Planar Control Room News

Planar Announces its First LED illuminated Video Wall Displays

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:31:00 GMT

The Revolutionary Clarity LED Series Offers Reliable 24/7 Operation and Superior Visual Performance

BEAVERTON, Ore., Feb. 2, 2010 - Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLNR), a worldwide leader in specialty display solutions, today announced its Clarity™ LED Series rear projection video wall displays, ideal for government, military, energy, utilities, traffic and broadcast control room video walls that require 24/7 reliability and brilliant life-like images. Combining Planar’s exclusive Clarity NaturalColor™ for a superior visual performance and maintenance-free solid state illumination, with up to eight times the life of traditional lamps, the new Clarity LED Series supports the Company’s strategy to deliver innovative display solutions for mission-critical environments.

The Clarity LED Series will be unveiled at this year’s Integrated Systems Europe in Amsterdam, Feb. 2-4 (Stand3B81), and includes the 70-inch c70HD-LED (1920X1080 resolution), Clarity RP-LED (SXGA+ resolution) and Clarity RX-LED (XGA resolution) rear-projection displays (available in 50” and 67”). All displays within the Clarity LED Series utilize the latest DLP® technology and are available with Open or Indisys™ image processing electronics options.

Exceptional Visual Precision

The Clarity LED Series produces a wide color gamut well beyond that of traditional lamp-based systems to deliver color saturation levels never before seen on high-resolution video walls. Leveraging advanced color management techniques and over 20 years of experience designing and installing different video wall applications, Planar developed Clarity NaturalColor™, which uses a proprietary color space that intelligently maps a broader color palette to content, producing life-like colors. Other LED display products can produce images that are oversaturated and distracting. Clarity NaturalColor Optimizations are preset and customizable color spaces optimized for a range of video wall applications. NaturalColor Optimizations harness the power of LED illumination to produce a superior visual experience tailored for applications like SCADA, Security/Surveillance, Simulation, Broadcast and Collaborative Control Room.

24/7 Operation, Maintenance-free Illumination

Control room applications that operate 24/7 require uninterrupted operation and benefit from reduced maintenance requirements. Planar’s Clarity LED Series illumination system has a rated life of 60,000 hours and employs no consumable parts such as color wheels or lamps. Solid state LED illumination results in fewer moving parts that can break down and eliminates the costs and interruptions associated with lamp changes.

The combination of maintenance-free, reliable 24/7 operation and long life benefit end users with a lower total cost of ownership. Additionally, LED technology used in the Clarity LED Series proves to be more environmentally friendly compared to other display technologies thanks to its lack of consumable parts and mercury-free and lead-free design.

Complete System Design

The Clarity LED Series displays are designed, built and tested as complete systems rather than kits, ensuring smooth installation and optimum performance. Each LED Series display features Planar’s Set it and Forget it (SiFi) Auto Color and Brightness Balance to provide a balanced video wall for the life of the product. SiFi Auto Color and Brightness Balance is the only color balance system to continuously monitor the LED, measure the output of the full light path of the engine and maintain site-specific adjustments, making it easy for the customer to maintain a balanced and uniform video wall.

The Clarity LED Series features zero-mullion PrecisionView™ screens, a factory-calibrated optics path and precise 6-axis motorized alignment, producing image alignment to a single pixel level of accuracy and seamless tiling. A positive pressure cabinet for each unit keeps dust out while at the same time allowing for full front and rear service access. Front access allows full service with zero rear clearance for straight or curved video walls, minimizing space requirements and repair time.

“With its proprietary, high-end features, the Clarity LED Series is another example of the innovation Planar brings to the market,” said Gerry Perkel, Planar’s CEO. “This new product series creates a cost-effective choice for a variety of control room applications by providing extraordinary visual performance while simultaneously reducing maintenance and improving the uptime of the video wall.”

The Clarity LED Video Wall is available for purchase through Planar’s worldwide network of authorized control room resellers and will begin shipping in the third fiscal quarter of 2010. For more information, please visit www.planarcontrolroom.com.

About Planar

Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLNR) is a global leader of specialty display technology providing hardware and software solutions for the world’s most demanding environments. Hospitals, space and military programs, utility and transportation hubs, shopping centers, banks, government agencies, businesses, and home theater enthusiasts all depend on Planar to provide superior performance when image experience is of the highest importance. Founded in 1983, Planar is headquartered in Oregon, USA, with offices, manufacturing partners, and customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.planar.com.

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Huntsville International Airport Selects Planar's Clarity Matrix LCD Video Wall Solution

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:58:00 GMT

Clarity Matrix LCD Video Wall System Enhances Customer Experience

Beaverton, Ore., December 7, 2009 — Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLNR), a worldwide leader in specialty display solutions, has implemented a 21-unit curved Clarity Matrix LCD Video Wall System at the Huntsville International Airport in Alabama. Taking advantage of the Clarity Matrix’s ultra-thin profile and EasyAxis™ Mounting System, the 21 46" LCD monitors are used to display flight information, news programs and community information in a newly renovated waiting area of the airport. The Huntsville installation demonstrates Planar’s continued strategy to expand display solutions beyond control room and digital signage applications.

“When visitors first arrive at the airport, they are instantly impressed by the immense size and visual performance of the video wall,” said Rick Tucker, executive director for Huntsville International Airport. “Huntsville prides itself on being high-tech with an eye on the future, and the Clarity Matrix was highly recommended by one of our key partners. Planar’s unique display solution aligns perfectly with our philosophy of providing first-class service and technology products to our customers.”

A High-Quality & Cost-Effective Solution

The airport industry revolves around a high-tech arena and Huntsville required a cutting-edge display solution to showcase customer information, but the technology had to be high-quality and cost-effective. The design of the video wall provides a lower total cost-of-ownership. By combining features such as front-service access, off-board rack-mounted electronics and power supplies to decrease heat behind the video wall that can rapidly degrade LCD panels, and redundant power supplies for extended operation, the Clarity Matrix Video Wall significantly reduces both complexity of installation and maintenance, making it affordable and ideal for mission-critical applications.

Optimal Visual Performance

With minimal installation space, Planar met Huntsville’s requirement of a curved video by leveraging the Clarity Matrix’s shallow LCD video wall depth – 4.5 inches from screen-to-wall – and unique mounting system. The EasyAxis™ mounting system features six-axis adjustments for perfect alignment in any array for all types of installations and is particularly ideal for space-constrained public venue and control room application that demand large format video wall solutions. Other key features include BigPicture Plus built-in processing eliminates the need for a third party image processor and commercial-grade LCD panels that tile together with only a 7.3mm image-to-image gap creating a near seamless image, ideal for digital signage applications. BigPicture Plus also enables the customer to scale proportionally across all or a portion of the displays within the video wall. Utilizing this technology, the Huntsville International Airport has the ability to show arrival/departure flight times and news programs at the same time.

“The availability of a thin profile video wall with uninterrupted operation and optimal visual performance has increased customer interest from new markets where flat-panel technology was not previously utilized,” said Gerry Perkel, Planar’s CEO. “We are excited to see Clarity Matrix break into new areas outside of Planar’s core command and control market and into digital signage applications in retail, sports arenas and airports.”

Planar’s Clarity Matrix was recently displayed at Government Video Expo in Washington, D.C., Dec. 2-3 and will be seen for the first time internationally at Integrated Systems Europe in Amsterdam, Feb. 2-4 (Stand 3B81). The LCD video wall is now available through Planar’s network of control room and digital signage resellers worldwide. For more information, please visit www.planarcontrolroom.com or www.planardigitalsignage.com.

About Huntsville International Airport

Huntsville International Airport (www.hsvairport.org) serves over 1.2 million passengers annually with more than 80 daily flights and non-stop service to 10 destinations. Known throughout its 18-county service region for outstanding customer service, state-of-the-art technology and customer convenience, Huntsville International Airport is one of three main operating entities that comprise the Port of Huntsville, including the Jetplex Industrial Park and International Intermodal Center. The Port of Huntsville, which encompasses more than 6,000 acres, is a modern-day, multi-modal transportation facility with a direct impact on regional employment totaling nearly 7,700 jobs and more than $474 million in payroll.

