News and Reviews....

    Tru2way 1  June 2008

By Bob Lieto

    A group of consumer electronics manufactures, IT suppliers and set-top makers recently singed binding Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with the nation's six largest cable system operators to begin producing Tru2Way bi-directional digital-cable-ready products that will not require the use of separate set-top boxes. Although Samsung and Panasonic had been working with Comcast on similar agreements, SONY cleared the way for broader acceptance within the cable community by negotiating the first MOU with the nations six largest cable multisystem operators (MSOs) which collectively pass more than 105 million homes. Those companies include Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox, Charter, Cablevision and Bright House Networks. Together the MSOs reach more then 82 percent of U.S. cable subscribers.

Under the agreement the parties will adopt the Java-based Tru2Way solution as the national interactive "plug and play" standard, as well as streamline technology licenses, and new ways for content providers, consumer electronics manufactures, information technology companies and cable operators to cooperate in evolving the Tru2Way technology at Cable Television Laboratories (CableLabs), the cable industry's research and development consortium.

A key element involved the use of "write once, run anywhere" applications, and the incorporation of secure digital interfaces that protect consumers' home recording rights along with copy-right owners' rights to secure their digital content. Consumers will have access to a selection of products at retail and another by way of your cable provider which will allow the cable companies to tailor their products which will allow new competitive services. Manufactures will be able to manufacture and sell integrated TV sets and other electronic devices with bi-directional interactive cable TV support. Through the technology, users will be able to access standard and premium digital cable services, including pay-per-view and video-on-demand offerings, using digital CableCARDS, without the need of a separate set-top box.

Panasonic plans to roll out its first Tru2way based Viera plasma sets in Comcast territories on a market-by-market basis starting this fall.

Comment .....   We see problems arising in becoming region or specific cable provider territory type products. CABLECARD has had problems in the past but if corrected could be the answer to regional support of Tru2way technology. Like HDMI the hand-shake of products will be present and from what we see in the field, HDMI does not like passing its signal from product to product. This all seems to be an exercise to eliminate the Cable Box from view, make it smaller, and fit it in with the plug and play concept followed in the IT areas. Will the digital world be kind to the Audio and Video home products or create another bump in the road to consumer satisfaction remains to be seen.

For information leading up to this article see:

    Cable Biz   November 2007

    The Wonder of Cable Card   September 2006

    Plug and Play   April 2003

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