News Releases

Whether it is a fully integrated 61-inch 16:9 projection HDTV or the 43-inch FDX super value high definition capable monitor, Hitachi has the product to fill the need. Boasting nine different HDTV and HDTV capable sets, Hitachi has a vast line-up to exceed the expectations of the A/V enthusiast and excite the home theater novice. Beginning at the ultimate display performance with the 55DMX01W, Hitachi brings HDTV into a new realm with the industry’s first interactive high definition TV incorporating Digital Light Processing (DLP™) technology.

At the heart of Hitachi’s 55DMX01W is the Digital Micromirror Device (DMD), an optical semiconductor chip that has an array of microscopic mirrors mounted on a standard logic device. These tiny mirrors operate as optical switches to create high resolution, full color images, with close to one million mirrors contained on a single 0.8-inch chip. Hitachi is first to leverage this technology and combine it with its newly developed UltraVision 10-element lens system for unmatched picture quality — 1,280 x 720-display resolution, screen brightness four times that of a large tube television and an impressive contrast ratio of 500:1. Hitachi’s UltraVision Digital/DLP™ delivers the optimal combination of picture quality, color accuracy and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound for the ultimate home theater experience.

In addition to its superior video and audio performance, UltraVision Digital DLP™ HDTV is also a high quality XGA capable computer display monitor, enabling an interactive PC experience. Its ability to reproduce outstanding graphics is the key to its success as a multimedia solution. Families can surf the Web, send and receive e-mail, play video games or perform school or work tasks on a large, high quality display from the comfort of their living room. With Hitachi’s advanced Picture in PC (PiPC) function, users can take advantage of both capabilities, achieving the ultimate in simulsurfing. With its multiscan capabilities for television and PC, and inputs for a wide variety of sources including a DVD player, VCR, digital set top box and home PC, Hitachi’s UltraVision Digital/DLP™ television is the one set to meet any and all viewing needs.

Complementing the 55DMX is Hitachi’s complete line of projection TVs including 16:9 ratio sets — the 61-inch HDX fully-integrated HDTV and the 61 and 53-inch SWX high definition capable monitors — the 4:3 52-inch Liquid Crystal Display PC-ready television, the 4:3 53-inch SDX HDTV capable set as well as a complete line of digital and analog projection televisions.

Another attractive option to maximize the digital home theater experience is the ultra-value FDX high definition capable line of projection televisions. The newly announced 53 and 43-inch FDX HDTV capable line features Hitachi’s Ultra focus five-element lens system for outstanding picture and includes UtraScanHD technology with 1080i capability and D3 (Digital Display Driver) circuitry for the maximum digital home theater viewing experience. The line also features Hitachi’s Digital Window PIP for simultaneous viewing of high definition, standard definition and NTSC sources.

Rounding out the television line up is Hitachi’s direct-view televisions including the redesigned 36-inch SDX HDTV capable, progressive scan television and the 36 and 32-inch UltraVision UX series that feature an attractive silver cabinet. The UX series also includes a 27-inch set in the traditional black cabinet. The 27-inch MMV PC-ready television and a wide variety of sets that meet any level of consumer needs round out the direct-view line up.

“Hitachi is bullish about the demand for digital television sets,” said Gary Bennett, Hitachi’s Executive Vice President, Sales. “We’re poised to take advantage of that demand with a broad line up of high definition sets that outpaces the rest of the industry.”

Hitachi, a world leader in DVD technology as proven by its computer DVD-ROM and DVD-RAM drives, now revolutionizes DVD with the DVD-RAM Camcorder. The product marries the quality and vast storage capacity of DVD technology with the mobility and versatility of an innovative camcorder. The DVD-RAM Camcorder is key element in Hitachi’s vision of a “DVD World” where PC’s and consumer electronics share the same, already established DVD disk media as an all for one solution compatible with multiple products.

The first DVD camcorder to market, Hitachi’s DVD-RAM Camcorder offers up to two hours of superior quality video or 2,000 Megapixel (one million pixels) still photos onto a eight centimeter DVD-RAM disc that replaces tape media found in traditional camcorders. The DVD-RAM discs used by Hitachi’s DVD-RAM Camcorder are rewritable up to 100,000 times with no image degradation, eliminating reliability and wearability issues of traditional tape-based camcorders. DVD-RAM discs not only far outlast tape, but they also feature multi-compatibility with DVD products, such as DVD-RAM equipped personal computers, future DVD-RAM recorders and future DVD players. With DVD video recorded on the Hitachi DVD-RAM Camcorder, consumers can easily connect to a TV and enjoy recorded video or plug into a PC via USB port or simply drop the disc into a PC equipped with a DVD-RAM drive for editing, printing, e-mailing or even posting recorded memories on a personal home page.

Hitachi’s rewritable DVD also offers immediate and random access editing to any scene recorded on the disc, eliminating rewinding or manually selecting scenes to move or edit. Editing is also simplified because it can be done directly from the camcorder’s LCD screen or from a PC. Hitachi’s cutting-edge DVD products don’t stop with the DVD-RAM Camcorder. The new DVD player/CD-RW Dual Deck, plays DVD software and can record audio CD onto digital audio CD-R and CD-RW disc media. Drive number one plays DVD and CD, while drive number two records music from a CD in drive number one onto a digital audio CD-R or CD-RW. The recording process is very simple with one button dubbing and double speed recording. Also, the Dual Deck makes editing a snap with the ability to customize sound tracks and arrange them according to user preference. Hitachi’s full color on screen display allows users to do all this from their TV screen — something regular CD recorders cannot offer.

The Hitachi DVD Player / CD-RW Dual Deck combines all the features and functionality of a high quality Hitachi DVD / VCD / CD / CD-R / CD-RW player, with the versatility and unique ability to record music CDs.

The Hitachi America, Ltd., Home Electronics Division, markets a variety of consumer electronics including high-definition TVs (HDTV), projection TVs (PTV), color TVs, DVD players, VCRs and camcorders, as well as security and observation system products. The company’s premium products are sold under the Hitachi UltraVision and UltraVision Digital brand names.

Hitachi America, Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., markets and manufactures a broad range of electronics, computer systems and products, consumer electronics and semiconductors and provides industrial equipment and services throughout North America. For more information, visit http://www.hitachi.us/. Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the world's leading global electronics companies, with fiscal 1999 (ended March 31, 2000) consolidated sales of 8,001 billion yen ($75.5 billion*). The company manufactures and markets a wide range of products, including computers, semiconductors, consumer products and power and industrial equipment. For more information on Hitachi, Ltd., please visit Hitachi’s Web site at http://www.hitachi.co.jp.

*At an exchange rate of 106 yen to the dollar.

Gerard F. Corbett
Hitachi America, Ltd.
Vice President
Corp. Communications Group
Tel:(650) 244-7900
Fax: (650) 244-7920
gerard.corbett@hal.hitachi.com

Greg Belloni
The Weber Group
Tel: (415) 616-6139
gerard.corbett@hal.hitachi.com

Lupe Hirt
The Weber Group
Tel: (650) 463-8609
lhirt@ca.webergroup.com

For all other inquiries please call:
1-800-HITACHI

If you have any questions specifically about Investor Relations in the United States, please contact our Investor Relations Department at investor.info@hal.hitachi.com