HP Introduces Two New Digital Entertainment Centers, Boosts Support for Custom Integrators
HP today launched two new digital entertainment centers that
combine the best of PC and advanced audio/visual technologies to offer
consumers a superb home entertainment experience.
In addition, the company introduced a dedicated call center
and training program to help custom installers integrate HP’s full range of
digital entertainment offerings into home management solutions.
Showcased at the Custom Electronics Design and Installation
Association (CEDIA) tradeshow, the new HP Digital Entertainment Centers (DEC) –
the HP z565 and HP z560 – can be used as high-definition digital video
recorders, allowing users to pause, rewind and record favorite shows.(1) The
DEC’s progressive scan DVD player creates an immersive home theater experience,
and users can easily manage their music collections and create slideshows of
their digital photos via a 9-in-1-card reader.
HP’s new DECs include features, such as HDMI connectivity,
fixed-line audio out and streamlined software build, that help custom
integrators provide digital entertainment and digital automation solutions to a
variety of residential developments.
The DECs also come with a large hard disk capacity, storing
up to 800 gigabytes(2) of recorded TV, movies, photos and more. In addition to
using dual-core(3) Intel® processors and being Intel Viiv™ compliant, they are
designed with the power and features needed to upgrade and run Microsoft
Windows® Vista™ Premium.
To further aid custom integrators, the new DECs will be
Life|ware Ready™, the first such hardware to be given this status by
Exceptional Innovation. Life|ware is a simple to use but sophisticated software
program that gives users one-touch control of their homes’ entertainment,
audio, climate, lighting and security systems.
“CEDIA dealers have told us that they want products and
solutions that help them grow their businesses,” said Jan-Luc Blakborn,
director, Digital Entertainment – North America, HP. “Industry-standard
solutions such as the new HP Digital Entertainment Centers with Life|ware use
the Media Center operating system to scale up or down for installations from
the modestly priced to the very high-end.”
HP chosen as preferred vendor by custom integrators
South Florida-based integrator, Criteria Inc., has
standardized on the HP DEC to use in both single-family and multi-dwelling
applications.
“HP offers our clients a wide array of entertainment
solutions with the Media
Center operating system
used as the hub of digital content,” said Dave Tovissi, president, Criteria.
“We have been introducing many of our preferred developers to an HP solution
for building maintenance and virtual concierge solutions. Developers are
looking at technology to give them a competitive edge in the luxury high-rise
condominium market. HP offers both technology and an open architecture that
gives these developers a lot for their money.”
The Momentum Group, a technology integration firm
specializing in custom residential and multi-dwelling units, also has selected
HP as its preferred technology supplier for an 800-unit,
five-star development in Miami.
HP will supply HD TVs, printers and Media Center-based PCs and DECs.
“This project represents the future of home technology and
how it will be integrated into everyday lifestyles,” said Daniel Kippycash,
president and chief executive officer, The Momentum Group. “Residents of this
project are very excited when they learn that HP products are being featured
because of its reputation for innovation and quality.”
Custom integrator support initiative
To meet the needs of custom integrators, HP has launched a
dedicated call center that assists them with the installation of HP digital
entertainment products, including HP DECs, MediaSmart TVs and standard LCDs and
plasmas. In addition to in-depth training on these products, the support agents
are trained on Life|ware software.
The specialist support agents can be reached on +1 877 309
9212 from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific time, Monday through Saturday. The support
center will work with dealers and installers to ensure easy access to
high-quality technical support and in-depth product information.
HP also is conducting a series of online and open house
training events on Media
Center and HP DECs. The
training is being run through local Digital Delivery Group members, a national
consortium of regional value-added consumer electronics specialty distributors.
The training is designed to help custom integrators understand how HP DECs
complement and consolidate entertainment throughout the home. Further
information on upcoming courses is available at www.digitaldeliverygroup.com.
About HP
HP is a technology solutions provider to consumers,
businesses and institutions globally. The company’s offerings span IT
infrastructure, global services, business and home computing, and imaging and
printing. For the four fiscal quarters ended July 31, 2006, HP revenue totaled
$90.0 billion. More information about HP (NYSE, Nasdaq: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com.
