News

Planar intros screens for outdoor kiosks

September 22, 2003

BEAVERTON, Ore. -- Planar Systems Inc., manufacturer of flat-panel display systems, is expanding its LC line with the addition of the LC08 and LC12, 8.4-inch and 12.1-inch full-color, Active-Matrix LCD displays.

Planar built these high-bright displays for specific outdoor kiosk installations, according to a news release. Integrators can build the displays into gas pumps, financial kiosks, quick-service restaurant menu boards and other outdoor kiosk locations that require small-footprint displays.

Planar's LC displays produce less heat than CRT alternatives, the release said, and enable kiosk manufacturers to increase serviceability and develop sleeker designs with space for features like biometric readers, printers and speakers. The products in Planar's LC line, including the recently announced LC15 display, fully comply with global safety and emissions standards.

"In the past, kiosk manufacturers have had to incur long lead-times for custom displays, non-recurring engineering expenses and other unforeseen new product development issues," said Mark Ceciliani, vice president and general manager of the industrial business for Planar.

Planar's LC08 and LC12 feature 1,000 and 1,500 nit display brightness, respectively, and built-in, thermal-management systems. These cool the displays in direct sunlight installations, where prolonged heat exposure and varying temperatures can affect image quality and basic unit operation.

The screens can be enhanced with Planar's rugged vandal glass with proprietary Contrast Enhancement Technology (CET). CET increases the display's contrast ratio, solving the fundamental problem of sunlight-readability in outdoor applications while protecting the display from hard impacts common to high-traffic locations, the release said.

The LC08 and LC12 displays are available immediately, with prices ranging from $1,000 to $1,400 for volumes from 100 to 1,000.