Japanese Consumers to Receive Hitachi Set-top Box Based On Sun
Microsystems' JavaOS Software
Hitachi Gets a Jump Start in Japan, Leading the World's Consumer Electronics Market with
Introduction of its Multi-RDR Set-Top Box Based on Sun's JavaOS Technology
PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 9, 1998-- Sun(TM) Microsystems, Inc. and Hitachi, Ltd. today
announced that 30,000 consumers of a planned 200,000 by the end of 1999, are going to receive a television set-top
box based on JavaOS(TM) technology from Sun.
This new set-top box will deliver secure network-based information services that can be dynamically downloaded
through the satellite channels in Japan. These services include interactive distance learning, news broadcasts, medical
information and welfare support. This marks the first shipping implementation of a set-top box based on the Java(TM)
platform and JavaOS software.
Sun has quickly established itself as a leading technology supplier for set-top boxes and interactive TV internationally.
TCI in the United States is also using Sun embedded software to power its set-top boxes.
''Hitachi is leading the market by bringing pivotal new technologies such as digital video, satellite transmission, and the
Java platform, into consumers' homes in order to bridge the gap between entertainment and information services,'' said
Shigehiro Tomita, general manager, SpaceSystems Division, Hitachi, Ltd. ''The Hitachi multi-receiver decoder recorder
(Multi-RDR), combines much of the rich functionality of a personal computer with the ease-of-use and affordability of
consumer electronics.''
''The Java platform is quickly becoming the global standard for consumer devices, such as set-top boxes, because of the
time-to-market advantage it delivers and also because it's the industry's best-suited solution for supporting networked
devices,'' said Mark Tolliver, president of Consumer and Embedded Systems at Sun.
Shigehiro Tomita continued, ''We choose Sun's JavaOS software as the base operating system because it allows fast
and easy downloading of new network-based services on demand. Also, JavaOS software is available today, allowing
Hitachi to roll out these new set top boxes right away, beating our competition to market.''
Hitachi's Service-Driven Network: Multi-RDR and Satellite
The key to building a successful business in the information appliance space is creating a Webtone reliable,
high-performance service delivery infrastructure, or service-driven network, behind the device. Hitachi's service-driven
network includes support for both digital broadcast and multimedia data such as text, audio and graphics. Hitachi's
Multi-RDR has provisions for sophisticated interactive access to TV via satellite and World Wide Web access.
Java Platform: Standard for The Consumer Market
Standardization on Java software provides a clear direction for the industry by allowing access to thousands of Java
applications. Since Java software allows ''services'' or applications to be dynamically upgraded or added on demand
from the network, consumer devices will ultimately have a longer life span. Java software provides an additional
advantage in cost-constrained consumer markets by allowing manufacturers the flexibility to implement the lowest cost
hardware option, very late in their development cycle.
About Hitachi
Hitachi, Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the world's leading global electronics companies, with fiscal 1997
(ending March 31, 1998) consolidated sales of 8,416 billion yen ($63.8 billion(1). The company manufactures and
markets a wide range of products, including computers, semiconductors, consumer products and power and industrial
equipment. For more information on Hitachi, Ltd., please visit Hitachi's Web site at hitachi.co.jp. (1) At an
exchange rate of 132 yen to the dollar.)
About Sun Microsystems
Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision, ''The Network Is The Computer(TM),'' has propelled Sun Microsystems,
Inc. (NASDAQ: SUNW - news), to its position as a leading provider of high quality hardware, software and services for
establishing enterprise-wide intranets and expanding the power of the Internet. With more than $9 billion in annual
revenues, Sun can be found in more than 150 countries and on the World Wide Web at sun.com.
Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, The Network is the Computer, Solaris, Java, and JavaOS, are trademarks or
registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All SPARC trademarks are
used under license and are trademarks or registered trademarks of SPARC International, Inc. in the United States and
other countries. Products bearing the SPARC trademark are based upon architecture developed by Sun Microsystems,
Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, exclusively licensed through X/OPEN
Company, Ltd.
Contact:
Sun Microsystems
Mary Camarata, 650/786-8645
mary.camarata@sun.com
or
Hitachi America, Ltd.
Terry Kubo, 914/333-2902
tatsuya.kubo@hal.hitachi.com
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