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Planar Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:PLNR), a worldwide leader in flat-panel display systems, is introducing the PX212M, a 21.3-inch flat-panel LCD monitor. The PX212M is designed to fill the growing demand among high-end home users, small businesses and large corporate users for an LCD monitor that is capable of producing multiple video images simultaneously and providing the resolution and screen size required to run several complex applications at once.

The PX212M is the latest in Planar's premium PX-line of monitors, and features an S-video input that enables a direct connection between devices such as game systems, DVD players and camcorders, producing a better video image than monitors that require an external video-processing accessory. The monitor's picture-in-picture functionality allows users to perform multiple tasks at once, such as analyzing video while working on a spreadsheet or surfing the Internet. The PX212M also features the innovative QuadStand base, allowing for simple height, pivot, swivel and tilt adjustments, providing great flexibility of viewing position for the user. Demonstrating Planar's commitment to customer satisfaction, the PX212M includes its industry leading 3-year "Customer First" warranty featuring free 2-day air monitor advance replacement.

"Planar continues to lead the market in delivering new features, functionality and performance," said Erick Petersen, general manager of the commercial business for Planar. "The PX212M is a further testament to Planar's strategy of growing its presence in the high-end desktop market. We've recognized the increasing demand for a variety of video inputs on the desktop, and by providing a monitor with S-video input, picture-in-picture capability and the QuadStand base, we've brought to market the most versatile 21-inch display available."

"We see strong growth in the market for flat-panel LCD monitors larger than 20 inches over the next three years," said Ross Young, president of DisplaySearch, a worldwide leader in flat-panel display market research and consulting. "In 2003, the number of units shipped worldwide in this segment is estimated to grow from two percent of the 46 million total units shipping (0.9 million units) to six percent of 114 million units shipping in 2006 (7.3 million units)."

With UXGA (1600x1200) resolution, multiple video inputs (S-video, composite video, analog and digital), picture-in-picture capability and integrated speakers, the PX212M is well suited for high-performance video and office applications, including CAD/CAM and video editing and development. The 400:1 contrast ratio, brightness of 250 cd/m2 and viewing angle of 170 degrees make the PX212M an ideal monitor for use in a wide range of home or office settings.

The PX212M incorporates the Pixelworks ImageProcessor, which enables the monitor's picture-in-picture functionality, sizes the incoming image to fill the UXGA-resolution screen regardless of the source and deinterlaces incoming video signals to eliminate image artifacts.

"Along with Planar, we're seeing that consumers are excited by having multimedia LCD displays representing a new generation of 'smart displays' that make the connection between PC, video and the Web more compelling than ever before," said Brad Zenger, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Pixelworks, Inc. "We are proud that Planar has chosen Pixelworks to incorporate the latest in image processing technology to deliver outstanding image quality and flexible features to the PX212M."

Planar's PX212M will be available July 18, 2003 in black or silver/black at an estimated street price of $1,399, and comes bundled with Portrait Display's PivotPro software for quick adjustment from landscape to portrait viewing orientation.

For More Information: http://www.planar.com