HP Launches the HP DreamScreen Infotainment Display

By Alexander Grundner | September 16th, 2009

HP has just launched a new category of device that’s not really a digital photo frame per se, but more a multimedia, network connected infotainment device designed to be accessed from any table-top. Dubbed the HP DreamScreen, the new device comes in 10.2 and 13.3-inch widescreen (15:9 ratio) versions, includes Ethernet and 802.11g Wi-Fi connectivity, 2GB of internal memory, multi-card reader, USB, micro USB, built-in speakers, headphone jack, remote control, and touch-enabled controls located on the bezel.

As you can imagine with its network connectivity, the HP DreamScreen can access media content on network connected home PCs and even stream media and data content from sources like HP SmartRadio, Pandora, Facebook, Snapfish, and others.

The HP DreamScreen is available today for $249 (10.2-inch) and $299 (13.3-inch) from BestBuy.com, Amazon.com [DIRECT], HPDirect.com — nationwide at major retailer starting October 11, 2009.

Media Files Supported
Video File Formats: MPEG-1/2/4, AVI, M-JPEG, H.264
Photo File Formats: JPEG, PNG, BMP, TIFF
Audio File Formats: MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV

HP Announces New Line of Wireless Connected Screens with HP DreamScreen

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 17, 2009 – People now can stay current with Facebook friends and photos, listen to Pandora Internet Radio, share Snapfish personal photos and enjoy their music and pictures from home networked PCs(1) with a new category of connected screens from HP.

The HP DreamScreen, a companion to the PC, connects easily to a wireless or wired network to bring photos, music and video into any area of the home. The screen also transforms social media and web information into consumable, bite-sized pieces.

The HP DreamScreen features a piano-black design with a vibrant, flush glass widescreen display.

Enjoying digital entertainment

The HP DreamScreen comes with 2 gigabytes of built-in memory for storing photos, music and home movies directly on the device. Digital content can be loaded and played using a USB drive or most types of flash memory cards. Photos and music can be streamed wirelessly or moved to the HP DreamScreen by a simple “drag and drop” motion from a networked PC with included software.

Finding and playing songs is easy – searchable by artist, album or genre – and is enhanced with album cover art.

For music enthusiasts, the HP DreamScreen allows users to stream music directly from the Internet using Pandora. The custom-designed experience makes accessing Pandora accounts easy. Album cover art is displayed and users can personalize their stations by thumbing-up favorite songs or artists to refine their stations.

In addition, the HP DreamScreen gives users access to HP SmartRadio, a new service that aggregates streams of live Internet broadcasts from more than 10,000 radio stations around the world.

Staying connected

By selecting the Facebook icon, users can stay up to date with their social networks while away from their computers. Friends’ status updates, photos and upcoming events can all be viewed in real time.

Customers also can access their own or their friends’ Snapfish photos and albums. Photos from any of these locations can be enjoyed in slideshow mode simultaneously with music stored on the device or streamed from the user’s PC in the background.

Setting up is easy

The HP DreamScreen was designed to be fun, simple and intuitive. A remote control that nests almost invisibly on the top of the product is easy to use, and touch controls that are visible only when the border of the screen is touched provide another way to select activities or preferences.

Pricing and availability: Perfect for holiday gift-giving

The HP DreamScreen 100 is available today in the United States for $249(2) from online distributors including BestBuy.com, Amazon.com and HPDirect.com. U.S. channel partners include the full range of more than 900 Best Buy retail outlets, which will sell the HP DreamScreen 100 starting Oct. 11.

The HP DreamScreen 130 is expected to be broadly available this fall in the United States for $299.(2)

(1) Internet access is required. Wireless 802.11 b/g compatible. Must be within wireless range. Wireless access point and Internet service sold separately.

(2) Estimated U.S. list price. Actual price may vary.