Maxell Europe Ltd

Rickmansworth, UK, (August 21, 2007) --- Maxell Europe Ltd., is excited to announce the
launch of the 8cm Blu-ray write-once BD-R/rewritable BD-RE discs (7.5GB) for video
cameras, in early October. This was exhibited at the 2007 IFA show (31st Aug – 5th Sept)
on the Hitachi Ltd. Stand, and also at the Pro Media Showcase in Amsterdam (7th Sept –
11th Sept)

The world’s first 8cm Blu-ray Discs launched on August 10th in Japan, are compatible with
video cameras, and these new products enable longer-duration filming of approximately 60
minutes* with full high-definition picture quality at 1920 x 1080 pixels.

Due to the popularity of video cameras that use optical discs (DVDs) as data storage
media and offering outstanding portability and functionality mixed with the need for high-
definition-quality video, demand for products compatible with high-definition-quality
recording has been higher.

As a result, there is demand for recording media with even larger storage capacities for
high-definition-quality filming, which requires the storage of huge volumes of information.

Against this backdrop, Maxell launched the 8cm Blu-ray Discs on August 10th in Japan.
These 8cm Blu-ray Discs enable full high-definition-quality recording for approximately 60
minutes* and are compatible with the world’s first Blu-ray Disc camcorder.

Maxell Blu-ray Discs combine original core technologies compatible with blue-violet lasers
and technologies for video-camera optical discs that the Company has continued to
develop since introducing the world’s first 8cm DVD-RAM disc for video cameras.
Furthermore, the Company designed these products with consideration for the heightened
reliability required for outdoor usage. For these products, Maxell has ensured a
consistently flat cover layer due to advanced uniformity technology, combined with
substrate molding technology, which minimized biases in shape, thereby improving
camcorder recording and reading reliability, especially for outdoor use. Maxell has also
incorporated XTREME PROTEK PLUSTM hard coat on a recording surface that has
stronger protective characteristics than the hard coats of the existing DVDs, thereby
improving reliability with respect to scratches, dust, and fingerprints when the products are
used outdoors. In addition, these products achieve stable recording and reproduction
characteristics thanks to the incorporation of newly developed inorganic recording layer
(BD-R) and phase-change recording layer (BD-RE) that ensure a wide margin with regard
to the recording laser power.

Since launching the world’s first DVDs for video cameras (cartridge-type 8 cm DVD-RAM)
in August 2000, Maxell has led the development of optical discs for video cameras. Maxell
continues to advance the development of large-storage-capacity optical discs whilst
marketing products that cater to demand for high-definition-generation recordable optical
discs.
* Recording time varies according to cameras and recording modes.

For more information on the Maxell Europe range of Data Media, Accessories, Batteries
and Flash Media, please visit www.maxell.eu.com or telephone our European
Headquarters on +44 1923 331000.

Main Features

Having developed the world’s first 8 cm DVD-RAM (launched August 2000)
compatible with video cameras, Hitachi Maxell incorporated in these products the
following technologies, which the Company developed and designed specifically
for 8 cm Blu-ray Discs and with consideration for the outdoor usage.

1. Maxell Advanced Cover Layer Technology
    Advanced uniformity technology, combined with substrate molding technology, ensures
    a consistently flat cover layer. This minimized biasis in shape, thereby improving
    camcorder recording and reading reliability, especially for outdoor use.

2. XTREME PROTEK PLUSTM for outstanding reliability
    To ensure reliable outdoor use and minimize errors caused by scratches, dust and
    fingerprints, the 8cm Blu-ray Disc’s recording surface is exclusive hard coat, XTREME
    PROTEK PLUSTM.

High-precision Blu-ray Disc core technology that uses blue-violet lasers to enable
high-density recording

1. Laser-cutting technology
    Because Blu-ray discs realize high data storage capacities, 7.5GB (for a 8 cm disc),
    per layer, substrate surfaces require narrow (0.32 μm) track-pitch grooves that are less
    than half that of DVD-R discs. By using high-precision laser cutting, Hitachi Maxell
    realizes precise and smooth-processed groove shapes on the BD stampers. The
    technology enables the acquisition of low-noise read-out signal.

