Microsoft Corp. has quietly started to sell “premium” versions of its Xbox 360 game console with High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connector. The new flavour allows to connect high-definition TVs using a modern connector and also ensure somewhat higher image quality.

“Yes, we are offering an HDMI port for Xbox 360 simply as another choice in Xbox 360 owners’ games and entertainment experience. Retailers are gradually introducing HDMI-enabled Xbox 360s into the channel to meet demand,” a claim by Microsoft is cited by Shacknews web-site.

Microsoft did not enable its Xbox 360 game console with HDMI earlier, but it introduced the “elite” version of the product with HDMI port earlier this year to allow “not in the budget” customers to enjoy digital connection of their HDTVs. Nevertheless, the company also decided to equip a more affordable, $349, game console with HDMI as well, which not only emphasizes the growing popularity of HDMI, but will also allow customers to watch movies in high-definition formats without issues going forward.

Microsoft Xbox 360 console is based around microprocessor developed by IBM, high-definition visual processing unit designed by ATI Technologies, I/O controller engineered by SiS and some other key components. The gaming machine provides a broad set of multimedia capabilities in addition to games. Depending on the bundle, Microsoft Xbox 360 currently costs from $279 to $449 in the U.S. Microsoft also offers an HD DVD add-on player for its Xbox 360 for $179.