Hitachi Releases Next Generation Professional Plasma Monitor; New 42-Inch CMP4221U Display Offers Stunning Image Reproduction for Professional Applications.

SAN DIEGO -- The Home Electronics Division of Hitachi America, Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT), www.hitachi.us/tv, today announced its next-generation high-definition professional plasma monitor, the 42-inch CMP4221U. Designed to deliver exceptionally sharp, smooth performance across all video and PC graphic applications, this 16:9 HDTV plasma display panel monitor (PDP) supports a broad range of commercial uses, including HDTV video display, document image editing, terminal applications and single- and multi-point AV displays. The CMP4221U is the latest addition to Hitachi's robust line of professional plasma display monitors, featuring best-of-breed brightness and stunning image reproduction capabilities.

"Professional quality plasma displays are the new standard for a wide range of corporate and commercial venues and Hitachi has years of experience satisfying this market demand," said Bill Whalen, senior product manager for the Hitachi America, Ltd., Home Electronics Division. "The CMP4221U is a next-generation professional plasma monitor that delivers improved image quality in a space-saving, sleek design, further demonstrating Hitachi's commitment to designing the industry's best displays for digital signage and other professional applications."

The Hitachi CMP4221U plasma monitor features a 1024 x 1024 pixel resolution and industry-leading proprietary technologies including Hitachi's Hi-Vision compatible high-definition ALiS (Alternate Lighting of Surfaces) technology, a unique panel driving system and structure that dramatically increases light output, resolution and panel life over conventional designs; Life Extension Control to prolong the display's useful life; Monitor ID Bit functionality allowing independent control of multiple plasma panels; and an RS-232C interface for two-way communication with the PDP, allowing on-the-fly monitoring and performance adjustments. With over a million pixels, advanced color control and temperature selections, and a viewing angle exceeding 160 degrees, the CMP4221U packs exceptional performance into a thin profile, space-saving professional plasma display monitor.

Hitachi designed the CMP4221U with a wide range of interface options, providing both HDMI and standard VGA analog computer interfaces and separate HDMI stereo interfaces for internal and external audio, assuring DVI and HDMI version 1.1 support. Additional features include independent horizontal and vertical scalers for the best possible image scaling, a universal power supply compliant with all standard industrial and commercial power sources, an advanced image color filter allowing accurate reproduction of virtually all video and PC images, and an optimized remote control for discrete commands and a minimum instruction set. The CMP4221U is FCC Class B compliant and comes with an On-Screen Display (OSD) key lock, auto adjust features for PC operation, a sleep timer and multiple screen savers, dual S-video inputs, dual component and composite inputs, discrete IR inputs and a composite output.

Optional accessories for the black-framed CMP4221U display include a table top stand, wall-mount unit, ceiling-suspension unit and speakers. The CMP4221U will begin shipping in March 2006 with a suggested retail price of $2,999.

ABOUT HITACHI

Hitachi America, Ltd., Home Electronics Division, which will become the Ubiquitous Platform Systems Division on April 1st, produces and markets a wide variety of consumer electronics products, including high-definition plasma televisions and monitors, LCD projection and flat panel HDTVs, LCD televisions, as well as DVD camcorders and DVD players. In addition to consumer products, Hitachi also markets professional plasma monitors and LCD and LCOS projectors for business applications as well as security and observation system products. Hitachi has a unique position in the marketplace by manufacturing and developing its own core technologies to provide consumers and businesses with optimal product performance in each of Hitachi's product categories. For more information, visit www.hitachi.us/tv.

Hitachi America, Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., markets and manufactures a broad range of electronics, computer systems and products, and consumer electronics, and provides industrial equipment and services throughout North America. For more information, visit www.hitachi.us.

Hitachi, Ltd., (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 9,027.0 billion yen ($84.4 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 www.hitachi.com.

(C) 2006, Hitachi, Ltd.

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