About Planar

CUSTOMER CONTACT:

Laura Gipson
Port of Huntsville
256-258-1977
lgipson@hsvairport.org

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Planar Begins Shipping Revolutionary Clarity Matrix LCD Video Wall System

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:36:00 GMT

Huntsville International Airport Selects Clarity Matrix for Digital Signage System

Beaverton, Ore., November 30, 2009 — Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLNR), a worldwide leader in specialty display solutions, today announced availability of Planar’s Clarity Matrix™ LCD Video Wall System designed to deliver outstanding tiled visual performance and uninterrupted operation for digital signage and control room applications. The unique features of the Clarity Matrix support the company’s current strategy to expand its display offerings into the very large, and fast growing market for digital signage, including applications in retail, sports arenas, hospitality venues and airports. The Matrix™ LCD Video Wall System enables companies, to use large, attention-grabbing, dynamic displays to market and communicate with its customers and patrons.

Outstanding Visual Performance

Traditionally the flat displays used in digital signage applications, including retail, transportation stations and sports/public venues, have larger bezels that can obstruct portions of on-screen content and disrupt the overall look when used in video walls. By incorporating 46-inch LCD panels that tile together with only a 7.3mm image-to-image gap, the Clarity Matrix LCD Video Wall System creates a near seamless image, making it the ideal choice for digital signage applications. Additional performance enhancing features include Planar’s BigPicture Plus built-in processing, which makes it simpler for the operator to fill the tiled displays using single or multiple sources.

Flexible Installation and Configuration

A key component of the Clarity Matrix LCD Video Wall System, which was recently selected for installation by the Huntsville International Airport in Alabama, is its EasyAxis™ mounting system. Featuring six-axis adjustments for perfect alignment in any array for all types of installations, the mounting system helps create stunning and precise tiled images and enables Clarity Matrix to be the thinnest profile LCD video wall on the market. At only 4.5 inches from screen-to-wall, the system is ideal for space-constrained public venue and control room environments that require dynamic, large format video wall solutions, but may not be able to accommodate deeper rear-projection displays.

Full Reliability and Serviceability

With features including front-service access, redundant power supplies, off-board rack-mounted electronics and power supplies to decrease heat behind the video wall, the Clarity Matrix is designed for high reliability in mission-critical applications. The unique design requires no power outlets behind the video wall itself, reducing complexity of installation and maintenance, ultimately providing a lower total cost-of-ownership.

“The Clarity Matrix strongly positions Planar to meet the growing demand for video wall systems in new markets and applications,” said Gerry Perkel, Planar’s CEO. “Through the system’s state-of-the-art design and technology, more customers across different industries can install video wall systems that are appropriate for their unique needs.”

Making a Visual Impact to Customers

Huntsville International Airport, known for its high-end technology and focus to customer convenience, recently selected Planar’s Clarity Matrix LCD Video Wall System to display flight information and local TV broadcasting.

In October 2009, Huntsville installed 21 Matrix displays in a 7x3 video wall, taking advantage of the unique mounting system of the Clarity Matrix that was critical to the application given the curved nature of Huntsville’s video wall.

“We needed a flexible display solution that would communicate information to customers, but still make a visual statement and act as the centerpiece for a newly renovated waiting area of the airport,” said Rick Tucker, executive director for Huntsville International Airport. “With Clarity Matrix, Planar helped us customize a unique solution that met our technology challenges and we’re extremely pleased with the result.”

Additional Clarity Matrix key features include:

46-inch diagonal, 700 nit commercial-grade LCD panels
7.3mm image-to-image gap when tiled together
Ultra-slim profile – 4.5 inches from wall to screen
Optimized mounting and fine-grain alignment scheme
Off-board electronics design for reduced downtime
Redundant power supplies
Built-in network-based health monitoring, status and control
Each display only weighs 48lbs including bracket
Full viewing angle of 178 degrees

Planar’s Clarity Matrix is now available through its network of control room and digital signage resellers worldwide. For more information, please visit www.planarcontrolroom.com or www.planardigitalsignage.com. The Clarity Matrix will also be on display at this year’s Government Video Expo in Washington, D.C., Dec. 2-3 (Booth #410) and in reseller showrooms around the world.

About Planar

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Planar announces shipping of Clarity Matrix

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:49:00 GMT

Planar is pleased to announce shipping of the Clarity™ Matrix LCD Video Wall System. Clarity Matrix is a unique approach to a new category of LCD display technology that features gaps of only 7.3 mm between screens.

Planar’s Clarity Matrix design provides capabilities that take advantage of the narrow bezel, thin profile, and bright, vibrant color, while addressing the challenges of installing and servicing the displays. At the heart of the Clarity Matrix architecture is a distributed design the takes heat, complexity and unreliability out from behind the LCD panel and places it with a centrally located, easily accessible and highly reliable rack-mounted system.

Key components of the Clarity Matrix LCD Video Wall System include the following:

• Streamlined Clarity Matrix LCD Modules tile together to form the video wall and display the images.
• Clarity Matrix EasyAxis™ mounting system simplifies the task of installing and perfectly aligning the LCD Modules while allowing for efficient in-wall service.
•Clarity Matrix Quad Controller Module and Power Supply Module drive the wall and facilitate uninterrupted operation.
•Clarity Matrix configuration, management and processing software makes setup and management of the wall easier and accommodates a range of image processing solutions.

For more information about Clarity Matrix, visit the Planar Control Room website.

Planar displays part of award-winning AV installations

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:48:00 GMT

Planar rear-projection and direct-view LCD's are featured in three award-winning installations by AV industry publications.

Congratulations to Planar Resellers Audio Video Systems and The Whitlock Group on their award-winning designs and installations.

2009 PRO AV Spotlight Award
Best Government AV Project (Federal)

Project: Pentagon Briefing Room
Location; Arlington, VA
Reseller: Audio Video Systems
Product Featured: Planar m57L

For more information on this award & installation, please visit PRO AV Online.

2009 Archi-Tech AV Award
Grand Prize Winner, Under $1 Million

Project: Eaton Executive Briefing Center; Moon Township, PA
Product Featured: Clarity Margay

For more information on this award & installation, please visit Archi-Tech's website.

2009 Archi-Tech AV Award

Project: Nix, Patterson & Roach LLP
Location: Las Colinas, TX
Reseller: The Whitlock Group
Product Featured: Clarity c70SPw

For more information on this award & installation, please visit Archi-Tech's website.

Planar Control Room News

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:38:00 GMT

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Planar Announces Clarity Matrix LCD Video Wall System

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:29:00 GMT

Unique Design Provides Ultra-Thin Profile and Uninterrupted Operation; System to be Unveiled at InfoComm

BEAVERTON, Ore., June 1, 2009 - Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLNR), a worldwide leader in specialty display solutions, today introduced its Clarity Matrix™ LCD Video Wall System that supports mission-critical operation and requires minimal installation space, making it ideal for use in public venue or control room video walls. By combining streamlined, narrow-bezel LCD panels, a unique mounting system, centralized outboard electronics and simplified configuration and management software, the Clarity Matrix system is designed to make the most of LCD technology’s slim profile and vibrant visual performance while easing the difficulties in achieving perfect alignment, optimal cooling, simplified service and extended operation. Providing outstanding tiled visual performance and uninterrupted operation through exclusive features, the Clarity Matrix supports the company’s strategy to deliver innovative specialty display solutions.

Planar will unveil its Clarity Matrix LCD video wall at this year’s InfoComm in Orlando, Fla., June 17-19 (Booth #3149). The Clarity Matrix incorporates 46" commercial-grade LCD panels that tile together with only a 7.3mm image-to-image gap. The Matrix’s LCD “blade” module – unique within the control room and digital signage industry weighs less, generates less heat, aligns precisely, services easily, and is less susceptible to “in-wall” failures compared to traditional LCD display designs.

