News Releases

p class="TextStyle1"> "Hitachi has a core competency in manufacturing CRTs and Lens systems, which gives us a competitive advantage in developing technology to maximize picture quality," said Bill Whalen. "All of our 2001 HDTV monitors showcase our engineering talent, and provide a very visual differentiation against our competition." Hitachi's-exclusive wide neck CRT, which provides a larger sweet spot for the electron beam produces better focus and detail across the entire screen. Additionally, Hitachi's capability to produce Lens systems which have larger apertures provide the ability to pass more light & detail through the lens systems, which result in a sharper and brighter picture.

Hitachi also introduced today a new exclusive technology called D3VirtualHD digital signal processing. D3VirtualHD is a technology that gives the consumer the ability to choose between a 540p or 1080i display capability. D3VirtualHD matches the resolution of the broadcast signal to the high resolution monitor, giving the consumer a sharper, more detailed image that's smoother and more film-like than a 480p signal. (editor's note: Additional information regarding D3VirtualHD can be found in a separate announcement released today and can be found on http://www.hitachi.us/tv).

Highlighted Features for 2001 Line Up In addition to its D3VirtualHD digital signal processing circuitry and its proprietary, high quality lens and CRT technologies, Hitachi's 2001 television line includes the following features:

• New Magic Focus® 4 Sensor - Automatic Digital Convergence: Hitachi's new Magic Focus 4 (included in the SBX, UDX and UWX series projection televisions) will adjust the picture to match the home environment in as little as 10 seconds.

• User-Selectable Scan Velocity Modulation: Hitachi's new selectable scan velocity modulation feature gives users the option of engaging the function, which accentuates the picture edge definition between light and dark areas.

• User Selectable Black Level Expansion: Hitachi's new user-selectable black level expansion mode improves the pictures' perceived contrast ratio when engaged.

• Selectable Aspect Ratio Screen Modes: Hitachi's selectable aspect ratio screen modes give viewers the option to mold content to specific preferences. With 4:3 digital models, consumers can now easily select between four new aspect ratio modes to suit 16:9 sources: Aspect #1 for Gray Bars, which minimizes uneven aging of phosphors; Aspect #2 for Black Bars, which vertically compresses 1080i images with no loss of vertical information; Aspect #3 for Zoom, which eliminates bars and crops image; and Aspect #4 for Vertical Expansion Mode, which expands only the top and bottom edges of the image with no image cropping.

• Enhanced On-screen Display: Hitachi's enhanced on-screen display features easy point-and-click operation, new easy-to-read icons and fonts. English, Spanish and French languages are supported. Additionally, Hitachi has unified on-screen display for all its digital and analog televisions.

• Enhanced Remote Control: Hitachi's 2001 digital televisions are shipped with an enhanced remote control that features easy-to-use aspect ratio control, which navigates aspect ratio modes with a simple touch of a button. Also, the remote control includes new discrete input buttons and IR input codes.

Hitachi's UltraVision Digital® 61SWX10B and 53SWX10B 16:9 HDTV Monitors deliver advanced digital television technology and high definition capabilities. The SWX features Hitachi's D3VirtualHD digital signal processing and Magic Focus® 8 as well as Dolby Digital® 5.1 surround sound, the exclusive High Brightness 6 Element Lens System and new silver cabinet design. The 61SWX10B and the 53SWX10B retail for $3,999 and $3,499 respectively and will be available August 2001.

Hitachi expands the offering of UltraVision Digital 16:9 widescreen TV's with a new series for 2001. The UWX series adds a new size, 43 inches to compliment the 53 and 61 inch sizes. Featuring 1,200 lines of resolution and a 5-element lens system for optimal picture display. In addition, the UWX features Magic Focus® 4, 1080i/540p display and four screen fill modes. These sets include SRS®/BBE® surround sound with two 24-watt front speakers. Additional features include multi-view PiP, a remote with TSI discrete coding and new silver face cabinet design. The 61UWX10B retails for $3,499 and will be available August 2001. The 53UWX10B and the 43UWX10B retail for $2,999 and $2,199, respectively, and will be available July 2001.

Hitachi's UltraVision Digital 4:3 digital projection line features the 61 and 53-inch HDTV Monitor UDX series (61UDX10B and 53UDX10B) with D3VirtualHD digital signal processing circuitry. The UDX series also features 1,200 lines of resolution, 1080i/540p display resolution, a 5-element lens system and Magic Focus® 4 automatic digital convergence system. Other features include multi-view PiP, two component inputs and SRS/BBE surround sound with 24-watt front speakers. The 61UDX10B retails for $2,999 and will be available August 2001. The 53UDX10B retails for $2,499 and will be available July 2001.

Hitachi's GX series (50GX30B and 43GX10B) features a 5-element lens system and 850 lines of resolution with digital 2-line comb filter. In addition, the GX offers multi-view PiP, matrix surround sound, a total of three audio video inputs in the rear and one in the front, and 9-point digital convergence. The 50GX30B retails for $1,699 and will be available July 2001. The 43GX10B retails for $1,599 and will be available June 2001.

Rounding out Hitachi's analog 4:3 projection television line is the DX series (60DX10B and the 50DX10B). These sets feature two tuner PiP, manual 9-point convergence and 850 lines of resolution for a clear, focused picture. Other features include matrix surround sound with two 24-watt front speakers, an upgraded remote and new on-screen design. The 60DX10B retails for $1,899 and will be available July 2001. The 50DX10B retails for $1,399 and will be available June 2001

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 2000 (ended March 31, 2001) consolidated sales of 8,417 billion yen ($67.9 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://hitachi.com.

*At an exchange rate of 124 yen to the dollar.

UltraVision Digital is a registered trademark of Hitachi Home Electronics, (America) Inc. UltraVision is a registered trademark of Hitachi Home Electronics, (America) Inc. Magic Focus is a registered trademark of Hitachi Home Electronics, (America) Inc. Dolby Digital is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories. SRS is a registered trademark of Sound Retrieval Systems. BBE is a registered trademark of BBE, Sound Inc. DMD™ and DLP™ are registered trademarks of Texas Instruments, Inc.

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
gbelloni@ca.webergroup.com

Renee Linholm
The Weber Group
Tel: (415) 616-6003
rlinholm@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