September 30, 2008 Hitachi Maxell Announces Development of iVDRs*1 with Electronic Paper Displays that Improve User Friendliness by Enabling Instant Checking of Contents Tokyo, September 30, 2008 --- Hitachi Maxell, Ltd. (TSE/OSE: 6810) today announced that it has jointly developed with Hitachi, Ltd., iVDRs with cartridges that incorporate electronic paper, enabling users to check instantly programs recorded and other content written, storage capacity usage, and storage capacity remaining. Maxell will exhibit and demonstrate products at the Maxell booth and Hitachi booth at CEATEC JAPAN 2008, held from September 30. As the first removable cassette-type hard disk drives that incorporate copyright protection technology, Maxell's iVDRs enable the recording of long high-definition video content and the addition of storage capacity as needed. Launched in April 2007, Hitachi's lineup of Wooo digital high-definition televisions include a dedicated slot for Maxell's iVDRs. Increasingly these products are being adopted not only for consumer applications but also for commercial applications. Maxell plans to introduce a commercial-use iVDR with heightened shock resistance, iVDR Extreme, in December 2008. Further, in May 2008 the iVDR Hard Disk Drive Consortium*2 extended interface standards, establishing iVDR-i/O standards that add USB support (Port B) to the previous SATA support (Port A). Developed to incorporate electronic paper, these latest iVDRs conform to iVDR-i/O standards. By processing signals through USB support, the iVDRs add integrated motion control of electronic paper to the existing reading and writing functions of iVDRs as information storage media. Amid the rapid spread of the terrestrial digital broadcasting that includes high-definition video, iVDRs—for which commercial application demand is steadily increasing—that afford users the convenience of instantly seeing the programs recorded or checking storage capacity remaining without having to insert iVDRs into playback equipment are required. To cater to such demand, Maxell and Hitachi have jointly developed iVDRs that incorporate electronic paper, which realizes high-contrast visual displays using a tiny amounts of electricity. Also, without consuming any electricity, the electronic paper can store images that it has displayed once for long periods. The prototypes that Maxell and Hitachi have developed have two kinds of display. The display for showing storage capacity remaining uses segment type electronic paper that is suitable for displaying letters or symbols, while the other kind of display uses dot matrix type electronic paper that enables the display of higher-definition letters and photographs. In addition to displaying file names and thumbnails written to the iVDR, the dot matrix type can display two-dimensional barcode (QR code*3) and is compatible with large-volume iVDR search systems. Maxell will exhibit these prototypes at CEATEC JAPAN 2008. At the same time, the Company will gather wide-ranging feedback from customers about iVDRs that incorporate electronic paper and consider the possibility of early commercialization. Further, aiming to expand the overall iVDR market, Maxell will step up development efforts to increase equipment that uses iVDRs, establish usage environments, and create products that are even easier to use. *1 iVDR (information Versatile Disk for Removable usage) is a trademark that indicates iVDR Technology Standard compliance. *2 A group that companies in Japan and overseas created to standardize next-generation large-large volume data platforms by establishing and spreading iVDR standards. *3 QR code is a registered trademark of Denso Wave Incorporated. Summary of iVDRs (prototypes) incorporating electronic paper iVDR remaining storage capacity display type (segment type) iVDR content display type (dot matrix type) The display's meter shows storage capacity usage, and numbers show storage capacity remaining. The display shows content information, including titles of programs recorded or files written and thumbnails. The display also shows two-dimensional bar code (QR code*3) and is compatible with large-volume iVDR search systems. Prototype dimensions: W80mm × H110mm × D12.7mm Prototype dimensions: W80mm × H126mm × D18mm Summary of electronic paper part A feature is the storage of display content without electricity thanks to a display medium that allows electronic rewriting of display content. The electronic paper uses the movement of black and white particles within microcapsules when voltage is applied. Electrically charged, the particles are absorbed by the display when voltage is applied, which enables the rendering of white, black, and gray. Features ・ Ultra low electricity consumption Can display images using a tiny amount of electricity. Consumes no electricity during display. ・ Rewritable, nonvolatile Can be rewritten repeatedly. Without electricity, can store screens that have been displayed once for long periods. ・ High contrast Clear, easy-to-see display due to high contrast. About Hitachi Maxell, Ltd. Hitachi Maxell, Ltd. (TSE/OSE: 6810) is a leading global manufacturer of information storage media products, including magnetic tapes, optical discs, and battery products such as lithium ion rechargeable batteries, micro batteries and alkaline dry batteries. Since its foundation in 1960, Hitachi Maxell has led the electronics industry at home and abroad in the fields of storage media and batteries and the brand "Maxell" is globally recognized. In addition, Hitachi Maxell is also focused on devices and materials, such as optical components and functional materials based on Maxell's core technologies. For more information on Hitachi Maxell, please visit the company's Web site at www.maxell.com/.