Home :: Video :: Home Theater Systems  

DVD Home Theater
Mini Home Theater
Gateway KAS-303 6.1-Channel Home Theater System with Progressive-Scan DVD Player/Recorder (Champagne)

Gateway KAS-303 6.1-Channel Home Theater System with Progressive-Scan DVD Player/Recorder (Champagne)

List Price: $1,099.99
Your Price: $999.99
Product Info Reviews

Features:
  • DVD player/recorder with camcorder-ready DV, composite-video, RF, and S-video inputs; record from TV, VCR, or camcorder directly to DVD
  • 6.1-channel audio/video surround receiver with processing for Dolby Digital/Dolby EX, DTS/DTS-ES, and Dolby Pro Logic II surround sound
  • 7-speaker surround system includes dedicated center-channel speaker and 150-watt powered subwoofer for deep, powerful bass
  • Reads DVD, video mode DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD, CD-R/W, MP3 CD, JPEG image CD, Kodak Picture CD, VCD, and SVCD
  • Progressive-scan output for seamless, flicker-free images on high-definition and HD-ready TVs


Description:

A stylish portal into scintillating home-theater audio and video, the KAS-303 from Gateway is tailor-made for people seeking exacting performance from a compact and unified package. The system includes a leading-edge DVD player/recorder, a high-power 6.1-channel surround receiver, and a 7-speaker surround system with a 150-watt powered subwoofer.

The AR-230 DVD player/recorder is a perfect match with today's flat-panel, high-definition LCD and plasma screens, as its progressive-scan video outputs offer twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts.

In addition to playing Kodak Picture CDs and recordable CDs filled with JPEG images or MP3 Music files, the AR-230 will record off-air TV broadcasts and store multimedia content from your PC or camcorder on high-capacity, 4.7 GB DVD+R and DVD+RW discs. Using the recorder's extensive inputs--including an IEEE 1394 digital video jack--you can transfer and assemble your most treasured camcorder footage, archive all your old video tapes, or burn video from your PC straight to high-capacity DVD (up to six hours per disc side). And, through DVD+R/DVD+RW's compatibility with most existing home DVD players, they're a great way to share your special memories with family and friends.

The supplied LN-520 audio/video receiver includes a 6-channel amplifier capable of delivering 100 full-bandwidth watts per channel in stereo (to 8-ohm speakers) and nearly that much in full surround mode. It processes the latest discrete multichannel surround formats, including the 6.1-channel DTS-ES and Matrix, DTS Neo:6, and Dolby Digital EX 6.1. It will process any stereo program into 5.1-channel sound using Dolby Pro Logic II, and the receiver's rear panel even offers direct 6.1-channel inputs for use with an external surround decoder, such as those found in high-resolution multichannel SACD and DVD-Audio players.

All of which furthers the performance of the KAS-303's speaker system, which you can configure for 5.1- or 6.1-channel use, as your living room and listening preferences permit. The system includes a patented Ventriloquist center-channel speaker (with two 4-by-6-inch midbass/midrange drivers and a 2.5-inch midrange/tweeter), 5 satellite speakers for front and rear left/right and rear-center positioning (each with its own 2.5-inch long-throw midrange/tweeter with built-in equalization), and a 10-inch, 150-watts-continuous subwoofer designed by Hsu Research, which is capable of pumping an earth-moving 400 watts on select dynamic peaks.

The subwoofer offers a continuously variable crossover so you can match the upper range of its output to the lower end of your satellites' bass output (both points depend greatly on where in your room you position them), and the satellites all feature built-in mounting brackets to allow for either stand or wall positioning (stands not included). All supplied speakers are video shielded to allow distortion-free placement on or near TVs or video monitors.

To take advantage of the center speaker's Ventriloquist ability, wire the front left/right satellites inline with the center speaker as shown in the detailed manual and flip the "Ventriloquist" switch, whereupon the front satellites will effectively sound like much larger bookshelf speakers. With the Ventriloquist circuit switched off, the front satellites perform as the standard 2.5-inch speakers they are. The metal bracket supplied with each satellite may be removed to accommodate an aftermarket swivel-type mount (the satellites accommodate a number of mounts, including both the Omnimount 10 series and the Sound Gear SATP series mounts).

What's in the Box
KAS-303: LN-520 receiver, remote control, remote batteries, an AM loop antenna, an FM wire antenna, 5 satellite speakers, 1 center speaker, 1 powered subwoofer, a subwoofer AC power cord, all requisite wiring, and a system user's manual; AR-230: DVD recorder, remote control, remote batteries, an AC power cord, a 6-foot audio/video interconnect (stereo analog audio/composite-video), a 6-foot RF coaxial AV cable, a blank DVD+RW disc, a setup poster, and a user's manual.

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates