Planar Blog | LCD Monitors, Touchscreens, Custom Displays

Forbes Blog Covers Display Industry History and Future

2012-05-21T16:50:00.000-07:00

In Venkatesh Rao's blog at Forbes.com, Mr. Rao has published an interview with Sriram Peruvemba of E Ink in a wide-ranging review of the history of digital display technology. Planar is mentioned early on in the entry titled "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Displays, But Didn't Know Whom to Ask":

[Thin Film ElectroLuminescent] came bit later. Sharp demonstrated TFEL in 1975 and made the first commercial display in 1983, and eventually Planar Systems (after acquiring Finlux in 1991) became the world leader in TFEL, sharing the market with Sharp. In the Eighties, IBM, DEC and HP all made monitors and desktop computers using TFEL displays. (Source: Dr. Chris King)

Dr. Chris King help establish Planar Systems as a spin-off from Tektronix in the early 1980s. You can learn more about EL technology and its strengths at PlanarEmbedded.com.

Planar Mosaic Hits Vegas

2012-05-18T15:17:00.001-07:00

On Tuesday night, we enjoyed an evening of cocktails and conversations in the sunshine at the terrace pool at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas. Our co-hosts were none other than Cindy Allen, editor of chief of Interior Design magazine and Roger Thomas, the iconic designer from Wynn Design and Development who is largely credited for making Vegas into the visual spectacle of architecture and design that we enjoy today. Cindy welcomed the crowd to “Roger’s house” as we enjoyed drinks on the patio. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with the design community assembled in Las Vegas for the Hospitality Design Expo and to honor contributions made by the Giants of Hospitality Design, as the event name alluded.

Planar showed a demonstration of the Planar Mosaic, highlighting the use of a mix of tiles, positioned overlapped at angles, running a single slide show. It was an attention grabber that started a lot of conversations. Designers were rattling off ideas for using it behind hotel reception desks, in corporate lobbies, in bars and restaurants, and in projects in healthcare. We also had a chance to play with the new Planar Mosaic Project Designer Online where walls can be designed, saved, and shared. It is a playground for creativity and it’s free.

Planar wants to congratulate Cindy Allen, who this week was honored with a honorary doctorate by the Academy of Art University (AAU) in San Francisco. Cindy continues to show her leadership in the design and non-profit community as a co-chair of DIFFA (with David Rockwell from the Rockwell Group whose work in hospitality circles is legendary).

Form and Technology Intro Class

2012-05-18T10:51:00.001-07:00

Tuesday evening I participated in the kickoff of the Form and Technology workshop at the Industrial Design department at the Pratt Institute under Scott VanderVoort and department chair Steve Diskin. The goal of Form and Technology is to intersect the latest Planar products which “unleash architectural expression” with the fresh creativity of Pratt’s design students and thought leaders. My goal for the class introduction was to impart a solid technical understanding of Planar products, and impart our vision of using video as a building material. We can’t wait to see the ideas that this class will inspire!

After I gave a quick overview of Planar, we listened to Jennifer Davis, VP of Marketing (virtually by video), as she gave teasers to the workshop, including: Planar Mosaic, Clarity Matrix, and Planar LookThru product lines. In her contagiously enthusiastic way, Jennifer touched briefly on the products themselves, and emphasized the key markets to focus on: corporate, health care, hospitality, and retail. Then I took the students through a more detailed technical overview of Planar products covering the issues associated with design, install, operation, and, importantly, content. For the latter point, Scott exhorted (and I couldn’t agree more) the students to gain some basic skills in content development, and to constantly have content ideas in the background as they consider physical designs with our products.

For hands on work, Scott had previously assembled a mockup display case using an early sample of our 32" Planar LookThru open frame design. I had also brought a Salvador tile from the Planar Mosaic family, and Clarity Matrix MX46 2x2 wall which the students were familiar with. I was able to take the Salvador tile apart and explain the basics of LCD technology, and the principles behind both the Planar Mosaic, and Clarity Matrix displays, and also the transparent operation of the Planar LookThru. This “show and tell” hardware brought a lot of the concepts from my PowerPoint to concrete reality as we played with them.

Clearly these are top-notch students, and they connected instantly with the products and core technology—evidenced by the peppering of spot-on questions they hit me with. They asked about different sizes, shapes, cost, power, content management, other technologies, reliability, interactivity, social media, and more. I could almost see the gears turning in their minds as they were envisioning applications for the technology.

