Hewlett-Packard has no plans to abandon its push into home entertainment, CEO Carly Fiornia will be saying in a keynote address to CES tomorrow. In the past year, HP has followed through with its plans to introduce a number of consumer electronic devices, although analysts question just how successful the initiative has been. HP remains undeterred, planning even more ambitious projects involving both PC and non-PC based hubs. (Photo Copyright SYS-CON Media)

Hewlett-Packard and companies like Intel and Microsoft have put their weight behind entertainment systems that meld PCs with media devices such as TVs and cable. Other companies, like AMD, believe consumers do not want their media experience tied to PCs, a view shared by some leading analysts.

HP will try to straddle both of these options. HP is developing a nonPC hub for the living room. The new platform will use a Linux OS, to make the system as easy to use as possible, and to keep familiar PC technology at arms length.

"There is another set of consumers who are coming from the perspective of home electronics," said HP's Bob Engel, director of product marketing for consumer digital entertainment. "They don't place a high value on surfing the Web."

On this front, HP plans to offer a media hub that does not use a cable box. HP has also designed an electronic programming guide that lets consumers find and record content. A music database service will give consumers access to song titles, CD artwork, and other artist information.

Shifting gears, HP will appeal to PC enthusiasts with additions to its Digital Entertainment Center, with integrated e-mail, Internet access, and digital entertainment. Technology like high-definition television will be supported, and a brand-new technology known as "wobulation."

Developed with Texas Instruments, it will offer double the resolution currently available with flat-panel, and high-definition TVs. "Wobulation" combines Texas Instrument's Digital Light Processing technology, allowing for a digital image to be projected at twice its resolution without changing the light modulator or increasing pixels, all along maintaining a crisp image. The result is better resolution at a more affordable price. 

Analysts have viewed HP's past efforts to enter the consumer entertainment arena as falling short of expectations. Trying to further expand its original business plan may dilute HP's designs even more.

HP disagrees with these views. Shane Robison, executive vice president and CTO at HP, said the company is very pleased with what it has done. "We have been very happy with what's been going on in our media products and our mobility products," he said.

HP CEO, Carly Fiornia, will discuss in her keynote address details surrounding the company's latest efforts. She is scheduled to deliver this address Friday at the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas.

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