A type of high visible-light active titanium oxinitride (TiO2_xNx) powder was prepared by a simple process: the calcination of the hydrated titanium dioxide at the atmosphere of ammonia-argon using a tubular electric furnace at high temperatures. The hydrated titanium dioxide was synthesized as the precursor of TiO2_xNx using titanic acid as raw material, which came from sulfate technique of producing titanium white. The effects of temperature and reaction time on the nitrogen content, grain size and crystal structure were studied. The visible-light activity and photocatalysis capability of the powder were also investigated.