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

BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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™) 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

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.