News Releases

06/08/2000

Hitachi To Release World's First 4.7GB DVD-RAM-Standard Compliant DVD Camcorder

Jun 8, 2000 09:16 AM

-- DVD video recorder, and DVD drives for PCs also to be released --

TOKYO, Japan, June 8, 2000 --- Digital Media Group of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE: HIT) today announced that on August 25 it will release the world’s first DVD-RAM camcorder in Japan. In addition, a DVD-RAM video recorder will be released on the same day, and volume shipments of 4.7GB DVD-RAM and DVD-ROM drives for PCs will follow after the end of June. The DVD-RAM products are based on the 4.7GB DVD-RAM standard.

In the field of audiovisual (AV) equipment, the pace of the shift to digital video and audio continues to increase at a rapid pace. At the same time, the advent of faster CPUs and the growing capacities of hard-disk drives is driving a migration of AV applications to the PC and other digital appliances. To enable this process of convergence to achieve its full potential, there is a need for a large-capacity media format that is compatible with both AV equipment and PCs. DVD-RAM standard is based on the concept that holds compatibility in both video recorders and storage devices for PCs through DVD-RAM disk media. Setting DVD standards is a mission of the DVD Forum, which is comprised of more than 200 member companies from around the world. Through their efforts, DVD is fast becoming the key storage media for providing a bridge between AV devices and PCs in the DVD world of the 21st century.

In making the announcement, Yoshinori Fujimori, CEO of the Hitachi, Ltd. Digital Media Group said, “Hitachi has been involved in DVD right from the beginning, expanding its presence in this sector of operations by developing DVD-ROM and -RAM drives for PCs. Hitachi has used the technology and expertise thus acquired to develop this latest group of DVD products that take the convergence of AV and PC products a step further. We intend to continue further development of truly innovative DVD based products that satisfy the needs for an increasingly content driven marketplace in the future.”

Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the world's leading global electronics companies, with fiscal 1999 (ended March 31, 2000) consolidated sales of 8,001 billion yen ($75.5 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://www.hitachi.co.jp.

*At an exchange rate of 106 yen to the dollar.

PRODUCTS AND AVAILABILITY

DVD camcorder
Model: DZ-MV100 Sales start August 25 in Japan. Price: 248,000 yen

DVD video recorder
Model: DV-RX2000 Sales start August 25 in Japan. Price: 250,000 yen

Internal DVD-RAM drive for PCs
Model: GF-2000(ATAPI interface) Shipments start June 30
Model: GF-2050(SCSI interface) Shipments start in latter part of August

External DVD-RAM drive for PCs
Model: GF-2055(SCSI interface) Shipments start August 25

Internal DVD-R?M drive for PCs (with DVD-RAM playback capability)
Model: GD-7500(ATAPI interface) Shipments start in latter part of July
Model: GD-S200(ATAPI interface, slim tray) Shipments start in latter part of August

Product features

DVD Camcorder
1. Uses 8cm DVD-RAM disks with of 1.46GB per side
(1) AV/PC compatibility
The 8cm DVD-RAM format was established by the DVD Forum for combined AV/PC applications. Provides full range of DVD features, such as random access, high read and write speeds, durability and reliability.
(2) Long-life storage Being a non-contact recording/playback medium means that there is no deterioration in image quality even after repeated playings. Also, unlike with a conventional video camcorder, there are no worries about tapes breaking or getting tangled.
(3) Choice of recording modes
The camcorder can record for one hour in high-quality mode (30 minutes a side at a fixed rate of 6 Mbps), and two hours in standard mode (60 minutes a side at a fixed rate of 3 Mbps).
(4) DVD-RAM cartridge
The camcorder records on disks housed in a cartridge. The cartridge media are compatible with the 4.7GB DVD-RAM drives for PCs and with the DVD recorder. The cartridge provides disks with added protection against fingerprints and dirt.

2. Ease of operation
(1) Recording
a. New recordings do not overwrite existing recordings, but are added on, so there is no danger of the user inadvertently erasing previous recordings.
b. Unlike a tape-based camcorder, there is no need to rewind the tape to see what you've recorded. Any part of any recording can be replayed virtually instantaneously. And you don't have to search for space for the next recording. The camcorder does that for you.
(2) Playback
a. After you have finished recording, all you have to do is press the Play button and the camcorder automatically replays any recordings that haven't yet been viewed.
b. Disk navigation screens enable rapid selection and playback of specific recordings.

3. High-performance camcorder functions (1) Megapixel CCD
A 1.1-million-pixel, 1/4-inch CCD with an effective area of 720,000 pixels is used for video recording. In still mode, the effective area is one million pixels. (2) Optical 12x zoom lens system
The multi-coated, aspherical lens system is a high-performance type designed specially for megapixel applications. Hitachi's DSP6 digital signal processor uses MPEG-2 compression technology for optimum image quality. The camcorder also has a 48x digital zoom mode.

