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12/12/2006:Planar Announces Shipments of New Line of Clarity Rear-Projection Displays
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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.
CONTACT: Planar Control Room/Signage Business Unit
Lisa Duckett, 503-570-0443
lisa.duckett@planar.com
or
GolinHarris
Chase Perrin, 213-438-8788
cperrin@golinharris.com
or
Investor Contact:
Planar Systems, Inc.
Ryan Gray, 503-748-1100
ryan.gray@planar.com
SOURCE: Planar Systems, Inc.
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