Gateway And EchoStar Collaborate On New Digital Satellite Technology For DestinationÆ XTV

Gateway (NYSE: GTW), a leading convergence technology provider, has announced a strategic relationship with the EchoStar Communications Corp. (NASDAQ: DISH, DISHP) and its DISH Networkô to jointly develop an integrated digital satellite receiver for Gateway's convergence line of PCs. Gateway showed the Destination XTV at the 1999 Winter Consumer Electronics Show (CES), January 7-10. EchoStar also demonstrated the new integrated satellite receiver, DISHLink. A review of this convergence PC/Home Theatre product will be featured in an upcoming Widescreen Review issue.""The convergence market continues to evolve, and incorporating new technologies like Echostar's DISHLink will heighten the quality of the product we can deliver,"" said Bart Brown, Vice President of marketing, Gateway Home. ""Gateway remains committed to the convergence market while constantly exploring new technologies designed to add value to the Destination XTV product line. The Internet and the future of digital television are two of the primary forces driving convergence. With Internet capability already built in and with DISHLink system technology on the horizon, the Destination XTV continues to tightly integrate itself into the home environment."" The DISHLink TV system is a satellite PCI receiver that links Destination XTV to DISH Network TV programming. The DISHLink TV system is an integrated unit and does not require any additional components outside of the CPU. The new DISHLink solution offers additional value to the Gateway Destination XTV by incorporating a complementary entertainment appliance with your PC. Additionally, the Destination DestiVuô media interface software is able to seamlessly integrate satellite and cable channel maps and electronic program guide data, allowing the user a viewing experience that does not require switching devices in order to access all available content. ""Gateway is taking a leadership role in bringing digital satellite TV and multi-media PCs as one seamless unit to the home,"" said Mark Jackson, Senior Vice President of EchoStar's Satellite Services. ""DISHLink and Gateway's Destination XTV offer an unmatched digital picture on a large screen, high resolution monitor. EchoStar and Gateway have created the future of television."" EchoStar's DISHLink TV system uses a PCI interface card manufactured by BroadLogic, Inc., a leading manufacturer of broadband networking for multimedia broadcast and interactive services. As part of a long term development program with EchoStar, BroadLogic will supply Gateway with DISHLink TV satellite receiver circuit boards. ""We are pleased to be a part of such an innovative product and service offering,"" said Toby Farrand, CEO of BroadLogic. ""This satellite-enabled Destination XTV system sets a new standard for convergence products."" Destination XTV offers a combination of enhanced TV with the integrated digital satellite receiver, home theatre sound that is DolbyÆ Digital certified, digital media, gaming system and full-feature computer at an affordable price. Gateway designed Destination XTV to offer high quality entertainment and PC components in one package, so consumers wouldn't have to spend more money buying each unit separately. The Destination was originally introduced by Gateway in 1996. Destination XTV offers improved functionality and a variety of enhanced features: - Enhanced video and audio: Available 27-inch (27-inch viewable) and 36-inch (35.5-inch viewable) television monitors deliver progressive scan pictures and viewers can enjoy the latest Hollywood movies with Destination XTV's DVD system. The system features a faster DVD drive, full hardware C-Cube MPEG and Dolby Digital decoding. - Astounding gaming graphics: Destination XTV provides the world's 35 million and growing PC game players with a platform that features 3-D graphics hardware to enjoy the thousands of games available today. - Easy Internet connection: Destination XTV boasts a V.90 modem for fast Internet connections. Because Destination XTV combines the attributes of a TV and computer, its dual mode monitor displays clear, readable text and graphics from the Internet. Standard television monitors on the other hand can be linked to the Internet with add-on boxes (WebTV), but can't offer the same picture clarity. - Room to grow: Owners can attach LaserDisc players, VCRs, camcorders, gaming consoles and other peripherals to their Destination XTV, and control all the components with the system's on-screen guide called ""Desti-Vu.""Gateway's Destination XTV systems:- Available with IntelÆ PentiumÆ II and Celeronô processors.- Standard with a 27-inch (27-inch viewable) or 36-inch (35.5-inch viewable) dual mode monitor, DVD III ROM Drive, a built-in gaming feature that supports all Microsoft(r) WindowsÆ based games, a V.90 Technology Modem, and a fully-functioning PC.- Features ultra-fast graphics, large storage capacity, cordless keyboard and Field MouseÆ Universal Remote, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Home EssentialsÆ Software, and Gateway Goldô Service and Support.