Gateway is moving toward the living room or den with the PC taking on the look of an audio visual system component. Pretty smart, considering they are selling plasma screens as well. Those looking to blur the lines between sufing the net and surfing TV channels take note. Care to hazard a guess as to what the home page will be set to?
With such devices on the horizon we may see our now useless legs wither and fall off as we become a couch potato. This system features PVR, a dual format DVD CD-RW player/recorder, 6 in 1 media reader, wireless mouse and keyboard. It comes lashed to the Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004.
Of the two models offered, the high end one (901 X) features Intels 3.0 ghz processor with 800MHz FSB, 512MB DDR RAM, 250GB hard drive(2), DVD burner and a 6-in-1 media card reader. The 128MB ATI Radeon 9800 Pro graphics accelerator card and Sound Blaster Audigy 2 7.1 channel audio are included as well for about $ 1800 U.S. I find it odd that they use a separate TV and FM tuner with the 9800, the 9600 All-in-Wonder has FM built in. Oh well, this is designed for the mainstream consumer and not the enthusiast that builds his or her own systems.
| A complete entertainment solution integrating the functionality of a DVD player, digital jukebox, Personal Video Recorder (PVR) and PC in one!
Featuring a sophisticated, stackable design, the Gateway® Family Room Media Center offers connectivity to other home electronics from the convenience of a single remote. 
The Gateway 901 Family Room Media Center is the ideal system for anyone who has ever crowded family and friends around their PC to share photos of their vacation -- or for anyone who missed the TV weather report and would simply like to check the weather online without having to boot up their PC in the den. The Gateway 901 will also be used in new ways thanks to Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 and Gateway innovation. Some of the most exciting features of Gateway 901 Media Center PC are: - Personal Video Recorder (PVR) programming guide lets consumers search for their favorite shows by keyword or category and then record them for viewing at a later date.
- Live TV controls give TV enthusiasts the ability to record, pause, rewind and skip through portions of live entertainment. The popular "pause" feature lets TV viewers who are interrupted during a program freeze the action until they return.
- Built-in DVD player capabilities means there is no need for a separate DVD player in the entertainment rack -- so there is less clutter. The DVD recorder available on the high-end model lets consumers save TV shows, home movies, photos, music and files to DVD media that can be shared with family and friends.
- The CD player/recorder gives consumers the ability to enjoy favorite CDs in their home theater system, burn a mix of downloaded songs from the couch and enjoy MP3 music in the living room. The Media Center can digitize and store up to 5,000 music CDs so consumers can easily manage their entire music collection. The software enables them to browse their collection by artist or genre and create play lists so they never have to hunt for a CD.
- The system's advanced graphics capabilities give consumers the ultimate PC gaming experience, exceeding the capabilities of popular gaming consoles.
- The easy-to-use remote control lets users control the entire PC from a single device, and its handy access buttons quickly power on TV, music and other functions in a snap. Also, it can be programmed to run other home theater components.
- The wireless mouse and keyboard are the ideal solutions for enjoying the PC from the couch. The Gyration Ultra GT wireless mouse is the only mouse that can be used up in the air with simple hand gestures or on a flat surface such as a coffee table.
- "The Gateway 901 Family Room Media Center's unique form factor takes full advantage of the simple, convenient and integrated entertainment experiences provided by Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004," said Joe Belfiore, general manager of the Windows eHome Division at Microsoft Corp. "This is a great example of the hardware innovation that is taking home digital entertainment to new heights."
- The Gateway 901 Family Room Media Center fits right into the entertainment center; it easily connects to an existing TV, or can be paired with one of Gateway's award-winning thin plasma, DLP rear projection or LCD TVs for a dramatic viewing experience. Home theater enthusiasts can connect the Gateway 901 to an array of additional audio and video equipment such as the new 1,000-watt Gateway KAS-303 Home Theater system, thanks to the standard connections on the system including S-video in/out, VGA, DVI, composite A/V in, 5.1 and 7.1 line out and SPDIFF. Also, conveniently placed media card reader, USB 2.0 ports and IEEE 1394 ports ensure that digital cameras, digital camcorders, MP3 players, game pads and more can be connected directly to the unit. Also, it is broadband-ready with integrated 10/100 Ethernet.
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Although it is a nice looking unit and a radical departure from the beige box, they have forgotten the all important microphone and public address system. If you need a beer, lets just hope someone is within shouting distance. Also, please forgive me, but I had to include this quote from the Gateway page about Media Center 2004:
"Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center 2004
Take control of your personal entertainment from any room at home through the MediaCenter PC. Relish in music, TV, movies, photos, games, and an extensive array of media provided by third-party entertainment services via the Internet and other integrated features such as the FM tuner and photo enhancement controls.
Benefits:
Full-featured system
Personal control over media
Complete functionality
Access to third-party services"
Source: Gateway
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