Intelligent Tiled Mounting System

The Clarity Matrix Video Wall System incorporates the Clarity EasyAxis™ mount system, which combined with the LCD module, results in a video wall measuring a mere 4.5 inches in depth, screen to wall – ideal for space-constrained security monitoring centers and broadcast control rooms. The LCD modules include EasyAxis adjustment cams allowing six-axis fine-grain alignment and perfect LCD module positioning in any array. The Clarity EasyAxis mounting system supports landscape and portrait orientation, free-standing wall deployment and flying wall applications. Because the panels are self-supporting, Clarity Matrix can support unlimited stacking height. The mounting system also incorporates a unique service mode that allows for in-place front-access service for any panel in the wall regardless of location.

Uninterrupted Operation by Design

Designed for continuous operation, which ultimately lowers total cost of ownership, the Clarity Matrix Video Wall System features off-board rack-mount electronics and power supplies to decrease the heat load that can rapidly degrade LCD panels and increase the risk of temporary image retention (TIR). With fewer components operating behind the LCD modules, Planar has significantly reduced the risk of in-wall failures and the associated disruption to the wall. Centralized controller boards and power supplies also can be placed in a convenient location, in close proximity to video sources. A single Clarity Matrix power supply module provides power to up to four panels and can be configured in a fault-tolerant n+1 configuration, providing redundancy for mission critical applications.

Image Processing and Control

The Clarity Matrix Video Wall System is compatible with all leading image processors, including Planar’s Indisys™. It incorporates Clarity Big Picture Plus built-in processing, which allows single sources to scale proportionally across all or a portion of the displays in the video wall, creating a single perfectly-aligned image. Set-up assistance software, on-screen control menus and full serial management control are offered as standard features of the video wall system.

Other Clarity Matrix Key Features include:

46-inch diagonal, 700 nit commercial-grade LCD panels
7.3mm image-to-image gap when tiled together
Ultra-slim profile – 4.5 inches from wall to screen
Optimized mounting and fine-grain alignment scheme
Off-board electronics design for reduced downtime
Redundant power supplies
Built-in network-based health monitoring, status and control

“We have applied the lessons and expertise gleaned from deploying numerous mission-critical control rooms around the world to this latest generation of ultra-narrow bezel LCDs,” said Kristina K. Gorriaran, vice president and general manager for Planar’s Control Room and Signage Business Unit. “The resulting Clarity Matrix video wall system delivers a state-of-the-art specialty display solution with meaningful cost-of-ownership advantages to control room and signage customers.”

The Clarity Matrix LCD Video Wall System will be available later this year through Planar’s network of control room and digital signage resellers. For more information visit www.planarcontrolroom.com.

About Planar

Planar Systems, Inc (NASDAQ:PLNR) is a global leader of specialty display technology providing hardware and software solutions for the world’s most demanding environments. Hospitals, space and military programs, utility and transportation hubs, shopping centers, banks, government agencies, businesses, and home theater enthusiasts all depend on Planar to provide superior performance when image experience is of the highest importance. Founded in 1983, Planar is headquartered in Oregon, USA, with offices, manufacturing partners, and customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.planar.com.

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Planar announces Clarity Margay II availability

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:02:00 GMT

Full HD Rear-Projection Display Delivers Outstanding Video Wall Performance; Offers Cost-Effective Installation and Maintenance

BEAVERTON, Ore., Dec. 3, 2008—Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLNR), a worldwide leader in specialty display solutions, today announced availability of the Clarity™ Margay II, a unique 50-inch high-resolution rear-projection display ideal for public venue video walls and space-constrained control rooms. Delivering outstanding visual performance and ease of maintenance through advanced features and exclusive Planar technology, the Margay II supports the company’s strategy to deliver display solutions that meet the specific demands of digital signage and control room applications.

Margay II significantly improves upon the unique features of the highly popular Clarity Margay, which has been installed in hundreds of tiled display applications around the world. Margay II offers advances in resolution, color performance and automatic image optimization, expanding on the unique benefits of the original Margay such as shallow depth, wide-screen form factor and strong video performance.

“Our customers are continually looking for ways to create higher impact communication using the latest in video technology,” said Kristina K. Gorriaran, vice president and general manager for Planar's Control Room and Signage Business Unit. “Margay II’s high resolution, superior color performance and seamless screen design provide an ideal building block for creating unique and innovative tiled video applications.”

Unique Design and Exclusive Technology

Margay II supports full 1920 x 1080 HD resolution and features including Texas Instrument’s DLP® BrilliantColor™ technology for a brighter display and wider color gamut. The Margay II optical engine incorporates both primary and secondary color segments in order to achieve deeper, more saturated colors. Unlike other large format display products, Margay II is designed for creating display banners, columns or walls of any size, with no distracting bezels or image retention.

Margay II also features state-of-the-art Planar Precision™ electronics with digital uniformity correction and solid state image alignment. These features result in a more uniform video wall and more precisely aligned images from display to display.

A Cost-Effective Solution Offering Easy Maintenance and Serviceability

The Margay II features Planar’s SiFi™ technology, which automatically calculates and achieves consistent color and brightness across displays. By automating critical color balancing functionality, SiFi ensures that the video wall, regardless of its size, delivers optimized visual performance on a consistent basis with minimum operator intervention.

The unique design of Margay II incorporates full front and rear service access while maintaining a seamless, zero mullion screen design. For an additional reduction in service time, its modular design allows most components, including lamps, air filters and electronics modules to be replaced in a matter of minutes.

Additional Margay II Key Features:

50-inch display with unique 16:9 aspect ratio
Full HD resolution (1920x1080p)
DLP BrilliantColor technology
Electronic image alignment
Digital uniformity correction
Planar’s SiFi Auto Color Balance technology
Rugged High Contrast screen
Full front and rear service access

Planar will showcase the Margay II at the Government Video Expo 2008 in Washington, D.C., December 3-4 (Booth #209).

About Planar

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Planar announces shipment of Clarity c80RP

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:25:00 GMT

Planar announces shipping of the Clarity c80RP rear-projection display.

The c80RP further strengthens Planar's control room product line with the addition of an 80" display. The c80RP provides a feature-rich solution for control rooms that require the combination of large screen size and native SXGA+ resolution (1400 x 1050) for displaying large volumes of fine-detailed data, such as SCADA and other industrial control systems used in utility, telecommunications and government applications.

Planar announces shipping of the Planar m52L

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:34:00 GMT

Planar announces shipping of the Planar m52L commercial-grade LCD display.

Planar is pleased to announce it will begin shipping the Planar m52L in August. The newest addition to the M-Series LCD line, the m52L is a 52" narrow bezel commercial-grade LCD display. It features the narrowest bezel available in a 52: LCD (~16 mm), full glass option, and the M-Series common electronics platform - including video and SDI input options. New to the m52L is HDCP support on the DVI input, allowing Blue-Ray players to connect directly and show digital copy-protected content.

Planar Announces Three New Control Room and Public Display Solutions at InfoComm 2008

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:33:00 GMT

Company Introduces Planar Precision™ Electronics for Simplified Advanced Image Calibration

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 18, 2008--Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLNR), a worldwide leader in specialty display solutions, today at InfoComm unveiled three new displays featuring leading-edge technology for optimum image quality. The Clarity x100HD, Clarity c80RP and Planar m52L support the company's ongoing strategy to expand its line of advanced display solutions for demanding government, utility, security, transportation, broadcast and corporate environments.

Planar will also showcase at InfoComm (booth #N6332) its Planar Precision(TM) electronics, offering solid state image alignment and electronic uniformity correction. These innovations, along with other proprietary technology like Set it and Forget it (SiFi(TM)) automatic color and brightness balancing, make it easier for end-users to establish and maintain a precisely aligned, balanced and uniform image on Clarity DLP(R) rear projection video walls.

