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Sony to Adopt tru2way, Ending Push for Competing Standard
For two-way interactive cable, Sony had been holding out for CableCard Plus, but now joins Panasonic, Samsung and others in adopting tru2way standard.
Sony had been one of the last major holdouts on tru2way.
The end of the digital settop box is nearing, with Sony being the latest CE company to announce support for tru2way, the technology that allows two-way interaction with cable content and services.
Previously, Sony was holding out for a competitive standard based on existing CableCard (Digital Cable Ready) technology. Dubbed DCR Plus, and once promoted heavily by the Consumer Electronics Association, that solution would build interactivity (for VoD, electronic programming guides, and other services) into the next generation of CableCards.
On the other hand, tru2way is Java-based middleware that is embedded into TVs and other cable-communicating devices.
Sony finally capitulated, however, joining the likes of Samsung and Panasonic, who have both vowed to incorporate tru2way into their TV products (although it seems few CE companies are really participating in the tru2way movement.)
Sony came to terms with the six largest cable companies – Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox, Charter, Cablevision and Bright House Networks – which serve more than 82 percent of all U.S. cable subscribers.
A key benefit of tru2way versus DCR Plus is that the former is an open platform that encourages development for other interactive services. DCR Plus would offer today's standard fare of interactive services, but would be less amenable to innovation.
"The agreement will encourage the development and distribution of interactive and high-value digital content," according to a press release from the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA).
"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."
Analysts say the agreement could lead to a variety of new services such as interactive advertising, customized news and sports delivery, and live chat among viewers.
Previously, Sony was holding out for a competitive standard based on existing CableCard (Digital Cable Ready) technology. Dubbed DCR Plus, and once promoted heavily by the Consumer Electronics Association, that solution would build interactivity (for VoD, electronic programming guides, and other services) into the next generation of CableCards.
On the other hand, tru2way is Java-based middleware that is embedded into TVs and other cable-communicating devices.
Sony finally capitulated, however, joining the likes of Samsung and Panasonic, who have both vowed to incorporate tru2way into their TV products (although it seems few CE companies are really participating in the tru2way movement.)
Sony came to terms with the six largest cable companies – Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox, Charter, Cablevision and Bright House Networks – which serve more than 82 percent of all U.S. cable subscribers.
A key benefit of tru2way versus DCR Plus is that the former is an open platform that encourages development for other interactive services. DCR Plus would offer today's standard fare of interactive services, but would be less amenable to innovation.
"The agreement will encourage the development and distribution of interactive and high-value digital content," according to a press release from the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA).
"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."
Analysts say the agreement could lead to a variety of new services such as interactive advertising, customized news and sports delivery, and live chat among viewers.
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About the Author
Julie Jacobson, Editor-at-large, CE Pro
Julie Jacobson is co-founder of EH Publishing and currently spends most of her time writing for CE Pro, mostly in the areas of home automation, networked A/V and the business of home systems integration. She majored in Economics at the University of Michigan, earned an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin, and has never taken a journalism class in her life. Julie is a washed-up Ultimate Frisbee player with the scars to prove it. Follow her on Twitter @juliejacobson.
1 Comments (displayed in order by date/time)
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As one of the three fans of Cablecard in the U.S., I don’t really know what to make of this.
I personally couldn’t care less about the “value-added content” that the 2 way technology will allow cable companies to try and push at consumers. I simply want a standard that allows me to receive all of my HD channels from the cable company without an annoying cable box.
If this is going to give me that, then great! However, when will we actually see CE devices with the technology, and, even more importantly, when will the cable companies actually figure out how to support it?