Hitachi Expands Big Screen

[Gregg Lengling]

Hitachi Expands Big Screen Microdisplay Product Line with Dramatically Designed Models Boasting Unparalleled Performance; Ten New LCD & LCoS Projection HDTVs Deliver Exceptional Images for Design-Driven Consumers and Film Fans

The Home Electronics Division of Hitachi America, Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT), //www.hitachi.us/tv, today unveiled three new UltraVision(R) LCoS Projection HDTV models and seven new UltraVision(R) LCD Projection HDTV models, giving today's savvy consumers the opportunity to choose a television that meets their home theater needs.


The company's innovative three-panel LCoS light engine features the proprietary Dual Focus Lens system and offers a native resolution of 1920 x 1080 to create a smooth, high-resolution image. The Hitachi developed LCoS design utilizes an extremely thin liquid crystal layer that reduces the response time from light-to-dark and dark-to-light transitions for sharper on-screen action. The exclusive 25-Element Dual Focus Lens System is engineered to render the three-panel 1920 x 1080 LCoS light engine output with exceptional precision and clarity from edge to edge and corner to corner. Hitachi's extensive research into LCoS imaging devices results in a proprietary design with an approximately 92 percent aperture that delivers a smooth, highly detailed image.

"Hitachi's engineering expertise takes the home theater experience one step further by introducing technology that makes images come alive with smooth film-like quality," said Leo Delaney, Vice President, marketing, Hitachi America, Ltd., Home Electronics Division. "With screen sizes up to 70 inches, Hitachi's rear-projection HDTV models with LCoS and LCD technologies and our breakthrough dual focus light engine create a compact form factor with the streamlined look of plasma."

UltraVision(R) LCD Projection HDTV VF820 Series

The 50-inch 50VF820, 55-inch 55VF820 and 60-inch 60VF820 models include exclusive features and LCD technologies for a brighter picture with precise focus in less space:

-- Ultra-Slim form factor with a plasma appearance and all black metallic finish.

-- Three-Panel 720p LCD Light Engine with Exclusive Dual Focus Lens System.

-- New VirtualHD 1080p II with 12-bit/68-billion color capability and dynamic histogram processing to improve contrast, color, sharpness and gamma by processing each video frame as a digital still image. Every frame is analyzed and optimized in real time for a sharp, smooth and seamless image.

-- The Quick Start Seamless HDTV and NTSC Tuners deliver the picture quickly with seamless access to all available channels.

-- CableCARD(TM) compatibility provides simplified "one remote control" operation for cable programming on participating systems.

-- Hitachi's separate Day and Night Memories for each source component deliver superior picture quality. Simply pressing the Day/Night button on the remote or using the automatic timer switches between bright daytime settings and high fidelity nighttime settings.

-- (2) HDMI(TM) audio/video inputs.

-- (2) Wideband component inputs.

Additional highlights include anti-reflective diffusion screen, multiple color temperatures (including a black-and-white film temperature), 4-step black enhancement and a 40-watt, 3-way speaker system. The 50VF820, 55VF820 and 60VF820 will be available in August, September and August with suggested retail prices of $3,099, $3,399 and $3,999, respectively.

UltraVision(R) CineForm(TM) LCD Projection HDTV VG825 Series

With 50-, 55- and 60-inch models, the CineForm(TM) VG825 rear-projection LCD models are packaged in a sleek, metallic black industrial design and include several enhancements over the VF820 series. Hitachi's signature CineForm(TM) design elements add subtle distinctive curves to the VG825 industrial design. The TV Guide On Screen(R) interactive programming guide offers convenient access to program and recording options to enhance the consumer experience. The VG825 series also includes an illuminated Roll & Click(TM) Remote with unique rolling wheels that make it easy to quickly change the channels or adjust the volume. Hitachi's new Learning AV Net IV simplifies operation of your complete home theater with one convenient interface and Infra-Red (IR) outputs make recording to VCRs and DVD recorders convenient and easy. The USB input provides the capability to view digital photographs.

The 50VG825, 55VG825 and 60VG825 will be available in September and will retail for $3,199, $3,499 and $4,099, respectively.

