Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8000 Review

Only available through cable operators, the Explorer 8000 features dual digital cable tuners allowing it to record two shows at once. Is it a TiVo killer? Read on to find out.

Summary

If we had written this review only a few weeks earlier, we would have given the Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8000 a poor rating because of the extreme remote lag and its odd recording behaviors. However, a recent software update has made the Explorer 8000 a highly responsive and useful DVR. There is absolutely no remote lag – something that even TiVo and ReplayTV can’t claim – and its recording options are much better than they were before the update.

The Explorer 8000 beats TiVo and ReplayTV with several exclusive features such as dual tuners, the ability to natively tune digital cable stations, and in its overall costs. Scientific Atlanta has also proved its commitment to improving the product by issuing automatic software upgrades that take care of the product’s problems and its users’ complaints. The company also offers an HDTV version of the Explorer, another option not available from TiVo and ReplayTV.

If you are looking for a cost-effective DVR that works seamlessly with your digital cable service the Explorer 8000 may be your only choice. Fortunately, it is a pretty solid choice that keeps getting better. Simply put, the Explorer 8000 is the best and least expensive DVR option for those with digital cable.

Introduction

In our DVR technology article we compared three different hard drive-based solutions that allow you to digitally record TV shows – a TiVo or ReplayTV DVR, a cable company-provided DVR, or a home-built solution using a PC and Snapstream’s BeyondTV3 software. With the right product, the solution that may be the most appealing and cost-effective to many users is the DVR provided by their cable company. This is because a cable company DVR requires no upfront cost, is usually less expensive than the monthly fee for TiVo or ReplayTV, and can tune your digital TV stations – something the other options can not do.

The digital video recorder that seems to be most popular among cable operators in the U.S. and Canada is the Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8000. The Explorer 8000 Home Entertainment Server supports digital video recording (DVR), picture-in-picture (PIP), plus all of the latest interactive services such as video-on-demand (VOD), and movies on demand.

Available only from your cable operator, subscription costs vary but are usually around $8 to $10 per month with no upfront purchase cost and no commitment.

The Explorer 8000 is offered by cable operators in the U.S. and Canada.

Features and Design

The component-width Explorer 8000 is a gray and silver box about the height of a standard DVD player. It features a center-mounted four-character display, onboard controls, and a programmable universal remote control.

Scientific Atlanta’s Explorer 8000 has two major advantages over competing products