Charter Launches Retail Set-Top Effort

Charter Communications Inc. is joining Cox Communications Inc. in selling home-theater/digital-set-top-box systems in retail outlets.

Charter is selling Motorola Broadband Communications Sector's cable-ready "DCP501" home-theater systems in St. Louis and Asheville, N.C.

The DCP501 includes a digital-cable receiver, a DVD/CD/MP3 player, a digital 5.1 audio/video receiver and an AM/FM stereo receiver.

The Motorola home-theater system will be sold at Best Sound Audio/Video Group, The Sound Room and Quality Sight and Sound in the St. Louis area. Charter is selling the system directly to subscribers in Asheville, N.C.