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.