sony, Matsushita Electric Industrial (Panasonic) and a number of other big-name electronics companies, and a drive for the system will be built into the PlayStation 3.-Martyn Williams, IDG News Service (Tokyo Bureau) Related Links: Toshiba to Launch New HD-DVD Players in U.S. 75 Blu-ray Titles to Hit Japan Before Holidays Microsoft to Launch Cheaper Xbox 360 in Japan Report: DVD Format Wars to End in Draw Tokyo Game Show to Showcase 573 Games Nintendo Wii Available in U.S. on Nov. 19 for $250This article is posted on our Microsoft Informer page. For more news on the Redmond, Wash.-based powerhouse, keep checking in.Check out our CIO News Alerts and Tech Informer pages for more updated news coverage. Related content feature Mastercard preps for the post-quantum cybersecurity threat A cryptographically relevant quantum computer will put everyday online transactions at risk. Mastercard is preparing for such an eventuality — today. By Poornima Apte Sep 22, 2023 6 mins CIO 100 CIO 100 CIO 100 feature 9 famous analytics and AI disasters Insights from data and machine learning algorithms can be invaluable, but mistakes can cost you reputation, revenue, or even lives. These high-profile analytics and AI blunders illustrate what can go wrong. By Thor Olavsrud Sep 22, 2023 13 mins Technology Industry Generative AI Machine Learning feature Top 15 data management platforms available today Data management platforms (DMPs) help organizations collect and manage data from a wide array of sources — and are becoming increasingly important for customer-centric sales and marketing campaigns. By Peter Wayner Sep 22, 2023 10 mins Marketing Software Data Management opinion Four questions for a casino InfoSec director By Beth Kormanik Sep 21, 2023 3 mins Media and Entertainment Industry Events Security Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe