HP Brings New Set Of Gadgets For You

including a revamped MediaSmart Receiver, a slim PC, multimedia notebook, storage, and monitors.

MediaSmart Receiver x280N

Hewlett-Packard continues to emphasize both traditional PC technology along with newer, crossover consumer electronics--all of which center around the explosion of media in the home. The latest innovation: The $300 HP MediaSmart Receiver x280N, which streams music, photos, and video from one (or several) Windows systems to any HDTV, in HP's bid for a piece of the digital media adapter pie. This media streaming box works as a Windows Media Center Extender; it also has an HP Pocket Media Drive bay and two USB ports, so you can also store and access content without streaming from a PC. The unit connects via ethernet and 802.11 a/b/g/n; and has HDMI (up to 1080p), component video, and digital audio outputs.

MediaSmart TVs Get Smarter

HP may not be the first name you think of for TVs, but the company is the first with connected TVs. HP has refreshed its MediaSmart TVs: All models are now 1080p, connect via ethernet and 802.11 a/b/g/n, and have built-in extenders for Microsoft's Windows Media Center (you can access multiple online services via this connectivity, including downloading movies from CinemaNow). The included remote control can handle up to four entertainment devices; the TVs now have three HDMI ports. The 42-inch SL4282N will sell for $1900; and the 47-inch SL4782N will sell for $2400.

Data Saver: New MediaVault

The HP MediaVault line gets a much-needed boost with this user-expandable storage system. The mv2100 and mv5100 series are aimed at homes and small businesses, respectively (the former, a two-bay unit, tops out at 500GB; the latter--a multibay unit referred to as the Media Vault Pro--comes in 1TB and 1.5TB versions). The Linux-based network-attached storage devices pack a Marvell processor for improved performance, and both models borrow features from HP's MediaSmart server (such as securely sharing images via Photo WebShare and easily accessing music via iTunes server).

$1000 PC Packs Blu-ray, Too

Not so long ago, Blu-ray Disc playback was a premium feature on a PC. The HP Pavilion Slimline s3330f PC--the most interesting of HP's three PC announcements here at the Consumer Electronics Show-- comes in at under $1000, and delivers a dual-format Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD drive (which might be useful for those of you with HD DVDs lying around). The space-saving s3330f is notably slim--HP says it's a third of the size of an ordinary PC tower. Even so, this model still manages to squeeze in a Pocket Media Drive bay. The unit also comes with a digital TV tuner, plus an Nvidia GeForce 8500 card with HDMI out.

Amped-Up Mobile Graphics

The HP Pavilion HDX series notebook gains a major upgrade: The option of integrating 512 MB Nvidia GeForce 8800M GTS graphics. This top-of-the-line mobile chipset from Nvidia--announced in late November 2007--should provide significantly better frame rates for gameplay, to the point that previously unplayable games may now be enjoyed in a notebook PC (Alienware has already announced it will use this chipset in notebooks due out this quarter). Another first: The HDx now has a 20.1-inch WUXGA XHD Ultra Brightview display. Plus, this model also now supports both Blu-ray and HD DVD.

Monitors Add HDMI

HP's two new monitors, the 22-inch w2207h and the 24-inch w2408h continue the trend towards high-def by adding HDMI connections (in lieu of DVI; VGA remains). Pictured above, the 24-inch w2408h Vivid Color monitor should boast improved image performance over previous models, according to HP.

Lenovo Introduces 3000 Y410 Notebook in India

Lenovo has unveiled in India the new Lenovo 3000 Y410 notebook with a range of multimedia features and an AUDIO DJ capability that allows the user to play music while the notebook is turned off.

Lenovo said the notebook is ideal for consumers who look for the complete package, reliability and worry free computing combined with high performance and entertainment. The 14.1" widescreen notebook has the audio function panel encased in a stylish and unique design outside the top cover, while the slot-in optical disk drive is at the side panel.

With a host of multimedia capabilities, such as front facing Dolby Home Theater speakers, an integrated microphone for playing and recording audio, an integrated Webcam, an integrated DVD recordable drive and shuttle center along with the latest edition of AUDIO DJ, Lenovo said the 3000 Y410 is the ultimate entertainment notebook, well suited to consumers looking for a high-end life style entertainment PC.

The Y410 also incorporates a 5-in-1 multi-card reader for downloading digital pictures from multiple types of memory cards, three USB ports and an IEEE-1394 interface, which allow high speed communication between two devices, e.g. image transfer from a camera or camcorder to the notebook with no image degradation. In addition, it also has Easy Capture, a multimedia software application for easy photo editing.

The Lenovo 3000 Y410 has security features such as biometric face recognition technology that enhances data security and allows the notebooks to be used by multiple users seamlessly. One touch recovery allows the user to recover a PC to its last backed-up state with the press of a button. The notebook also offers a longer battery life of up to 4 hours.

"PCs today go far beyond being just a business tool. With the Lenovo 3000 Y500 series, we defined TV on the go. Now with the Lenovo 3000 Y410, we define music on the go, offering customers a truly high-end entertainment experience. With the AUDIO DJ feature, the user can choose to listen to music even while the laptop is turned off. The Lenovo 3000 Y410 promises high performance as well as high quality entertainment, all rolled into one sleek package. We are certain this product will provide the ultimate entertainment experience to our consumers," said Anil Philip, Executive Director, Transactional Business, Lenovo India.

Weighing 2.54 kg, Lenovo 3000 Y410 is powered by Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 Processor 1.8 GHz and comes with up to 2 GB RAM and 160 GB hard drive. The notebook also comes with discrete graphic Nvidia GeForce Go 8400M GS for true-to-life gaming experience in select models. Preloaded with Microsoft Vista Home Basic and the Premium edition, the Y410 also offers complete connectivity features such as integrated 802.11 a/b/g wireless LAN and 10/100 Ethernet and Blue tooth on all models.

The Lenovo 3000 Y410 notebook is available in all Lenovo authorized storefronts. Prices start at Rs. 50,000/-. With the launch of the Lenovo 3000 Y410, buyers of Lenovo 3000 select products will be assured of gifts such as Philips VoIP earphones, or Philips wireless headphones and the jackpot gift of 20 Philips home theaters, till offers last.

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