Hitachi's New Generation DVD Camcorders Produce Ultimate Home Movie Creation; Fourth Generation Models Offer Pocket-Size Portability and 16x9 Recording Mode

Business Wire, June 1, 2004

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 1, 2004

The Home Electronics Division of Hitachi America, Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT), www.hitachi.us/tv, today announced that the company's fourth generation DVD camcorders are shipping and available nationwide. The newest models, the UltraVision(R) DZ-MV550A and DZ-MV580A, offer a lighter chassis, a more user-friendly grip and a new Quick Mode menu function that allows for easier navigation through the camcorder's menu system. Additionally, the DZ-MV580A includes an optional 16x9 widescreen filming format for the ultimate in home movie creation. This new widescreen format records in a native 16x9 aspect without cropping or zooming, making it a perfect match for playback on a widescreen HDTV.

FLEXIBLE VIDEO RECORDING

The DZ-MV550A and DZ-MV580A camcorders utilize high quality and high efficiency MPEG2 video recording technology. Users can select between increased recording quality or extended recording time. When using a DVD-RAM disc, the camcorder utilizes either variable bit rate (VBR) or constant bit rate (CBR) recording formats. With a double sided DVD-RAM disc inserted, the camcorders record approximately 40 minutes of video in extra-fine mode (704x480, 3-9Mbps VBR), 60 minutes in fine mode (704x480, 6Mbps CBR) or 120 minutes in standard mode (352x480, 3Mbps CBR). The double-sided DVD-RAM disc can also hold 1,998 still images recorded at high resolution (1280x960 for DZ-MV580A and 640x480 for DZ-MV550A).

DVD-R disc recordings can be played on most DVD players and DVD-ROM drives. The camcorder's DVD-R function shoots approximately 30 minutes of high quality DVD video in fine mode (704x480, 6Mbps CBR) or approximately 60 minutes in standard mode (352x480, 3Mbps CBR). DVD-Rs are not re-writeable and in most cases must be finalized before they will play in most DVD players and DVD-ROMs. However, to simplify the process and to save time for the user, Hitachi's new multi-format DVD/VCR combo recorder (DV-RF7U) can playback non-finalized DVD-R discs recorded on Hitachi DVD camcorders.

DVD-RAM FEATURES

In addition to the new 16x9 widescreen recording feature, DVD-RAM discs offer in-camera editing. This sophisticated system allows consumers to delete and shuffle scenes as well as add special transition effects including fades and wipes without the need for a computer. Also, with the USB2.0 connection, video can be uploaded to a PC and edited with the included PC software. After editing, the video can be transferred back to the camcorder and burned onto a DVD-R for playback on most DVD players(1). If the PC has a compatible 4.7GB DVD-RAM drive the user can simply place the DVD-RAM disc in the drive and download the information directly to a PC. For the ultimate in convenience, the user can take a DVD-RAM disc directly out of the Hitachi DVD camcorder and play it back in the aforementioned 2004 Hitachi multi-format DVD player/recorder.

DIGITAL STILL PHOTOS

The camcorders can record digital still photos directly to the DVD-RAM disc or to a Multi Media or Secure Digital flash memory card. Depending on the model of camcorder, the compression and the selected resolution, the camcorders can record between 22-400 JPEG images on a 16MB memory card.

DZ-MV550A DVD CAMCORDER

Hitachi's DZ-MV550A features a 680k pixel 1/4-inch CCD, 18x optical zoom lens with 500x digital zoom expander, a six-mode auto exposure, auto and manual white balance and full auto and manual focus. Fitted with a 2.5-inch TFT LCD color monitor, the unit has a 113K pixel color viewfinder and digital stereo sound. In addition to the USB2.0 PC connection, the camcorder includes an S-video output, an A/V input/output and microphone jack. The unit comes equipped with a Li-ion battery, remote control, 8cm single-sided DVD-RAM disc, A/V cable with S-video, USB cable and PC software, CD-ROM with USB driver, UDF file system software, VR editing software and DVD authoring software.

The DZ-MV550A measures 3.5 x 2.50 x 5.8 inches and weighs 1.09 lbs. It is available at a retail price of $699.99 and is currently shipping.

DZ-MV580A DVD CAMCORDER

An added benefit and advanced feature of the Hitachi DZ-MV580A is its new 16x9 recording mode when recording to DVD-RAM discs. It also offers a 1 mega pixel CCD which increases the resolution of still pictures to 1280x960. An S-Video input enables optimal transfer of high resolution tape-based material. Additionally, the DZ-MV580A offers a 10x optical zoom lens with 240x digital zoom expander and a hot accessory shoe for flash. Other specs and accessories match the DZ-MV550A.

The DZ-MV580A measures 3.5 x 2.5 x 5.8 inches and weighs 1.10 lbs. It is available at a retail price of $899.99 and is currently shipping.

ABOUT HITACHI AMERICA, LTD., HOME ELECTRONICS DIVISION

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