Audio Video News

Motorola, Inc. has upped the stakes in race to build the next generation set-top box (STB).

In early May, the company introduced the Motorola DCT6400 series - a line of STBs integrating HDTV reception with dual-tuner digital video recording (DVR) capability. The DCT6400 series will provide "simple, unified access to the latest digital entertainment services," according to a new product announcement.

Advanced DCT6400 STBs extend Motorola's existing digital entertainment platform - over one million HD units had been shipped as of April 1, 2004 - by adding dual-tuner DVR capabilities, thereby letting viewers watch live HD content from one source, while recording HD content from another. Model DCT6412 features an integrated hard drive capable of recording standard digital television (NTSC) as well as HDTV programming.

Full functionality: The DCT6400 family supports "advanced interactive applications, including interactive program guide, and video-on- demand," including HD programming, Motorola claims. Hardware advancements include an integrated DOCSIS-compatible cable modem, a smart-card reader, Ethernet and Universal Serial Bus (USB) interfaces, Y-Pb-Pr video output, S/PDIF optical and coaxial digital audio outputs, and baseband and RF audio-video inputs and outputs. All DCT6400 models allow direct digital connection to consumer audio and video devices via 1394-DTV and DVI interfaces.

"As the first manufacturer to integrate DVR with interactive digital cable services and HDTV capabilities, Motorola is proud to extend the functionality of this set-top family with the latest features," said Motorola v.p. and general manager Carl McGrath. Motorola DCT6400 series STBs should begin shipping this summer. Additional products coming from Motorola will include "whole-home" DVR capabilities, according to announcements made at the recent National Cable Television Association trade show.