Hitachi
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LaCie snags Hitachi's 500GB 5K500, stuffs it into Rugged Hard Disk
LaCie's bright orange Rugged Hard Disk hasn't changed much externally since it surfaced over two years ago, but what used to buy you 160GB will now land you a full half-terabyte with dough left over for several In-N-Out runs. The latest Rugged drive packs Hitachi's 500GB Travelstar 5K500 and still maintains the scratch-resistant aluminum shell and shock-resistant rubber bumper. As for ports, you'll find a USB 2.0-only edition or a more versatile iteration that includes USB 2.0, FireWire 400 and FireWire 800 sockets. Either flavor comes bundled with the company's Setup Assistant and backup software, and if you're tired of waiting for 1TB in your pocket, you can make do with this one for just $299.99 / $399.99 depending on your choice of interface(s).
Hitachi lets loose UWB-packin' Wooo LCD TVs, plus some plasmas
Hitachi has been touting its slim, UWB-packin Wooo UT series LCD TVs for some time now, but it looks like the company has now finally gotten around to dishing them out, and it's thrown in a few other new models for good measure. On the UT series front, the sets are the same 32-, 37- and 42-inch models we've seen before, with each boasting a 250GB hard drive, and a so-called iVDR port to accommodate Hitachi's iVDR hard drive cartridges for further expansion, with that aforementioned use of UWB helping to keep the thickness down about 1.4 inches. If you don't need your TVs quite that thin, you can opt for one of Hitachi's new Wooo XV LCD sets, also available in 32-, 36 -and 42-inch varieties (1366x768 and 1920x1080), which drop the UWB and internal hard drive but hang onto the iVDR port. Those that prefer plasmas can also take their pick of Hitachi's new 50- or 42-inch Wooo 02 series sets, both of which also boast an iVDR port, although only the 50-incher packs a 250GB internal hard drive (no UWB on these either). As if that wasn't enough, Hitachi also took the opportunity to announce its new Wooonet service for its UT series sets, which will not only let you transfer video from a PC to the TV, but give you access to a video on demand portal as well. No word on prices, but they're apparently all available in Japan now.
Hitachi intros short-throw CPX3 WXGA projector
It looks like Hitachi is aiming to give those normally confined to XGA projectors a bit of a boost, with its new CPX3 model not only boasting a slightly more home theater friendly WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution, but some short-throw capabilities as well. Exactly how short that throw is isn't clear, however, with Hitachi only going so far as to describe the projector as boasting a wide-angle lens that'll let you use it "close to the screen with no obstructions." Apart from that, the 3.9-pound projector is fairly standard fare, with it packing 2,000 lumens of brightness, HDMI input, and a built-in 1 watt speaker, along with some security measures sure to please more business-minded types. While there doesn't appear to be any official word on a price from Hitachi, a couple of retailers seem to already be selling it for around $1,000.
LG adopts in-plane switching tech for new LCD HDTVs
Hitachi's in-plane switching technology's been making the rounds of late, and LG Taiwan's the latest to pick it up for use in future LCD HDTVs. Doubling frame-rate, providing a wider field of view, and supposedly upping durability (among other things), apparently we can start to see some IPS-enabled TVs from Korea's #2 in the not too distant future.[Via Far East Gizmos]
Hitachi joins IBM's quest for sub-32nm semiconductor technology
As of this morning you can add Hitachi to the list of cohorts IBM has gathered in its quest for sub-32nm circuitry. Hitachi's 2-year semiconductor research agreement -- a first between IBM and Hitachi -- puts them under a loose-knit alliance with AMD, Chartered, Freescale, Infineon, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba and STMicroelectronics. The notable, non-member here is of course, Intel; that little company making "45-nm processes" and "Hi-K metal gate" house-hold terms amongst geeky, type-A adopters of consumer electronics. Yes, we're looking at you.
Hitachi introduces CP-X450 3LCD projector
Hitachi's latest projector won't impress the diehard home theater enthusiasts, but it just may do the job in the kids' room or garage. The CP-X450 3LCD PJ comes in with an XGA (1,024 x 768) resolution and features 3,500 lumens, a hybrid filter good for around 2,000 hours, built-in 7-watt speaker and a slew of security features. You'll also find a 2:3 pulldown feature, automatic vertical keystone detection and a whiteboard mode which "provides adequate clarity while limiting brightness for use with whiteboards." Furthermore, the 7.7-pound package won't strain your back too much should you need to temporarily relocate it, but regrettably, there's no word on a price or release date just yet.[Via AboutProjectors]
Hitachi takes skinny HDTVs on the road, your LCD wants to purge
Flat panel manufacturer's disgusting obsession with being thin is coming to a high-end location near you, thanks to Hitachi's "Thin is in Motion" campaign. Focused on its 1.5-inch thick ultra-thin family of LCDs, the company is sending four trucks around the country equipped with 32- and 37-inch display models on rotating pedestals (because who doesn't watch their HDTV from the back or side angle?) to show off how thin they are. We wouldn't advise showing these to impressionable "fat" panels, for fear of psychological damage.
