Hitachi pioneered the idea of consumer cameras capable of recording video direct to DVD. The early models were large and relatively expensive but high quality. It has taken a while for the idea to take off but it is certainly gaining momentum with a number of competitors now coming into the market. Hitachi has responded by progressively making its cameras more compact and adding extra features such as a SD memory card for storing still images or compressed video clips.

The tools for home movie-making have become far more accessible and functionally more versatile. While truly broadcast-quality images are still the domain of 'prosumer' and professional video cameras

8cm Blu-ray BD-R write-once and BD-RE rewritable discs due in September.

HITACHI PD32-A2100

We test and rate 9 of the best portable presentation devices around.

Hitachi CM643ET

Hitachi VM-D965LE Video

Burn straight onto a disc or choose the hybrid HDD model.

This Hitachi monitor features IPS TFT, a pre-cursor to the latest Super-IPS technology used in the superb Eizo unit.

Hitachi PCX-DT3141

Good colour reproduction at a bargain price.

Hitachi’s PJ-TX10 is the monster of the group – in that it’s by far the biggest and the heaviest projector.

Hitachi CM771

The ubiquitous micro-hard drive has found its way into a PDA. palmOne yesterday announced the LifeDrive, a PDA with basic features, a large 320x480 colour screen and a 4GB Hitachi hard drive.

Hitachi DZ-MV100A

DVD is said to be to movies what CD was to music. Well-filmed DVD movies are better in all respects than those recorded on VHS, so the idea of a digital video camera recording direct to DVD disc would appear sound.

Hitachi pioneered the concept of recording digital video direct to DVD . Now into its third generation of DVD cameras, a few competitors have appeared on the horizon with its first generation models

Hitachi DZ-MV100E

Sony has developed a user identification technology that scans veins in the finger to allow access to mobile devices and personal computers.