Hitachi Offers First Premium Portable Projectors With Optional Network and Wireless Capabilities

BRISBANE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 13, 2003-- Hitachi America, Ltd. (www.hitachi.com), a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan (NYSE:HIT), today announced its two newest premium portable LCD projectors, the CP-X885W and CP-X880W. Featuring exceptional brightness and native XGA resolution for outstanding image quality, the CP-X885W and CP-X880W are Hitachi's first projectors to offer network and wireless capabilities through the use of a separate optional module, further augmenting Hitachi's full line of multimedia projectors. Both projectors are compatible with a variety of different lenses making the CP-X885W and CP-X880W ideal for a wide variety of industries such as business enterprise, higher education and other meeting hall settings.

"We are pleased to announce an expansion to our projector product line that provides our customers with projectors offering network and wireless capabilities," said Pete Denes, director of sales for Hitachi America, Ltd., Digital Media Division. "As the use of projectors in a variety of business and educational settings increases, customers seek out products not only with exceptional performance, the best brightness, resolution and portability, but also cutting-edge capabilities, such as network and wireless connectivity. Hitachi's CP-X885W and CP-X880W meet all of these requirements."

Flexible and Versatile
With the use of an optional module (WNM80 $1,499) that plugs into the DVI port, both projectors can become network and wireless compatible, making them ideal for conference or board rooms, as well as college or university settings. These network capabilities provide the user with the ability to monitor and control multiple projectors -- the system can support up to 255 I/P addresses from a remote location. From this remote location, the user can turn the projectors on and off, and monitor the projector's operating status including the lamp life, temperature and active input port.

The wireless option also allows multiple users (up to four laptops) to communicate with a single projector without the use of any cables. Further enhancing the presentation capabilities, the user is able to send up to 8MB of data to the projector through the network prior to the actual presentation. Through the use of the projector's play back feature, the user can then access the presentation without any transmission delay.

Additionally, the CP-X885W and CP-X880W projectors are compatible with a wide range of optional lenses that allow the presenter to focus the output from a range of distances. This feature makes it a great option for meeting hall settings where distance is often a factor. Both projectors also possess horizontal and vertical keystone correction, enabling the user to work around various seating arrangements where the image could be obstructed. Increased flexibility and versatility is due to the projectors' rich connectivity options, which include three RGB (includes BNC, DVI and analog 15-pin RGB), along with S-Video, composite and component inputs.

Excellent Brightness and Image Clarity
Featuring native XGA resolution, the portable, 12-pound CP-X885W and CP-X880W pack a brightness of 3,500 and 3,000 ANSI lumens along with a contrast ratio of 800:1 and 500:1, respectively. With this combination of exceptional brightness and vivid, crisp images, the CP-X8885W and CP-X880W offer presenters with two projection options that provide maximum visual impact and ultra-light displays.

Additional Features
The CP-X885W and CP-X880W offer additional features such as a wireless remote control and the "One Touch" feature, which allows the presenter to auto-keystone (vertical), auto-search and auto-adjust at the touch of a button. The projectors also include a user programmable start-up screen along with a Whisper Mode function, now standard on all new Hitachi projectors, which allow users to reduce noise levels.

The CP-X885W and CP-X880W projectors are priced respectively at $12,995 and $10,995 and are now available through Hitachi's network of nationwide resellers. For more information, or to locate a dealer near you, please visit http://www.hitachi.com/mmpp, www.hitachi.com/digitalmedia or call 1-800-225-1741.

About Hitachi
Hitachi America, Ltd., Digital Media Division, supplies high-performance multimedia products to OEMs, value-added resellers, system integrators and distributors and supplies digital signage solutions to a range of industrial and commercial businesses. The division's products include LCD/LCOS projectors, CRT monitors, color laser beam printers and flat panel and plasma displays.

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.com.

Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company, with approximately 320,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2001 (ended March 31, 2002) consolidated sales totaled 7,994 billion yen ($60.1 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 and financial services. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's Web site at http://global.hitachi.com.