[Ken H]

Excerpted from CED Broadcast Direct, by Jeff Baumgartner:


Scientific-Atlanta has launched its third-generation line of set-tops capable of HDTV. The Explorer 3250HD has a smaller footprint, a faster 166 MHz processor -- 30 percent faster than those in previous SA HD boxes -- and 40 Megabytes of application and program memory.


Features include the ability to stretch video for a full horizontal image, or zoom all four sides of the video to fill the screen. The 3250HD supports SD 480i, 480p, and HD 720p and 1080i formats.


HD has proved to be an area of significant growth for SA, as they shipped 43,000 HD boxes in Q2. At that point the company had shipped a total of almost 200,000 HD STB's to 94 cableco's.

 

[bfdtv]

 Here's the spec sheet (PDF format) for the SA 3250HD; it includes several pictures of box, as well as illustrations of the the new zoom / stretch options.


Unlike the 3100HD model, the 3250HD also offers 480i downconversion of HDTV channels through s-video with simultaneous SD and HD output. It will output audio on standard channels through the coax digital output as well (the 3100HD does not).

 

[bfdtv]

And here's the full 3250HD press release, dated April 7....

Scientific-Atlanta Announces Third-Generation Explorer HD Set-Top to Meet Growing Demand for High Definition Service


— New-generation Explorer 3250HD set-top will offer smaller footprint, faster processor and more consumer options —


ATLANTA, GA – With new High Definition Television (HDTV) cable programming bursting on the scene virtually every week, cable operators are capitalizing on the incredible clarity of HD video and audio to attract and keep consumers. The new-generation Scientific-Atlanta® Explorer® 3250HD set-top will enable cable operators to deliver a pristine video experience for consumers that is accompanied by simple installation, more audio options, as well as new stretch and zoom capabilities for HDTVs. The innovative, third-generation HDTV set-top will extend Scientific-Atlanta’s leadership position in HDTV products at a time when demand for HD programming is growing.


The new set-top will offer a 166 MHz processor for nearly 30 percent faster processing than previous Scientific-Atlanta HD set-tops and 40MB of application and program memory to manage multiple program tasks and applications with speed and power. Availability of the Explorer 3250HD set-top for cable operators and their customers is planned for the second quarter of 2003.


Enhanced HD set-top capabilities will enable consumers to stretch and zoom video for full-screen viewing on HDTVs. The size of the on-screen picture will be controlled through an on-screen menu or through a simple key press on the set-top remote control. On wide-screen HDTVs, the consumer can stretch the sides of the video for a full horizontal image or stretch all four sides of the video with the zoom feature to fill the screen, while maintaining the original aspect ratio. Both of these features can eliminate annoying bars on the sides of the screen that can diminish the consumer’s viewing experience.


“Since July 1999 when we shipped our first Explorer HD set-top, Scientific-Atlanta has played a key role in delivering this advanced video capability to cable operators and their customers,†said Jim Kiker, director, Explorer set-tops at Scientific-Atlanta. “As more HD content becomes available, this new Explorer set-top should be a real favorite with consumers. It is simple to install, and will convert the sound from any channel – analog, standard definition or high definition – into digital audio for a powerful home theater sound experience. The compact set-top will be one of Scientific-Atlanta’s smallest, making it easy to add HD capability into a crowded home entertainment setting, further simplifying its installation.â€


When consumers using the Explorer 3250HD set-top select the Scientific-Atlanta interactive program guide (IPG) to view their cable service’s channel choices, the IPG will intelligently scale down the HD video currently being watched into a small window that enables the consumer to continue viewing a crystal clear image of their program.


Support for standard definition 480i and 480p scan rates, as well as high definition 720p and 1080i scan rates will give consumers control over how the image looks on their HDTV. And, two options will be available for copy protection interfaces between the set-top and the HDTV or other consumer electronics equipment – DVI with HDCP and 1394 with 5C (NCTA/CEA Plug and Play requirements).


Taping an HD broadcast with a VCR has never been easier. The Explorer 3250HD set-top will simultaneously display the HD image for viewing while converting the video to SD (standard definition) format for recording by the VCR, automating and simplifying a process that was formerly complex and often frustrating.


About Scientific-Atlanta

Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. (NYSE: SFA - http://www.scientificatlanta.com ) is a leading supplier of digital content distribution systems, transmission networks for broadband access to the home, digital interactive set-tops and subscriber systems designed for video, high-speed Internet and voice over IP (VoIP) networks, and worldwide customer service and support.


"Forward-looking statements," as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, may be included in this news release. A variety of factors could cause Scientific-Atlanta's actual results to differ from the anticipated results expressed in such forward-looking statements. Investors are referred to Scientific-Atlanta's Cautionary Statements (Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's most recent Form 10-Q), which statements are incorporated into this news release by reference.


###

 

[mnilan]

The specs for this box have been out for a while - I informed my local TWC about this box in December and sent them the spec sheet that I got from another TWC service area! Their reply was that they are looking at a number of different STBs and would make a decision "soon." It is now April and I can get no further information from them.


It would seem that they have an equally difficult time figuring out how and what to carry that is currently available or will soon be available in HD, e.g., HDNET, Discovery-HD, ESPN-HD, and local channels which are already broadcasting OTA in HD but are NOT carried by TWC. The issue of digital connections (i.e., DVI and 1394) is also a stumbling block because those are "options" on the 3250 and the cable companies committed to offering customers their choice of these two.


My guess is that as long as they are getting extra bucks from us for the meager offerings via the 3100 they can point to this for the FCC as "making progress." They will put off expanding their services as long as they can - they aren't going to get a surge of new customers for their investment in improved HD services (except for satellite customers who are getting poor PQ due to compression). I say this because they aren't even improving their so-called digital services. In my service area, a half dozen of the better "digital" stations (e.g., BRAVO, TMC, AMC) aren't even digital!!!


So, I am not going to hold my breath for a better box (there are other possibilities out there too, e.g., the Pioneer). Sigh.


Now that the cable companies and the electronics industry have agreed upon a standard, the money that the cable companies get from STB rental for HD will be diminishing, so it doesn't seem as if consumer pressure, FCC pressure, nor "agreements" and committments will motivate them to upgrade. It all comes down to how much $$$ they can make...


So it is difficult for me to get too excited about improved cable STB technology.

 

[tommba]

Anybody testing this box yet?