Hitachi Announces Next Generation Digital Video/Audio Documentation And Archiving Appliance
Oct 14, 1998 00:00 AM
Employing MPEG Technology, The Hitachi M2 Offers Multiple-Media Digital Recording Capability for Commercial, Industrial and Technical Applications
Hitachi America, Ltd. today announced the introduction of its second generation multimedia appliance, the M2, employing MPEG-1 technology to record full-motion video and audio and JPEG technology for photographs all stored on a 260-megabyte PCMCIA Type III hard drive.
The Hitachi M2 is the world's first and only digital multimedia recording device capable of digitally capturing and storing up to 27 minutes of full-motion video (MPEG-1 format), 3,000 photographs (JPEG format), and four hours of MPEG audio -- and combinations of all three formats. Files are stored on a 260-megabyte PC hard drive and can be transferred to a computer hard drive easily for processing and editing thus making this an ideal input device for an array of multimedia applications.
The M2 is priced at $1499 and is available for immediate delivery.
"Hitachi's innovative products are designed to help businesses incorporate leading multimedia capabilities into their day-to-day activities," said Motomitsu Sadayasu, vice president and general manager of Hitachi America, Ltd., Computer Division. "The M2 offers a consistent and flexible tool for documenting, archiving and capturing an incredible range of information using a combination of motion video, still images and audio narration that is unparalleled in the industry. The M2 multimedia appliance can be used in a variety of applications from advertising production and architectural documentation to risk management, law enforcement and forensics to real estate and Web development. "It is our expectation that customers in a variety of commercial and industrial markets will find the M2 to be an exceptional yet practical business documentation and archival appliance."
The M2 has a wide range of applications for commercial markets, including real estate, law enforcement, facilities management, insurance, travel and photojournalism. For instance, a realtor can offer property tours via the Internet, a reporter can file a story complete with audio and video from the field, or a law enforcement agent can document evidence at a crime scene.
Weighing only 1.2 pounds, the stand-alone M2 transports easily to remote locations, making it an excellent solution for situations that require real-time documentation, such as meetings, interviews and special events. Recorded images and videos are stored on a PC hard drive allowing information to be transferred immediately onto a computer, then posted to a Web site, distributed via e-mail or placed in a multimedia application.
"The M2 is a remarkable piece of equipment for today's publishing industry which needs portable multimedia recording tools," said Kerry J. Northrup, executive director of the International Association for Newspaper and Media Technology. "We feel the M2 is a comprehensive solution for any reporter, taking the place of what would otherwise be three or four separate devices that the journalist would have to carry around, learn and operate."
Hitachi America, Ltd., Computer Division supplies high performance computer storage products and multimedia products to OEMs, value-added resellers, systems integrators and distributors. The division's products include high-capacity hard disk drives and optical drives, digital multimedia recorders, handheld computers and LCD projectors.
Hitachi America, Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., Japan, markets and manufactures a broad range of electronics, computer systems and products, semiconductors and provides industrial equipment and services throughout North America. For more information on Hitachi in North America, visit http://www.hitachi.us/.
Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the world's leading global electronics companies, with fiscal 1997 (ending March 31, 1998) consolidated sales of 8,417 billion yen ($63.8 billion)(a). 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 132 yen to the dollar.
Gerard F. Corbett
Hitachi America, Ltd.
Vice President
Corp. Communications Group
Tel:(650) 244-7900
Fax: (650) 244-7920
gerard.corbett@hal.hitachi.com
Debbie Curley
Debbie Curley
(650) 463-8689
dcurley@ca.webergroup.com
Katey Stewart
The Weber Group
(650) 463-8636
kstewart@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
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