Cable's Tru2way Gains Support from ADB, Digeo, Intel, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony

Major consumer electronics (CE), including Panasonic, Samsung Electronics America, and Sony Electronics, have signed binding memorandums of understanding (MOU) on “tru2way” technology with the top six cable operators in the United States. Other companies signing include set-top makers ADB and Digeo, and Intel, which plans to build a system-on-a-chip (SoC) that will support a variety of tru2way devices, including DTVs, set-top-boxes, DVRs, and other devices.http://www.cablelabs.com

• Last month, the six largest U.S. cable operators, including Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox, Charter, Cablevision and Bright House Networks, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing the fundamentals for a competitive retail market for “two-way�? digital cable-ready devices. The companies envision an open market where consumers can purchase “two-way�? digital televisions and other devices that can receive interactive digital and high-definition video services without a set-top box. As part of the agreement, the parties will adopt: the Java-based “tru2way�? solution as the national interactive “plug-and-play�? standard; new streamlined technology licenses; and new ways for content providers, consumer electronics manufacturers, 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. Furthermore the companies expect the agreement will encourage the development and distribution of interactive and high-value digital content. Key elements of the agreement relate to the deployment of a platform for “write once, run anywhere�? applications, and to the incorporation of secure digital interfaces that protect consumers’ home recording rights along with copyright owners’ rights to secure their digital content. Detailed terms of the MOU have not yet been released, while other potential signatories complete their review of the document.
• In January 2008, CableLabs unveiled a new “tru2way�? brand to succeed use of the term “OpenCable Platform�? as it applies to the marketing and branding of the interactive video platform for consumers and in retail markets. The tru2way technology enables consumers to access two-way digital cable programming without the need for a cable operator-supplied set-top box and is capable of supporting all cable services now delivered to devices currently leased to consumers as well as future services written to the tru2way technology. Major cable operators have committed to deploy support for the tru2way platform in service areas covering more than 90 million U.S. homes by the end of 2008.