BEAVERTON, Oregon, December 16 /PRNewswire/ --

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

Planar Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLNR), a worldwide leader in specialty display solutions, today announced availability of the Clarity(TM) 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.

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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(R) BrilliantColor(TM) 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(TM) 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(TM) 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's first European public showing of the Margay II will be at next year's Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) show in Amsterdam, Feb. 3-5 (Stand #3B85). Manufacturers' suggested retail price (MSRP) for Margay II will start at euro 8,230. The Margay II is available for order now through Planar's network of control room system integrators and audio visual dealers worldwide, and will begin shipping in January 2009. For more information, please visit http://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 http://www.planar.com.

Media, Vanessa Matera of Planar EMEA SPA, +39-06-90-400-470, Vanessa.matera@planar.com, or Kim Brown of Planar Systems, Inc., +1-503-748-6724, kim.brown@planar.com, or Investors, Ryan Gray of Planar Systems, Inc., +1-503-748-1100, ryan.gray@planar.com ; Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080114/AQM001LOGO