I'm headed down to L.A. today for the E3 video-game convention, where Microsoft will be pulling out all the stops for the unveiling of its new Project Natal control system for the Xbox 360. The L.A. Times has a behind-the-scenes look at the special Cirque Du Soleil performance that the company will use to unveil Natal tonight.

Yes, after trying its hand at austerity for a couple years, E3 is back in full force, for better or worse.

As is the custom, there are plenty of rumors leading up to the big media events to be held by Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony and the big video-game publishing houses and developers over the next few days. The most interesting speculation leading up to Microsoft's official E3 briefing on Monday is that the company will be releasing a new "slim" version of the Xbox 360, perhaps bundled with a Natal controller.

Other than that, the big questions about Natal are price, games and final name. Microsoft hasn't said how much the system will cost, and that will be key to how it's received. As we discussed toward the end of our podcast yesterday, the success or failure of the system will depend largely on what game developers can do with it. For that reason, I'll be doing my best to experience the initial Natal games at the show, and I'm planning to post my impressions and thoughts as I'm able.

Microsoft has also made it clear that "Natal" isn't the final name for the product, so E3 should also be revealing along those lines. I searched the U.S. trademark filings just now but wasn't able to find any clues.

As far as Microsoft's actual E3 media briefing on Monday morning, the big speculation is that the company has worked out a deal to offer Hulu via the Xbox Live online service, supplementing Netflix and other video services on the console.

Microsoft will be streaming its E3 events via this page. The Cirque du Soleil event will also appear on MTV and related channels later in the week. Nintendo's E3 briefing, on Tuesday morning, will be available for live streaming here. GameSpot is among those promising live coverage of Sony's briefing, scheduled for later on Tuesday.