– The Skyview product utilizes projection technology to provide full-motion advertising space at events ranging from conventions to concerts. —

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, www.hitachi.us, December 3, 2007 — Demonstrating the light weight and high performance of Hitachi America 3LCD projectors, Lawrenceburg, Indiana-based Visual Solutions Distributing has sold Hitachi CPX5 projectors to Innovative Markets, the North American distributor of Skyview promotional spheres. A brand-new media format, Skyview provides full-motion HD video and static, billboard-like advertising space at conventions, concerts, malls, sporting events and promotional advertising campaigns.

Skyview spheres come in various shapes, colors and sizes with single and multiple screen options that range from six to 15 feet. The Skyview spheres are inflated and floated in the air to maximize visibility. Skyview is also customizable, with the ability to be displayed in a wide range of shapes. Skyview runs from high-end projector systems and can be run in HD and even wirelessly by RF technologies.

“Skyview is a huge, eye-catching piece and wherever it goes, it‘s an attention grabber,” said Jason Kuisel, president, Innovative Markets. “Typically with rear projection you get a lot of ambient light, but that isn‘t the case with Skyview since it‘s enclosed. Visual Solutions handles a lot of our events in the professional audio/video market, and a lot of experienced professionals in that side of the industry have been amazed at the quality and effectiveness of Skyview.”

Looking for a projector that could provide high brightness and light weight in a compact chassis, Innovative Markets turned to the Hitachi CPX5 for use with Skyview. “Our main criteria for a projector included light weight, compact dimensions, a good amount of zoom and a short throw distance since we‘re dealing with limited space within the Skyviews,” Mr. Kuisel said. “We also needed high brightness, and the CPX5 fit all of these requirements.”

The CPX5 is being used in six of the Skyview models, ranging from six to 13 feet in diameter. One Skyview model includes three CPX5 projectors, creating a complete 360-degree video display throughout the sphere.

Since the initial deployment of the CPX5 projectors for use with Skyview, the results have been overwhelmingly positive. “The CPX5 projectors have worked out great, they have been a perfect fit,” said Jeff Cowens, national product specialist, Visual Solutions Distributing. “The CPX5‘s 2,500 ANSI lumens of brightness is more than efficient to create a clear, crisp image, and the weight and dimensions of the product are ideal for Skyview.”

The 3.7-pound CPX5 3LCD projector provides an optimal combination of portability and power, boasting a brightness of 2,500 ANSI lumens. Additionally, the CPX5 features a wide-angle lens, allowing presenters to place the projector close to the screen to avoid obstruction of the image. The CPX5 also contains a USB reader, which simplifies the connection process by eliminating the need to connect a laptop to the projector.

About Hitachi
Hitachi America, Ltd., Ubiquitous Platform Systems Division, produces and markets a wide variety of digital products for business and consumers. The division‘s Consumer Group markets high-definition plasma televisions and monitors, LCD projection and flat panel HDTVs, LCD projectors and camcorders. The division‘s Business Group markets LCD projectors, professional plasma monitors, interactive panels and whiteboards and security and observation system products through value added resellers, system integrators, distributors and OEM.

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 consumer products, please visit www.hitachi.us/tv. For business products, please visit www.hitachi.us/digitalmedia. For more information about electronic whiteboards and Starboard software, please visit Hitachi Software at www.hitachi-soft.com.

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 / TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 384,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2006 (ended March 31, 2007) consolidated revenues totaled 10,247 billion yen ($86.8 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.

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