The New Planar m70L is the First High-Definition Commercial

Display of Its Size Designed for Demanding Industrial Applications

BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 21, 2008--Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLNR), a worldwide leader in specialty display solutions, today introduced the Planar m70L, the first full-featured commercial-grade, high-definition 70-inch LCD monitor. Expanding Planar's Monitor-Series (m-Series) line of displays for control room, video wall and digital signage applications supports the company's ongoing strategy to offer best-in-class specialty displays that deliver long-term value and outstanding visual performance.

Demonstrating its global presence, Planar will be unveiling the Planar m70L at Integrated Systems Europe 2008 in Amsterdam, January 29-31 (Booth #A88), and Distributech 2008 in Tampa, Fla., January 22-24 (Booth #2031). The m70L expands upon the benefits of the Planar m-Series family of commercial-grade LCDs, and shares the same connectivity, menu systems, electronics and styling in order to ensure seamless and cost-effective display integration for any application.

The Planar m70L offers high-end professional features such as built-in power management and automation, an impressive 178-degree viewing angle, and broad video source compatibility. Planar incorporated other key features such as resistance to image quality degradation and automatic ambient backlight control to address the challenges associated with 24-hour operation in unpredictable environments.

The Planar m70L is the only 70-inch monitor of its kind designed specifically for long-term, year-round operation, unlike consumer displays, making the m70L ideal for industrial applications. The m70L's full HD 1080p resolution, extra-large screen size, high brightness (600 nits) and HD-SDI connectivity create more realistic and life-like images that are ideal for utility and energy master control rooms and television broadcast command centers.

"Consumer displays like televisions are not designed for these types of demanding industrial applications, so end-users may experience problems with performance and shorter product life spans," said Kristina K. Gorriaran, vice president and general manager for Planar's Control Room & Signage Business Unit, formerly Clarity Visual Systems. "The m70L and entire m-Series of commercial displays offer Planar's partners and integrators the only comprehensive display products built for long-term reliability and durability."

    Additional m70L key features:

    --  1500:1 contrast ratio

    --  Backlight control for longer life (50,000 hours to 1/2
        brightness)

    --  Built-in real time clock allows users to schedule events such
        as power on/power off, source switching

    --  Planar Big Picture(TM) and WallNet(TM) technologies for
        optimum processing and automated display monitoring

    --  Landscape/portrait orientation for multiple uses

    --  VESA standard mounting points for use with any conforming
        stand or mount

    --  RoHS certification

    --  MSRP: $30,000

The Planar m70L will be available in February through Planar's network of control room system integrators and audiovisual dealers and will be backed by Planar's industry-leading three-year Customer First(TM) warranty. For more information, please visit Planar's booths at Distributech or ISE, or visit 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 www.planar.com.

    CONTACT: Planar Systems, Inc.
             Kim Brown, 503-748-6724 (Media)
             Kim.brown@planar.com
             Ryan Gray, 503-748-8911 (Investors)
             Ryan.gray@planar.com
             or
             GolinHarris
             Elaine Ordiz, 213-438-8710 (Media)
             eordiz@golinharris.com

    SOURCE: Planar Systems, Inc.