It was exciting and fun to engage with the Pratt team, and clearly we are planting seeds in this coming generation of designers. I look forward to what sprouts…and thanks much to Scott and Steve at Pratt for giving us this opportunity!

Benjamin Clifton
VP of Technology

Pratt Institute + Planar Systems

2012-05-17T11:44:00.002-07:00

Planar has partnered with New York’s Pratt Institute for their summer workshop, Form and Technology, which allows students to explore Planar products such as the Clarity Matrix, Planar LookThru and Planar Mosaic. Planar’s VP of Technology, Ben Clifton welcomed students the first day and gave insight to Planar technologies and innovations. The workshop will encourage young designers to play a more dynamic role as a designer and embrace content creation & curation as a deeper way to connect with products and audiences.
The Pratt Institute workshop runs May 15 – June 14.
To view photos and information about the first part of the workshop and read weekly updates visit: http://formandtechnology.posterous.com/.

Runco LS-1 Projector featured on The Street

2012-05-11T14:06:00.000-07:00

TheStreet.com recently revealed their list of the top ten business sales tech tools to have in your sales arsenal to close that deal and the Runco Lightstyle™ LS-1 projector was #1 on that list. Click here to view the "10 Coolest Tech Gadgets to Seal the Deal".

Runco LS-1

Planar Mosaic wins rAVe Publications Most Innovative New Digital Signage Hardware Product Award

2012-05-10T11:52:00.001-07:00

Planar® Mosaic™ won the 'Most Innovative New Digital Signage Hardware Product' award for DSE 2012 from rAVe Publications . The first of many accolades for this now award-winning product line! See the full list of 2012 Digital Signage CHAMPS.

Definitive Concepts, Inc. Unveils Motorized Video Wall

2012-04-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

Definitive Concepts, Inc. recently designed and installed a motorized video wall with four (4) 46" Clarity Matrix Video Wall displays which slide open at the push of a button to reveal an 80" LCD television. Check out the video below of this sleek, one of kind entertainment center:

Cool Things Happening at Planar: ClearTouch and LookThru Transparent Displays

2012-03-18T02:24:00.001-07:00

By Cris Derr

It’s been awhile since my last post, so I would like to give you a quick update on a couple of cool products we showed at the recent Digital Signage Expo. First if you haven’t heard, we launched the 32" ClearTouch™ interactive display. The ClearTouch series of displays are beautifully designed and feature a seamless glass front with the best touch experience on the market. You can see a video here of one of our software partners showcasing this big beautiful touch screen. Then there is Planar’s giant interactive Clarity Matrix™ wall that Intel showed at both NRF and DSE. This wall is a fabulous example of how a touch enabled video wall can create a crowd gathering and informative experience.

Okay, so not exactly a touch topic but very cool nonetheless is Planar’s new LookThru™ transparent LCDs solutions. Our new LookThru transparent displays were big attractions at shows like NRF, Global Shop, and Digital Signage Expo. More than just a LCD panel, these ready-to-go transparent LCD solutions will blow you away with their bright colors, contrast, clarity and the coolest part: they are transparent. Where there was once just glass can now be interactive transparent LCDs. These transparent solutions can be used in retail display boxes, retail refrigerators, museum displays, corporate lobby displays, vending machines and much more. Seeing is believing with these displays so check out the videos below and yes that is a fully functioning refrigerator in the first video. Since the LookThru glass is also a fully functional LCD display your product can be seen in a truly eye-catching and informative way. It is no wonder that Planar was called out as the “most eye catching booth” at DSE.

So let your product be seen and check out Planar’s LookThru transparent LCD solutions today.

Grab a cold Coke. Here is a functioning retail
refrigerator with Planar's LookThru transparent LCD.

Actual shoes and phone in a
Planar LookThru Retail Display Box

-Cris

Architectural Displays: Elevator Music for the Eyes

2012-02-23T12:05:00.000-08:00

Jennifer Davis, Vice President of Marketing at Planar Systems, was recently chosen to guest write for InfoComm's blog, All Voices. To read the blog posts click below:

Architectural Displays: Elevator Music for the Eyes

Flex Theater: Coming to an Office Near You

Introducing Planar Mosaic

2012-02-07T12:09:00.000-08:00

Planar is excited to announce the introduction of Planar Mosaic™, the only video wall system providing three flat panel tile sizes including a new truly square LCD.