UltraVision(R) CineForm(TM) LCoS Projection HDTV T925 Series

Hitachi's UltraVision(R) CineForm(TM) 60T925 features a 60-inch 1080p LCoS light engine and Dual Focus Lens System in the company's unique CineForm(TM) industrial design for a sleek, contemporary look. The exclusive Dual Focus Lens System is engineered and manufactured to reproduce the maximum amount of detail from the 1920 x 1080 LCoS panels. The new design also minimizes the non-picture area of the display, ideal for the display of smooth seamless movies or fast-motion sequences in sports programming. The T925 series also includes DV and IEEE1394 interfaces with full AV control to make recording to hard disk drives convenient and easy. The 60T925 will be available in November and retail for $5,299.

UltraVision(R) CineForm(TM) Director's Series(TM) LCoS Projection X927

The UltraVision(R) CineForm(TM) Director's Series(TM) models for 2005 include the 70-inch 70X927 and 60-inch 60X927 1080p HDTVs. The X927 series includes all of the advanced technologies found in the T925, including precision tuning of the polarizers and filters inside the Dual Focus Light Engine for the reproduction of brilliant HDTV colors. Like the T925 models, the X927 features a Custom Color Temperature with four memories to present a new level of convenience and image customization to discerning videophiles, but also adds an exclusive Adjustable Color Decoder.

The new enhanced Digital Color Management III system can store two settings -- one for the photo memory card input and one for all other video settings for true color rendering. Both models are packaged in a high-gloss black CineForm(TM) finish featuring a diffusion screen with anti-reflective coatings that effectively absorb ambient room light, reducing reflections for richer blacks and vibrant color. The Film Quality Image Tuning provides increased detail in shadows and highlights.

These Director's Series(TM) models feature the exclusive Learning AV NET IV with Simple Remote, which concentrates the power of total home theater control into a small handheld 12-button remote. This convenient and intuitive remote fits comfortably in the palm of your hand and can command an entire home theater system. Complementing the picture display enhancements, both models include Dual Deep Bass Woofers and a 40-watt, 3-way speaker system to heighten the home theater experience.

The 60X927 will be available in November at a suggested retail price of $6,499 and the 70X927 will be available in December at a suggested retail price of $8,499.

50V720 LCD Projection HDTV

The Hitachi 50V720 rear-projection LCD high-definition television offers a contemporary side speaker design with a 50-inch display via the High Contrast Lens System. This model includes exclusive features, including Hitachi's proprietary VirtualHD(TM) 1080p II video processing technology, Quick Start Seamless HDTV and NTSC Tuners, and Day and Night Memory settings. The 50V720 is cable-ready and offers CableCARD(TM) compatibility, BBE(TM) sound enhancement and optical digital audio output, HDMI digital interface x 1, 4:3 expanded mode for all TV signals, split screen and a universal remote control. The 50V720 will be available in September for a suggested retail price of $2,799.

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 plasma televisions and monitors, LCD and LCoS televisions and CRT televisions, as well as DVD camcorders and DVD players/recorders. In addition to consumer products, Hitachi also markets professional plasma monitors for business applications as well as security and observation system products.

Hitachi has a unique position in the marketplace manufacturing and developing its own core technologies to provide consumers and businesses with optimal product performance in each of Hitachi's product categories.

Hitachi America, Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., markets and manufactures a broad range of electronics, computer systems and products, and consumer electronics, and provides industrial equipment and services throughout North America. For more information, visit //www.hitachi.us.

Hitachi, Ltd., (NYSE:HIT), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 347,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2004 (ended March 31, 2005) consolidated sales totaled 9,027.0 billion yen ($84.4 billion). The company offers a wide range of systems, products and services in market sectors including information systems, electronic devices, power and industrial systems, consumer products, materials and financial services. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's Website at http://www.hitachi.com.

[tazman]

Very Very nice.  I wonder how much I could get in trade for my SONY?  The only thing that would scare me about the Hitachi's is their history of light engine problems with their LCD units.  Hopefully that dosen't carry over to the Lcos sets.

[StarvingForHDTV]

1080p LCoS..... You have my attention.  I look forward to comparing it to the 1080p DLP models coming out soon.

[gparris]

Looks like JVC will have their competitor once they come out with the LCoS 1080p later this year, but it appears as though the Hitachi sets will cost more(?)