Hitachi Unveils New Ultra-Compact and Feature-Rich Mobile LCD Projector

Business Wire, June 9, 1998

ATLANTA and BRISBANE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 9, 1998--

High Quality LCD Projector Designed Specifically for Mobile Users Who Demand Both Portability and Functionality

The Computer Division of Hitachi America, Ltd. and Hitachi Home Electronics (America), Inc., a subsidiary of Hitachi America, Ltd., today announced the expansion of its widely heralded line of LCD projectors to include the CP-S830 Mobile Multimedia LCD Projector, an ultra-compact projector.

Weighing in at only 11 pounds, Hitachi's CP-S830 was designed specifically for demanding mobile users who want all the functionality of a full-sized, feature-laden LCD projector but with a sleek and compact footprint to enable portability. With two RGB inputs, one RGB output, a zoom lens, a remote controller with a mouse function and stereo speakers, the CP-S830 is truly feature-rich.

The compactness of the CP-S830 - 45% smaller than previous units -- comes from a reduction in the size of the previous 1.3" polysilicon active-matrix TFT LCD panels to 0.9" and the inclusion of a 150 Watt Ultra High Brightness Lamp (UHB) that provides an industry-leading 2000 operating hours.

With an output of 500 ANSI lumens, the CP-S830 LCD projector can reproduce clear and easy to view pictures in even the most brightly-lit rooms. Designed to make more efficient use of available light, Hitachi has developed a special polarization converter in combination with a complex reflector light source designed to ensure that as much light as possible arrives to the LCD panel. Hitachi has also equipped the high-performance projector with an optical integrator that incorporates a multi-lens system to deliver high-quality, blur-free image reproduction.

Hitachi designed the CP-S830 for true S-VGA (800 x 600) compatibility. By employing the exclusive Genesis Microchip, Inc. chip, the CP-S830 through automatic data compensation with fine re-sizing expands VGA images to S-VGA resolution. Similarly, the automatic data compensation with fine re-sizing is also used to reproduce compressed XGA images.

"The team of engineers that developed this new LCD projector based their designs on direct feedback from customers who invariably requested an LCD with a smaller footprint but without sacrificing quality or functionality," said Ken Kaneko, President of Hitachi Home Electronics. "The CP-S830 addresses their needs in an ultra-compact and full-featured unit."

The CP-S830's Multi-Scan System also makes possible direct input connection to two PCs, permitting easy transitions from different sources. It is equipped with one S-Video and two composite video inputs for NTSC, PAL or SECAM and performs automatic frequency adjustment in response to the signal received. The CP-S830 LCD projector will be available in July for $5499 and is scheduled to be shown at Hitachi's InfoComm booth No. 3423.

For more information on this and other high-quality products from Hitachi, please visit www.hitachi-visualtech.com or www.hitachi.com.

Hitachi America, Ltd., Computer Division supplies high performance computer storage products to OEMs, value-added resellers, systems integrators and high-tech distributors. The division's products include high-capacity small disk drives geared to the PC, notebook and workstation markets; optical disk drives and optical jukeboxes. The Computer Division also sells proprietary Hitachi M series mainframes and its related system software, Object-Oriented software for the Unix workstation and PC markets and multimedia products.

Hitachi Home Electronics (America), Inc., a subsidiary of Hitachi America, Ltd., develops and markets a variety of consumer electronics and commercial multimedia products, including handheld computers and products for image capture and information access/multimedia.

Hitachi America, Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., Japan, markets and manufactures a broad range of electronics, computer systems and products, and semiconductors, and provides industrial equipment and services throughout North America.

Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the world's leading global electronics companies, with fiscal 1997 (ending March 31, 1998) consolidated sales of 8,416 billion yen ($63.8 billion[a]). 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.

(a) At an exchange rate of 132 yen to the dollar.

   CONTACT:  Hitachi America, Ltd. - Computer Division
              Pete Denes, 650/589-8300
              pete.denes@hal.hitachi.com
              or
              Crescent Communications
              Andrew Dod/Lynn Brady, 404/287-2000
              adod@crescomm.com/lbrady@crescomm.com