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Wednesday, Oct 29, 2008 9:45am

Xbox 360 update to add HD N...

Microsoft's New Xbox Experience will come with the surprise addition of HD video streaming over Netflix, an early Engadget hands-on shows. While every Netflix-capable device to date has been limited to standard-definition versions of videos, including Blu-ray players from LG Samsung, the Xbox 360 after its November 19th upgrade will get about 300 titles in HD that include both movies and TV shows.

Both regular and HD content will require an Xbox Live Gold membership on top of a Netflix subscription that qualifies for the rental service's Watch Instantly feature, which includes all but the most basic plans. Watching the services themselves is free.

The effort further sets up Netflix and the Xbox 360 as joint rivals to both the PlayStation 3's own video store as well as the Apple TV, which along with the VUDU Box has been one of the few networked media hub to offer paid, on-demand HD viewing. Neither of these two, however, have offered an unlimited streaming service.