News Releases

Hitachi's DVD line offers high video quality and performance with upgraded features. The latest Hitachi DVD line-up, comprised of the DV-P415U and the DV-P315U, feature sleek body designs and new remotes. Included in both players is Hitachi's disc navigation system, 2x/4x digital zoom capabilities with virtual surround sound and component output and two digital audio outputs (optical and coaxial). In addition, the DV-P415U offers MP3 (MPEG1 Audio Layer 3) playback capability, dual laser pick up and multi-brand remote. The DV-P415U and DV-P315U retail for $199 and $179 respectively and are currently available.

Leading Hitachi's camcorder line up is the first ever DVD-RAM camcorder, the DZ-MV100A, which is now available to the consumer market. A proven leader in DVD technology, Hitachi's DZ-MV100A records DVD-quality MPEG video or JPEG still photos onto a removable eight centimeter DVD disc. The disc holds one hour of high quality video, two hours of video at standard quality or 1,998 JPEG images at the resolution of 1280 x 960. The disc can be re-recorded approx. 100,000 times without image degradation.

Additionally, the DZ-MV100A offers multiple viewing and editing options such as a personal computer with a DVD-RAM drive, future DVD players and future DVD-RAM recorders. A USB connection allows video to be viewed and edited on a PC with separate software. The camcorder features random access editing enabling the user to pinpoint a specific scene without forwarding or rewinding manually. The DZ-MV100A retails for $1,999.95 and is currently available.

Hitachi's 2001 camcorder line up also offers high performance Digital8 camcorders with its two new models, the VM-D975LA and VM-D875LA. The VM-D875LA features playback and recording on Digital8, 8mm or Hi8 format tapes. The camcorder offers 500x digital zoom, 22x optical zoom lens, Digital Time Base Correction, advanced stable pix (EIS), 2.5" LCD screen with an active ambient light sensor, an active DC light and DV terminal (iLink). The VM-D875LA retails for $599 and will be available in June 2001.

The step-up model, the VM-D975LA offers additional features such as still photo mode, color viewfinder, AV in/out and external microphone jack. The VM-D975LA retails for $699 and will also be available in June 2001.

Rounding out the camcorder line is the VM-D675LA featuring Hi8 quality recording. The camcorder offers tape+® which records Hi8 picture quality on standard 8mm tape, tape analyzer (ATRS) and an active light. The VM-D675LA retails for $399 and is currently available.

Hitachi's two VCRs, VT-FX685A and VT-FX665A, are HiFi stereo sound, full size 435mm chassis offering various features at affordable prices. The VT-FX665A features auto clock, front AV input and multi-brand remote. In addition to the features above, the VT-FX685A offers 300x super rewind and VCR+. The VT-FX685A retails for $99 and is available this month. The VT-FX665A retails for $79 and is currently available.

The Hitachi America, Ltd., Home Electronics Division markets a variety of consumer electronics including high-definition TVs (HDTV), projection TVs (PTV), color TVs, DVD players, VCRs and camcorders, as well as security and observation system products. The company's premium products are sold under the Hitachi UltraVision and UltraVision Digital brand names.

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

Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the world's leading global electronics companies, with fiscal 2000 (ended March 31, 2001) consolidated sales of 8,417 billion yen ($67.9 billion*). 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://hitachi.com.

*At an exchange rate of 124 yen to the dollar.

Tape + is a registered trademark of Hitachi Home

Gerard F. Corbett
Hitachi America, Ltd.
Vice President
Corp. Communications Group
Tel:(650) 244-7900
Fax: (650) 244-7920
gerard.corbett@hal.hitachi.com

Greg Belloni
The Weber Group
Tel: (415) 616-6139
gbelloni@ca.webergroup.com

Renee Linholm
The Weber Group
Tel: (415) 616-6003
rlinholm@ca.webergroup.com

For all other inquiries please call:
1-800-HITACHI

If you have any questions specifically about Investor Relations in the United States, please contact our Investor Relations Department at investor.info@hal.hitachi.com