"These latest offerings demonstrate Planar's continued commitment to the development of high-value, large-format display solutions that meet the specific needs of control room, corporate and public environments," said Kristina K. Gorriaran, vice president and general manager for Planar's Control Room and Signage Business Unit. "The x100HD, c80RP, m52L and Planar Precision electronics expand upon our existing lines to offer AV integrators and end-users unprecedented display options and the tools to optimize them for the customer's environment."

Clarity x100HD: Life-like Images and Exceptional Value

Planar has expanded its product line with the Clarity x100HD, a 100-inch large screen display designed to be flush-mounted in a wall, ideal for conference rooms, control rooms, security monitoring and broadcast applications. For true-to-life images, the full high-definition x100HD features DLP BrilliantColor(TM) technology, which offers a brighter display and a wider color gamut not available in competing technologies. In addition, its Planar Precision electronics make it easy to achieve a perfectly aligned and uniform image. This is critical for conference rooms and broadcast applications where excellent image quality is the primary concern. For AV integrators seeking exceptional value and an overall lower cost of ownership, the x100HD features easy set-up, full front serviceability and low power consumption.

Clarity c80RP: Planar's Largest Control Room Cube with Built-in SiFi

Planar's new 80-inch Clarity c80RP offers SXGA+ native resolution, SiFi Auto Color Balance to achieve consistent brightness and color uniformity across screens, and a new high-contrast screen for sharp image, high brightness and excellent tiling performance. The c80RP screen features Planar's unique seamless screen technology and calibrated brackets to simplify the deployment of perfectly uniform curved video walls. The combination of large screen size and native SXGA+ DLP technology make the c80RP ideal for displaying large volumes of fine-detailed data, such as SCADA and other industrial control systems used in utility, telecommunications and government installations.

Planar m52L: Narrow Bezel, High Brightness and Full HD

The Planar m52L joins the versatile m-Series family of commercial-grade LCD displays suited for control room, broadcast and public display applications. Designed for use in tiled or stand-alone use, the m52L features the narrowest-available bezel (16mm) in the industry for a 52-inch LCD, built-in tiling software, intelligent backlight control and a wide range of source compatibility and connectivity. The m52L features a fully adjustable high brightness LCD panel and full HD (1920x1080p) resolution.

    Additional product highlights include:

    Clarity x100HD

    --  Full HD resolution (1920x1080p)

    --  DLP BrilliantColor support

    --  Clean in-wall installation and minimal depth requirement at
        approximately 30"

    --  Low power consumption and easy in-place front access service

    Clarity c80RP

    --  Superior SXGA+ resolution (1400 x 1050)

    --  Dual lamp option for mission-critical applications

    --  Planar's SiFi Auto Color Balance technology

    --  Industry-leading seamless screen technology

    Planar m52L

    --  Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080p)

    --  High brightness and outstanding image quality at 700 nits and
        2000:1 contrast ratio

    --  Ambient light sensor intelligently controls backlight

    --  Optional tiling brackets to ease tiled wall installation

The Clarity c80RP is available now. The Planar m52L will be available in calendar Q3 2008 and the Clarity x100HD will be available in calendar Q4 2008. All products are sold exclusively through Planar's authorized control room resellers worldwide.

Planar's new displays will be showcased at InfoComm in Las Vegas through June 20, at Planar Booth #N6332 in the Las Vegas Convention Center. Please visit the booth or contact Katherine Manning at 213-438-8788 or kmanning@golinharris.com to meet with a Planar representative at the show. For more information please visit www.planarcontrolroom.com.

About Planar

Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLNR) is a global leader of specialty display technology providing hardware and software solutions for the world's most demanding environments. Hospitals, space and military programs, utility and transportation hubs, shopping centers, banks, government agencies, businesses, and home theater enthusiasts all depend on Planar to provide superior performance when image experience is of the highest importance. Founded in 1983, Planar is headquartered in Oregon, USA, with offices, manufacturing partners, and customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.planar.com.

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Planar Announces Indisys Director at Infocom 2008

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:18:00 GMT

New Software System Provides Fully Integrated Management

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 18, 2008--Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLNR), a worldwide leader in specialty display solutions, today at InfoComm in Las Vegas debuted new image processing software that gives customers complete management of control room visual information. Fully integrated with the industry's only in-cube processing solution, the new Indisys™ Director supports Planar's ongoing strategy to provide customers with turnkey offerings that simplify and enhance the operation of specialty displays in demanding control room environments.

Designed for a variety of applications including utility control rooms, security and surveillance, traffic control, government, network operations centers and emergency call centers, Indisys Director offers complete end-to-end management of video and data acquisition, distribution and display, making it a unique, cohesive solution that is customizable for specific market needs.

Indisys Director helps improve workflow and productivity by providing control over key data such as event triggers, drag and drop sources, presets, and live source and video wall thumbnails. Additionally, Indisys Director communicates with the Indisys in-cube processor in order to manage and control the video wall itself. Indisys Director allows the operator to power cubes on and off, launch Set it and Forget it (SiFi™) Auto Color Balance on the video wall, and report and respond to conditions such as system temperature and lamp life.

"Integrators and end users are looking for a more efficient way to manage mission-critical control room visual information, with a single point of control over all elements of the video wall system," said Kristina K. Gorriaran, vice president and general manager for Planar's Control Room and Signage Business Unit. "Indisys Director's full source-to-pixel control is designed to meet this need by consolidating more functionality into a single, more intuitive management application."

Indisys Director is part of Planar's latest generation Indisys image processing system that features Indisys Packet Protocol (IP2). IP2 a high-speed digital transport protocol that helps automate set-up and improves overall performance. Indisys with IP2 includes the industry's only in-cube processor, which improves video wall control and simplifies cable routing. The in-cube processor provides 4 PIP, freeze frame, image scaling, visual filters, snapshots, display monitoring and management. Additionally, Indisys IP2 self-discovers the Indisys image processing components in a network in order to simplify initial set-up and configuration. Indisys IP2 provides more efficient use of bandwidth and digitizes and transports visual data at a full 16Gbps while employing a parallel architecture allowing all sources to be present anywhere on any size wall. These features enable scalability to larger video wall systems.

Additional Indisys Director features:

Drag and drop sources and presets
Live source and video wall thumbnails
Web enabled system monitoring
Event triggers enabling work flow management for improved productivity
Full API for end user customization and integration with existing systems

Demonstrating its industry innovation as a leading provider of control room hardware and software, Planar is also showcasing three new control room and public information displays, the Clarity x100HD, Clarity c80RP and Planar m52L, at InfoComm.

For more information, please stop by Planar's InfoComm booth (N6332) at the Las Vegas Convention Center, June 18-20, or visit www.planarcontrolroom.com.

About Planar

Planar Systems, Inc (NASDAQ:PLNR) is a global leader of specialty display technology providing hardware and software solutions for the world's most demanding environments. Hospitals, space and military programs, utility and transportation hubs, shopping centers, banks, government agencies, businesses, and home theater enthusiasts all depend on Planar to provide superior performance when image experience is of the highest importance. Founded in 1983, Planar is headquartered in Oregon, USA, with offices, manufacturing partners, and customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.planar.com.

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Planar Announces 70-inch LCD

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:00:00 GMT

Planar Announces 70-inch Direct-View LCD Monitor

The New Planar m70L is the First High-Definition Commercial Display of Its Size Designed for Demanding Industrial Applications

BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 21, 2008--Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLNR), a worldwide leader in specialty display solutions, today introduced the Planar m70L, the first full-featured commercial-grade, high-definition 70-inch LCD monitor. Expanding Planar's Monitor-Series (m-Series) line of displays for control room, video wall and digital signage applications supports the company's ongoing strategy to offer best-in-class specialty displays that deliver long-term value and outstanding visual performance.

Demonstrating its global presence, Planar will be unveiling the Planar m70L at Integrated Systems Europe 2008 in Amsterdam, January 29-31 (Booth #A88), and Distributech 2008 in Tampa, Fla., January 22-24 (Booth #2031). The m70L expands upon the benefits of the Planar m-Series family of commercial-grade LCDs, and shares the same connectivity, menu systems, electronics and styling in order to ensure seamless and cost-effective display integration for any application.

