Scientific-Atlanta Ships Next-Generation Advanced Explorer Set-Tops

ATLANTA, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ — Widening its
position as a leader on the forefront of the
interactive TV space, Scientific-Atlanta (NYSE:
SFA) today announced it is building and shipping
its new Explorer(R) 2100 and 3100 digital
interactive set-tops, designed for improved
performance with more consumer-friendly
features and packaging.

Like all digital Explorer set-tops, the new models,
offer cable operators a distinct competitive
advantage over other offerings in the market
with their ability to operate on a single digital
network without the need for upgrades. That
compatibility advantage enables cable operators
to deploy a variety of Explorer set-tops in a
single system, based on individual subscriber
demand for varying levels of interactive TV
capabilities.

Both the Explorer 2100 and 3100 set-tops offer
enhanced features targeted to increase
consumer demand for both digital set-tops and
interactive TV applications by improving
performance, quality, look and feel, and ease-of-
use. New features include:

* Superior applications and graphics performance
with a faster 130Mhz

processor and double the cache memory

* Premium analog picture quality with an
improved, next-generation

digital decoder

* New, more stylish design with a leading edge
electronics look and feel;

25 percent smaller than existing set-tops on the
market today

* Re-designed, consumer-friendly front panel
with an improved user layout

and additional keys for easy access to the
program guide, help

information and set-top settings

* Front panel USB port for convenient access to
USB-enabled devices such

as digital cameras and camcorders

Both the Explorer 2100 and 3100 set-tops also
incorporate improvements focused on reducing
costs for the cable operator. These include:

* Significantly improved reliability and product
quality through

increased electronics integration

* Expanded capability for subscriber self
installations driven by a four-

fold improvement in staging performance

* Integration of VCR commander electronics;
eliminating the need for

expensive and cumbersome external electronics

* Improved, more practical, MSO-installed
branding options that allow

MSOs to create their own unique branding labels
or badges at the

divisions, eliminating the need for factory orders

* Warranty extended to 3 years