Utilizing proprietary Mosaic Ensemble™ hardware and software, the tiles can be rotated at virtually any angle and mounted in virtually any position, encouraging designers to experiment with negative space while extending project budgets.

This unique combination of software and image processing allows the display of a single image or video over the entire tile layout with unmatched simplicity.

A large-scale prototype exhibit of the Planar Mosaic architectural display system will debut February 16 - March 30 at the Cristin Tierney Gallery in New York, New York, in conjunction with video artist, Yorgo Alexopoulos.

Read the press release here or visit www.planar.com/mosaic for more information.

Planar’s Art Attack!

2011-12-11T12:22:00.000-08:00

In early December, Miami Beach played host to thousands of artists, collectors, dealers and lovers of art who descended upon the city to attend Art Basel, the most prestigious art show in the Americas, as well as over 15 other shows happening in and around the area. For the first time, Planar joined in on the week’s festivities, showcasing Planar products at three different venues. Planar’s team, led by VP of Marketing Jennifer Davis, hit the ground running with a jam-packed schedule of meetings and events.

Planar’s art show debut launched at Avant Gallery, in partnership with Avant Gallery and Surface Magazine, at the 3rd Annual Pictures + Furniture event on November 30th. The event marked the official launch of the new Planar Silhouette displays, featuring work from top industrial design and furniture artists Chad Jensen, Philip Michael Wolfson and Pryor Callaway on two Silhouettes placed in the gallery among the art work. Planar’s displays created a buzz with attendees, many who commented they were surprised at how displays could be transformed into works of art.

At the PULSE Contemporary Art Fair, multimedia artist Yorgo Alexopoulos’ work “No Feeling is Final” furthered Planar’s message that technology and art can work in harmony. Yorgo used an 8x14 Planar Clarity™ Matrix LX-46 media wall to display his video art at the Cristin Tierney Gallery exhibit.

Finally at the Miami SOLO show, Planar demonstrated thought leadership by showing two prototypes of the digital canvas with technology partner Samsung Semiconductor. The displays have been designed to go beyond traditional commercial and television products, and are customized for the display of fine art with optical enhancements, electronics, and architectural frames worthy of an institutional or individual art collector.

The week also provided Planar with a wonderful opportunity to engage in conversations with everyone from artists to collectors regarding the endless possibilities displays can offer in the art and design realm. On Saturday, the Planar team boarded their plane back to Portland exhausted, but exhilarated with the week’s success.

Planar Silhouette: On Everyone’s Wish List

2011-12-08T12:23:00.000-08:00

This holiday season, the Planar Silhouette™ is on everyone’s wish list! We got into the spirit and put a bow on the Silhouette in our lobby. You can see how impressively the Silhouette displays show a variety of still image content, in this case being driven from a small media player tucked into the base of the Silhouette. The product towers over 10 feet and is designed to elicit an emotional response, while making video and images more attention-grabbing and artistic. To find out more about the product, click here or let us connect you with a Planar Digital Signage expert.

Great Technology Enables Great Ideas

2011-11-21T12:50:00.002-08:00

By Cris Derr

Technology is cool sometimes even jaw dropping like the transparent LCD display presented by Planar at CETW this past week in New York. While people crowded around our transparent display in awe, it was the buzz around the solutions that could be built with such technology that was really inspiring. Great technology enables great ideas. At Planar another technology that enables great ideas is ERO™ for our Clarity™ Matrix LCD Video Wall.

ERO does much more than deliver amazing display quality by improving image contrast; it also enables interactive touch solutions on a grand scale. ERO does this in two ways: first it protects the LCD screen allowing for touch input without damaging the LCD, and second it enables a large planar surface that is needed to implement touch solutions across a video wall. The results are amazing creations of interactive touch signage that are larger than life. With Planar’s ERO technology, video wall signage can be created that impacts and engages the viewer in a way traditional signage can’t match. Examples of such cool creations include the Interactive Tiger Wall at the University of Missouri and the new Nike Town Bowerman Wall in Portland Oregon.

With over 25 years of experience building state of the art displays, Planar continues to innovate and introduce touch technology that creates real value for our customers. If you would like to know more about Planar’s touch displays drop me a line, and feel free to join me on LinkedIn.