Pioneer says goodbye to plasma manufacturing
We wondered why its so hard to find one of Pioneer's award winning Kuro plasmas on shelves these days, and here is the answer. The Nikkei is reporting that Pioneer plans to stop producing plasma panels altogether, and only put together HDTVs with panels purchased from other sources. Panasonic and Hitachi remain as the only Japanese plasma manufacturers, Pioneer already has a deal with the former to purchase plasmas for its 42-inch model, and will expand that agreement according to The Nikkei. Honestly, this wouldn't be a big deal for most companies, as we've seen with the Sony/Sharp/Samsung triangle in LCD manufacturing, but since Pioneer is the only manufacturer promising the blackest black levels this side of carbon nanotubes, we're freaking out a bit. Here's hoping Pioneer slides over the blueprints to the infinite contrast concept (and that sexy 9mm model) and keeps the party going.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in; via CNBC; warning: reg required on read link]
DS LCD screen makers investigated for price fixing
When video game makers fix prices for consumers, it's considered the normal state of business. When LCD makers fix prices for game makers, they get raided by the Japanese Fair Trade Commission. So it goes.AFP has the report on the investigation on screen-makers Sharp and Hitachi, which have long been suspected of organizing a bid-rigging cartel to limit price competition for portable screens. Between them, the two companies provide all the LCD screens used in the Nintendo DS, though Nintendo couldn't confirm that they were the ones that complained to the commission. No one else involved, included the commission itself, had much comment on the actual investigation, but if it bears any fruit you'll be sure to read about it here.[Via Engadget]
A DS Lite screen cartel?
Japan's Fair Trade Commission has conducted an investigation of Sharp and Hitachi Displays Ltd. in response to accusations that the two companies have unfairly fixed prices of LCD displays for DS Lites (in what AFX News Kaori Kaneko referred to as a "cartel"). The organization searched both companies' offices, presumably for physical evidence in the form of documentation or company communications about some kind of price fixing scheme. Nintendo spokesperson said that the company is "not aware of the reported allegations," and it is as of yet unknown who made the accusation. We kind of wonder who else it would be, if not someone at Nintendo. This is an antitrust issue in which prices are unfairly set for exactly one entity -- Nintendo. It had to be the one thing Nintendo decided to use two of.[Via NeoGAF]
Hitachi, Sharp raided on DS screen price fixing suspicions
Price fixing isn't ever fun -- unless you're the company doing it and expect to get away with it, and then it's like a total blast, dude. But hopefully that isn't actually the case with Sharp and Hitachi, whose offices were apparently raided by the Japanese Fair Trade Commission on suspicion of fixing display prices for the DS; Nintendo's throw its hands up in the air exclaiming that it was unaware of the supposed screen cartel, and something else about just when they thought were out, they got pulled back in.Update: A spokesperson for Nintendo of America commented that "The Fair Trade Commission in Japan conducted on the spot investigations with Sharp and Hitachi Displays in Japan with the suspicion that these two companies formed a cartel regarding the prices of LCDs that they sold to Nintendo. At this point in time, Nintendo is not in a position to make any comments on this, except to confirm that Nintendo itself is not being investigated by the FTC."
Hitachi and Canon finalize paperwork on LCD partnership
Completing the final segment of the three-way Hitachi / Panasonic / Canon LCD mashup, Hitachi & Canon have finalized paperwork on the deal. Canon will take its 24.9% piece of Hitachi Displays, Ltd, pending regulatory approval, which should pave the way for plenty of sweet IPS-enabled panels and maybe even some OLED action in the future if anyone feels up to it. The specifics are in the read link as usual, we'll judge the wisdom of this partnership when there's a new HDTV on the shelf.
Hitachi pushes out 2.5-inch 320GB Travelstar 5K320
Considering that Fujitsu just unleashed a half-terabyte drive in the 2.5-inch form factor yesterday, Hitachi's 320GB Travelstar 5K320 seems a bit underwhelming. Still, it's pretty capacious in its own right, and does feature optional Bulk Data Encryption (BDE) and a 3Gb/s data transfer rate. The 5,400RPM SATA drive also includes "altitude-sensing Thermal Fly-height Control (TFC), an improved actuator latch and fourth-generation perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) head technology," and better still, only sucks down 1.8-watts of power when reading and writing. The good news? It's shipping to customers worldwide as we speak. The bad? Who knows how pricey it'll be.