2. Inorganic recording layer and phase-change recording layer that enable high-
    density recording
    In order to record the data mark in very small pitch, Hitachi Maxell has incorporated
    precise thermal control layer design for inorganic recording layer (BD-R) and phase
    change recording layer (BD-RE) . This enables high-density recording by suppressing
    the effect of the thermal interference in adjacent recording marks, resulting a wide
    recording laser power margin and achieving stable characteristics for the recording and
    reproduction.

3. Advanced uniforming technology for 0.1 mm cover layers
    The technology applies a uniform 0.1 mm thin cover layer on the recording-film surfaces
    of BD-R/RE discs from the inner circumference to the out circumference. This
    technology realizes the structural precision required by Blu-ray Discs for high-density
    recording.

Video-camera-compatible 8 cm BD-R discs are compliant with the Blu-ray Disc
Recordable Format Version 1.2 standard, and 8 cm BD-RE discs are compliant with the
Blu-ray Disc Rewritable Format Version 2.1 standard. When used with video cameras
complaint with that standard, 60 minutes*2 (7.5GB) of filming with full high-definition
picture quality is possible.
*Recording time varies according to cameras and recording modes

About Maxell

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

About Hitachi Blu-ray Disc Camcorder

The new camcorders by Hitachi will offer a Blu-ray disc and Multiformat+ DVD burner drive capable of storing up to one hour of Full HD 1920x1080 footage. Utilising 8cm mini Blu-ray discs or 8cm DVD-RAM, RW, R and (+RW+ for PAL model) media will make the Hitachi camcorder compatible with both the new benchmark in Full HD optical disc media, Blu-ray disc, and backwardly compatible with the most popular and less expensive 8cm DVD formats. For more information about Hitachi Europe Ltd., please visit
www.hitachi-eu.com

MAXELL – OFFERING MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE FOR YOUR MEDIA

Contact:
The Marketing Department
Maxell Europe Limited
3a High Street
Rickmansworth
Hertfordshire
WD3 1HR
Tel: (44) 1923 331003
marketing@maxell.eu.com


