HP CD-Writer Music Lets Users Copy CDs, Create Greatest-hits CDs and Download MP3 Files to Create Individualized Music CDs

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 23, 1999-- Hewlett-Packard Company, the worldwide market leader in CD-RW drives, today announced the HP CD-Writer Music, the first CD-ReWritable drive designed specifically for creating music CDs.

The HP CD-Writer Music lets users create customized CDs from digital music files downloaded from the Internet. It also allows users to duplicate selected tracks or the entire contents of existing CDs.

The HP CD-Writer Music is a complete hardware/software solution for making music CDs of up to 74 minutes in length. Unlike systems that connect to stereo components, the HP CD-Writer Music connects to any standard PC, allowing users to download music in MP3, Microsoft® Windows® Media Audio (WMA) format and other digital audio formats directly from the Internet. Unlike portable Internet music devices, this device allows users to create CDs that can be read by virtually any standard audio CD player or CD-ROM drive.

"HP's CD-Writer Music is the easiest and least expensive way yet to use an ordinary PC to create studio-quality music CDs," said George Prokop, product manager for HP's Personal Storage Solutions Division. "It's the ideal solution for anyone who needs a versatile, affordable way to record music. Additionally, the CDs it creates can be played in any CD player, whether it's a car or home stereo system or a computer."

HP CD-Writer Music Advantages

	    --   A focused solution -- The HP CD-Writer Music includes Sonic
Foundry's Music Jukebox, powerful software designed
specifically for downloading, copying and managing music
files. Music Jukebox makes it easy to burn compilations
directly to the CD, taking full advantage of the superior
digital-audio-compression capabilities offered by Microsoft
WMA technology. NEATO CD Labeler and software lets users
create customized CD labels and jewel case covers. The
product also includes HP Music Digital Audio CD-R media for
unrestricted recording of music from CDs or the Internet;

	    --   Easy to use -- The HP CD-Writer Music allows for simple
drag-and-drop mouse commands to copy individual music
tracks;

	    --   Versatility and compatibility -- Users can download music
from a variety of sources and play the customized CDs on any
standard component or PC-based CD player;

	    --   Low cost -- At an estimated street price of under $300, the
HP CD-Writer Music is less than half the cost of many
component-based CD-duplication systems, many of which cannot
capture music files from the Internet;

	    --   Reliability -- The HP CD-Writer Music is backed by HP's
reputation for reliability, service and historic knowledge
of PCs and the Internet; and

	    --   Legal compliance -- The HP CD-Writer Music provides a secure
platform that allows listening to and recording of music
while protecting the copyrights of artists and labels.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

	    The HP CD-Writer Music is expected to be available on Sept. 1, at
an estimated street price of $299 at all Circuit City and Best Buy
stores in the United States.

About HP

	  Hewlett-Packard Company -- a leading global provider of computing
and imaging solutions and services for business and home -- is
          focused on capitalizing on the opportunities of the Internet and the
proliferation of electronic services.
	  HP plans to launch Agilent Technologies as an independent company
by mid-calendar 2000. Agilent consists of HP's test and measurement,
semiconductor products, chemical analysis and healthcare solutions
businesses, and has leading positions in multiple market segments.
	  HP has 123,500 employees worldwide and had total revenue of $47.1
billion in its 1998 fiscal year. Information about HP, its products
and the company's Year 2000 program can be found on the World Wide
Web at http://www.hp.com.

	    Microsoft is a U.S. registered trademark of Microsoft Corp.

	    Windows is U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

     HP
     Mary Hart, 970/635-6939
     [email protected]
       or
     Eastwick Communications for HP
     Alicia Swanson, 408/264-3690
     [email protected]