News Releases

05/27/2005

HITACHI INTRODUCES THE INDUSTRY’S THINNEST CRT PROJECTION TELEVISONS

-- New 2005 Models Deliver Affordable HDTV Picture Quality— --

SAN DIEGO, CA, May 27, 2005 – The Home Electronics Division of Hitachi America, Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE: HIT), www.hitachi.us/tv, today launched its 2005 CRT rear-projection television line featuring the industry’s thinnest cabinet industrial design. In all, seven new CRT HDTV models comprise the 2005 product line, which features the company’s proprietary VirtualHD™ video processor that converts all non-HDTV signals to match the set’s high-definition display resolution, reducing the noise to a minimum and recreating the smooth curves and high fidelity image of the original film source.

"Hitachi is challenging the industry with the thinnest CRT projection televisions," said Leo Delaney, Vice President, marketing for Hitachi America, Ltd., Home Electronics Division. "Hitachi's new sleek form factor creates a modern look in affordable CRT HDTV rear-projection products."

In addition to the exclusive Virtual HD™ Video Processor, Hitachi’s F710A series in 51- , 57- and 65-inch screen sizes feature a High-Contrast Lens System, which magnifies the image with advanced optics designed for increased brightness and contrast, while the Super Contrast CRTs produces a brighter, more accurate high-definition image, delivering a razor-sharp focus in widescreen, home-theater proportions.

The F710A units also deliver a rich package of features, including an exclusive Day and Night Memory by Input with Timer that provides superior picture quality under any lighting condition, Quick Start Seamless HDTV and NTSC Tuners to deliver the picture instantly with seamless access to all available channels, and a patented Magic Focus^®Auto Convergence (with 9-point manual convergence and 117-point fine tuning convergence) that aligns the picture with the push of a button or operates automatically with the built-in timer.

Also included are an HDMI Digital Video/Audio Input ensuring the highest quality digital image without degradation, a High-Contrast 0.52mm Fine Pitch Screen, CableCARD™ compatibility, and a 4:3 Expanded Mode that offers users a range of options for watching traditional 4:3 programs on the new 16:9 widescreen televisions.

The 51F710A, 57F710A and 65F710A will retail for $1,999, $2,399, and $2,699, respectively, and will ship in August.

The new Hitachi UltraVision^® 51S825 and 57S825 models with 51- and 57-inch screen sizes, respectively, feature the UltraVision^® industrial design – a modern, satin silver profile to beautifully complement any living environment. Combining contemporary styling with superior picture quality, the S825 series features Hitachi’s Super Contrast 5-Element Lens System to provide a 72 percent better focus at picture edges than traditional lens designs and 54 percent more contrast, resulting in much-improved picture quality over previous models. Additionally, these models include the exclusive Super Contrast II CRT technology to produce a brighter, more accurate high-definition image as well as dramatically sharper contrast and detail in the center, edges and corners for the best performance in projection television.

Another enhancement is the exclusive Illuminated Roll & Click™ Remote. The slim ergonomic design and backlit buttons make this remote easy to use. The remote is programmed with the ability to control home theater components, making it simple to get the most out of your home entertainment system. The unique rolling wheels make it easy to quickly change the channels or adjust the volume. A simple push adds or deletes favorite channels or mutes the audio.

The 51S825 and 57S825 will ship in September and retail for $2,099 and $2,299, respectively.

Hitachi America, Ltd. Home Electronics Division produces and markets a wide variety of consumer electronics products, including high-definition plasma televisions and monitors, LCD and LCoS televisions and CRT televisions, as well as DVD camcorders and DVD players/recorders. In addition to consumer products, Hitachi also markets professional plasma monitors for business applications as well as security and observation system products.

Hitachi has a unique position in the marketplace manufacturing and developing its own core technologies to provide consumers and businesses with optimal product performance in each of Hitachi's product categories.

Hitachi America, Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., markets and manufactures a broad range of electronics, computer systems and products, and consumer electronics, and provides industrial equipment and services throughout North America. For more information, visit www.hitachi.us.

Hitachi, Ltd., (NYSE: HIT), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 347,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2004 (ended March 31, 2005) consolidated sales totaled 9,027.0 billion yen ($84.4 billion). The company offers a wide range of systems, products and services in market sectors including information systems, electronic devices, power and industrial systems, consumer products, materials and financial services. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company’s Website at http://www.hitachi.com.

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