News Releases

09/04/2008

Hitachi Unveils 50-Inch Ultra Thin Plasma Display

-- Hitachi's New UltraThin 1.5-inch Plasma Display is Expected to be Main Attraction at CEDIA Expo in Denver --

Denver, Colo. (CEDIA Expo, Booth 925), Sept. 4, 2008 — Continuing its leadership position in developing the world’s thinnest HDTVs, Hitachi Home Electronics (America), Inc. has unveiled the first Plasma Display Panel in its UltraThin “1.5” family. This gorgeous new plasma addition to Hitachi’s 1.5 line – so named for its ultra thin 1.5-inch depth – will be offered in a 50-inch screen size, making it among the largest in the UltraThin category. In fact, it represents one of the world’s thinnest, at approximately one-third the depth of other plasma displays.

This new product embodies an engineering milestone of major significance for Hitachi and the HDTV industry. The 50-inch 1.5 UltraThin PDP is expected to be a main attraction of the CEDIA Expo in Hitachi’s booth (#925).

While a handful of companies, including Hitachi, have already developed UltraThin LCD models, Hitachi is at the forefront and among the first vendors to demonstrate an UltraThin plasma display. For a variety of technical reasons, the challenges in producing a thin plasma display greatly exceed those associated with developing a thin LCD, making Hitachi’s achievements – 1.5-inch UltraThin models in both LCD and PDP – even more impressive. As a result, Hitachi has already captured an early lead in the rapidly emerging and commercially attractive emerging category of UltraThin Displays.

“The industry theme of ‘Thin is In’ continues apace and Hitachi was one of the first to propel this trend,” said Daniel Lee, vice president of marketing for Hitachi Home Electronics (America), Inc. “Hitachi’s goal is to offer consumers more choice and greater flexibility. That means LCD or plasma.

This translates into a screen size that fits any room – kitchen, bath, home theater – along with an aesthetic design that complements the luxury of today’s modern home. And it most certainly means UltraThin, because that’s what today’s consumers want. It becomes even more powerful and attractive when you pair all those great options with the world-renowned technology and performance that have always epitomized the Hitachi brand.”

For more information about Hitachi’s activities at CEDIA, please visit www.hitachi.us/tv

Hitachi Home Electronics (America), Inc., Consumer Group subsidiary of Hitachi America, Ltd., markets high-definition plasma and LCD flat panel televisions and monitors, as well as Blu-ray Disc™, DVD and HDD camcorders.

Hitachi has a unique position in the marketplace by manufacturing and developing its own core technologies to provide consumers and businesses with optimal product performance in each of Hitachi's product categories. For consumer products, please visit www.hitachi.us/tv. For Business products go to www.hitachi.us/digitalmedia.

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

Hitachi, Ltd., (NYSE: HIT / TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 390,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2007 (ended March 31, 2008) consolidated revenues totaled 11,226 billion yen ($112.2 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, logistics and financial services. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at www.hitachi.com.