ZOLL Places $1.9 Million Order With Planar Systems for ZOLL's Enhanced Defibrillator Series.

BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 23, 1999--

-- Planar Proves That Mature, Innovative Technology, Unrivalled

Service, and Dependability are Critical Elements of Rescue --

ZOLL Medical (Burlington, Mass.) announced today that it will integrate the EL320.240.36-HB (HB) electroluminescent display from Planar Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:PLNR) into its M Series Monitor Defibrillator Pacemakers.

The M Series incorporates the most sophisticated technology invented for critical care medicine, in the emergency room, hospital, or in EMS applications. "Our display requirements are very challenging," says Ward Hamilton, Vice President of Marketing for ZOLL. "The extremely high contrast and wide angle of view the Planar display provides, are critical performance characteristics of lifesaving equipment used by personnel during emergency resuscitation." Recent innovations and improvements made by Planar Systems are allowing the technology to be used in a wider variety of high-performance applications than ever before possible.

The new ZOLL M Series is a multiparameter device that has been built to go anywhere there is an emergency. This "go anywhere" design required a display that was just as flexible. Unparalleled contrast and perceived brightness makes the HB a preferred choice in side-by-side comparisons. The HB is three times as bright and requires half the power of previous generations of EL displays, making it ideal for battery-powered applications, like the portable M Series. The varied environments in which the equipment is used requires broad temperature range tolerances. The HB operates in temperatures ranging from -40 to +85 (Degree)C. It can be used outside or in controlled environments, from freezing cold to blazing sun.

In hospital environments, the HB's wide viewing angle of 160(Degree) and industry-best contrast ensures accuracy and readability preventing misread errors in interpretation and treatment. EL's long reliable life and image quality is critical when the device is used extensively. The graphic nature of the display allows each pixel to be addressed individually, so the display can be customized with software/firmware for language localization for international markets.

Planar's engineering staff has worked extensively with ZOLL's design team to facilitate incorporation and to optimize the mechanical design for more rugged performance. "Planar has made the integration of their EL display very smooth," said Gary Freeman, Engineering Director at ZOLL. "The quality design and application engineering support has allowed us to successfully incorporate the new display in record time."

"We are very pleased to be able to satisfy ZOLL's very demanding display requirements with our latest generation of EL ICEBrite(TM) technology," said Jim Hurd, president and chief executive officer at Planar. "The inherent advantages of our solid state EL technology in terms of optical performance and reliability have differentiated these displays over the other technologies available and succeeded in making Planar EL the preferred choice of the world's leading medical equipment manufacturers such as ZOLL." The EL320.240.36-HB is Planar's response to the market demands for portability, sunlight-readability, ruggedness, and low power requirements in a flat panel display component for the most rigorous product applications in transportation, medical, or industrial equipment.

ZOLL Medical Corporation designs, manufacturers, and markets an integrated line of proprietary non-invasive resuscitation devices and disposable electrodes. Used by health care professional to provide both types of cardiac resuscitation -- pacing and defibrillation -- these products are essential in the emergency treatment of cardiac arrest victims both inside and outside the hospital. ZOLL also designs and markets software, which automates collection and management of both clinical and non-clinical data for emergency medical service providers.

Planar Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:PLNR) is a worldwide leader in the development, manufacture, and marketing of high-performance flat-panel display components, CRTs, and specialized display systems. Planar Components Group offers a complete range of EL, LCD (TN and STN), and AMLCD (TFT) display components, as well as Systems Enhanced Manufacturing capability. For over fifteen years, equipment manufacturers have depended upon Planar to deliver the depth of experience, innovative technology, and responsive service that support their cutting-edge applications. Planar has operations in both the United States and Europe. For more information, visit Planar's website at www.planar.com.

Editors: Call for more information about electroluminescent displays

and the EL320.240.36-HB