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BEAVERTON, ORE. - Planar Systems, a manufacturer of industrial and medical flat video display solutions and PC monitors, is announcing today plans to expand into the consumer LCD TV market.
The company, which has developed "powerful expertise" in the development flat display solutions over its 20 year history, will entere the TV market for the first time by initially focusing its distribution through higherend electronics boutiques and custom installers, said Mike Franzi, Planar world wide sales and marketing VP.
"We feel we can bring a strong business partnership to that part of the market," Franzi said. "Over time, as we bring new products to market, we will begin to move towards a mainstream segment of the market."
Initial products will be a pair of 480p (Enhanced Definition TV) LCD TVs, but the company expects to quickly add HDTV-level LCD TV SKUs. Planar currently distributes plasma displays through a variety of industrial channels, and Franzi said that as the brand develops the consumer TV group will likely bring plasma displays and other flat screen technologies along "as they fit the market."
Franzi said Planar plans to impress its retail partners with customized support programs, instead of...