Gateway Connected DVD Player

Review:
Gateway enters into the consumer electronics market with the Wireless Connected DVD player. The product is a progressive scan DVD player with a built in 802.11b wireless media player. The media server is capable of streaming MPEG 1/2/4, WMA, JPEG, MP3 and Divx files from your PC(s). The DVD player also will recognize DVD, CD-R/-RW, MP3, and Kodak Picture CD discs. Features are strikingly similar to the Go Video D2730, but a bit more attractive with it's mirrored front panel.

Gateway's media server software installs quickly on all of your networked PCs (sorry, no Macintosh support). The software did not appear to slow down the laptops we installed on, nor did it interfere with their performance. With your help, the software scans your computers for supported media and creates a file list for the Connected DVD Player.

The DVD player itself connects to your TV and surround system, as any other DVD player would. A built-in 5.1 decoder and digital audio outputs make this player compatible with most home theater equipment.

Our evaluation unit did not come with a wireless card. Our first e-mail to technical support did not get us very far when looking for a compatible card. A reply e-mail asked us for our PC serial number. When we called, a Gateway technical support representative they said any 802.11b will work. Untrue. After a few tries of some newer 802.11b cards, we found that an older Netgear card was recognized by the unit. Another e-mail to support, and I was directed to a Consumer Electronics Team. 'Technical support for your Gateway digital camera can be obtained by calling (888)-737-6949.' Digital Camera? I'm not sure they really have support lines for this product yet.

WEP works fine and was easy to configure. Pass phrase is not supported. You will need to pick one of the hex keys to use and enter the hex manually. I did have to create a new pass phrase at the access point in order to get the hex key codes.

Streaming media picture and audio quality were good, provided that your unit is in good range of your access point. With no wireless signal strength meter built into the Gateway DVD player, you may need to survey the area with the DVD player's wireless card installed in a laptop to verify that you have a good signal.

After boring your dinner guests with your entire MP3 and JPEG photo collection, how about karaoke! Plug a few microphones into the front panel mic inputs, adjust your volume and echo, and belt out a few tunes to keep the party rolling, or persuade guests that it is probably a good time to leave.

If you have a huge MP3 collection and need a DVD player, the full featured progressive scan DVD player with the additional Wireless Media player and upgradeable firmware is a good addition to your home entertainment system.

Reviewed by Brian Wood