Hitachi's New DVD Camcorders Add DVD-R for Playback on Most Home DVD Players
Jan 8, 2002 17:22 PM
-- Three Models Round Out Line- up, USB2.0 Added to Emmy Award-Winning Product --
LAS VEGAS, January 8, 2002 - The Home Electronics Division of Hitachi America, Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT), http://www.hitachi.us/tv, unveiled its latest DVD camcorders today at the 2002 Consumer Electronics Show. Three new DVD camcorder models now offer both DVD-R and DVD-RAM format compatibility. The DVD-R capability provides compatibility with most home DVD players.1 DVD-RAM offers simple in-camera editing and incredible durability as discs can be re-recorded over 100,000 times.2
"Hitachi introduced one of the first video camcorders to consumers over 20 years ago and has been an innovating force in video ever since," said Leo Delaney, vice president of marketing for Hitachi America, Ltd., Home Electronics Division. "The DVD format is an exceptional choice for high quality video recording. It offers all of the ease of use benefits associated with disc-based recording and long-term durability that tape-based formats just can't match. In addition, the consumer is no longer dependant on using their camcorder as the playback device since DVD-R adds compatibility with most home DVD players. Hitachi's new DVD camcorders will change the way consumers record and share home video."
Hitachi's DVD camcorders utilize the high quality and high efficiency of MPEG2 video compression technology. Consumers can select between extended recording time or increased recording quality. DVD-RAM discs hold a minimum of 40 minutes of the highest quality DVD video (20 min/side), one hour of high quality DVD video (30 min/side) or two hours of standard quality. DVD-R discs hold 30 minutes of high quality DVD video (single-sided) and can be played back on most standard consumer DVD players and DVD-ROM3 drives, but are not rewrite-able. Additionally, the top two models can record 1,998 JPEG still images at 1280 x 960 on DVD-RAM discs, while the entry model can record 1,998 JPEG stills at a resolution of 1024 x 768.
Consumers will appreciate the benefits of disc-based systems including random access and the compact form factor. Random access to any point on the disc avoids clumsy rewinding and fast forwarding. Hitachi's DVD camcorders offer a visual "thumbnail" guide of small pictures representing each beginning of a scene recorded on the disc. Simply select the thumbnail picture and you can view the video clip. DVD-RAM offers the same capability when selecting still images. Additionally, since the camcorders only write to empty areas on the disc, there is no danger of accidentally erasing any scene.
With DVD-RAM, consumers can even edit their movies in the camera. This sophisticated system allows consumers to re-order scenes and add special scene transition effects, including fades and wipes.
Utilizing a USB computer connection and Hitachi's optional PC Editing Kit Software (DZ-WINPC3W), the DVD camcorders become external DVD home movie drives. Video can be transferred from the DVD camcorder to the PC for editing. After editing, the video can be transferred back to the DVD camcorder and recorded. This is where the strength of Hitachi's multi-format DVD camcorders gives consumers an unprecedented capability:
1. Record video utilizing the rewrite-able DVD-RAM format
2. Transfer the footage to the PC
3. Edit the footage on the PC
4. Transfer the footage back to the DVD camcorder and record it onto DVD-R for compatibility with most DVD players
Or if available, the video can be transferred by placing the disc into a PC's 4.7G byte DVD-RAM or DVD-ROM3 drive. The top of the line DZ-MV270A also supports USB2.0, which has data transfer rates faster than standard USB1.1.
Hitachi's DZ-MV200A features multi-disc format compatibility (DVD-RAM/R), 12x lens (240x digital zoom), 680k pixel CCD, EIS (Electronic Image Stabilizer) and 2.5-inch LCD screen. The DZ-MV200A features USB1.1 PC connectivity, an AV input, intelligent shoe for optional flash, Li-ion battery and remote control. The step-up model, DZ-MV230A adds a ¼-inch 1.1 mega pixel CCD for higher resolution images and variable bit rate recording for more efficient use of disc space.
The DZ-MV200A will be available for $899.95 in April 2002, while the DZ-MV230 is available in April 2002 for $999.95.
In addition to the features of the DZ-MV230A, the DZ-MV270A also features a larger 3.5-inch LCD screen, Color Viewfinder and S-video input. The model also supports the new high speed interface, USB2.0, the next standard for future PCs, which provides users with a transfer rate that is up to three times faster than USB1.1. The DZ-MV270A will be available in June 2002 retailing for $1,299.95.
The Hitachi America, Ltd., Home Electronics Division markets a variety of consumer electronics including rear projection high definition television monitors in both 16:9 and 4:3 configurations, plasma televisions, analog rear projection televisions, direct view televisions, DVD players, DVD camcorders and VCRs, 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
1DVD-R may not be compatible with some DVD players 2Results of Maxell House Standards Testing 3Some DVD-ROM drives may not be compatible with DVD-R and DVD-RAM discs
UltraVision and UltraVision Digital are registered trademarks of Hitachi America, Ltd., Home Electronics Division
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
Weber Shandwick San Francisco
Tel: (415) 296.2276
Mobile: (415) 370-4126
gbelloni@webershandwick.com
Renee Linholm
Weber Shandwick San Francisco
Tel: (415) 296-2272
Mobile: 415.710.7659
rlinholm@webershandwick.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
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