Hitachi Delivers Ultimate Digital Home Theater Experience in 2000; Innovative Products Take Consumers into the Digital Age of Entertainment - Company Business and Marketing

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, May 15, 2000

The Home Electronics Division of Hitachi America, Ltd. , a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE: HIT), introduced its complete 2000 product line featuring a wide selection of digital television, DVD and advanced home theater products during its annual Dealer Meeting.

Highlighting the new line-up is the world's first interactive high definition television --Hitachi's UltraVision Digital HDTV based on digital light processing (DLP) technology -- the revolutionary DVD-RAM Camcorder and the unique DVD Player / CD Recorder Dual Deck. Additionally, Hitachi will offer a complete line-up of high definition and high definition capable television sets, DVD players, camcorders and VCRs for the ultimate digital home theater experience.

"Hitachi's commitment to technical innovation and customer satisfaction has vaulted home theater to new levels," said Kenji Nakamura, Director of Business Development for Hitachi America, Ltd., Home Electronics Division. "Our UltraVision Digital DLP HDTV and DVD-RAM Camcorder truly signal the arrival of the digital age in consumer electronics."

"Hitachi's 2000 product line is impressive and clearly demonstrates its technical innovation and market leadership," said Dave Workman President and COO of Ultimate Electronics. "As one of the leading retailers of digital televisions, we're proud to join Hitachi in offering our customers one of the largest line ups of digital home theater products."

HITACHI TAKES HDTV TO A NEW LEVEL

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.