Hitachi Introduces New Line Of UltraVision Digital TVs And Plasma Display Panel

Building on the success of its UltraVision products, Hitachi enters the digital home theatre market with a multi-tier strategy, which the company says is designed to offer something for every consumer. The new UltraVision Digital lineup includes a digital ready 27-inch direct view, 36-inch and 60-inch HDTV Ready sets, as well as a fully integrated 61-inch rear projection HDTV system, and continues with next generation LCD rear projection and plasma display panel (PDP) products.61HDX98B HDTV The flagship of the UltraVision Digital line is the 61HDX98B ($7,999 suggested retail), a fully integrated HDTV system. As one of the first companies to offer both satellite and terrestrial reception in one unit, Hitachi demonstrated this award winning set, and displayed live digital broadcasts on the CES show room floor. Without the need for a set-top box, this true self-contained high definition TV has a built -in DirecTV System receiver as well as an 8VSB digital decoder that receives all 18 Advanced Television Systems Committee (ASTSC) digital formats. The set offers access to standard and high definition satellite signals and integration of local digital terrestrial channels with the addition of an off-air antenna. By combining the built-in 8VSB digital decoder and the DirecTV System, Hitachi says it is not limited by individual market terrestrial broadcast ramp ups and can offer a totally digital solution - anytime, anywhere - to consumers across the country, not just in limited markets.The 1.78:1 (16:9) 61HDX98B boasts Hitachi exclusive UltraFocus Super Bright (SB) lens technology, which the company says provides superior brightness and sharpness. Exclusive side-neck projection ray tubes (PRTs) allow for a larger electrostatic focusing area, increased beam current, and high-resolution phosphor on the faceplate. Claimed to be unmatched in the industry, the Super Bright lens system utilizes a total of six lenses, a larger lens diameter, new improved red and green lens filters and new high contrast lens coating.UltraVision Digital projection models also include Hitachiís exclusive Magic Focus, the first automatic digital convergence, ""screen-based"" system. A simple push of a button allows eight optical sensors to examine a special on-screen test pattern. The system then automatically adjusts for 256 points per PRT, providing the best corner-to-corner convergence available anywhere.Hitachi began displaying samples of the 61HDX98B at various retailers across the country in November 1998, and plans to have units available for consumers to purchase by the second quarter of 1999.SDX: High Definition Ready TVHitachi also has introduced its 60-inch (60SDX88B) and 36-inch (36SDX88B) SDX series HDTV-ready models. Both seta are available now, with suggested retail prices of $4,999 for the 60- rear protection television, and $2999 for the 36-inch direct view.Hitachi says that the SDXís ability to provide a smooth transition form analog to digital is Hitachi's exclusive Flex Converter. This advanced circuitry allows the TV to accept all 18 STSC digital formats from an external set-top box. NTSC sources are dramatically improved by SDXís all time progressive scanning. With Flex Converter technology, these signals are upconverted to 480P, eliminating interlace and flicker. The 60-inch SDX projection model incorporates Hitachiís UltraFocus Super Bright (SB) lenses and PRTís, while the 36-inch direct view takes advantage of a digital pitch INVAR tube. Additional features also include a 3DYC comb filter to reduce ""dot crawl"" and interference and Dolby ProLogic Surround Sound, with 60-watt amplifier, two way ported speakers and dual center channel speakers. Hitachi is targeting the second quarter of 1999 for introduction of a digital television decoder to complement their SDX series. Pricing has yet to be determined for the set-top box, which will incorporate both 8VSB and DirecTV capabilities, and connect to SDX sets via high-resolution component inputs. MultiMedia Vision (MMV): DigitalPC Ready TV The third member of the UltraVision Digital television family is Hitachiís MultiMedia Vision (27MMV30B, $999 suggested retail). This 27-inch direct view model uses a unique dual scan system to provide progressive scan via RGB input, making it DTV and PC Ready. The set, which features Hitachiís UltraBlack tube, dynamic focus and comb filter, has a built-in 181-channel tuner for full TV functions. Its true VGA (640 x 480) input and resolution also make it perfect for using as a large screen computer monitor. At under $1,000, MMV represents one of the most affordable digital television solutions on the market, while at the same time meeting the needs of PC home theatre users. MultiMedia Vision, which has been part of Hitachií s line up since 1997, has been extremely successful in the business presentation and educational markets. With the emergence of digital television in 1999, Hitachi expect that this product will gain broad consumer acceptance as well. Another display format, which Hitachi will introduce later in the year to capture the Digital/PC ready market, is a LCD based rear projection television. Next Generation Displays: LCD Rear PTV and Plasma Display Panel (PDP) Foreseeing a demand for compact, lightweight digital television solutions, Hitachi demonstrated at the Consumer Electronics Show in January two emerging display technologies: LCD rear projection and plasma display panel (PDP). Hitachiís plan for the rear LCD category includes products for both the business and consumer segments. For the presentation market, a 52-inch 4:3 (1.33:1) unit, which will accept XGA and display SVGA resolution is targeted for introduction in the second quarter of 1999 at a suggested retail of $5,999. Consumers will see a widescreen 56-inch set with 1.78:1 (16:9) aspect ratio in the fourth quarter of 1999, also carrying a suggested retail of $5,999. Both sets will include high-resolution component (Y, Pb, Pr) inputs, allowing them to accept 1080i input from a digital set-top box. Both also are said to provide exceptional contrast and brightness throughout the viewing area and benefit from progressive scan, which eliminates interlace and flicker. All this technology and picture quality is contained in a format that is considerably lighter and slimmer than conventional televisions. Rounding out Hitachiís complete line of digital display products is a plasma display panel (PDP). Currently in the development stages, Hitachi plans to market PDP as the ultimate, high quality, compact HDTV solution. The set was demonstrated during CES. It is said to display over a million pixels, with a viewing angle of 160 degrees, making it an option for digital home theatre where space is a concern. DVD Player Spring 1999 Citing strong sales and consumer acceptance of DVD players this past year, Hitachi has chosen 1999 to enter the market. The DVP250U (target introduction spring 1999, target price $399), will feature a double speed drive, for smoother visual search, and Hitachiís exclusive Disc Navigation indexing system. Additional features include component video output and built in Dolby Digital decoder. For more information on Hitachi's quality TV products, please visit www.hitachi.com/tv. Hitachi Home Electronics (America), Inc. is located at 1855 Dornoch Court, San Diego, CA 92173. Phone Martin Weinstein at 619 661 0227x3554 or Fax 800 438 7098, or e-mail martin.weinstein @ hhea.hitachi.com. For other Hitachi products, please visit www.hitachi.com.