Echostar and CUBE.........
Gateway and EchoStar Collaborate on New Digital Satellite Technology for Destination XTV
LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 7, 1999--Gateway (NYSE: GTW), a leading convergence technology provider, has announced a strategic relationship with the EchoStar Communications Corp. (NASDAQ: DISH, DISHP) and its DISH Network(TM) to jointly develop an integrated digital satellite receiver for Gateway's convergence line of PCs. Gateway and EchoStar will be demonstrating the new integrated satellite receiver, DISHLink, on the Destination(R) XTV at the 1999 Winter Consumer Electronics Show (CES), EchoStar booth #6011 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, January 7-10.
"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 an innovative advanced 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 DestiVu(TM) 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 theater sound that is Dolby(R) 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" (27" viewable) and 36" (35.5" viewable) television monitors deliver sharper pictures than traditional TVs, and viewers can enjoy the latest Hollywood movies with Destination XTV's DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) system. Computer enthusiasts will welcome the system's faster DVD drive, full hardware C-Cube MPEG and Dolby Digital decoding, producing exceptional digital images and sound.
-- Astounding gaming graphics: Destination XTV provides the world's 35 million and growing PC game players with a more exciting and compelling platform to better enjoy the thousands of games available today, now that 3-D graphics hardware is a standard feature.
-- Easy Internet connection: Destination XTV boasts a V.90 modem for fast Internet connections. Because Destination XTV combines the best attributes of a TV and computer, its 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, but can't offer the same picture clarity.
-- Room to grow: Owners can attach VCRs, camcorders, gaming consoles and other peripherals to their Destination XTV, and control all the components with the system's easy-to-use on-screen guide called "DestiVu."
Gateway's Destination XTV systems:
-- Available with the Intel(R) Pentium(R) II and Celeron(TM) processors
-- Come with a 27" (27" viewable) or 36" (35.5" viewable) monitor, DVD III ROM Drive, a built-in gaming feature that supports all Microsoft(R) Windows(R) based games, a V.90 Technology Modem, and a fully-functioning PC
-- Feature ultra-fast graphics, large storage capacity, cordless keyboard and Field Mouse(R) Universal Remote, Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Home Essentials(R) Software, and Gateway GoldSM Service & Support.
Gateway, a pioneer in convergence technology, is a member of CEMA (Consumers Electronics Manufacturing Association) and the ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee). For more information, call 1-800-GATEWAY, visit www.destination.com, or attend a free Destination XTV presentation at a Gateway Country store near you.
About Gateway
Gateway (NYSE: GTW), a Fortune 500 company founded in 1985, provides complete computing solutions for clients worldwide. The company has manufacturing facilities in the United States, Ireland and Malaysia and employs more than 16,000 people worldwide. Gateway products and services consistently win top awards from leading industry publications. Revenue for the year 1997 was $6.3 billion.
For more information, visit Gateway at www.gateway.com.
EchoStar Communications Corp., includes three interrelated business units:
-- DISH Network(TM) is EchoStar's state-of-the-art DBS system that offers customers over 300 channels of digital video and CD-quality audio programming, fully MPEG-2/DVB compliant hardware, installation, financing and leasing.
-- EchoStar Technologies Corporation (ETC, formerly HTSTM - Houston Tracker Systems, Inc.), designs, manufactures and distributes DBS set-top boxes, antennas and other digital equipment for the DISH Network and various international customers that include ExpressVu Canada and Telefonica's Via Digital system in Spain. ETC also provides uplink center design, construction oversight and project integration services for customers internationally.
-- Satellite Services provides the delivery of video, audio and data services to business television customers and other satellite users. These services include satellite uplink, satellite transponder space usage, and other services. Satellite Services also administers SKY VISTA, a direct broadcast satellite service offering up to 27 channels of popular digital satellite television programming to viewers in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. territories in the Caribbean.
-- The DISH Network currently serves over 1.8 million customers. DISH Network is a trademark of EchoStar Communications 6 Corporation. HTS is a trademark of Houston Tracker Systems, Inc. DISH Network is located on the Internet at: dishnetwork.com -more-
About BroadLogic
BroadLogic Inc designs and manufactures broadband communications equipment for personal and enterprise computers. Corporations, satellite service operators and content providers use the company's products to create broadband networks for multimedia broadcast and interactive services. Client solutions available and under development include products for satellite and digital terrestrial broadcasts conforming to international standards, including DVB, ATSC, TCP/IP, and MPEG. BroadLogic is a member of the IP Multicast Initiative. Information about BroadLogic can be found on the World Wide Web at broadlogic.com.
Gateway, the stylized Gateway logo and Destination are trademarks or registered trademarks of Gateway 2000, Inc.
Call 1-800-GATEWAY or write to us at Gateway Terms & Conditions, P.O. Box 1951, North Sioux City, SD 57049-1951 for a free copy of our limited warranties, on-site service agreements, and installation agreements. If your Gateway technician determines an on-site visit is necessary, on-site service will be provided for product purchased and located in the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Canada (excluding mice, keyboards, monitors and Solo portables). On-site and installation services are administered by PC Technology Services, Inc. See agreements for specific terms and limitations.
CONTACT:
Gateway
Willow Christie-Smith, Marketing Communications
(605) 232-1758
Willow.Christie-Smith@gateway.com
or
Kathy Anderson, Marketing Communications
(605) 232-1852
Kathy.Anderson@gateway.com
or
EchoStar Communications Corp.
Judianne Atencio, Director of Communications,
(303) 723-2010
Judianne.Atencio@echostar.com
or
Marc Lumpkin, Communications Manager
(303) 723-2020
Marc.Lumpkin@echostar.com
or
BroadLogic
Jim Meyer (408) 957-7259
jim.meyer@broadlogic.com
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