Hitachi to Release World's First 4.7GB DVD-RAM-Standard Compliant DVD Camcorder; DVD Video Recorder, and DVD Drives for PCs Also to be Released

Business Wire, June 7, 2000

Business Editors/Technology Writers

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 7, 2000

Digital Media Group of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT) today announced that on August 25 it will release the world's first DVD-RAM camcorder in Japan.

In addition, a DVD-RAM video recorder will be released on the same day, and volume shipments of 4.7GB DVD-RAM and DVD-ROM drives for PCs will follow after the end of June. The DVD-RAM products are based on the 4.7GB DVD-RAM standard.

In the field of audiovisual (AV) equipment, the pace of the shift to digital video and audio continues to increase at a rapid pace. At the same time, the advent of faster CPUs and the growing capacities of hard-disk drives is driving a migration of AV applications to the PC and other digital appliances. To enable this process of convergence to achieve its full potential, there is a need for a large-capacity media format that is compatible with both AV equipment and PCs. DVD-RAM standard is based on the concept that holds compatibility in both video recorders and storage devices for PCs through DVD-RAM disk media. Setting DVD standards is a mission of the DVD Forum, which is comprised of more than 200 member companies from around the world. Through their efforts, DVD is fast becoming the key storage media for providing a bridge between AV devices and PCs in the DVD world of the 21st century.

In making the announcement, Yoshinori Fujimori, CEO of the Hitachi, Ltd. Digital Media Group said, "Hitachi has been involved in DVD right from the beginning, expanding its presence in this sector of operations by developing DVD-ROM and -RAM drives for PCs. Hitachi has used the technology and expertise thus acquired to develop this latest group of DVD products that take the convergence of AV and PC products a step further. We intend to continue further development of truly innovative DVD based products that satisfy the needs for an increasingly content driven marketplace in the future."

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(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 106 yen to the dollar.

PRODUCTS AND AVAILABILITY

DVD camcorder

-- Model: DZ-MV100 Sales start August 25 in Japan. Price:

248,000yen

DVD video recorder

-- Model: DV-RX2000 Sales start August 25 in Japan. Price:

250,000yen

Internal DVD-RAM drive for PCs

-- Model: GF-2000(ATAPI interface) Shipments start June 30

-- Model: GF-2050(SCSI interface) Shipments start in latter part

of August

External DVD-RAM drive for PCs

-- Model: GF-2055(SCSI interface) Shipments start August 25

Internal DVD-RAM drive for PCs (with DVD-RAM playback capability)

-- Model: GD-7500(ATAPI interface) Shipments start in latter part

of July

-- Model: GD-S200(ATAPI interface, slim tray) Shipments start in

latter part of August

Product features

DVD Camcorder

-- 1. Uses 8cm DVD-RAM disks with of 1.46GB per side

-- (1) AV/PC compatibility

-- The 8cm DVD-RAM format was established by the DVD Forum

for combined AV/PC applications. Provides full range of

DVD features, such as random access, high read and write

speeds, durability and reliability.

-- (2) Long-life storage

-- Being a non-contact recording/playback medium means that

there is no deterioration in image quality even after

repeated playings. Also, unlike with a conventional video

camcorder, there are no worries about tapes breaking or

getting tangled.

-- (3) Choice of recording modes

-- The camcorder can record for one hour in high-quality mode

(30 minutes a side at a fixed rate of 6 Mbps), and two

hours in standard mode (60 minutes a side at a fixed rate

of 3 Mbps).

-- (4) DVD-RAM cartridge

-- The camcorder records on disks housed in a cartridge. The

cartridge media are compatible with the 4.7GB DVD-RAM

drives for PCs and with the DVD recorder. The cartridge

provides disks with added protection against fingerprints

and dirt.

-- 2. Ease of operation

-- (1) Recording

-- a. New recordings do not overwrite existing recordings,

but are added on, so there is no danger of the user

inadvertently erasing previous recordings.

-- b. Unlike a tape-based camcorder, there is no need to

rewind the tape to see what you've recorded. Any part of

any recording can be replayed virtually instantaneously.

And you don't have to search for space for the next

recording. The camcorder does that for you.

-- (2) Playback

-- a. After you have finished recording, all you have to do

is press the Play button and the camcorder automatically

replays any recordings that haven't yet been viewed.

-- b. Disk navigation screens enable rapid selection and

playback of specific recordings.

-- 3. High-performance camcorder functions

-- (1) Megapixel CCD

-- A 1.1-million-pixel, 1/4-inch CCD with an effective area