Palo Alto, Calif & Redmond, Wash: HP (NYSE:HPQ) and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT) today announced the HP Media Center PC with Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition is expected to be available at Best Buy, Circuit City and CompUSA in the United States, at Future Shop and Best Buy in Canada and direct from HP online at hpshopping.com by the end of October.

The HP Media Center PC is powered by Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition, which turns a PC into a media center that integrates digital entertainment experiences -- including live television, personal video recording with free electronic program guide, digital music, digital video, DVDs and digital photos -- with the freedom of remote control access.

"With its combination of PC power and entertainment features, the HP Media Center PC is an ideal choice for consumers looking to purchase a PC as a holiday gift," said Sam Szteinbaum, North America vice president of consumer products, HP Personal Systems Group. "It''s like giving a PC and all your home entertainment center components in one."

The HP Media Center PC is ideal for digital media enthusiasts and consumers, such as teenagers, college students, young adults and families, who want to use their PC for entertainment and digital media in small, space-constrained environments. Featuring a sleek black and chrome design, the new HP Media Center PC will have a six-in-one media card reader on its front panel for quick and easy transfer of digital data, outstanding sound quality, and photo and home movie creation and editing software.