Gateway Puts Customers in the Director's Chair

Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Gateway today taps the filmmaker inside consumers and professionals with new powerful digital video solutions including PCs, peripherals, software and learning programs. Leading the PC industry with a wide range of offerings, Gateway's new digital video solutions provide a best-in-class offering for amateur home movie creators, enthusiasts and professional video creators and editors.

"We're bringing the dreams of every would-be movie maker closer to reality with our new digital video offerings," said Jeff Schindler, director, digital video solutions, Gateway, Inc. "Gateway is the only retailer that can provide everything consumers and professionals need to get started with digital video, including training, peripherals and knowledgeable salespeople. Plus, our solutions are ideal for a range of customers interested in creating movies -- from beginners to professionals."

Gateway now includes award-winning software from Pinnacle Systems and fast DVD recorders on more of its Gateway PCs and in upgrade packages. Gateway's new Digital Film Maker PC configurations are ideal for a range of customers including hobbyists and home movie creators, amateur filmmakers, professional video editors as well as other professionals who create digital video for training, marketing, and internal communications within their organizations. Educational institutions can also benefit from Gateway's digital video-optimized PCs and software bundles to create superior video for today's digital classroom.

In response to the tremendous interest in digital video, Gateway has also expanded its line of digital video camcorders and accessories -- many of which are available for immediate sale in Gateway stores. For a limited time, Gateway is offering $100 off on digital camcorders with the purchase of a new PC.

Digital Video Software Solutions for all Experience and Budget Levels
Gateway now introduces its Digital Film Maker Bundle, which includes everything needed for current and soon-to-be digital video enthusiasts. The bundle combines award-winning software with the tools for movie editing including Pinnacle Edition, Pinnacle Impression DVD-Pro, Pinnacle Commotion, Pinnacle TitleDeko, two IEEE 1394 FireWire cables, five 24X blank CD-R media, five blank DVD-R media and DVD/CD Stomper Pro Kit. This bundle, valued at more than $700, comes with all Digital Film Maker PCs. Customers who buy other Gateway PCs or digital camcorders can purchase the bundle for only $499.

"As consumers become more aware of the possibilities surrounding digital video editing and authoring, they look to the PC to deliver the total solution. We partnered with Gateway because of their strong consumer reach and the aggressive marketing profile they use to attract new customers," said Jerry Thompson, vice president and general manager of the Business and Consumer division at Pinnacle Systems.

All Gateway systems with a FireWire 1394 interface now include Pinnacle Expression and Web-based digital movie training -- a $69 value -- for free. Select PCs will ship standard with Gateway's Movie Creator VCD-DVD Package valued at $300, which includes Pinnacle Studio 8 Software, Pinnacle Hollywood FX 3D transitions for exciting video effects, blank CD and DVD media with stomper kit, cables and Digital Movie creation training.

Performance Systems Ideal for Digital Video Creation
Gateway is now offering four new PCs optimized for digital video creation, editing and storage. Anyone just getting started with digital video should choose the Gateway 700S Movie Creator PC, priced at $1,499. The Gateway 700X Digital Film Maker PC, priced at $2,599, is the perfect desktop PC for enthusiasts and professionals needing a robust creation and authoring system. The Gateway 700XL Digital Film Maker PC, priced at $4,199, is designed for video professionals who require the most robust PC-based solution, complete with two 18-inch flat panel LCDs for video playback and editing. The Gateway 700XL also delivers optimum performance for filmmakers with the top-of-the- line Intel Pentium 4 processor 3.06GHz with Hyper-Threading Technology and 400GB of hard drive storage. Filmmakers on the go will be thrilled with the Gateway 600XL Mobile Digital Film Maker PC, which delivers a powerful solution in a portable form factor, priced at $2,999.

"Gateway and Intel are working to make their consumers' digital video experiences easier and more enjoyable," said Kevin Corbett, director of strategic planning and marketing, Intel. "The Gateway Digital Film Maker PCs, featuring the most advanced Intel Pentium 4 processors, delivers the performance that allows the neighborhood Spielberg to create, edit and share their movie creations quickly and easily. With PCs featuring Hyper-Threading Technology, filmmakers can create their digital films and continue working on other tasks simultaneously."

Gateway Digital Video Training Takes Customers to the Next Level
To generate awareness and training in PC based video solutions, Gateway is joining Pinnacle, Intel and Canon in the DV Creators' DV Resolution Tour. These free seminars began this weekend in San Diego and continue throughout the U.S. Schedules and more information can be found at http://gateway.com/home/deals/offers/video/freetour.shtml .

Gateway's online VideoZone helps customers learn everything they need to know about digital video. The VideoZone, available at www.gateway.com/digitalzone/video , provides valuable information on products and easy-to-follow steps for creating, editing and recording digital video.

Also, Gateway offers a $99.99 learning package in the company's Survive & Thrive program, called "Capture, Create and Share Digital Movies." This four-part integrated learning system includes a vibrantly illustrated book, an interactive CD, a pass to online learning and a half-day course at a local Gateway store. For customers that want hands-on experience using a digital video solution, Gateway offers the Digital Movie Learning class in Gateway stores across the U.S.

More information about Gateway's products and services is available by calling 800-846-2106, visiting the company's Web site at http://www.gateway.com/ or stopping by one of the Gateway stores nationwide.

Source: Gateway, Inc.