AMD Expands Live Line With New Notebook

The AMD Live Notebooks are slated to be available in Europe from Fujitsu Siemens Computers and MSI later this month, according to AMD. Acer, Dell, Fujitsu, Gateway, and Hewelett-Packard now offer AMD Live Desktop PCs worldwide, and are expected to come on board with AMD's new notebook platform.

The AMD Live platform is aimed at letting users access their digital media regardless of device factor or file format. The announcement comes in conjunction with the Consumer Electronics Show going on in Las Vegas this week.

"The AMD Live family of products and software provides a truly unique media solution to meet a range of consumer needs, from basic multimedia users to savvy audio visual enthusiasts," said Joe Menard, corporate VP of AMD's Consumer Business, in a written statement. "With our innovative technology, open and flexible platforms, and diverse ecosystem of industry partners, the AMD Live solution takes digital media to an entirely new experience level."

The notebook PC platform powered by AMD Turion 64 X2 dual-core mobile technology has the same media center features as its desktop counterpart.

The Home Cinema Server platform is designed to be a home entertainment system that consolidates audiovisual devices and related remote controls into an all-in-one "living room" option, according to AMD. Powered by the company's Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processors, it is designed to create a theater-quality media experience with high-definition video, integrated 100-watt-per channel surround sound audio, and Internet capability.

The Home Media Server, which is powered by Windows Home Server software, is a platform design to let various equipment makers develop systems to help consumers with multiple home PCs to store, share, and automatically protect their digital media. The new platform, says AMD, offers centralized control over functions such as secure back-up of digital media and other critical PC files; parental controls for all devices connected to the home network; printer sharing between multiple PCs; and streaming stored music, videos, or television programs to other devices on the network. This platform also is designed to enable support of future services such as home security monitoring, telephony, and automated home control.

"As people's digital media continues to grow exponentially, many households are seeking a solution that will allow them to share, protect, access, and enjoy their digital media and other PC files," said Maureen Weber, a general manager at Hewlett-Packard.

The Home Cinema and Home Media servers are expected to be available from manufacturers worldwide later this year.