Main specifications Recording mode Motion pictures (with sound)
Still images

Maximum recording time
Motion pictures: 60 minutes in high-quality mode 120 minutes in standard mode

Still recording capacity 1,998 stills

Recording system Motion pictures: DVD video recording standard
Still images: DVD video recording standard and JPEG

Pixel resolution
Motion pictures: 704 x 480 (high-quality)
325 x 480 (standard)v Still images: 1,280 x 960 (JPEG)
704 x 480 (DVD video)

Media 8cm DVD-RAM (DVD-RAM Book 2.1 compliant)

DV-RX2000 DVD Video Recorder

The DV-RX2000 is a high-performance, high quality 4.7GB DVD-RAM video recorder that is as easy to operate as a videotape recorder, and providing adequate copy protection features.

The DV-RX2000 incorporates MPEG-2 variable bit rate compression and a number of other high-performance features such as external input TBC (Time Base Corrector), 3D Y/C separation and digital noise reduction. Being a disk-based medium means that it has excellent random-access operability, and it is fully compatible with PC DVD-RAM drives and other DVD devices. This includes full playback compatibility with respect to DVD recordings made using the DZ-MV100 DVD video camcorder. The DV-RX2000 can also rearrange and erase images, and is cable-ready.

The DV-RX2000 can play DVD videos, video CDs and audio CDs. For optimum quality reproduction of DVD movies, it includes 525-line progressive scanning playback and a Dolby Digital 5.1-channel decoder for full home theater viewing and listening pleasure.

Main specifications
Recording system DVD video recording

Disk 4.7GB DVD-RAM disk

Recording modes XP: 10 Mbps; SP: 5 Mbps; LP: 2.5 Mbps (variable bit rate)

Recording capacity 4 hours maximum (using 4.7GB DVD-RAM disk)
High-quality mode: 60 minutes
Standard mode: 120 minutes
Long-play mode: 240 minutes

Video system NTSC

Channel reception VHF (channels 1 to 12); UHF (channels 13 to 62); CATV (channels 13 to 63); BS (channels 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15)

Playback media compatibility DVD (SL/DL: 8/12cm); DVC (8/12cm); CD-DA (8/12cm)

GF-2000 series 4.7GB DVD-RAM drive for PCs

The GF-2000 series DVD-RAM drive is the successor to the GF-1000 series 2.6GB DVD-RAM that Hitachi released in April 1998. At 4.7GB a side (double-sided capacity of 9.4GB), the GF-2000 has roughly twice the capacity of the earlier drive, and its data transfer rate of 22 Mbps during writing is twice as fast.

The GF-2000 series offers read/write compatibility with the 2.6GB DVD-RAM disks, enabling existing data assets on such disks to be utilized. Disks used by a GF-2000 series drive to store data can be read by the GD-7500 and GD-S200 DVD-RAM drives that Hitachi is releasing at the same time as the GF-2000.

Features
1. Full compliance with DVD-RAM (rewritable) standards.
2. Playback compatibility with respect to DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, etc.
3. ATAPI (enhanced IDE) interface (GF-2000)
4. Ultra SCSI interface (GF-2050/GF-2055)
5. Buffer memory of 2MB
6. Drives can be used horizontally or vertically
7. Compatible with Windows® 95/98 and Windows® 2000/NT (When used with a PC, device drivers or application software is required.)

Internal DVD-ROM drives for PCs can read 4.7GB DVD-RAM disks

In July, Hitachi will start shipping the GD-7500 and GD-S200 internal DVD-ROM drives for PCs. Both drives come equipped with an ATAPI interface and can read 4.7GB/side (9.4GB/two sides) DVD-RAM media that complies with the 4.7GB DVD-RAM (rewritable DVD) standard, which means they are read-compatible with the latest DVD-RAM media format. This means that PCs can be used to read data stored on a DVD-RAM, and to play video data recorded by using Hitachi DVD camcorder, which also facilitate such data to be transferred to a PC's hard disk.

Note:

• ATAPI is the standard interface used by PC CD-ROM drives to transfer data.

• Windows is a trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.

• The full name of Windows® 95 is Microsoft® Windows® 95 Operating System.

• The full name of Windows® 98 is Microsoft® Windows® 98 Operating System.

• The full name of Windows® 2000 is Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Operating System.

• The full name of Windows® NT is Microsoft® Windows® NT Operating System.

For Media/Investor Inquiries, please contact:

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

Setsuko Minamikawa
Hitachi America, Ltd.
Vice President
Corp. Communications Group
minami@cm.head.hitachi.co.jp

Terry Kubo
Hitachi America, Ltd.
Tel: (650) 244-7902
tatsuya.kubo@hal.hitachi.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