SUPER-MULTI FORMAT DVD/HARD DISK RECORDERS FROM HITACHI COMPATIBLE WITH ALL DVD DISK FORMATS
New Memory Master range makes DVD recording simple & offers customers great new features for a better viewing experience
Berlin, IFA 2005 - As a world leader in high performance hard disk drive and DVD recording
technologies, Hitachi has launched its groundbreaking new Memory Master range of super-multi format DVD/Hard disk recorders that are able to read and write to all DVD disk formats. An ideal addition to any entertainment centre, customers can choose between the Memory Master DVDS81E (80GB hard drive), the Memory Master DV-DS161E (160GB hard drive) and the Memory Master DV-DS251E (250GB hard drive). The new super multi-format recorders are able to record and play back DVD+R, DVD +R DL, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-R and DVD-RW, eliminating the confusion caused for customers by the many, and sometimes incompatible, DVD disk formats. The new Memory Master super-multi format DVD/Hard disk recorders open up a whole range of new possibilities for the digital home, making entertainment much simpler and more convenient than before. A high capacity Hitachi-built hard disk drive gives instant access to recorded content. Any programs that you wish to keep can be easily dubbed to any type of DVD disk for longer-term storage. You can watch DVDs that friends have recorded, regardless of which machine was used - whether a DVD camera or another DVD recorder. If your friends do not have a super-multi format DVD player, you can simply dub content to whichever disk-type their machine can read*, comments Roland Fritsch, Product Marketing Manager of Hitachi Digital Media Group. The Memory Master recorders are housed in a sleek silver casing with a glass-effect black fascia panel, adding elegance and style to any living room. Multiple options for recording Recording could not be simpler as customers can choose any of the available DVD disk formats to record to, or use the massive hard disk drive for programs that are simply watched and deleted. The Hitachi hard disk drives offer program recording times of 100 hours for the 80GB drive, 200 hours for the 160GB drive and more than 300 hrs for the 250GB drive. The recorder will write and read all DVD disk formats developed by the DVD Forum as well as DVD+R and
* Customers should always adhere to copyright and content protection law
DVD+RW. The super-multi format recorders will also read finalized and non-finalised 8cm DVD RAM and DVD-R disks from any of Hitachis DVD camcorders. Easy navigation A highly intuitive and quick navigation system means that with a few clicks of the remote control, all your favourite programs can be automatically recorded and available for viewing at a convenient time. A triple-navigation facility means that customers can search for content by disk, by scene or by time. The disk navigation option shows the disk contents as thumbnails of the titles on the disk and offers a moving thumbnail picture with sound from the selected title. The scene navigation option shows a series of thumbnails of the indexed scenes on the disk and the time based navigation option lets you preview snapshots of whatever scene is recorded at the time you select. Saves time Saving customers time and for greater viewing pleasure, the new Memory Master recorders also offer an intelligent commercial advance feature that allows for all commercial breaks to be automatically detected and skipped when playing back a recording. Complete range In addition to the Memory Master recorders, Hitachi is also launching the DV-RV8500E, a supermulti format DVD/VCR recorder that offers one-button dubbing between DVD and videotape. It has the same easy-to-use navigation system and user interface as the other Memory Master recorders. Connectivity For added connectivity the Memory Master DV-DS81E offers a DV input. For true digital audio and video content, the Memory Master DV-DS251E and DV-DS161E have a HDMI port as well as a DV input and SD memory card slot for customers to view photographs and other digital content from devices that use SD memory cards. Availability Hitachis new super-multi format recorders are available across Europe. The availability schedule is as follows: Product Available

Memory Master DV-DS81E Memory Master DV-DS161E Memory Master DV-DS251E DV-RV8500E
September 2005 September 2005 September 2005 August 2005 -ends-
Notes To Editor About Hitachi Digital Media Group The Digital Media Group, which is part of Hitachi Europe Ltd, is responsible for pan-European sales and distribution of Hitachis leading digital display, camera, projection and storage products. With four key product areas, Hitachi Digital Media Group provides leading-edge digital solutions for the home. Key product groups are: display solutions, which include High Definition Ready Plasma and LCD TVs; a complete range of home entertainment 3LCD projectors; 5th generation DVD Camcorders and a comprehensive range of DVD/hard disk players and recorders. For further information please visit Hitachi Digital Medias website at http://www.hitachidigitalmedia.com About Hitachi Europe Ltd. Hitachi Europe Ltd., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., Japan. Headquartered in Maidenhead, UK, it has operations in 15 countries and employs 470 people across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. As a 'Best Solutions Partner' Hitachi Europe tailors its services and solutions to meet the specific needs of its customers. Hitachi Europe comprises eleven key business areas: power and industrial systems; rail; industrial components & equipment; information systems; high performance computing; digital media; display products; airconditioning and refrigeration systems; procurement and sourcing; corporate technology group (research & development) and the Hitachi Design Centre. For more information about Hitachi Europe Ltd., please visit http://www.hitachi-eu.com. About Hitachi, Ltd. Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501 / NYSE:HIT), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company, with approximately 347,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2004 (ended March 31, 2005) consolidated sales totaled 9,027 billion yen ($84.3billion). 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://www.hitachi.com.