IT giant unveils a new product which, it claims, will "disrupt" the traditional videoconferencing market.

According to HP, Halo is capable of recreating realistic collaborative interaction through a unique deployment of color-calibrated visual experience, a key differentiator compared to traditional products.

Vyomesh Joshi, HP's executive vice president of imaging and printing group, said: "It's something we believe will not only disrupt the traditional video conferencing market, but will also change the way people work in a global market."

He noted that HP drew from its experience in developing color science, imaging and networking technology, and built the concept for Halo with the help of its long-time partner DreamWorks Animation, the maker of animated films such as Shrek and Madagascar.

According to DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, the animation company first broached the idea to design a new solution because it experienced "great frustration" with existing products in the market.

"We found ourselves (after the terrorist attacks on 911) in a difficult position of having to bring together the right creative designers who were located in different places," he said.

"We looked for a conferencing solution but those in the market didn't fulfill our needs," he added. For example, with traditional video conferencing products, participants in a videoconference could not smoothly hold multiple conversations or share visual images of smaller details on physical items.