Runco launches QuantumColor™ projectors

Runco has added two revolutionary new projectors: the QuantumColor™ Q-750d and Q-750i, to its comprehensive line of the world’s finest home theater products.

You can learn more about the future of home theater projection at: www.HaveYouSeenTheQ.com.

Save The Date!

Jan 10-12th, 2010 Planar will be attending Retail's BIG show. NRF's 99th Annual Convention attracts more than 17,500 retail professionals from 62 countries! Planar has also expanded their successful PT family of touchscreens by adding the all new 15" PA1575R all-in-one touchcomputer, which is ideal for retail applications.

Come check out our new product offerings at NRF Jan 10-12th, 2010 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, NY, Booth 247.

To set up an appointment please e-mail touchscreens@planar.com

Planar 3D in the hunt for Alzheimer's?

Planar's 3D Stereoscopic monitors are used as a part of a vital race with time to help predict Alzheimer's disease early. See CBS's Health Specialist Kathy Walsh reporting from University of Colorado Denver with the images of Planar's 3D being used for vision testing to develop a test which will help in early detection of the disease thus helping the patient to live healthier and longer.

CBS on 30th September 2009: "Vision test could predict risk for Alzheimer's"

Yes, I could go on boasting about the wonderful multiuser capability, which can be seen on the clip and did you notice how the monitor could be used in the standard office lighting while not strictly staying on the "sweet spot" and still get the benefits of a 3D image...? But no, I think I will use this space and chance to spread the awareness of the disease.

Early detection is the key, so be sure to know the sympthoms of Alzheimer's and to spot them on your loved ones - if not yourself - to get early treatment. According to University of Colorado Denver, they hope to have the test ready in about 4 years... That's a long time with Alzheimer's!

Look for more information on Alzheimer's and local contacts from the following organisations:

• Alzheimer's Society in the UK.
• Muistiliitto Ry in Finland in Finnish, Swedish and English.
• Alzheimer's Association in the US with information in Spanish and Chinese included.
• Société Alzheimer Society in Canada with information in English and French.

See also Alzheimer's awareness advertisements on AdFreak's blog entry. There are a French and a British version - which one is your "favourite" and sticks in your mind better?

Touchscreens and Windows 7 - What You Need to Know

When I read about some of the cool features developed for touchscreens in Windows 7 I got really excited! Being able to just flick my finger across the screen to scroll through pictures instead of using the arrow button seemed pretty neat (even though I've gotten lost using my husband's i-phone like when I've expanded the screen to read the text and couldn't figure out how to get it back to the small text for easier scrolling!)

I found Jay's post on Planar Embedded talking about the advantages and current limitations to using existing touchscreens with Windows 7. Check it out for yourself - Planar Embedded: The Engineer View: Windows 7, Gestures, Embedded Touch screens, and You

Clarity Matrix – Now shipping

Introduced at Infocomm 2009, Planar has announced shipping of the Clarity™ Matrix - an LCD Video Wall System that makes the most of LCD technology’s slim profile and vibrant visual performance. The Clarity Matrix features 46" commercial-grade LCD panels with breakthrough “narrow bezel” technology and incorporates an industry-leading design that takes heat, complexity & unreliability from behind the LCD panel to a centrally located, accessible rack-mount system.

Matrix features:

• 7.3mm image-to-image gap


• Shallowest wall-to-panel depth (4.5") in the industry


• Precision panel alignment via Planar's EasyAxis mounting system


• Reliable operation & simplified maintenance as a result of a distributed architecture


• Redundant power supply

Clarity Matrix is designed for control room, public venue & digital signage applications that require a thin profile video wall, with uninterrupted operation. Learn more at http://www.planarcontrolroom.com/lcd-displays/clarity-matrix/

3D cinema

Do I even have to mention it: 3D cinema is here to stay. As one of the topics on the previous blog post about 3D content, here is a wider exploration on 3D cinema.

Here in Finland the new era of 3D cinema started a bit over a year ago with footage from U2's previous world tour with a film called U23Dand the visually magnificent Journey to the Center of the Earth (click here to see the trailer). Currently Up 3Dentertains the younger audiences in about 20 cinemas where 3D viewing is available in Finland - that might not sound like much to you but it's more than in any other Nordic country, so it makes us Finns very proud!

3D cinema is a topical issue, see e.g. how Kevin Smith discusses 3D cinemaon YouTube. Topical, yes, even if the whole thing was already invented in the 50's: the firstever 3D film was Bwana Devil in 1952. Back then the idea also was that 3D would come and save the cinema. Sounds familiar, eh? With DVD's and Blu-Ray's and home cinema equipment turning out ever more popular and the technologies used becoming more advanced, the cinema needs something "new" to attract the crowds to enjoy the BIG screen. Is 3D the answer?

Planar's 3D products are originally designed for use by professionals in photogrammetry and for geospatial applications. Read more about the 3D monitors, which Planar offers and which could be useful in post production stages of creating 3D cinema.