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Hitachi has managed to slim down its latest LCD displays to a mere 38 millimetres (1.5 inches) in depth. The company is hoping that their slimmer designs will boost the company’s sales and fortunes in the competitive displays business. Hitachi expects to seize an early lead in the rapidly emerging and commercially attractive new category of Ultra Thin Displays.

Initially offered in three screen sizes (32-inch, 37-inch and 42-inch), the displays (which are already available in Japan) will hit US stores by the end of March this year. The display is full 1080p and has a 178 degree viewing angle on both the vertical and horizontal axes and advanced capabilities include Deep Colour with HDMI.

Hitachi is counting on new slim 2008 lineup to boost sales

“The buzz and excitement about our new *“1.5”* line has been building around the world for months, so we are thrilled and proud to now introduce and demonstrate the products to a U.S. audience,” said Daniel Lee, vice president of marketing for Hitachi America, Ltd.

The thinness and lightness of the displays was achieved through Hitachi’s proprietary technologies for micro-lens light diffusion, electronic component miniaturization and a proprietary silent cooling system. These technologies, combined with In Plane Switching (IPS) LCD technology and External Electrode Fluorescent Lamp (EEFL) technologies, create a display that offers greater power efficiency, better and more flexible colour accuracy and a longer overall life span. The 32” HDTV Monitor weighs just over 24 lbs.

The US versions will be available as HDTV Monitors in the Director’s Series and V Series, with 1 HDMI (1.3) and 1 RGB D-Sub15 input with audio input. The S series will consist of the HDTV Monitor plus a separate Audio Video Centre that includes an ATSC/NTSC tuner, 3 HDMI (1.3) and 2 Component inputs. The Audio Video Centre will also be sold separately. Pricing will be announced at introduction.