HP Drives Digital Entertainment Industry with Connected PCs, TVs and Services

Fueling the emerging connected entertainment industry, HP today introduced a broad lineup of products, services and relationships that make it easier than ever for consumers to adopt a high-definition, digital lifestyle.

Unveiled at the opening of CES 2008, the world's largest annual tradeshow for consumer technology, the new lineup includes dazzling entertainment PCs, an expanded portfolio of HP MediaSmart connected entertainment products, digital content services such as Upline, which allows people to store and share digital content over any Internet connection, and a range of partners involved in the creation and distribution of digital content.

"HP has made a focused effort around breakthrough solutions in digital entertainment, high-tech design and home computing technologies - and it has made us the world's leading consumer technology company," said Todd Bradley, executive vice president, Personal Systems Group, HP. "We're continuing that momentum today with an expanded portfolio of stylish, easy-to-use digital technologies that will help to make the hi-def lifestyle a reality for more people every day."

Stylish, easy-to-use products

One of the standout products in HP's updated portfolio of consumer PCs is the HP Pavilion tx2000 Series Entertainment Notebook PC.

The tx2000 offers an unmatched touch and pen experience with a new, resistive touch-screen technology and built-in digitizer that recognizes the rechargeable pen as it nears the screen and disables the touch feature to ensure easy transition between touch and handwriting.

Featuring a sleek, high-gloss "Echo" Imprint finish, this elegantly designed convertible notebook also comes with HP QuickPlay software, which provides access to a variety of entertainment options at the touch of a button. Using the HP Webcam, integrated microphone and instant messaging solution of their choice, people can engage in live video chat with friends and family across the world.(1) The new HP Pavilion tx2000 is available today starting at an estimated U.S. street price of $1,299.(2)

An impressive combination of size, performance and value, the HP Pavilion Slimline s3300 offers a dual-format Blu-ray and HD-DVD player,(3) plus a TV tuner(4) and NVIDIA GeForce 8500 card with HDMI port. The setup equips families and students with the functionality of a conventional tower PC in a desktop that's one-third the size - and it lists under $1,000.(2)

Buoyed by its tremendous success in PCs in 2007, HP is now making every TV it sells a connected HP MediaSmart TV, which feature advanced technology to allow consumers to stream movies,(5) music and photos from any networked PC in the home to a high-definition(6) LCD TV. In addition, with the new HP MediaSmart Receiver, the company is extending the same networking capability to any of the hundreds of thousands of HDTVs already in consumers' homes.

The HP MediaSmart Receiver features a piano-black finish as well as HP's exclusive "Zen" Imprint pattern and ambient blue lighting, making it a stylish addition to any room in the home. The receiver enables seamless aggregation of digital content from multiple PCs around the home so users can access and enjoy their favorite photos, music and movies on any HDTV.

The latest HP MediaSmart LCD HDTVs now feature Media Center Extender technology, new panels for dynamic blacks and enhanced image quality, and aesthetic updates such as a streamlined industrial design and a back-lighted remote control for an enhanced entertainment experience that allows people to enjoy all their digital content on a stunning HDTV.

HP also is making a variety of enhancements to its MediaSmart Server, including the addition of integrated server-side anti-virus software from McAfee(7) for added security as well as remote access and the availability of Photo Webshare and iTunes on the HP Media Vault for more robust and secure experiences.

New digital content services

HP makes online trip planning and sharing a snap with the new HP iPAQ Navigate website - www.ipaq.com/navigate. The site helps customers research points of interest and create tailored travel plans that then can be printed for easy reference or loaded onto the new HP iPAQ 300 Series Travel Companion for dynamic trip management.

The site allows users to share their travel plans with family, friends and colleagues online. Travelers also can edit itineraries directly on their device and instantly share new updates when logging back online or even add notes about their travels into their trip plan so others can use the information to create and customize their own trips.(8,9)

Expected to be available in March, the new HP Upline online service at www.upline.com allows customers to readily access, share, manipulate and store digital content over any Internet connection.(1) Friends and family near and far can access shared digital files in just a few simple steps.

The new service is a result of HP's recent acquisition of Opelin, a small, privately held San Jose, Calif., company that provides secure, scalable online services including storage, backup and data migration. The new online service complements HP's existing hardware storage offerings by providing consumers and SMB customers the security of knowing their digital world is protected in a secure, offsite location in case their local PC gets lost, damaged or destroyed.

More information on HP's new CES product and services lineup is available in an online press kit at www.hp.com/go/CES2008.

New relationships drive innovation in design and marketing

HP also is for the first time displaying its new Artist Edition notebook at CES. Available later this spring, the limited-edition Artist Edition HP Pavilion notebook features the "Asian Odyssey" personal design of 20-year-old Joao Oliveira of Porto, Portugal, the winner of the "Take Action. Make Art." global notebook-design competition.

Also on display are the "extreme makeover" notebooks created as part of the HP and PC Magazine "The Computerlicious Design Experience." These one-of-a-kind, fully functional works of art designed by rap superstar Nelly's Apple Bottoms clothing line, handbag designer Rebecca Minkoff and renowned street muralist James de la Vega, among others, will be auctioned off on eBay to benefit tech non-profit the National Cristina Foundation.

During CES, the notebooks will be on display in HP's booth and at PC Magazine's 25th anniversary celebration at Tabú. View all the designs online and find out more about the charity auction at www.pcmag.com/computerlicious.

About HP

HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers - from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world's largest IT companies, with revenue totaling $104.3 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended Oct. 31, 2007. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com


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(2) Estimated U.S. street price; actual prices may vary.

(3) As HD DVD and Blu-ray are new formats containing a new technologies, certain disc, digital connection, compatibility and/or performance issues may arise, and do not constitute defects in the product. Flawless playback on all systems is not guaranteed. In order for some HD-DVD and Blu-ray titles to play, they may require a DVI or HDMI digital connection and your display may require HDCP support. Some HD DVD and Blu-ray advanced features may not be supported.

(4) Availability of signals limited by the strength and accessibility of the originating TV signal, location and other factors. Performance issues may arise, and do not constitute defects in the product.

(5) DVD movies cannot be streamed.

(6) High definition (HD) source content varies and will depend on source input, signal, aspect ratio and other factors. HD content may require separately purchased service contract or other fees. HD content may not be available in your service area, check with service provider.

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(8) GPS Navigation software is included in select countries. Purchase of additional maps and/or software may be required to enable some features or allow navigation in certain areas. Map coverage may vary and is not guaranteed.

(9) Bluetooth™-enabled devices, separately purchased equipment and a service contract with a wireless airtime provider may be required for applicable wireless communication. Wireless Internet use requires a separately purchased service contract. Check with service provider for availability and coverage.

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