S-A Set-top Puts Cable HDTV in Phoenix Showrooms

Set-top box giant Scientific-Atlanta and cable operator Cox Communications are bringing an HDTV set-top box to Best Buy outlets in Phoenix, reaching multichannel turf dominated by satellite providers.

Best Buy will offer the boxes along with Cox's high-definition service. Once customers purchase the equipment, they can activate service with a phone call, the companies said.

S-A already claims 200,000 HDTV set-tops shipped to date and available to customers by the lease from their MSOs.

"Adding the choice of consumer ownership with Cox and Best Buy should further accelerate HDTV adoption," said Michael P. Harney, S-A corporate senior vice president and president of the company's Subscriber Networks division.

The retail prices of the boxes and the HDTV packages were not immediately available.