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Sony backs Tru2Way standard for CableCARD equipped devices

28 May 2008 2:55 by Rich "vurbal" Fiscus | 6 comments

Almost since the introduction of CableCARD technology there have been complaints about its lack of support for interactive services like Video On Demand (VOD). Last year the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), representing electronics manufacturers, and National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA), representing cable television operators in the US, both submitted proposals to the FCC for a new communications standard to be used in the next generation of CableCARD. Unfortunately the two proposals were different and incompatible with each other. On Tuesday Sony became the third major electronics vendor with plans to support the NCTA proposal, called Tru2Way.

At the CES expo in Las Vegas this January Panasonic and Comcast announced the development of consumer electronics products which will use Tru2Way technology to give them the full range of features available from a digital cable receiver. Earlier this month Samsung announced a deal of their own to develop devices using the technology. With the addition of Sony to their ranks, any concerns about competing standards should all but disappear.

A national plug-and-play agreement "is ideal for today's mobile society," Sony Electronics' senior vice president of TV operations of America, Edgar Tu, said in a statement.

In a statement of his own NCTA president and chief executive Kyle McSlarrow said "This is a landmark agreement which will provide a national, open and interactive platform resulting in more choices of services and products for consumers."

Permalink to this article | Topic: Home Theater

Verizon asks FCC for equal access to cable boxes (13 August 2008)

Sony web experiment to be released on DVD (23 June 2008)

Panasonic says Tru2Way should be available by holiday season (14 June 2008)

Tru2Way may be delayed until next year (13 June 2008)

US VOD viewing up 59% over last year in first quarter (30 May 2008)

Sony's Stringer talks out about PS3 profitability and Blu-ray (29 May 2008)

Samsung to manufacture interactive CableCard devices (19 May 2008)

NCTA and CEA battle over cable communication standards (17 October 2007)

VidaBox now shipping CableCARD systems with Blu-ray & HD DVD support (8 June 2007)

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Discuss this article!
iluvendo (AfterDawn Addict) 28 May 2008 3:24
Ok, how much DRM is in this stuff, and 2 where is the DRM chip in this thing ? [ + quote]
plutonash (Member) 28 May 2008 10:36
I was going to say the same thing if sony supports this it must have some crippling DRM. As for current cable cards the cable companies despised them as they make no money on the boxes. I had a Time Warner rep flat out lie to through the teeth about them till I brought up the law concerning them. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 28 May 2008 10:47
goodswipe (Inactive) 28 May 2008 12:15
*Originally posted by plutonash:* As for current cable cards the cable companies despised them as they make no money on the boxes. Apparently they are working with Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox, Charter, Cablevision and Bright House Networks. [ + quote]
empulse (Newbie) 28 May 2008 19:52
These have been in use for sometime now. And the verdict, at least from Comcast ( I used to work there)... They are crap. They over heat, they are easily damaged, they don't hold the data needed for maintaining the subs programming correctly. They are grade A P.O.S. Maybe they have made some improvements, but I doubt it. And what happens when the cable tuner goes out? The set top box has NOT been perfected, I could install 3 boxes and only 2 would work, and I would have to swap the 3rd one out, sometimes multiple times. Many homes have RG59 in them, and these cable cards will not work correctly with the old wiring. Wow. its just tech crap. [ + quote]
lxfactor (Senior Member) 28 May 2008 20:50
they will use equipment.. that will use the cards... meaning new everything... out with the old in with the new.. they are trying to stop box hackers.. & prossibly catch pirates by certain watermarks the card may put on any show airing and recorded. [ + quote]
iluvendo (AfterDawn Addict) 28 May 2008 20:57
*Originally posted by lxfactor:* they will use equipment.. that will use the cards... meaning new everything... out with the old in with the new.. they are trying to stop box hackers.. & prossibly catch pirates by certain watermarks the card may put on any show airing and recorded. Mighty sneaky. If it wasnt for bad luck, Id have no luck! "The flimsier the product,the higher the price" Ferengi 82nd rule of aquisition [ + quote]