The Planar m70L offers high-end professional features such as built-in power management and automation, an impressive 178-degree viewing angle, and broad video source compatibility. Planar incorporated other key features such as resistance to image quality degradation and automatic ambient backlight control to address the challenges associated with 24-hour operation in unpredictable environments.

The Planar m70L is the only 70-inch monitor of its kind designed specifically for long-term, year-round operation, unlike consumer displays, making the m70L ideal for industrial applications. The m70L's full HD 1080p resolution, extra-large screen size, high brightness (600 nits) and HD-SDI connectivity create more realistic and life-like images that are ideal for utility and energy master control rooms and television broadcast command centers.

"Consumer displays like televisions are not designed for these types of demanding industrial applications, so end-users may experience problems with performance and shorter product life spans," said Kristina K. Gorriaran, vice president and general manager for Planar's Control Room & Signage Business Unit, formerly Clarity Visual Systems. "The m70L and entire m-Series of commercial displays offer Planar's partners and integrators the only comprehensive display products built for long-term reliability and durability."

    Additional m70L key features:

    --  1500:1 contrast ratio

    --  Backlight control for longer life (50,000 hours to 1/2
        brightness)

    --  Built-in real time clock allows users to schedule events such
        as power on/power off, source switching

    --  Planar Big Picture(TM) and WallNet(TM) technologies for
        optimum processing and automated display monitoring

    --  Landscape/portrait orientation for multiple uses

    --  VESA standard mounting points for use with any conforming
        stand or mount

    --  RoHS certification

    --  MSRP: $30,000

The Planar m70L will be available in February through Planar's network of control room system integrators and audiovisual dealers and will be backed by Planar's industry-leading three-year Customer First(TM) warranty. For more information, please visit Planar's booths at Distributech or ISE, or visit www.planarcontrolroom.com.

About Planar

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Planar Ships Commercial-grade Direct-view LCDs for Control Room and Digital Signage Applications

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:23:00 GMT

Planar Systems announced availability of two commercial-grade direct-view LCDs, the Planar m40L and Planar m46L, for control room and digital signage applications. Aligning with the company's strategy to deliver value-added display solutions that combine superior image quality with long-term reliability, these commercial-grade offerings are engineered to overcome technical challenges typically associated with operating 24x7 installations in public areas.

Planar Shipping New LCD Displays

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:59:00 GMT

New Planar m40L and Planar m46L Displays Enable Lowest Cost of Ownership

BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 3, 2007--Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLNR), a worldwide leader in specialty display solutions, today announced availability of two commercial-grade direct-view LCDs, the Planar m40L and Planar m46L, for control room and digital signage applications. Aligning with the company's strategy to deliver value-added display solutions that combine superior image quality with long-term reliability, these commercial-grade offerings are engineered to overcome technical challenges typically associated with operating 24 x 7 installations in public areas.

With features including built-in power management and automation, an intelligent light sensor that automatically adjusts the backlight and an optional protective front faceplate, the m40L and m46L are ideal for control room installations in the government/military, broadcast, utilities and transportation markets, as well as digital signage applications, across the globe. Compared to commodity displays, Planar's m-Series displays are specifically suited to withstand intense ambient conditions in these demanding environments, ultimately enabling a lower cost of ownership.

"System integrators and audiovisual dealers understand that customers in these environments must be confident their monitors will display clear, professional images and perform 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said Kristina K. Gorriaran, vice president and general manager for Planar's Control Room & Signage Business Unit, formerly Clarity Visual Systems. "Using commercial-grade LCDs and components, Planar's system provides a high degree of security and performance, ensuring longer-term value over other consumer flat-panel displays often used for these demanding applications."

The m40L's narrow 0.6" bezel, wall-mountable and built-in tiling capabilities, and exceptional color and brightness (700 nit) make it ideal for digital signage applications in public environments, either as a stand-alone displays or tiled videowalls.

Planar's large 46-inch format, ultra-high native HD 1080p resolution (1920 x 1080) and multi-source compatibility of the flat-panel m46L make it particularly suitable for broadcast master control rooms, where space constraints are a typical concern.

First demonstrated at InfoComm in June, the m40L and m46L are the latest additions to the m-Series line, which currently includes the 57-inch m57L. The entire m-Series line offers advantages such as resistance to image quality degradation, higher brightness and broad source compatibility not found on most consumer displays.

    Additional Planar m40L/m46L key features:

    --  m40L: WXGA native resolution (1366 x 768)

    --  m46L: HD 1080p resolution (1920 x 1080)

    --  1200:1 contrast ratio

    --  178 degree viewing angle

    --  Built-in tiling (Planar's Big Picture(TM)) and mullion
        compensation for applications requiring multiple, tiled
        displays

    --  Configurable I/O - standard video inputs, graphics and SDI to
        enable integrators to optimize display features for virtually
        any application

    --  Backlight control for longer life (50,000 hours to 1/2
        brightness)

    --  Built-in power on/off, source switching

    --  Landscape/portrait orientation for multiple uses

    --  VESA standard mounting points for use with any conforming
        stand or mount

Manufacturers' suggested retail price (MSRP) for the m40L starts at $3,750, with MSRP for the m46L beginning at $6,050. Planar's Monitor-Series displays are now available through its network of control room system integrators and audiovisual dealers worldwide. For more information, please visit www.planarcontrolroom.com or www.planardigitalsignage.com.

About Planar

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Planar's Clarity RP & RX Displays Now Shipping

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:06:00 GMT

Offerings Feature Set It and Forget It™ Technology & Industry-Leading Screen

BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 3, 2007--Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLNR), a worldwide leader in specialty display solutions, today announced availability of the Clarity RP and RX rear-projection displays designed to deliver a superior level of visual performance for demanding control room environments, such as government/military, broadcast, utility and transportation. Planar's RX and award-winning RP control room displays, announced at InfoComm in June, demonstrate the company's continued commitment to providing leading-edge display solutions for complex applications.

Available in both 50-inch and 67-inch sizes and "open" or "integrated system" options, the Clarity RP and RX lines feature Texas Instruments' single-chip DLP(R) with Planar's exclusive Set It and Forget It(TM) (SiFi) technology, a proprietary feature that dramatically reduces the time and expertise required to optimally "balance" a video wall. Both accurate and flexible, SiFi Auto Color Balance (ACB) can be initiated on-demand over a network or via remote control, and automatically by schedule or event - such as an automatic lamp change. New to the RP and RX lines, the SiFi ACB feature now offers the capability to retain and factor in fine-grain environment-driven adjustments made by expert technicians.

The Clarity RX display provides a competitively-priced, feature-rich solution for control rooms requiring standard XGA native resolution (1024 x 768), while delivering SiFi for superior brightness and color balance. The RP series is the first SiFi-equipped Clarity display geared specifically for data-rich applications, such as running Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) software or high-resolution satellite imagery/mapping. Respected industry publication rAVe Pro called the display "stunning" when awarding RP the "Best Rear Projection Display" at InfoComm.

"Now with the availability of RP and RX displays, Planar offers resellers and integrators a comprehensive line of high-performing display solutions for differentiated control room applications," said Kristina K. Gorriaran, vice president and general manager of Planar's Control Room & Signage Business Unit, formerly Clarity Visual Systems. "Our displays deliver outstanding performance, high image quality, maximum readability and ease of installation that mission-critical environments require."

Innovations delivering uncompromised viewing

The Clarity RP and RX screens are designed to fit together with zero-mullion while retaining 100 percent pixel viewing, eliminating viewing obstruction due to screen staples or stitching. Both displays offer rear-access and full-front access screen design. Additionally, the Clarity RP and RX can be deployed in curved video wall configurations, as demonstrated at InfoComm, while retaining full front serviceability.

