Hitachi Introduces 2.5-Inch \'\'CinemaStar\'\' Hard Drive for Next-Gen Slim Digital Video Recorders\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nNew Drive Features Perpendicular Recording Technology, Fast Seek Time, Low Power Utilization and High Reliability\r\n\r\nBERLIN Sept. 1, 2006–Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (Hitachi) today introduced the newest member of its CinemaStar(TM) product line. With an upper capacity of 160 gigabytes (GB), the new 2.5-inch hard disk drive is tailor made for the next iteration of slim digital video recorders (DVR) by incorporating features that optimize the storing, retrieving, streaming and editing of digital video. The new product, called CinemaStar C5K160, is based on the Travelstar 5K160 notebook hard drive, Hitachi\'s reliability-focused, debut perpendicular recording product.\r\n\r\nEarlier this year, Hitachi introduced the 3.5-inch CinemaStar 7K500 and 7K160 hard drives for standard DVR applications. The new more compact CinemaStar C5K160 announced today continues Hitachi\'s focus in supporting its Era of Digital Video initiative, which positions digital video as the next \"killer application\" for hard drives in consumer devices. Industry analyst TrendFOCUS predicts an 80-percent growth for digital video applications that rely on hard drive storage in 2006.\r\n\r\nWith a slighter profile than standard DVR hard drives, the CinemaStar C5K160 offers a number of benefits to both manufacturers and end users. Using the 2.5-inch form factor, manufacturers can create slimmer DVR models that give consumers another option in the design, styling and space-consumption of their DVR devices. In addition to the drive\'s compact size, it offers best-in-class power utilization and heat emission. The combination of these features means the drive requires less cooling, which might help extend the life of the hard drive, the host product, as well as surrounding devices in a typical entertainment cabinet. The C5K160 also permits manufacturers to utilize simpler, lower-cost power supplies due to its 5V-only requirement, compared to the 5V and 12V designs utilized for 3.5-inch hard disk drives.\r\n\r\n\"Consumers are looking for options from DVR manufacturers, because they want the flexibility, sleek design and space-saving attributes that a smaller device offers,\" stated Marcia Bencala, vice president, product strategy and planning, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies. \"Hitachi\'s CinemaStar products — now in both 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch models — give manufacturers the key component to meet consumers\' varying stipulations while adding a new product segment and opportunity for a new revenue stream.\"\r\n\r\nThe CinemaStar C5K160, which is expected to be available in the first half of 2007, is designed for DVRs, portable video players, DVR-enabled televisions, PVRs and high-end audio devices among others.\r\n\r\nHitachi\'s new video-tuned, compact hard drive brings together a number of consumer electronics-specific features and benefits:\r\n\r\n– Perpendicular recording technology allows for increased platter capacity, which enables the drive to meet 3.5-inch entry-level capacity points with a smaller footprint;\r\n\r\n– SmoothStream(TM) is Hitachi-developed technology that grants hard drives to be optimized for audio/video applications requiring reliable storage for audio and video files;\r\n\r\n– Silent-seek acoustics for bedroom-quiet operation;\r\n\r\n– SMART Command Transport and adaptive error recovery for optimized video streaming and picture quality;\r\n\r\n– Advanced power management features enable the drive to run cooler and use less power;\r\n\r\n– Fast spin up time of approximately 2.3 seconds grants the C5K160 to be read quickly;\r\n\r\n– Standard interface connection support is SATA.\r\n\r\nWith a top capacity of 160 GB, the CinemaStar C5K160 could hold up to 57 movies, 40,000 four-minute songs and 80 video games.(a)\r\n\r\n(a) Actual storage capacity may vary depending on compression rates for stored media.\r\n\r\nTechnical Specifications:\r\nCinemaStar C5K160\r\n160/80/40 GB (GB = 1 billion bytes, accessible capacity may be less)\r\n9.5 mm in height\r\n102/95/95 grams in weight\r\n5400 RPM\r\n131.5 billion bits per square inch maximum areal density\r\n4/2/1 recording heads\r\n2/1/1 platter(s)\r\n325 G (2ms) operating shock\r\n1000 G (1ms) non-operating shock\r\n540 Mb/s max. media transfer rate\r\n13 ms seek time\r\n5.5 ms average latency\r\nSATA 1.5 Gb/s\r\n8 MB data buffer\r\n0.80 w active idle\r\n0.60 w low power idle\r\n2.5/2.2/2.2 Bels typical idle acoustics\r\n5 to 55 degrees C ambient operating temperature\r\nFluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) spindle motor\r\n\r\nAbout Hitachi Global Storage Technologies\r\nHitachi Global Storage Technologies is a storage technology leader, founded in 2003 through the combination of Hitachi\'s and IBM\'s hard disk drive businesses. Hitachi GST enables users to fully engage in the digital lifestyle by providing high-value hard drives in formats suitable for the office, on the road and in the home.\r\n\r\nWith its legacy in hard drive invention, Hitachi GST will lead the industry in celebrating the hard drive\'s golden anniversary in 2006. After five decades of innovation, the hard drive has had a profound effect on the computing and consumer electronics industries. That heritage lives on at Hitachi GST through products that define the standard for hard drive miniaturization, capacity, performance and reliability.\r\n\r\nWith more than 27,000 employees worldwide, Hitachi GST offers a comprehensive range of hard drive products for desktop personal, high-performance servers, notebooks and consumer devices. For more information, please visit the company\'s web site at www.hitachigst.com.\r\n\r\nAbout Hitachi, Ltd.\r\nHitachi, Ltd., (NYSE:HIT) (TOKYO:6501), 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 website at http://www.hitachi.com.

Tags: DVR, Digital Video Recorders