Gateway Announces Media Center PC-aware DVD Player

Reprinted from a Gateway press release:

Gateway today unveils a new version of the Gateway Wireless Connected DVD player, the ADC-320 — the industry’s first and only wireless connected DVD that supports Microsoft Windows XP Media Center content, as well as the latest wireless standard, 802.11g WiFi. Also today, Gateway begins selling the Gateway Connected Home Theater system, which is the first 1,000-watt home theater system with 802.11g WiFi capability and support for Media Center.

Gateway broke new ground last July with its premiere Wireless Connected DVD player — the first DVD player that could stream digital photography, music and video stored on a nearby PC, allowing consumers to enjoy their digital content wherever the Connected DVD player is located, such as a living room or bedroom. Now, Gateway has updated its Wireless Connected DVD player to include 802.11g WiFi. Still priced at only $199.99, the Gateway ADC-320 Wireless Connected DVD player streams content at up to 54Mbps — nearly five times faster than similar systems using 802.11b WiFi — and is able to handle higher-bandwidth digital media such as digital video or large digital photography slideshows.

In addition to supporting current versions of Microsoft Windows, the new Wireless Connected DVD player also supports Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004, so TV content recorded via the Media Center’s Personal Video Recorder (PVR) functionality, as well as any other digital media, can also be streamed to the Wireless Connected DVD at another location in the home.

Industry analyst Peter Kastner of the Boston-based research firm Aberdeen Group purchased the premiere version of the Gateway Wireless Connected DVD and commented, “When it came to upgrading my own media center, I looked around and chose the Gateway Connected DVD player. It works as advertised and is a great value. I highly recommend it. And 802.11g wireless support at the old price makes it an even better deal.”

In addition to selling the new product as a stand-alone offering, Gateway pairs the new Wireless Connected DVD player with the Gateway KAS-303 Home Theater System to deliver the first home theater system that can play digital media streamed from a nearby PC. The Gateway Connected Home Theater delivers 1,000 watts of power and still can receive streamed audio and video from a PC connected by a wireless network thanks to the Wireless Connected DVD player. It includes a 6.1 receiver, Gateway Wireless Connected DVD player, center channel speaker, five satellite speakers and subwoofer. The low price is as stunning as the clear, rich sound and high-quality video playback the system delivers — the Gateway Connected Home Theater is priced at only $999.99.

“Our research shows that, overwhelmingly, the type of digital content people most want to share throughout their connected home is video,” said Matt Milne, Gateway’s senior vice president and general manager of consumer solutions. “Along with compatibility for streaming pre-recorded television content from Media Center, the new Gateway Wireless Connected DVD provides an excellent solution for enjoying video on a wireless network from anywhere in the home. And the Connected Home Theater lets digital audio be heard to its potential — in full, rich surround-sound.”

Gateway is bringing these products to market at an opportune time. According to IDC, based in Framingham, Mass., there are currently an estimated 6.2 million wireless home networks in the U.S. and that number is estimated to grow to 19.6 million in 2006.

The new wireless home theater system is the ideal system for music lovers who want to enjoy a digital music library stored on a PC for playback in the family room or home entertainment area. Also, the system supports streamed MP3 and WMA digital music files from a PC.

The ADC-320 Gateway Connected DVD player is now easier than ever to use and enjoy. Connecting the innovative device is a one-step process; consumers simply plug in the unit and it will link to the PC via the existing wireless network. Within minutes, consumers can enjoy MP3 music, digital photography slideshows and more. Consumers without a wireless network can easily set one up with Gateway’s wide range of wireless networking products, including routers as well as USB, PC card and PCI adapters.

Owners of the current Gateway Wireless Connected DVD can also boost the capabilities of their system to match the wireless speed and functionality of the new ADC-320 by upgrading it with the latest firmware from Gateway, and by installing a new Gateway 802.11g DVD card into the back of the unit. The firmware can be downloaded from the Gateway.com site and the Gateway 802.11g DVD card is available for $50.

Power Line Networking Products Connect the Home
Consumers without a wireless network can transform their power outlets into networking jacks with Gateway’s Power Line networking products, which utilize existing power lines in the home or office to network PCs with ease. The affordable Power Line adapters stream content at up to 14Mbps, and simply plug right into a USB port or Ethernet port on a computer, as well as any standard two- or three-prong wall outlet. The Gateway Power Line adapters are compatible with other Power Line products, and are priced at $49.99.

Availability
All of the above mentioned products, the Gateway Wireless Home Theater system, the Gateway Wireless Connected DVD ADC-320 and the Gateway Power Line Network Adapters are available now by calling 1-800-GATEWAY, online at Gateway.com and by ordering them at the more than 185 Gateway stores nationwide.