Black Box: Gateway Destination XTV 350
How it Worked
When you boot the Destination XTV 350, it automatically goes into a television viewing mode, however, you can easily select whether you want it to go into a full-screen TV, a window of TV or just the Windows 98 desktop. Holding the Field Mouse remote, you can use the number pad to change TV channels, or hit one of the four special buttons on the bottom of the Remote (A/V, Guide, Menu and Windows-there is also a fifth button Recall for switching between two channels like any other remote) to activate Windows 98 or one of the special Gateway Audio/Visual menus. These menus are some of the upgrades that come with the XTV. With easy-to-read icons, the user can easily navigate between TV, VCR, DVD and PC functions.
The A/V button lets you activate the DVD player and any other device you plugged into the A/V inputs (VCR, for example). The Guide button brings up the on-screen program guide for easily selecting the TV shows you want to watch. In earlier versions of the Destination, Gateway used Intel's Smart TV channel guide interface (no relation to us). Gateway built its own with this model, so it's more tightly integrated with the overall operation (not to mention free-of-charge). The Menu button lets you choose between full-screen TV, TV in a window, the Windows desktop, a special Gateway games menu, an automatic Web window (which dials your ISP and launches Microsoft Internet Explorer) and a help file called the Assistance Center. Finally the Windows button works the same as the Windows key on a keyboard.
Besides the fancy navigational aids, the Destination XTV 350 has a 3rd generation DVD drive which (along with a C-Cube MPEG-2 decoder) provides impressive playback of DVD-Video and DVD-ROM software. The Destination provides Dolby Digital AC-3 sound, and includes a complete Boston Acoustics amplified speaker system to pump that digital sound throughout your living room. The Destination also incorporates ATI display technology (similar to what's also reviewed in this issue), which is some of the best on the market. Finally, the Destination provides multiple A/V inputs to quickly and painlessly attach camcorders, VCRs, game consoles or other home entertainment devices to the system.
Areas for Improvement
For all its improvements over the first-generation Destination, the Destination XTV 350 still has some of the inconveniences of a neonate product category. The wireless keyboard included works great, but it's much too large for comfortable use from an armchair. The touchpad on the keyboard is highly inaccurate and quirky. The wireless Field Mouse, with its thumb-trackball and forefinger trigger is far more comfortable. However, the little trackball has a tendency to fall out of the mouse and under the sofa's cushions-or into the mouth of the resident toddler. Because navigating the Windows operating systems requires precise movement, a track ball, preferably a large one, would be better. It would seem the best solution would be a wireless remote that can be held in one hand and would sport a large trackball on one side and a small keypad on the other.
The Gateway TV/VGA display provides excellent picture quality: the XTV-series ships with either a 27 or 36-inch screen. Unfortunately, we had bad experience with the Gateway monitors. After the first monitor we received failed, Gateway shipped us another. This also quit working after a couple days. (To be fair, the second monitor was shipped directly from a tradeshow floor, where cargo is handled in a way that makes the airport handling seem like brain surgery). This experience might indicate a manufacturing problem with this line of monitors. Gateway, however, is known for its customer service, and would likely replace faulty units on its own postage meter.
Is it Worth the Price?
Although nothing in this world is perfect, the few blemishes we could find with the Destination XTV 350 shouldn't hold you back. When it comes to common sense, affordable and functional merging of the PC and TV in the living room, the Destination provides the best available in quality, service and value. A future upgrade with an Echostar satellite receiver will only add to its versatility.
Destination XTV 350
Gateway 2000
(800) 240-2063
www.destination.com
Suggested Retail Price: $2,999
Processor: Intel Pentium II 350MHz
RAM: 64MB
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 98
Drives: 6.4GB Hard Disk, DVD, floppy
Video: ATI All-in-Wonder Pro 8MB AGP, Wavetop VBI reader, C-Cube MPEG-2 Decoder
Monitor: 27-inch SVGA DTV-Grade Display
Sound: SoundBlaster 64 Sound Card, Boston Acoustics Digital Theater 6000 Amplified Speaker System
Modem: U.S. Robotics 56k Winmodem
Input Devices: RF Wireless Field Mouse Remote and Cordless Keyboard
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