For additional customization, integrators and dealers can select from two screen options to optimize performance for different video wall and room configurations. For walls less than three cubes high, the Clarity RP and RX are available with a high-brightness acrylic screen (4.0 gain). For taller walls, the displays are available with a wide-view acrylic screen (1.0 gain) option.

Additional Clarity RX/RP product highlights:
    --  "Open system" or "Integrated system" configurations
    --  Exclusive SiFi features
    --  Automatic monitoring of the color and brightness at the
         projection lens output
    -- Controller to measure and calculate optimal color and
         brightness settings for an entire wall
    --  Compatibility with virtually any image processor on the market
    --  Industry-leading seamless screen technology
        -- Zero mullion (no gaps between individual screens)
        -- No stitching, staples, bowing or pouching
    -- Unique full front access
    --  Ease of set-up and serviceability vs. comparable displays
    -- Motorized alignment (engine alignment via remote menus)
    -- Full-front access with zero clearance required
    -- Modular design for easy component replacement
    -- Dual-lamp systems with automatic fail-over to eliminate
        down-time

For customers seeking an all-in-one, turnkey video wall solution, Planar's Clarity RP and RX displays are also available in Integrated System options (RPi and RXi). Integrated systems combine Planar's Clarity displays and Indisys(TM) image processing to digitize and manage multiple video and data input signals with maximum performance and reliability, as well as Planar's proprietary ComBase(TM) software for managing multi-window configurations.

Manufacturers' suggested retail price (MSRP) for open system Clarity RX displays start at $14,000 for the 50-inch Clarity c50RX and $18,000 for the 67-inch Clarity c67RX. MSRP for the Clarity c50RXi starts at $14,800 and $18,800 for the Clarity c67RXi.

MSRP for Planar's Clarity RP displays begins at $23,500 for the 50-inch Clarity c50RP and $28,500 for the 67-inch Clarity c67RP. Pricing for integrated Clarity RP options begin at $24,300 for the Clarity c50RPi, and $29,300 for the Clarity c67RPi.

The Clarity RX and RP control room displays are now available through Planar's network of control room system integrators and audiovisual dealers worldwide. For more information, please visit www.planarcontrolroom.com.

About Planar

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Planar Debuts Clarity RP & RX at Infocomm 2007

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:40:00 GMT

Company Also Previews Future Control Room and Network-Based Signage Technologies

ANAHEIM, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 19, 2007--Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLNR), a worldwide leader in specialty display solutions, today unveiled two lines of Clarity rear-projection displays at InfoComm 2007 in Anaheim, Calif. Designed to fit segments including government/military, utilities, broadcast and transportation, the RX and RP series support Planar's strategic mission to provide best-in-class solutions for vertical markets that demand differentiated display products. Planar is also previewing its newest software and hardware display offerings for a variety of enterprise and control room applications.

Available in "open system" or "integrated system" configurations, the RX and RP rear-projection displays come in 50" (c50RX/c50RP) and 67" (c67RX/c67RP) diagonal screen size options and incorporate Planar's revolutionary Set It and Forget It(TM) (SiFi) technology. SiFi automates the continuous operation of Clarity displays at peak performance. In addition, the SiFi Auto Color Balance feature enables each RX or RP display in a wall to simultaneously measure the brightness and color of actual light directed at the screen, reducing the time required to optimally balance a videowall of multiple rear-projection displays.

Planar's competitively priced RX model is the first XGA Clarity display to offer SiFi, making it an ideal solution for control rooms that do not require ultra-high resolution displays. The RP displays, which offer superior performance for data-intensive environments such as utility or government/military control rooms, also incorporate SiFi technology. SiFi was first introduced at Infocomm 2006 with the Clarity SP series of displays, designed for video-rich applications.

"The addition of the RX & RP series further extends Planar's commitment to providing high-performance Clarity display solutions for a wide range of environments," said Kristina K. Gorriaran, vice president and general manager of Planar's Control Room & Signage Business Unit, formerly Clarity Visual Systems. "Combined with a full range of features and our proprietary SiFi technology, these offerings follow the Clarity display tradition of providing innovative solutions that exhibit high resolution, small footprint, ease of service and reliability."

The RX and RP displays also share other key features such as modular design for easy component replacement, motorized alignment and dual lamp rotation systems.

    Additional RX/RP product highlights:

        --  RX: XGA native resolution (1024 x 768)

        --  RP: SXGA+ native resolution (1400 x 1050)

        --  Industry-leading seamless screen technology

        --  Full-front serviceability of all components

        --  "Open system" or "Integrated system" configurations

        --  Indisys image processing with Combase software

            --  Creates a unique visual network that delivers
                mission-critical information

            --  Works with a variety of sources for high flexibility
                and reliability

            --  Available with integrated systems only

    
Company Previews Latest Signage and Control Room Technologies

Rounding out Planar's InfoComm exhibit are a broad range of future offerings that will better enable the company's system integration partners to meet the needs of networked visual systems and control room environments.

The iS40 Integrated Sign is a network-based display appliance that simplifies digital signage deployment without sacrificing any of the enterprise capabilities built into the latest CoolSign 3.0 software. The Integrated Sign (iS40) appliance incorporates a commercial-grade 40-inch LCD, robust Windows XP Embedded processing and the latest CoolSign 3 software -- all fully optimized by Planar and covered under a three-year warranty. Requiring only AC power and an Ethernet connection for full functionality, the iS40 eliminates the work of display/PC/software integration, the uncertainty of performance optimization and the need for multi-vendor support and maintenance. Shipments of the iS40 to Planar's authorized signage partners are scheduled to start in August.

Planar is also showcasing the second-generation DS15, an all-in-one integrated kiosk solution designed for retail environments. The new DS15 is designed to enable kiosk operation with appliance-like installation. It allows various rich media content to be deployed in order to provide consumers an intuitive and interactive self-service experience. Available through authorized dealers and resellers, the DS15 will also be available in August.

Finally, Planar will demonstrate for the first time two additions to the Planar m-series of professional, direct-view LCDs. Ideal for tiled or stand-alone applications, the flat-panel 40-inch m40L features a narrow bezel (.6") and outstanding brightness (700 nit). The 46-inch m46L combines full native high-definition resolution (1920 x 1080p) and high-performance connectivity options such as SDI making it ideal for broadcast or other control centers.

The m40L and m46L, available later this year will join Planar's 57-inch m57L to support the company's initiative to develop innovative solutions for specialty markets that demand differentiated display products.

For more information, please visit www.planar.com or come to Planar's booth (#7000, Hall B) at InfoComm 2007.

About Planar

Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLNR) is a leading provider of value-added display hardware and software for a variety of specialty display markets worldwide. Hospitals, shopping centers, banks, government agencies, transportation businesses, and other discriminating consumers depend on Planar to provide unique display-based solutions to exacting requirements leveraging its operational excellence, technical innovation, and go-to-market capabilities. Founded in 1983, Planar is headquartered in Oregon, USA, with offices, manufacturing partners, and customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.planar.com.

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Planar Announces 57" LCD Display

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:59:00 GMT

Professional Grade m57L Designed for Demanding Control Room, Corporate Boardroom and Digital Signage Applications

BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 19, 2007--Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLNR), a worldwide leader in specialty display solutions, today announced the availability of the m57L, a large-format direct-view LCD display. The m57L extends Planar's line of commercial-grade LCD displays, which includes the 40-inch Bobcat X and the 46-inch Bay Cat X. Its large screen area, high resolution and professional features are ideally suited to Planar's system integration partners and the demanding applications they implement for customers. The m57L further supports Planar's corporate strategy to provide best-in-class solutions for new and existing vertical market opportunities that demand differentiated display products.

Incorporating the latest generation LCD panel, the 57-inch m57L is a direct-view professional-grade display, engineered for commercial applications that demand the highest levels of performance and reliability such as control rooms, public information display and corporate boardrooms. While similar to commercial 60-inch plasma monitors in diagonal size and form factor, the m57L also delivers ultra-high resolution (1920 x 1080) and incorporates other features, such as resistance to image quality degradation, higher brightness and broad source compatibility, which add to its advantages over plasma displays that serve these custom markets.