- Cris

The Art and Soul of Digital Signage

2011-11-21T00:46:00.000-08:00

At Planar, we are interested in different ways of utilizing Digital Signage to engage, inform and even dazzle the public. Recently we've come across an example from the UK on Remembrance Sunday for broadcasting the day's service to large audience and PRN in the US using their channel throughout national retail store locations to keep the fans of football up-to-date with NFL Networks football highlights when shopping.

And pictured here, the beautiful lobby of Hotel de Luxe in Portland, Oregon, where signage meets art and films! An installation where Planar proudly provides the hardware to create this unique environment.

Digital signage truly is more than just advertising! It's about informing, engaging, dazzling, entertaining, creating art & design... What's the most out of the box DS installation you've ever seen? We would be glad to see what you've come across on your travels. The more unique and customized solution you can come up with, the better: please include a link to pictures online in your comment.

For more ideas on what to look for, visit Planar's dedicated Digital Signage website on www.planardigitalsignage.com.

Picture This

2011-11-18T12:29:00.000-08:00

635 million in three days. No, that is not the number of votes from the last American Idol finale or even the amount of money raised by the winning candidate in the last election. 635 million is actually the amount of money raised in three evenings of art sales by Philips de Pury, Christie’s and Sotheby’s last week in New York. With well over a half a billion dollars pumping through the art world in only three days it is clear the art world has not heard that the economy hasn’t fully recovered.

This latest news might surprise many, but not Planar. Planar’s vision for the convergence of art and technology will make its debut at the end of this month with a showcase at several venues during the highly acclaimed Design Miami and Art Basel Miami Beach event. Planar will kick off the week at Design Miami with a by-invitation press and industry event titled, ‘Pictures + Furniture,’ which will take place on November 30th at Avant Gallery in creative partnership with Surface Magazine. The exhibit is in its third year at Avant Gallery, but will mark the first time Planar will be participating; providing several large digital displays for top industrial designers and furniture artists to display their video art presentations.

In addition to the Pictures + Furniture event, Planar is equally excited to be showcasing exhibits at the PULSE contemporary art show at the Cristin Tierney Gallery, featuring the digital artist Yorgo Alexpoulous’ work on Planar’s Clarity™ Matrix LX-46 media wall. Finally, Miami SOLO, presented by Artexpo, will include a showcase of two prototypes of Digital Canvas™ in partnership with Samsung Semiconductor.

Planar is eagerly anticipating all the events and is looking forward mingling with the art world to learn from and gather feedback regarding ongoing product development designed for this community. If you have plans to be in Miami Beach during the time of Design Miami and Art Basel please let us know as we would love to extend an personal invitation for you to join us at the Pictures + Furniture event.

BOFFO Building Fashion and Planar Together Again

2011-11-15T12:32:00.000-08:00

Planar is once again excited to be included in another installation of BOFFO Building Fashion in New York City. After Planar’s successful display installation at the first venue, Nicola’s Formichett’s pop-up retail store, which featured PS-Series displays and open-frame monitors embedded in mirrored pillars, Planar continues involvement with the fourth installation in the series featuring the design work of The Lake & Stars + SOFTlab.

The space, which opened November 10th, will contain patterns that are meant to blur orientation and depth perception in a way that will encourage visitors to explore, discover and engage with the space in addition to viewing it. Director Jenna Elizabeth collaborated with The Lake & Stars on a special short film to debut on the opening night of the BOFFO store. Several of Planar’s new PS4200 displays will be featured throughout the store to giving customers the opportunity to view the film in multiple locations, including the dressing room. The designers decision to incorporate display technology into the retail decision further strengthens Planar’s message that digital signage can be an important element to a retail environment, moving beyond simple “buy now” messaging to enhance the shopping experience.

The Lake & Stars is a lingerie collection designed by Maayan Zilberman and Nikki Dekker. Maayan and Nikki launched The Lake & Stars after meeting in New York City in 2007. Having designed previously at mass and boutique brands respectively, together they sought to create a collection that would bridge the gap between special occasion and everyday lingerie. Their designs have been worn by Kate Moss, Sarah Jessica Parker and were recently honored with a spot in the CFDA Incubator’s Class of 2014.

SOFTlab is a design studio based in New York City. The studio was created by Michael Szivos shortly after receiving a graduate degree in architecture from the Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation at Columbia University. The studio has since been involved in the design and production of projects across almost every medium, from digitally fabricated large-scale sculpture, to interactive design, to large-scale digital video installations.

The store is located at 57 Walker Street in New York, NY and is open November 10th – 22nd, Monday – Saturday from 12 PM – 7 PM and Sundays 12 PM – 6 PM.

