Hitachi Maxell Announces Development of iVDRs(1) with Electronic Paper Displays that Enable Instant Checking of Contents

2008-10-16 11:21:00 -

CEATEC Japan 2008
- Hitachi Maxell, Ltd. (TOKYO:6810)(OSAKA:6810) 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.

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(2)) and is compatible with large-volume iVDR search systems.

Maxell 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 and establish usage environments.

(1): iVDR (information Versatile Disk for Removable usage) is a trademark that indicates iVDR Technology Standard compliance.

(2): QR code is a registered trademark of Denso Wave Incorporated.

About Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.

Hitachi Maxell, Ltd. (TOKYO:6810)(OSAKA: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/.

Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.
Hisaaki Mutsuzaki, +81-3-3515-8283
hisaaki-mutsuzaki@maxell.co.jp