"The large screen area, brightness and resolution of the m57L combine to make a striking visual impact," said Kristina K. Gorriaran, vice president and general manager for Planar's Control Room & Signage Business Unit, formerly Clarity Visual Systems. "Our customers count on our professional-grade displays for demanding commercial applications and the m57L provides a compelling offering where a larger display is required."

Professional Grade Panel

The combination of high-performing components and a rugged enclosure help make the m57L LCD display more resistant to Temporary Image Retention (TIR) issues or other long-term image degradation effects found in comparable displays in the marketplace. The panel is also designed to perform equally well in either landscape or portrait orientations.

Uniquely Suited for Broadcast Applications

Planar's m57L meets the specific needs of many broadcast applications with features such as a Serial Digital Input (SDI) that is capable of accepting standard definition and high-definition SDI resolutions. The 1080p native resolution enables the multiple window display to create an active image area approximately equal to seventeen 14-inch CRT monitors, a common configuration in broadcast control rooms. The broadcast-friendly m57L is also preconfigured with presets for common color temperatures.

Perfect Fit for Boardroom and Digital Signage Applications

With its large screen size, high resolution and multi-source compatibility, the m57L is also ideally positioned for boardrooms and other corporate presentation environments as well as digital signage applications. Overall, these displays are designed and engineered for more demanding use applications, typical of commercial environments.

    Additional m57L Key Features

    --  Latest generation electronics for improved sharpness scaling
        and 10 bit gamma processing

    --  Superior ability to automatically synch with a variety of
        input signals

    --  Built-in real time clock allows users to schedule events such
        as power on/power off, source switching

    --  Built-in tiling (Planar's Big Picture(TM)), mullion
        compensation and digital loop through for applications
        requiring multiple, tiled displays

    --  VESA standard mounting points for use with any conforming
        stand or mount

The m57L is now shipping at an MSRP of $17,000 for the data version and $17,500 for the video-enabled model. For more information on the m57L, please visit www.planarclaritydisplays.com.

About Planar

Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLNR) is a leading provider of value-added display hardware and software for a variety of specialty display markets worldwide. Hospitals, shopping centers, banks, government agencies, transportation businesses and other discriminating consumers depend on Planar to provide unique display-based solutions to exacting requirements leveraging its operational excellence, technical innovation and go-to-market capabilities. Founded in 1983, Planar is headquartered in Oregon, with offices, manufacturing partners and customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.planar.com.

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Planar Announces Shipments of New Clarity Rear-Projection Displays

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:32:00 GMT

Clarity SP Series Debuts New Set-It & Forget-It(TM) Features

Designed to Automate Optimum Display Performance

BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 12, 2006--Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLNR), a worldwide leader in specialty display solutions, announced the first shipments of its new line of Clarity rear-projection displays, the SP Series. The release of these products by the Control Room/Signage Business Unit supports the company's strategic plan to deliver innovative products to specialty display markets. Through the Control Room/Digital Signage Business Unit (formerly Clarity Visual Systems) Planar provides innovative solutions for the display of networked visual information including displays, digital signage software, and control room solutions for a variety of state, local and federal government customers.

The new SP rear-projection Digital Light Processing (DLP) cubes, which utilize state of the art DLP technology from Texas Instruments(R), are available in either "open system" or "integrated system" configurations and come in diagonal sizes of 50" (c50SP/c50SPi), 67" (c67SP/c67SPi), and wide screen 70" (c70SPw/c70SPwi). Each of the SP displays supports Planar's revolutionary Set It and Forget It(TM) (SiFi) technology that automates the continuous operation of Clarity cubes at peak performance. The SP displays were shown for the first time in North America at the Government Video Show in Washington, D.C. last week.

SiFi represents another first for the industry and the SP series are uniquely positioned in the control room market following the Planar display tradition of providing innovative display solutions for the government and corporate applications. The c50SP and c67SP offer 4:3 aspect ratio and SXGA+ (1400x1050) resolution, while the c70SPw delivers wide screen 16:9 aspect ratio and full HD (1920x1080) resolution. SiFi Auto Color Balance and Redundant Lamp Systems are supported in all the SP models and dramatically reduce the time and expertise required to maintain a fully functioning and optimally balanced video wall of multiple rear projection cubes. With SiFi Auto Color Balance, each SP cube in a wall simultaneously measures the brightness and color of the actual light directed at the screen. This information is collected and compared and then the optimal setting is directed to each cube in order to automatically create a rebalanced wall. All this happens in about 30 seconds, depending on the size of the wall and can be initiated as scheduled, on command or based on an event.

SP displays have technical and physical properties specifically designed for high reliability in restricted spaces. Front and rear access and modular design ensure that installation and maintenance is swift and straightforward. Electro-mechanical image alignment technology with IR remote control and serial link control features enable ease of image set-up. While the products are aimed at government, security, transportation and broadcast markets, the variety of screen and lamp options that are available meet a wide range of customer applications.

"These products continue to extend Planar's range of Clarity solutions with display cube offerings that deliver high reliability, true EBU color, and optimum color and brightness performance via our new SiFi technology," said Kristina K. Gorriaran, vice president and general manager for Planar's Control Room & Signage Business Unit, formerly Clarity Visual Systems. "Planar's adoption of this latest DLP technology supports our strategic plan to create best-in-class solutions for vertical markets that value differentiated display systems."

    c50SP, c67SP, c70SP Key Features:

    --  Superior resolution: SXGA+ to 1080p Full HD

    --  Color purity and high brightness: Clarity's new SP series
        takes advantage of the benefits of high brightness and color
        performance offered by DLP display technology

    --  Outstanding video performance: DLP SmoothPicture(TM)
        technology from Texas Instruments(R)

    --  Two seamless screen offerings: These units are available with
        seamless screen technology in either high brightness (hb) or
        wide view (wv) screen materials

    --  Motorized alignment & ease of set up: Image set-up is easy
        thanks to a new electro-mechanical image alignment technology
        accessible by remote control unit

    --  Front access: The displays allow for full front serviceability
        of all components

    --  Limited rear clearance requirements: The limited rear
        clearance requirements on both the c50X and c67X make the
        product ideal for space constrained areas

    --  Long Life Lamps: Unique dual lamp rotation system delivers
        20,000 hours of total lamp life

    --  Available in Open or Integrated System Design: Flexible
        options available for a la carte or turn-key control room
        solutions

Clarity products from Planar are installed in a wide number of government and corporate installations. Customers include CBS, Time Warner, United Airlines and Verizon, along with U.S. state, local and federal government organizations such as Cheyenne Mountain, the FBI, the Federal Aviation Agency, the Pentagon and many others. The manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) for the Open System versions of these products are: c50SP $20,000 for single lamp and $22,000 for dual lamp systems; c67SP at $25,000 for single lamp, and $27,000 for dual lamp systems; c70SPw at $26,000 for single lamp and $28,000 for dual lamp systems.

The manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) for the Integrated System (i) versions of the SP Series are: c50SPi $20,800 for single lamp and $22,800 for dual lamp systems; c67SPi at $25,800 for single lamp, and $27,800 for dual lamp systems; c70SPwi at $26,800 for single lamp and $28,800 for dual lamp systems.

The SP Series will be sold worldwide through Planar's network of system integrators and audio visual dealers. Dealer discounts may vary. For more information please find us on the web at: www.planarclaritydisplays.com.

About Planar

Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLNR) is a leading provider of value-added display hardware and software for a variety of specialty display markets worldwide. Hospitals, shopping centers, banks, government agencies, transportation businesses, and other discriminating consumers depend on Planar to provide unique display-based solutions to exacting requirements leveraging its operational excellence, technical innovation, and go-to-market capabilities. Founded in 1983, Planar is headquartered in Oregon, USA, with offices, manufacturing partners, and customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.planar.com.

