Press Release Contact:- Aston Bridgman NEC Corporation TEL : 81-3-3798-6511 FAX : 81-3-3457-7249 E-mail : Aston_Bridgman@HO-PRD.ccgw.nec.co.jp *****For immediate use October 1, 1997 NEC Launches the World's First 50-inch Hi-Vision (HDTV) Plasma television ~ Adds New PDP TVs and PDP Modules to Product Line Up ~ 'Hi-Vision PlasmaX' The 50-inch Hi-Vision Plasma X (product number: PX-50V2) 33-inch plasma monitor (product number: PX-33M2) NEC Corporation (NEC) announced today that it is to begin sales in Japan of the world's first high definition 50-inch wide plasma television, the 'Hi-Vision PlasmaX', from February, 1998 for the start of the Nagano Olympic Games. The new television uses a PDP (plasma display panel) module capable of displaying 1 million pixels. The 50-inch Hi-Vision Plasma X (product number: PX-50V2) offers the world's largest screen-size for a plasma display at 1.4 times the screen size of its 42-inch predecessor. Among its key features are: * The first high definition 'Hi-Vision' resolution, plasma television Use of a panel production process specifically for manufacturing large-sized high resolution screens, enabled pixel pitch to be reduced to 0.81mm from 1.08mm, for a 1,365 x 768 pixel screen capable of displaying over 1 million pixels; * World's slimmest television at 97mm NEC achieved the world's slimmest high definition television by using high-pressure enduring integrated circuits; * Designed by renowned Japanese interior designer, Motomi Kawakami Designed for a more natural appearance, the Hi-Vision PlasmaX has a more stylish form for use in any home or office environment. Sharing the design concept of the Hi-Vision PlasmaX, are new versions of NEC's 42-inch 'PlasmaX' television, and 33-inch plasma display. These are set to go on sale in Japan from December, 1997. Compared to the previous PlasmaX announced in February, 1997, the new model is 10mm slimmer at 89mm. The televisions are priced at 2.7 million yen for the 50-inch set, and 1.45 million yen for the 42-inch set. NEC will also market its new 33-inch plasma monitor (product number: PX-33M2) from December, 1997 in Japan. The 33-inch monitor, is compatible with NTSC, PAL and SECAM broadcast signal standards, as a worldwide model and will begin volume sales in the United States, Europe and elsewhere around the globe from Spring 1998. International sales of 50- and 42-inch plasma monitors, as well as PDP modules will also begin next year. Improved Contrast, Improved Designs Both the 50- and 42-inch plasma televisions use NEC's exclusive capsulated color filter (CCF) technology to apply a black stripe to non-discharging plasma cells for much more vivid contrast in bright light conditions for a ratio of 40:1. Moreover, CCF offers colors purer than those of any Braun tube television. Through use of its CCF technology, NEC plans to take raise this level of picture quality even further. Both plasma television models also offer layout flexibility for users by having separate display, tuner/selector, and speaker units in a component style set, while easing set-up and ergonomics by connecting the display unit and tuner/selector through only one cable. Background The multimedia age is arriving, and with it are increasing needs for visual expression particularly by businesses. PDP offers large-scale, slim screens with vivid color, and there are strong hopes for it to be used as the next generation of televisions and monitors. NEC is focusing on developing PDP sets as a large, high resolution screens for the 21st century, and has been putting its weight behind the development of this business since announcing its first plasma television, the 42-inch PlasmaX (PDC-42V1) in February this year. Since then, NEC has seen the set make a strong impression around the world with its spectrum dominance of the PDP field, leading to extremely strong demands from the market for further products. With plans for the high definition television broadcasting of the Nagano Olympic Games in February 1998 and other such broadcasting, demands for large-size high resolution monitors are becoming even stronger. The new television sets announced today are a major step towards meeting those needs, and have therefore been designed on three core principles for maintaining world leadership in this area: thinner, larger, clearer. NEC anticipates that combined demand from consumers and business users will see shipments of 30,000 sets this year. By the year 2000, this figure is expected to rise to 300,000 units per year giving NEC the largest share of the market. For Main features of Plasma television ,please see the attached sheet. Main features of the 50-inch Hi-Vision PlasmaX (PX-50V2)and 42-inch PlasmaX (PX-42V2), the PX-50V2 and PX-42V2 Audio Visual PC selector/tuner and the 33-inch plasma display (PX-33M2)

Main specifications for PX-50V2

Main specifications for PX-42V2

Main specifications for PX-50V2 & PX-42V2 Audio Visual PC selector/tuner

Main specifications for PX-50V2 & PX-42V2 box speakers, 33-inch color plasma display (PX-33M2), 50-inch color plasma display module (NP5001MF01) and 42-inch color plasma display module (NP4201MF02) ***