Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Ltd. today introduced the industry's first all-in-one home digital imaging solution that allows consumers to choose and print digital photos directly, without the need for a computer.

The compact HP PSC 950 all-in-one allows consumers to print photos, create special projects and handle everyday printing, faxing, scanning or copying needs.

With the exclusive HP Photo Proof Sheet feature, a user simply inserts a memory card containing photos into the appropriate slot on the all-in-one, presses the "proof sheet" button and a sheet with thumbnail-sized photos is automatically generated. The user then selects the photo, paper type and size desired on the sheet and scans it into the all-in-one, which recognizes the user's choices and prints the photos as specified.

Consumers can use CompactFlash, SmartMedia or Sony Memory Stick memory cards for printing and also for downloading digital photos directly to the computer without ever having to connect their digital cameras.

"The new HP Photo Proof Sheet feature turns the HP PSC 950 all-in-one into a 'mini-photo lab,' making it extremely easy for users to customize and print their digital images," said Susan Khan, digital imaging category business manager, Consumer Business Organization, HP Canada. "The HP PSC 950 all-in-one is the ideal do-it-all solution, integrating various digital imaging functions into a single, compact, easy-to-use device."

The HP PSC 950 all-in-one features the same award-winning technology available in HP inkjet printers commonly used by small-office and home-office professionals. The device produces 2400 x 1200-dots per inch (dpi) colour images on photo paper to deliver photo reprints that look virtually identical to the original. It prints up to 12 pages per minute (ppm) in black and up to 10 ppm in colour. For additional convenience, the HP PSC 950 all-in-one comes equipped with a 4 x 6-inch photo tray.

Convenient Scanning, Copying and Faxing

In just a few simple steps, home users can add brilliant colour photos and drawings to their documents to create letters, cards, school reports or other creative projects. The HP PSC 950 all-in-one features exceptionally high-quality scanning with 600 x 1200-dpi optical resolution, 9600-dpi enhanced resolution and 36-bit colour. It also includes optical character recognition (OCR) software, which allows users to edit hardcopy text documents by scanning and converting them into electronic files.

The HP PSC 950 all-in-one delivers photo-quality copying at speeds of up to 12 copies per minute (cpm) in black and nine cpm in colour. The copying feature allows users to create special projects without a computer. For example, users can create multiple wallet-size photos from one original, make reductions and enlargements, print posters and copy two originals onto one page. The flatbed design allows users to scan or copy virtually anything, such as books and other 3D objects.

The device also features a flatbed fax -- designed for sending short faxes of approximately one to three pages. It can receive faxes of any length.

Pricing and Availability

The HP PSC 950 all-in-one is expected to ship to retailers in Canada in September with an estimated Canadian retail price of $599 (1). It comes with a one-year limited warranty backed by HP Customer Care service and support.