	MAXELL LAUNCHES 8CM BLU-RAY DISCS Maxell Launches the World's First 8cm Blu-ray Write-Once BD-R/Rewritable BD-RE Discs for Video Cameras Rickmansworth, UK, (August 21, 2007) --- Maxell Europe Ltd., is excited to announce the launch of the 8cm Blu-ray write-once BD-R/rewritable BD-RE discs (7.5GB) for video cameras, in early October. This was exhibited at the 2007 IFA show (31st Aug – 5th Sept) on the Hitachi Ltd. Stand, and also at the Pro Media Showcase in Amsterdam (7th Sept – 11th Sept) The world’s first 8cm Blu-ray Discs launched on August 10th in Japan, are compatible with video cameras, and these new products enable longer-duration filming of approximately 60 minutes* with full high-definition picture quality at 1920 x 1080 pixels. Due to the popularity of video cameras that use optical discs (DVDs) as data storage media and offering outstanding portability and functionality mixed with the need for high- definition-quality video, demand for products compatible with high-definition-quality recording has been higher. As a result, there is demand for recording media with even larger storage capacities for high-definition-quality filming, which requires the storage of huge volumes of information. Against this backdrop, Maxell launched the 8cm Blu-ray Discs on August 10th in Japan. These 8cm Blu-ray Discs enable full high-definition-quality recording for approximately 60 minutes* and are compatible with the world’s first Blu-ray Disc camcorder. Maxell Blu-ray Discs combine original core technologies compatible with blue-violet lasers and technologies for video-camera optical discs that the Company has continued to develop since introducing the world’s first 8cm DVD-RAM disc for video cameras. Furthermore, the Company designed these products with consideration for the heightened reliability required for outdoor usage. For these products, Maxell has ensured a consistently flat cover layer due to advanced uniformity technology, combined with substrate molding technology, which minimized biases in shape, thereby improving camcorder recording and reading reliability, especially for outdoor use. Maxell has also incorporated XTREME PROTEK PLUSTM hard coat on a recording surface that has stronger protective characteristics than the hard coats of the existing DVDs, thereby improving reliability with respect to scratches, dust, and fingerprints when the products are used outdoors. In addition, these products achieve stable recording and reproduction characteristics thanks to the incorporation of newly developed inorganic recording layer (BD-R) and phase-change recording layer (BD-RE) that ensure a wide margin with regard to the recording laser power. Since launching the world’s first DVDs for video cameras (cartridge-type 8 cm DVD-RAM) in August 2000, Maxell has led the development of optical discs for video cameras. Maxell continues to advance the development of large-storage-capacity optical discs whilst marketing products that cater to demand for high-definition-generation recordable optical discs. * Recording time varies according to cameras and recording modes. For more information on the Maxell Europe range of Data Media, Accessories, Batteries and Flash Media, please visit www.maxell.eu.com or telephone our European Headquarters on +44 1923 331000. Main Features Having developed the world’s first 8 cm DVD-RAM (launched August 2000) compatible with video cameras, Hitachi Maxell incorporated in these products the following technologies, which the Company developed and designed specifically for 8 cm Blu-ray Discs and with consideration for the outdoor usage. 1. Maxell Advanced Cover Layer Technology Advanced uniformity technology, combined with substrate molding technology, ensures a consistently flat cover layer. This minimized biasis in shape, thereby improving camcorder recording and reading reliability, especially for outdoor use. 2. XTREME PROTEK PLUSTM for outstanding reliability To ensure reliable outdoor use and minimize errors caused by scratches, dust and fingerprints, the 8cm Blu-ray Disc’s recording surface is exclusive hard coat, XTREME PROTEK PLUSTM. High-precision Blu-ray Disc core technology that uses blue-violet lasers to enable high-density recording 1. Laser-cutting technology Because Blu-ray discs realize high data storage capacities, 7.5GB (for a 8 cm disc), per layer, substrate surfaces require narrow (0.32 μm) track-pitch grooves that are less than half that of DVD-R discs. By using high-precision laser cutting, Hitachi Maxell realizes precise and smooth-processed groove shapes on the BD stampers. The technology enables the acquisition of low-noise read-out signal. 2. Inorganic recording layer and phase-change recording layer that enable high- density recording In order to record the data mark in very small pitch, Hitachi Maxell has incorporated precise thermal control layer design for inorganic recording layer (BD-R) and phase change recording layer (BD-RE) . This enables high-density recording by suppressing the effect of the thermal interference in adjacent recording marks, resulting a wide recording laser power margin and achieving stable characteristics for the recording and reproduction. 3. Advanced uniforming technology for 0.1 mm cover layers The technology applies a uniform 0.1 mm thin cover layer on the recording-film surfaces of BD-R/RE discs from the inner circumference to the out circumference. This technology realizes the structural precision required by Blu-ray Discs for high-density recording. Video-camera-compatible 8 cm BD-R discs are compliant with the Blu-ray Disc Recordable Format Version 1.2 standard, and 8 cm BD-RE discs are compliant with the Blu-ray Disc Rewritable Format Version 2.1 standard. When used with video cameras complaint with that standard, 60 minutes2 (7.5GB) of filming with full high-definition picture quality is possible. Recording time varies according to cameras and recording modes About Maxell 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 About Hitachi Blu-ray Disc Camcorder The new camcorders by Hitachi will offer a Blu-ray disc and Multiformat+ DVD burner drive capable of storing up to one hour of Full HD 1920x1080 footage. Utilising 8cm mini Blu-ray discs or 8cm DVD-RAM, RW, R and (+RW+ for PAL model) media will make the Hitachi camcorder compatible with both the new benchmark in Full HD optical disc media, Blu-ray disc, and backwardly compatible with the most popular and less expensive 8cm DVD formats. For more information about Hitachi Europe Ltd., please visit www.hitachi-eu.com MAXELL – OFFERING MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE FOR YOUR MEDIA Contact: The Marketing Department Maxell Europe Limited 3a High Street Rickmansworth Hertfordshire WD3 1HR Tel: (44) 1923 331003 marketing@maxell.eu.com