Horsham, Pa. – Motorola announced that cable TV multi-system operator Charter Communications has ordered 100,000 high-definition-enabled digital set-top decoder boxes that integrate Digeo-developed two-tuner personal video recording and home networking technologies.
With the order, Motorola said Charter becomes ‘the first broadband cable operator to deploy two-tuner PVR, HDTV media centers.’
In addition, one of the set-top box models integrates a DVD player with progressive-scan output capability.
Charter said the addition of advanced features like multi-TV PVR and HDTV will enable it to ‘increase digital revenue by further extending its reach throughout the home – all while leveraging its existing digital cable investment.’
‘With this offering, we’re providing a whole new level of choice, convenience and control to consumers,’ said Carl Vogel, Charter CEO and former executive with the EchoStar and Primestar direct broadcast satellite companies. ‘And, we’re setting the bar for the delivery of multi-channel services well above the reach of satellite providers.’
Charter will deploy the Motorola BMC9012 single-TV and BMC9022D multi-TV gateways, both of which offer ways to store, manage and share various types of media — such as TV shows, movies, and music and image files — throughout their home.
Models in the Motorola BMC line include the following:
- BMC9012 — An integrated dual-tuner PVR and HDTV media center designed for single-TV support.
- BMC9022D — An integrated dual-tuner PVR and HDTV integrated media center, with a built-in DVD player, designed to directly support two TVs simultaneously.
Charter plans to begin commercial rollout in the Rochester, Minnesota area during Q4 of 2003. The Rochester market currently serves 55,000 households.
