video game network

Microsoft is breathing new life into its Xbox Live online video game network.

When the network's 14 million members log in on Nov. 19, they'll automatically get a new, more user-friendly, 3-D version of the Xbox Live software.

They'll find customizable animated avatars, similar to the Mii characters on the Nintendo Wii; an iPod-type display style that lets you flip through pages of content as you would sort through album covers; and instant viewing of movie rental downloads from Netflix.