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Planar Completes Acquisition of Clarity Visual Systems (Synelec)

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:39:00 GMT

BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 12, 2006--Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLNR), a worldwide leader in specialty display solutions, today completed its previously announced acquisition of Clarity Visual Systems, Inc. (who previously acquired French-based Synelec in 2005), a leading global provider of command and control digital displays and digital signage hardware and software systems.

Clarity Visual Systems and Synelec product lines are now part of Planar's Control Room & Digital Signage Business Unit.

Information on Clarity & Synelec products can now be found on Planar's website at: www.planarcontrolroom.com.

Planar acquired all the outstanding stock of privately owned Clarity for $21.9 million in cash and approximately 1.8 million shares of Planar common stock. Planar also assumed all options to purchase Clarity stock outstanding at the effective time, which now represent options to purchase approximately 0.9 million shares of Planar common stock. As a part of the transaction, Planar will be assuming approximately $9.5 million of Clarity's outstanding debt net of cash.

About Planar

Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLNR) is a leading provider of valued-added display hardware and software for a variety of specialty display markets worldwide. Hospitals, shopping centers, banks, governmental agencies, and other discriminating consumers depend on Planar to provide unique display-based solutions to exacting requirements leveraging its operational excellence, technical innovation, and go-to-market capabilities. Founded in 1983, Planar is headquartered in Oregon, USA, with offices, manufacturing partners, and customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.planar.com.

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Planar to Acquire Clarity Visual Systems (Synelec)

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:55:00 GMT

Acquisition Enables Planar's Entry into Command and Control and Fast Growing Digital Signage Large-Format Display Markets

BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 19, 2006--To launch the Company's new strategy to further expand into value-added, high-growth segments of the specialty display marketplace, Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLNR) today announced that it has agreed to acquire all of the outstanding capital stock of privately-held Clarity Visual Systems (French-based Synelec was acquired by Clarity in 2005) for approximately $46 million in cash and Planar stock, subject to certain purchase price adjustments to reflect changes in balance sheet items and the number of outstanding shares of Clarity capital stock. Clarity is a leading provider of command and control digital displays and digital signage hardware and software systems for wide-ranging applications.

"Planar's financial strength has provided the flexibility to pursue attractive growth opportunities that integrate our flat panel display technology and go-to-market expertise with the specialized skills and product focus of a company like Clarity," said Gerry Perkel, Planar president and chief executive officer. "This acquisition fits very well with our new strategic direction, focusing on specialized display market segments that allow Planar to deliver more value to our customers and sell higher-margin solutions. Clarity brings these attributes to Planar, and provides us with an excellent group of employees to augment the existing talent at our Company. In addition, we believe the acquisition of Clarity increases Planar's future revenue growth trajectory as well as our future profitability."

Clarity's command and control products include premium display solutions targeted at a wide range of market applications, including transportation and traffic control, security and defense programs, energy, broadcast and telecommunication segments. The company is a leader in market applications where large-screen, multiple integrated displays create a "wall of information." The company's patented information processing hardware and software solutions control the display of information from a wide variety of sources to the display system application. The market for command and control room visual systems was estimated by iSuppli at more than $400 million globally in 2005, and is forecasted to grow more than 15 percent annually.

The digital signage market in which Clarity participates is experiencing rapid growth driven by a number of factors, including broadband delivery of multimedia content, trends in advertising toward targeted marketing campaigns at the point of purchase, and overall reductions in display component costs due, in part, to broad consumer adoption of related product categories. Clarity and its related "Coolsign" brand has sold over 5,000 signage systems including specialized signage monitors and/or networking software to a variety of attractive market segments, including retail banking, indoor public vendor advertising, casino and hospitality. Planar's initiatives in retail signage and kiosk systems will be combined with Clarity's market position in digital signage to address this growing market's need for display network management software and specialty displays. The worldwide market for electronic signage was estimated by iSuppli at $1.3 billion in 2006, growing to more than $2.3 billion by 2008.

"Clarity's competitive advantage is in its ability to create innovative, customer-focused solutions for the delivery and display of networked visual information, as well as the talent and commitment of its workforce," said Paul Gulick, president and chief executive officer of Clarity. "I believe the combination of Clarity's market leadership in networked display solutions with Planar's flat-panel specialized display solutions will allow the combined company to uniquely address growth markets around the world."

Clarity was founded in 1995 and recorded net sales of $59.0 million through the 12 months ending June 30, 2006. Clarity currently employs approximately 200 people, with more than half based at the company's headquarters in Wilsonville, Oregon. Upon completion of the acquisition, Mr. Gulick, and senior vice president, sales and marketing, Kris Gorriaran will join Planar's executive team. Mr. Gulick will become Planar's vice president and chief technology officer, and Ms. Gorriaran will become vice president and general manager of the newly acquired business group. Both will report directly to Mr. Perkel.

Planar's purchase of Clarity includes the assumption of a net debt to cash position of approximately $6 million and the assumption of all outstanding options to purchase Clarity capital stock. The acquisition is expected to close late in the fourth quarter or early in the first quarter of fiscal 2007, subject to receipt of regulatory approvals, Clarity shareholder approval, and customary closing conditions. The transaction is expected to be slightly accretive to Planar's internal non-GAAP financial projections in fiscal 2007.

More details relating to the proposed acquisition of Clarity will be discussed in the Company's third quarter earnings conference call today, July 19, 2006, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Pacific Time. The call can be heard via the Internet through a link on Planar's Web site, www.planar.com, or through numerous other investor sites, and will be available for replay beginning July 20 until August 19, 2006. The Company intends to post on its Web site a transcript of the prepared management commentary from the conference call shortly after the conclusion of the call.

ABOUT PLANAR

Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLNR) is a leading provider of valued-added display hardware and software for a variety of specialty display markets worldwide. Hospitals, shopping centers, banks, businesses, and other discriminating consumers depend on Planar to provide unique display-based solutions to exacting requirements leveraging its operational excellence, technical innovation, and go-to-market capabilities. Founded in 1983, Planar is headquartered in Oregon, USA, with offices, manufacturing partners, and customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.planar.com.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation

Reform Act of 1995:

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including statements regarding the Company's proposed acquisition of Clarity Visual Systems, the Company's expected financial performance, and the Company's strategic and operational plans. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company's business and its proposed acquisition of Clarity Visual Systems. Words such as expects, anticipates, intends, plans, believes, sees, estimates and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results could vary materially from the description contained herein due to many factors including: the possibility that the transaction will not close or that the closing may be delayed; difficulties in the integration of the operations, employees, strategies, technologies and products of Clarity Visual Systems if the transaction does close; the potential inability to realize expected benefits and synergies; domestic and international business and economic conditions; changes in the flat-panel monitor industry; changes in customer demand or ordering patterns; changes in the competitive environment including pricing pressures or technological changes; technological advances; shortages of manufacturing capacity from our third-party manufacturing partners; final settlement of contractual liabilities; future production variables impacting excess inventory and other risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

Additional Information and Where to Find It:

In connection with Planar's acquisition of Clarity Visual Systems, Planar intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement on Form S-4 that will contain a Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Investors and security holders are urged to read the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus carefully when they become available because they will contain important information about Planar, Clarity and the acquisition. The Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other relevant materials (when they become available), and any other documents filed by Planar with the SEC, may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and security holders may obtain free copies of other documents filed with the SEC by Planar by directing a written request to: Planar Systems, Inc., 1195 N.W. Compton Drive, Beaverton, OR 97006, Attention: Investor Relations. Investors and security holders are urged to read the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the other relevant materials when they become available before making any voting or investment decision with respect to the proposed acquisition.

This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Participants in the Solicitation:

Planar and its directors and executive officers and Clarity Visual Systems and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Clarity in connection with the proposed transaction. Information regarding the special interests of these directors and executive officers in the proposed transaction will be included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus referred to above. Additional information regarding the directors and executive officers of Planar is also included in Planar's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2005, which was filed with the SEC on December 14, 2005. This document is available free of charge at the SEC's web site (www.sec.gov) and from Investor Relations at Planar at the address described above.

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