Hitachi's Ultra Thin LCD family gets official(er)
Just yesterday we learned that Hitachi's Ultra Thin LCD lineup would be gifted with ultra-wideband technology courtesy of Tzero, and now it seems that the family is edging ever closer to hitting storefronts outside of Japan. Reportedly, the series will include the 32-inch UT32MH70, the 37-inch UT37MX70 and the 42-inch UT42MX70, all of which will feature IPS LCD technology. Additionally, a digital tuner for the UT series should be available in October, and while pricing still remains a mystery, the smallest of the three is set to hit Europe in April while the larger two arrive in May and June, respectively.
Hitachi's Ultra Thin LCD lineup to boast Tzero's UWB technology
We knew Hitachi's Ultra Thin HDTV family would boast ultra-wideband technology, and while little was said about this aspect during CES, we've now learned that Tzero will be responsible for handling the aforementioned UWB duties. As expected, the UT HDTVs will "be able to receive high-definition video wirelessly from any HDMI equipped audio / video component," as Tzero promises that users will see transmission speeds of up to 480Mbps. Interestingly, we're told that the UWB-equipped sets are available in Japan right now, but only time will tell if those luscious wireless abilities will make the trip stateside in Q2.
Panasonic and Hitachi finalize paperwork in LCD alliance
We figured it was coming, we knew it was coming, and sure enough, it has arrived. All build-up aside, the LCD deal -- not to be confused with the already implemented plasma arrangement -- between Matsushita (Panasonic) and Hitachi has finally been finalized, and under the terms of the agreement, Matsushita will acquire a 24.9-percent stake in Hitachi Displays, Ltd. by March 31st, pending regulatory approval. It should be noted, however, that Hitachi and Canon (who is technically still a part of this wheelin' and dealin' triangle) are still working to hammer out a formal contract, but you can get all up in the fine print by tapping the read link below.
Plasma manufacturers relish uptick in demand from China
We already heard that flat-panel demand in China was seeing a fairly substantial spike, and apparently, a number of plasma manufacturers are champing at the bit to turn around the currently poor performing segment of their portfolios by giving the Chinese something they suddenly crave. Reportedly, both Samsung and LG have "increased PDP production" in the lead-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and Euro 2008. Additionally, Hitachi is busting out some confetti of its own, as it will purportedly sell some "30-percent of plasma panels it plans to produce in the year to March 2009 [to] Chinese television manufacturers." Also of note, it's being reported that the outfit "may consider withdrawing from Australia and focusing on developing and making products for key markets such as Japan, North America and Asia," but we've seen nothing official either way.[Via Widescreen Review]Read - Japan's Hitachi to supply plasma panels to Chinese TV makersRead - Plasma TV Industry to jump this year
Chief offers up WPA wall mount for short-throw projectors
For anyone paying attention, they'd realize that short-throw projectors are all the rage right now. Thankfully, there's a wall mount manufacturer out there lookin' out for those digging in. Beginning this month, proud short-throw PJ owners can pick up a WPA Wall Mount from Chief that enables their beamer to be shifted up to 11-inches on its built-in track, and there's even integrated roll adjustments, post-installation extension adjustments, and quick projector connect / disconnect features. Reportedly, mounts will be available for Hitachi, Sanyo and Toshiba units, but a custom or universal version will also be up for grabs. Mum's the word on pricing at the moment, but feel free to bug your local installer if you're anxious for more details.
KDDI au announces Spring 2008 collection
Yes, friends, the time has come once again for Japan's carriers to upheave their still-fresh lineups and replace them with even fresher ones. Here we take a look at KDDI au's just-announced Spring '08 collection, including a model with an e-ink display and another with a 3 inch OLED. Wowza! Note that not all of these handsets are new -- some are carryovers from the carrier's Winter '07 collection, so we won't be covering those here. Read on.
Hitachi tries again with DZ-BD9H hybrid Blu-ray and 60GB Full HD camcorder
Hitachi returns after suffering scathing reviews for their generation-one Blu-ray / HDD hybrid camcorder. Its new 60GB DZ-BD9H hybrid still records 1,920 x 1,080 MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video to 8-cm BD or internal hard disk. This time, however, it's aided by an improved 5.3 megapixel CMOS sensor, Picture Master Full HD processing, and brighter 2.7-inch LCD. We're talking about 9 hours of recording to disk at max resolution -- that's about an hour to that wee 7.5GB Blu-ray Disc. HDMI and USB 2.0 remain standard as does that super steep price when it arrives in Japan on February 12th for ¥180,000 (about $1,700). But you'll wait for the reviews first, right? Better yet, why not consider Hitachi's new DZ-HD90. Same 60GB camera sans Blu-ray but with an eSATA connection for ¥140,000 (about $1,320). That pup hits Japan on March 1st.%Gallery-14385%
