Legit Reviews

BEAVERTON, Ore. -- Jan. 15, 2008 Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLNR), a worldwide leader in specialty display solutions, today announced the addition of six new touch screen displays to its successful PT lineup. Ideal for use in a variety of retail, hospitality or healthcare applications such as nurses' stations, medical supply dispensing machines, cash register systems, self-service stations or point-of-information kiosks, these offerings support Planar's strategic commitment to addressing the growing use of touch screens within these specialty markets.

Featuring a range of size and sensor technology options, Planar's new PT LCDs include three surface acoustic wave (SAW) touch screens (the 15-inch PT1505MU, the 17-inch PT1705MU and 19-inch PT1915MU) and a 19-inch PT1910MX to round out the current lineup of resistive touch monitors. Planar is also offering a card swipe reader as an accessory to all PT displays or as an integrated feature with the 15-inch PT1550MX and PT1555MU, available as resistive or SAW products respectively.

These offerings also incorporate specific enhancements designed to improve end-user interface, such as the ability to adjust the monitor from -5 to 90 degrees to meet user preferences, a rugged deskstand to minimize accidental tipping, and placement of the on-screen display (OSD) buttons on the side and an OSD locking mechanism to prevent unauthorized setting changes.

"Touch screens are an efficient and intuitive way to access and interact with on-display information, and appeal to a wide variety of users," said iSuppli analyst, Jennifer Colegrove, Senior Analyst, Display Technology and Strategy. "As the technology and options improve, new offerings like the new Planar PT products address the market demand by kiosk integrators, VARs and OEMs for technology solutions that are tailored for specific end users and environments."

"We recognized the demand from our channel partners for more touch screens with different features and size and cost choices," said Mark A. Ceciliani, vice president and general manager of Planar's commercial business unit. "These new offerings ensure that they can continue to rely on Planar for the highest quality, cost-effective display solutions that meet all their customers' needs."

SAW Touch Screens: Superior Image Quality and Durability

Certain characteristics, including transmissivity, sensitivity to inputs, level of durability and the impact of liquids or contaminants on the display's performance, should be factored in when selecting a touch screen monitor for different environments. Planar's PT1505MU, PT1705MU and PT1915MU, featuring SAW technology, are constructed with pure glass and offer superior image quality, resolution and light transmission. This enables high-quality performance even if the display is scratched. The screen can also be activated with a finger, gloved hand or stylus - making it ideal for inputting orders quickly and accurately in food service or restaurant environments, or within other demanding applications that require maximum reliability and flexibility.

Resistive Touch Screens: Cost-Effective Solutions for Broad Applications

Resistive touch screens are among the most commonly-used within healthcare, retail, POS and hospitality markets. Planar's PT1910MX combines key features such as 5-wire resistive technology and high contrast ratio (800:1) for excellent image quality, a fast response time, a dual serial/USB controller, and two different color options for easy integration into a variety of POS, thin client or PC systems. Offering a high-performing yet cost-effective touch alternative to SAW, this larger 19-inch display completes Planar's current lineup of resistive displays already in use for in-store photo kiosks, restaurant order entry, tradeshow point-of-information kiosks and emergency call centers.

Retail-Ready POS Displays

Designed specifically for POS applications, the 15-inch PT1550MX and PT1555MU feature an integrated 3-track card swipe - also called magnetic stripe reader (MSR), and can be activated by a finger, gloved hand, credit card, pen or stylus. The monitors come as either SAW or resistive options and are ideal for retail environments where space limitations are typically a concern. The card swipe reader is also available as a separate accessory for larger PT displays.

Additional product highlights include: -0-

Model Key Features MSRP
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PT1505MU -- SAW with USB interface $559
-- XGA resolution (1024 x 768)
-- Brightness with touch screen - 220 cd/m2
-- Contrast ratio (typical) - 500:1
-- Response time (typical) - 8 ms
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PT1705MU -- SAW with USB interface $659
-- SXGA resolution (1280 x 1024)
-- Brightness with touch screen - 264 cd/m2
-- Contrast ratio (typical) - 700:1
-- Response time (typical) - 6 ms
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PT1915MU -- SAW with USB interface $939
-- SXGA resolution (1280 x 1024)
-- Brightness with touch screen - 264 cd/m2
-- Contrast ratio (typical) - 800:1
-- Response time (typical) - 5 ms
-- Analog and DVI-D video inputs
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PT1910MX -- 5-wire resistive with dual serial/USB interface $929
-- SXGA resolution (1280 x 1024)
-- Brightness with touch screen - 240 cd/m2
-- Contrast ratio (typical) - 800:1
-- Response time (typical) - 5 ms
-- Analog and DVI-D video inputs
-- Available in black or white
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PT1555MU -- SAW with USB interface $659
-- Integrated card swipe
-- XGA resolution (1024 x 768)
-- Brightness with touch screen - 220 cd/m2
-- Contrast ratio (typical) - 500:1
-- Response time (typical) - 8 ms
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PT1550MX -- 5-wire resistive with dual serial/USB interface $649
-- Integrated card swipe
-- XGA resolution (1024 x 768)
-- Brightness with touch screen - 200 cd/m2
-- Contrast ratio (typical) - 500:1
-- Response time (typical) - 8 ms
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Planar's PT monitors are offered through a variety of online and distribution partners, and are backed by Planar's industry-leading three-year Customer First(TM) warranty, with free two-day advance replacement. For more information, or to learn how to select the appropriate touch screen monitor for specific needs, please visit http://www.planartouch.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.