The latest in 3D: the Planar 3D Matrix goes live!

2011-11-14T02:14:00.000-08:00

It's what the 3D Roundabout caught already at the prototype stage earlier this year, but now it is launched and being installed as well! First installation can be seen the University of Illinois Chicago's Electronic Visualization Laboratory (EVL) in a class room setting. The Cyber-Commons 3D is a class room facility featuring six wide by three high Matrix 3D video wall, made from our 46" Matrix displays, which allows 2D and 3D visualization and collaboration. You can read more about the installation from EVL's own website.

The new 3D Matrix will be at show this week at the SuperComputing 2011 at Louisiana State University, where Planar can be found exhibiting at booth number 2836.

What is the 3D Matrix then, why is it so special? What would you say about an ultra-thin, flicker-free 3D stereoscopic display meant for large format professional installations? Omega Sales Inc. comments: "How cool is that?"

The Clarity 3D Matrix product expands Planar's expertise in 3D to professional, passive-glass approach for stereo viewing with 46" size displays for building a video wall the size you need. Installation depth is only 3.6"/93mm with integrated mounting system and off-board electronics and power supplies to create an alternative for projection based 3D visualization.

Keep your eyes open for new installations! Or why not contact our sales teams to stay ahead of your competition and be one of the first to get your 3D video wall installed!

Don't Forget Your Employees

2011-10-21T15:41:00.000-07:00

By Cris Derr

Here's my "Deliver WOW!" moment of the day from IQmetrix Wireless Summit in Miami: Knowledgeable, motivated employees are as important to increasing sales as engaged customers. OK, you're probably thinking "The Miami heat has finally gotten to Cris' Pacific Northwest brain." Possibly. But it's easy to focus on the customer-centric benefits of interactive retail experiences created by iQmetrix XQ software and Planar System stylish touch displays.

What has become far clearer to me during my time here at the summit is the importance of employee training as you build more engaging retail spaces. CEOs and other retail leaders at the summit have shared stories about how the iQmetrix/Planar solution can be used to dramatically improve training of new and existing employees. After exploring the very intuitive touch interface, it became obvious to them that:

Employees become smarter about the features and benefits of the product they are selling.
Since the tool is integral to the selling process, employees are also learning about the selling process itself.

What a homerun: a solution that delivers WOW!, increases sales and productivity and trains employees. I'd love to hear your thoughts about the importance of using technology like the iQmetrix/Planar solution to train and engage employees in the products that are selling.

Also, please drop me a line if you have any questions about how to use Planar monitors to create great touch solutions such as the one with iQmetrix – or simply visit us at Planartouch.com.

Join me on linkedin.

Say Goodbye to No-Touch Retail Displays

2011-10-17T05:33:00.000-07:00

You gotta love the way reporter Dan Yates of the Canadian newspaper Leader-Post recently described the new, interactive digital displays that my company, Planar Systems, and iQmetrix are collaboratively developing: "Think of it like a brochure come to life."

The digital signage solution that we are creating with the new iQmetrix platform, XQ Interactive Retail, really is the ultimate brochure for a retail environment. Customers can thumb through page after virtual page of product pictures, descriptions and other information. They can even register their preferences or complete an order—all before a customer service person has even greeted them.

But these digital signs are more than virtual brochures. They are customer magnets in almost any type of retail environment. Every time my family walks into a store with interactive displays, my young daughter starts running for them. It doesn't matter what the store sells – clothes, auto parts, electronics. She's interested. It's not because she instantly cares about auto parts, but because she's in control of her experience. These digital signs provide an experience anyone familiar with a touch-screen handheld device can immediately master and manipulate.

When a customer walks into a store and is confronted by a long line at the service counter, interactive signage provides a reason not to turn around and walk out. They have an alternative way to get the information they need or, at the very least, a diversion while they are waiting.

Unlike mannequins and other displays designed not to be touched, Planar digital signage includes a damage-resistant glass front that screams "Bring it on!" Customers can touch the screen simultaneously with two fingers to control the experience, whether it's a virtual tutorial for a product or a build-your-own-device activity.

The digital signage partnership we recently announced with iQmetrix is designed for mobile device retailers, but almost any retailer today could benefit from the interactive customer service, education and other experiences that these displays deliver. I'd love to hear about ways you'd like to see digital signage used in your retail store or places where you shop. Best Regards, Cris.

