The new Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft will support Dolby Digital surround sound for both games and movies.

This next-generation game console includes both interactive Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound for game play, as well as Dolby Digital decoding for video playback.

For game play, the Xbox 360 features interactive Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, allowing next-generation games on this platform to deliver a realistic sound field that places gamers in the middle of the action. Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound gives gamers a competitive advantage by allowing them to hear enemies that may not be visible on the screen.

Microsoft also included Dolby Digital decoding in the Xbox 360 for video playback, including playback of DVD movies. Dolby Digital decoding allows this platform to play the DVD movies available today with Dolby Digital soundtracks.

Game publishers are rallying behind Dolby Digital, releasing new titles that support the technology. These publishers include: 2K Games (NBA 2K6), Activision (Call of Duty(R) 2, Tony Hawk's American Wasteland), Electronic Arts (Need for Speed Most Wanted) and Microsoft (Perfect Dark Zero, Project Gotham Racing 3).

For users without a digital connection, Xbox 360 supports Dolby Pro Logic II encoding, allowing gamers to experience five-channel surround sound from a stereo analog connection.