Accelerating its transition to a branded integrator of digital solutions, Gateway, has announced its entry in the LCD TV market and additions to its plasma TV line. The company expanded its family of digital TVs with two thin and compact LCD models that claim to offer superior picture quality. It also extended its line of plasma TVs with a 50-inch high-definition version and a 46-inch enhanced-definition model.

An official release informs that the new products build on the success of Gateway's first 42-inch plasma TV, which quickly became the US best-selling model of its type. The recent announcement marks significant progress in Gateway's evolution to a branded integrator of personalised technology solutions. The company claims to be on track to launch 50 new Gateway branded products in 15 categories this year.

Gateway has stated that its latest products enable mainstream consumers to toss their bulky old TVs and enjoy all the viewing and space-saving benefits of plasma and LCD technology.

Gateway's new 17- and 18-inch LCD TVs fit neatly within tight spaces such as the kitchen, bedroom, office or dorm. They are lightweight and come with a handle, making them easy to transport and mount on a wall (three) or tabletop. The Gateway LCD TVs also have built-in speakers and work with multiple external devices such as the Gateway (TM) Connected DVD Player, the first DVD player to deliver PC connectivity via a wireless connection to US customers.

Gateway offers customers the ability to pair the LCD TV with a PC so they only need one monitor for viewing their favorite programs and performing computing tasks. A "picture-in-picture" function makes it possible to use the computer and watch TV simultaneously.

For instance, customers can surf the Web for statistics while keeping an eye on their favourite football team. In addition, the multi-directional platform swivels to allow consumers to view the TV from just about any angle in the room.

Gateway claims that its 17-inch LCD delivers vibrant picture quality in a wide 16:9 format; so consumers can watch movies at home in a letterbox style the way film directors intended them to be seen. The Gateway 17-inch LCD TV's small form factor of just 20.2 x 13.38 x 6.26 inches makes it the perfect fit for the tightest spaces and ideal for mounting on a wall.

Providing a crisp viewing experience, this LCD TV has 1280 x 768 resolution, 450 units of brightness and a 600:1 contrast ratio. A wide variety of video inputs provide optimum flexibility, including analog, TV/CATV, DVI-D, s-video, composite and RGB.