Bringing Interactive Digital Signage into Reach

2011-10-14T12:35:00.000-07:00

We live in a time of low-hanging fruit. Not actual fruit on the bottom branches of trees, rather the metaphorically named projects that don't require much investment or risk, nor generate much in the way of sales or revenues.

In the current economy, many retailers are understandably reluctant to take on the risks associated with new ways of doing business― so-called "high-hanging" fruit― even if they promise big potential benefits.

But what if someone pulled those upper branches of the retail sales and marketing tree closer to terra firma? That's what the new partnership between iQmetrix and my company, Planar Systems, is doing for mobile retailers.

We've worked closely with iQmetrix to eliminate many of the complications and risks associated with adding digital, interactive signage in mobile retail stores.
Mobile retailers no longer need a large IT department to integrate software and signage or work through the inevitable bugs that occur when pairing unmatched or incompatible technology. iQmetrix's new XQ Interactive Retail software has been designed and tested to work on Planar Touchscreen LCD monitors to create a convenient, informative and engaging in-store experience.

Better yet, retailers aren’t limited to a single-size, handheld device. Planar Touchscreen monitors range in size from 15" to 22" widescreen, and our Touch-enabled digital signage displays range from 42" to super-large, customizable video walls. Both types of displays are designed to offer shoppers the most sensitive and interactive touch experience available. Planar builds quality into all of our displays, and we back it with our industry leading three-year warranty with two-day advance replacement. All this translates to the best customer experience and the best product quality.

Freed from the complications of deploying interactive signage, retailers can focus their time and talent on how use this technology to showcase their products and attract and retain customers.

The eye-catching video and images produced by these high-definition digital signs draw customers from other parts of the store – potentially even from across the mall. Customers can then use the interactive screens to take self-guided tours through virtual catalogs of all of a retailer's offerings, not just the limited selection at the store. In addition, the virtual catalogs reduce the time that sales associates must spend helping customers find what they're after.

We look forward to hearing more from wireless retailers at the 7th annual iQmetrix Wireless Summit held Oct. 16-18, 2011 at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami. At Planar we want to learn about how we can continue to improve these new interactive displays to help meet more of their business challenges.
Drop me a line anytime. Best Regards, Cris.

A Few Words from Planar's New Touch Technology Marketing Director

2011-10-07T15:34:00.000-07:00

Do you remember the first time you interacted with a touch-enabled display? What about that feeling of total control of your viewing experience and liberation from the tethers of remote controls and keyboards?

I ask because it’s my job to help Planar make touch an even more effective and liberating way to interact with machines. My name is Cris Derr. I’m the new product marketing director of Planar’s Touch and Interactive Products team, where I will drive the direction for our touch and interactive displays.

I bring a rich history in technology to my new job, from my early days as an engineer at Intel, where I helped build the world’s first teraflop super computer, to my most recent role as a product planner for Windows 8, Microsoft’s next operation system. The opportunity to work for a touch technology leader like Planar, with 10+ years of experience building touch and interactive displays, was too good to pass up.

During my time at Microsoft, I had the good fortune to run an Imagine Cup team focused on touch solutions. The Imagine Cup is a competition that challenges university students to solve difficult problems in areas such as in healthcare and education. The touch solutions these teams of students developed were nothing short of amazing. They not only bolstered my confidence in the next generation of engineers, they solidified my belief in the power of touch technology. Everything from how we check out at the grocery store to how blind students learn at school will be transformed by interactive technologies over the next decade.

“Touch is our first language,” anthropologist Ashley Montagu said. “Long before we can see an image, smell an odor, taste a flavor or hear a sound, we experience others and ourselves through touch."

I look forward to helping Planar and the rest of this industry take our oldest form of communication into dramatically new places. I want to hear from you. Please share your thoughts about this blog post. Have you interacted with a touch enabled solution that really wowed you? What are your thoughts on where this exciting technology will take us? Drop me a personal line anytime or join me on linkedin.

Cyviz Technology Center features Planar Flat Panel Displays

2011-08-15T14:02:00.000-07:00

Cyviz, a global leader in collaborative telepresence and command and control solutions, will have the Grand Re-opening of its 7,000 square foot showroom known as the CTC™ (Cyviz Technology Center) in Washington, DC. The Grand Re-opening will feature five complete Cyviz solutions for command and control, high resolution, executive conference rooms and 3-D environments. Each solution incorporates Collaborative Telepresence and is named after a famous President.

The CTC Washington, DC will feature two new solutions from Planar Systems for customers who require modular Flat Panel Displays.

Read the complete article here

Planar 3D Exhibits at SIGGRAPH 2011

2011-08-03T15:35:00.000-07:00

Planar Systems, Inc. will exhibit its StereoMirror/3D displays and a prototype of its 3D Matrix LCD Video Wall at SIGGRAPH 2011 in Vancouver, BC, August 9-11, 2011 in booth #683 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Here's a preview of some of the displays which will be on exhibit at SIGGRAPH:

The Planar SA2311W 3D Vision Ready monitor is designed for 3D viewing but ideal for 2D viewing, as well. Suitable for playing the latest 3D games or modeling complex biomolecules, Planar's SA2311W has a fast 120Hz frame rate and 2 ms response time.
Planar's PX2491W color accurate professional monitor is ideal for creative professionals that depend on predictable color and gray shades. Accurate. Stable. Wide gamut.
When you need a seamless 3D video wall and uninterrupted 24x7 operation, Clarity Matrix LCD Video Wall is the ultra-thin bezel system that provides outstanding tiled visual performance. And now, the prototype on exhibit in Planar's booth features 3D technology, providing an eye-catching solution for your digital signage applications.

Will you be at SIGGRAPH? Stop by Planar's booth #683 to meet with our 3D display professionals and learn more about Planar's complete 3D display offering.

Are you a gamer or a professional 3D display user? Planar can help with your 3D display needs!

Planar d82L with AccessChoice Receives the 2011 Best of InfoComm Award for Best Killer New App

2011-07-25T10:27:00.000-07:00

On July 22, 2011 the Planar d82L with AccessChoice (introduced at InfoComm) was awarded the 2011 rAVe Best of InfoComm Award for Best Killer New App:

"This is an 82" LCD (very well designed aesthetically, by the way) with off-board electronics - native 1080p. Because all the video signal processing and power supply is in an external processor, the 82" is sealed and is only 3.7" deep (amazing for the size of the display). But why the "Killer App" Award? Well, again, displays have become a commodity and any time a monitor manufacturer differentiates, we like that. But, in this case, this is something all display companies need to be looking at -- outboard electronics. It'll make everyone's life easier (installers, clients, the Green police) as you can consolidate power-supplies and cable management. Way to set an example Planar!"
Check out this rAVe NOW video from InfoComm

DOOH! is where the Growth is.

2011-06-01T05:48:00.000-07:00

DOOH sounded first like the grunt frequently uttered by Homer Simpson. In case you haven't come across it in other contexts than that of a cartoon so far, it actually spells out Digital Out Of Home, a well loved (?) abbreviation for the Digital Signage professionals.

BBC's Shafir Sakr (30.5.2011) reports on outdoor advertising noting that industry experts are forecasting faster growth for digital signage than for any other media. JCDecaux is the current leader in the market place. In the video report JCDeacux's Jeremy Male notes that with digital signage "you can't turn the page or switch off, it is just there".

Digital signage allows moving from brochures to digital signs and the report introduces a case of Duty Free shops doing just that at Oslo airport - where changing campaigns monthly at the fast paced airport environment offers challenges and Christine Toemte of TRN Duty Free explains how digital signage makes their life easier.

But what is so different about real time outdoor advertising and what possibilities does it offer the advertiser other than just a substitute to print? Adverts can be customised and updated remotely according to current events, weather changes and even according to the viewers gender or tastes, while sharing it all on Social Media sites. At ScreenMedia Expo in London I tested out Cadbury's interactive advert, which was connected with Facebook and left me with a Fair Trade Chocolate Bar in my hand! Now that's an advert that leaves a sweet taste in the consumer's mouth!

Planar is being active in DOOH market, especially through the focus on QSR market (QSR = Quick Serve Restaurants), including drive-in restaurants. Our strength in this market is the customisation capability, which has allowed us to create products like the Outdoor Digital Signage Display LC46 and Indoor Digital Signage Display LB3251WHW, which are available to all our customers. In May we explored the market at Screen Media Expo in London and DSE in Essen, demonstrating a wide range of our digital signage products from Transparent EL to ep55L Large Scale Signage Display with LED backlight.

Transparent EL, ep55L and LB32 at DSE in Essen

Planar stand at Screen Media Expo in London

What do you think the future of DOOH will be like?