Hitachi Introduces New Digital Projection Televisions

[Gregg Lengling]

The Home Electronics Division of Hitachi America, Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE: HIT), announced its 2003 projection television line including integrated digital cable-ready HDTV sets with a POD (Point of Deployment) slot. The all-digital line also features new Hitachi technologies including Super Contrast lenses and CRTs, VirtualHD™ 1080p digital video processor, high-performance multi-element screen, learning AV NET home theatre control system, digital photo display, Day and Night Memory by Input, and improved 4:3 expanded mode.

"Hitachi's 2003 projection line echoes consumer acceptance of digital television," said Bill Whalen, Senior Product and Marketing Manager for Hitachi America, Ltd., Home Electronics Division. "We offer consumers a variety of performance levels from our affordable F500 series up to the top of the line UltraVision™ series, but all Hitachi TVs have one unifying trait--unsurpassed picture quality. Hitachi produces projection televisions with the most original features and technology in the industry."

"Hitachi's ownership of the core projection television technologies creates products with the newest advancements and optimized performance," said Leo Delaney, Vice President, Marketing for Hitachi America, Ltd., Home Electronics Division. "Seamless integration and cutting-edge technology continues to set Hitachi televisions apart from the market."

Hitachi's 2003 projection television line features a host of new and innovative technologies:

- VirtualHD 1080p Digital Video Processor
- Super Contrast CRTs
- Five-element Super Contrast Lens
- High-performance multi-element screen
- Integrated HDTV tuners with POD
- IEEE 1394/5C (DTCP) interface
- DVI-HDTV (HDCP) input
- Learning AV NET
- Day and Night Memory by Input
- Improved 4:3 expansion mode
- Digital photo display
- New picture adjustment features

T750 Series

The top-of-the-line T750 series (65T750 and 57T750) feature built-in, digital cable-ready HDTV tuners including security POD slots. Hitachi's VirtualHD 1080p digital video processor is integrated with the company's proprietary Super Contrast CRTs, five-element Super Contrast lens systems, high-contrast 0.52 mm fine-pitch screen, anti-reflective high-contrast shield, and first-surface mirror.

Hitachi's T750 series includes two IEEE 1394/5C interface inputs/outputs and a DVI-HDTV digital video input. The set's Learning AV NET allows users to network audio/video equipment through a variety of analog and digital inputs and outputs. The T750 series also features a universal memory card slot input for digital photo display.

The sets also include Hitachi's Magic Focus® auto digital convergence with timer and 117-point manual digital convergence. Sound features include Dolby® Digital, MTS stereo/SAP with dbx®, SRS® surround sound, and BBE® sound enhancement.

The T750 series also features a detachable, two-piece cabinet design that is accentuated by a floating speaker grille covered with a two-tone, double-woven fabric that sets off the gently-angled, satin-finish side posts. The screen frame is also angled to follow the cut of the grille and side posts.

The 65T750 and 57T750 will be available in the fourth quarter of 2003 and will be priced respectively at $4,499.99 and $3,999.99.

S700 Series

The UltraVision Digital S700 (65S700, 57S700, 51S700) series features 65-, 57-, and 51-inch screen sizes and includes many features found in the T750 sets with a new cabinet design. The S700's built-in HDTV tuner offers over-the-air and unscrambled digital cable-ready reception. The line includes Hitachi's VirtualHD 1080p digital video processor, Super Contrast CRTs, five-element Super Contrast lens systems, high-contrast 0.52 mm fine-pitch screen, anti-reflective high-contrast shield, and a first surface mirror. The S700 sets also include the UltraVision input/output package with two IEEE 1394/5C interface inputs/outputs and a DVI-HDTV digital video input. The S700 series also features a universal memory card slot input for digital photo display.

As with all 2003 Hitachi sets, the S700 series includes Magic Focus auto digital convergence with timer and 117-point manual digital convergence. The S700 sound package includes Dolby Digital, MTS stereo/SAP with dbx, SRS surround sound, and BBE sound enhancement. Other features include front-panel menu controls, dual 181 channel NTSC tuners, and a detachable, two-piece cabinet in the 65- and 57-inch models.

The 65S700, 57S700, and 51S700 will be available in the third quarter of 2003 and will be priced respectively at $4,199.99, $3,699.99, and $3,399.99.

S500 Series

Next in the Hitachi UltraVision line is the S500 series. The 65-, 57-, and 51-inch HDTV monitors feature Hitachi's VirtualHD 1080p digital video processor, Super Contrast CRTs, five-element Super Contrast lens systems, high-contrast 0.52 mm fine-pitch screen, anti-reflective high-contrast shield, and a first surface mirror. The S500 sets include a DVI-HDTV input, two wideband component video inputs, three S-video inputs, four A/V inputs, center channel input, A/V output, and variable audio output. The S500 series also offers a photo memory PCMCIA slot for digital photo display.

The line also features Magic Focus auto digital convergence with timer, 117-point manual digital convergence, MTS stereo/SAP with dbx, SRS surround sound, and BBE sound enhancement. Other features include front-panel menu controls, dual 181 channel NTSC tuners, and a detachable, two-piece cabinet in the 65- and 57-inch models.

The 65S500, 57S500, and 51S500 will be available in the third quarter of 2003 and will be priced respectively at $3,799.99, $3,299.99, and $2,999.99.

46W500 Monitor

Hitachi's 46W500 widescreen HDTV monitor is a tabletop set which includes a built-in DVD player with conversion up to 1080p using the VirtualHD 1080p processor. The set includes an adjustable color decoder, four-color temperature memory, black-and-white film color temperature, four-step edge enhancement, four-step black enhancement, and Day and Night Memory by Input.

The set's input/output package includes DVI-HDTV input, two wideband component video inputs, three S-video inputs, four A/V inputs, center channel input, A/V output, and variable audio output. Additionally, the 46W500 features Magic Focus auto digital convergence, 117-point manual digital convergence, Dolby Digital, MTS stereo/SAP with dbx, SRS surround sound, BBE sound enhancement, 24-watt speaker system, illuminated preprogrammed remote control, front-panel menu controls, and dual 181 channel NTSC tuners.

The 46W500 will be available in the third quarter of 2003 for $2,399.99.

F500 Series

Announced in January 2003, the F500 series adds a 46-inch tabletop set to the company's projection television line which already includes 57- and 51-inch HDTV monitor screen sizes. The sets feature Hitachi's high-brightness four-element lens system, high-brightness CRTs, high-contrast 0.52 mm fine-pitch screen, high-contrast protective shield, a first surface mirror, and Hitachi's 1080i VirtualHD digital video processor. Inputs and outputs include a DVI-HDTV input, two wideband component video inputs, three S-video inputs, four A/V inputs, center channel input, A/V output, and variable audio output.

The F500 series also includes Magic Focus auto digital convergence, 117-point manual digital convergence, adjustable edge enhancement, adjustable black level expansion, three color temperature settings, MTS stereo/SAP with dbx, SRS surround sound, BBE sound enhancement, 24-watt speaker system, four picture mode memories, glow key preprogrammed remote control, front-panel menu controls, and dual 181 channel NTSC tuners. An optional stand is also offered for the 46F500.

The 57F500, 51F500, and 46F500 are currently available for $2,999.99, $2,499.99, and $2,099.99, respectively.

For more information about Hitachi America, Ltd., Home Electronics Division, visit //www.hitachi.com/tv.