HP Unveils HDTV-Based Media Center

[Gregg Lengling]

Hewlett-Packard Co. on Wednesday unveiled a new high-definition television media center that allows consumers to access and manage digital photos, music, television programs and video through a single platform right in their living rooms.

The new media center has the capabilities of HDTV and a digital cable set-top box and includes a dual-tuner digital video recorder that allows users to pause and record live programs, is expected to launch in fall of this year and features an electronic programming guide, a music information service and automatic upgrades of new services.

The company also announced an upgrade to its current PC-based entertainment center that will allow users to show and record programs in high-definition.

Hewlett-Packard also plans to introduce this year a full line of 17 new HDTVs and home theater projectors which HP says will have better resolution of digital projection displays without increasing the cost.