Audio Video News

Cable companies may soon be competing with local audio/video retailers. Charter Communications will be the first cable provider in the nation to begin distributing the Motorola DCP501 Home Theater System, at the end of the second quarter of 2002.

The Motorola DCP501 combines a DVD/CD/MP3 player, digital amplifier with 5x100 watts per channel, AM/FM stereo tuner, and a DCT2000 interactive digital cable receiver in a "single, space-saving, plug-and-play unit," according to the announcement. The DCP501 also provides a "gateway to interactive services such as video-on-demand (VOD), local-source information, interactive program guides, more channels of impulse pay-per-view movies and events, Internet access," and other features.

The DCP501 includes the following components or capabilities: DVD/CD/MP3 player compatible with CD, CD-R, and CD-RW–encoded disks; Motorola's DCT2000 interactive digital cable receiver; audio/video stereo receiver and amplifier (5x100Wpc); Dolby® Digital 5.1 decoder; Dolby Pro Logic II decoder; Digital Theater Sound (DTS®) decoder; SRS surround sound; composite video outputs for all input sources; Tripath Technology TA 3020 Class T digital amplifiers for "optimum sound quality."

Based on the Motorola DCT2000 digital set-top box, the DCP501 is software-upgradeable through the same download mechanism as the DCT2000. The Motorola DCP501 supports RF return, and can also support telecommunications with the addition of a Starfone modem.

"The Motorola DCP501 is equipped to provide a great deal of added value to Charter's customers—particularly those who are high-end audio-stereo enthusiasts," said Dwight Sakuma, a senior executive for Motorola Broadband. "Now, these customers can get the high-performance entertainment features they want in one space-saving, affordable unit. And because the DCP501 is connected to their broadband line, they'll also have a gateway to the latest interactive services. We believe that this combination will be a powerful tool to help Charter increase its digital penetration and reduce churn."

Charter's chief technical officer Stephen Silva agreed with this assessment. "The role of today's broadband operator is evolving from providing video services to a full portfolio of communication services," he stated. "Motorola understands that cable's ability to enhance the way customers enjoy entertainment, communicate, and stay connected in their homes is what gives us our competitive edge, and they are developing innovative and new product categories like the DCP501 to give us an even greater advantage over satellite."

The DCP501 may be the cable industry's long-sought "single solution," except for loudspeakers and speaker cables, which cable customers must still supply. Suggested retail price for the DCP501will be $899. The announcement was made May 6 at the National Cable and Telecommunications Association's (NCTA) Cable 2002 convention in New Orleans.