Hitachi GST CinemaStar C5K500

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies announced the CinemaStar C5K500, a 2.5-inch hard drive with up to 500GB of audio video storage capacity designed for digital video applications that require compact design and low power usage. This fourth-generation small form factor CinemaStar drive delivers a balance of capacity, cool operation and ruggedness to provide manufacturers with more eco-friendly options for slim digital video recorders (DVRs), set-top boxes and surveillance systems. The CinemaStar drive is designed for use in continuous ’24×7′ applications and has a read/write power specification that is 22 percent lower than previous models.

The CinemaStar C5K500 is the latest Hitachi 5,400 RPM consumer electronics hard drive with support for mainstream capacities ranging from 160- to 500GB. The new drives include Hitachi SmoothStream technology to enhance streaming functionality in digital video applications. The CinemaStar C5K500 also includes technology to provide time-limited error recovery, enhanced thermal monitoring capabilities and silent-seek acoustics for ultra-quiet operation.

“The explosion of digital music and photos, combined with widespread access to high-definition television content, is driving DVR capacity requirements to new levels,” said Brendan Collins, vice president, Product Marketing, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies. “Home theater systems are becoming increasingly compact, as users seek out space-saving and power-efficient component designs. The new CinemaStar drive will allow DVR manufacturers to deliver compact DVRs with all the capacity and features of larger form factor products.”

EcoTrac Classification
The CinemaStar C5K500, which carries the EcoTrac classification, demonstrates Hitachi’s ecological leadership with its halogen-free production and focus on low power consumption. The drives feature a read/write power specification of 1.4W, which is 22 percent lower than previous models. The low-power profile of these new drives also enables the use of more cost-effective system power supplies, which lowers energy costs for consumers.

Availability
The CinemaStar C5K500 is expected to ship to customers worldwide early in the second quarter of 2009.