Digital Trends

Gateway Wireless Connected DVD Player

June 28th, 2004 | by Jeff Fila

A Few Refinements Needed

While the Gateway Connected DVD Player ADC-320 was one of the best networked media devices we've tested so far, it still could use a few refinements.

First, since it is connected to a network, which is usually connected to the Internet, it would be nice if the player could download CD track information from the Web. The on-screen display showing “Track 1, Track 2” etc just doesn't look right, especially when you're used to seeing complete ID3 tags from your digital audio files.

Secondly, the front panel display could provide some more data. All it really shows is song duration and the regular CD player information. One of our pet peeves with other networked media players is the fact that most of them force you to turn on the TV to listen to music because the interface is only through the TV. If the ADC-320 could utilize its display to show artist, folder, and song information it would make it much more useful.

Third, we mentioned this earlier but its worth saying again — the color scheme and overall design needs to be updated. The buttons on the front panel are too small and nearly impossible to read and the device just doesn't look at home in a modern home theater. While the ADC-320 may play every Flock of Seagulls and Corey Hart MP3 you own, it doesn't have to look like it was designed in the 80's.

And lastly, the ADC-320 could use a bit more support of media files. It's already an improvement over the previous version, but it would be great for it to have support for AAC files as well as SACD and DVD audio discs.

Conclusion

Gateway's ADC-320 Connected DVD Player can take almost any music, movie, or image file on your network and stream it to your TV and home theater. It can play almost any traditional optical media format available as well. The device, and its supporting software, is easy to set up and easy to use. With analog and digital outputs, and a progressive scan DVD player, your other components could be the weak link as your media will look and sound as good as the rest of your equipment can handle.

If you're planning on buying a progressive scan DVD player, you might want to look at the Gateway ADC-320 first. For only about $50 more than other DVD players, you can add the wired or wireless network connectivity and play all of the media files on your network.

What the ADC-320 needs, however, is a full-body makeover so that it will actually look as good as the image it outputs on your television. That, along with a few refinements and updates, will make this a device that Gateway's competitors will want to emulate.