press release

HP Drives Next-generation Animation on Linux with Walt Disney Feature Animation

Industry Icons Build on 60-year History

PALO ALTO, Calif., June 18, 2002

HP (NYSE:HPQ) today announced that Walt Disney Feature Animation has selected HP 's Linux-based workstations and servers as components in its next-generation digital animation production pipeline. Walt Disney Feature Animation will employ HP 's Linux infrastructure to give artists more powerful tools to translate their artistry into animation while achieving significant cost reductions.

The companies have been working together for the past 10 months to provide computing solutions for award-winning visual effects and to expand the boundaries of traditional and computer-generated animation. HP is delivering a broad range of products and services to power the production of Disney's visual effects and animation projects, including Intelâ Xeon-powered HP x4000 workstations running Linux for animators and high-density HP IA-32 based servers for rendering.

HP also is delivering graphics development expertise paired with its Leadership Graphics Program, which allows participants to partner with the leading graphic card vendors and graphics software developers to provide the broadest choice of graphic solutions for the entertainment industry.

"Animation is an iterative process," said John Carey, vice president of technology, Walt Disney Feature Animation. "It's simple really. Faster iteration gives rise to more innovation. Low-cost, high-power workstations like HP 's are an integral part of that equation."

HP has long been a technology partner behind the magic of Disney. In 1938, Disney became one of HP 's earliest customers after purchasing eight HP Model 200B resistance-capacity oscillators from founders Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard. At the time, Disney was seeking a way to produce their new movie "Fantasia" with lifelike sound by weaving works from Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Stravinsky and others to produce an early version of SurroundSound in exclusive theatres around the country. More than 60 years later, Disney is again turning to HP technology to drive innovation in animation.

"Disney and HP have worked together at very pivotal points in history -- at the inception of the companies and now as the digital animation industry approaches a key turning point," said Martin Fink, general manager, HP Linux Systems Division. "Linux is quickly becoming the driving force behind the next phase of digital animation. HP is providing key technology infrastructure that will allow Disney to continue to create memorable animation while driving costs down and staying on the cutting edge."

About HP

HP is a leading global provider of products, technologies, solutions and services to consumers and businesses. The company's offerings span IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services and imaging and printing. HP merged with Compaq Computer Corp. on May 3, 2002. The merged company had combined revenue of approximately $81.7 billion in fiscal 2001 and operations in more than 160 countries. More information about HP is available at http://www.hp.com.

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