Microsoft's next-generation operating system, Longhorn, will be compatible with high-definition DVD, the company's Japanese unit said Monday. The show of support from Microsoft is considered a boost for the next-generation, blue-laser DVD technology, which is promoted by Japanese conglomerates NEC and Toshiba.

An executive at Microsoft's Japanese unit said at a briefing on high-definition DVD technology that the company has not yet decided whether Longhorn, the next version of Windows, will support the rival Blu-ray technology from a consortium that includes Sony and Philips Electronics.

But another Microsoft official on Monday made clear Longhorn may well work smoothly with Blu-ray. "It�s important to keep in mind that we�re still evaluating the final feature set of the forthcoming operating system, and nothing is set in stone at this point," Jonathan Usher, director of the Windows Digital Media Division, said in a statement. "Microsoft remains neutral with respect to the technology we plan to support for high definition DVD playback in future versions of Windows and we remain committed to discussions under way with other groups like Blu-ray."