Sony signs up to support tru2way

Right on the heals of The Cable Show 2008 -- where tru2way was the talk of the show -- Sony has signed up with the NCTA to support the next generation of two-way cable devices. Today Sony joins Panasonic, LG, and Samsung who have already announced plans to produce cable ready HDTVs, which can take advantage of all the interactive services your cable company has to offer -- including a guide and video-on-demand -- without the need for a cable issued STB. While almost 40 percent of Time Warner Cable markets are already support for tru2way, and Comcast expects to have most of its markets ready to go by the end of the year, there's no word on when Sony expects to release its first device, which we suspect will be an HDTV.

[(Unverified) Posted May 27th 2008 4:56PM]

will mitsubish be supporting true 2way on the laserveue sets this year or next for the 2nd gen sets?

[UnnDunn Posted May 28th 2008 11:33AM]

Tru2way is a horrible, anti-consumer standard.

So it stands to reason that Sony would be eager to support it.

[(Unverified) Posted May 28th 2008 4:34PM]

UnnDunn: Could you explain your comment in more detail please?

[UnnDunn Posted May 29th 2008 8:11PM]

At first blush, it appears tru2way could be a boon for consumers; imagine not being forced to rent that crappy cable box from your cable company! This means consumer electronics and software companies will finally be able to develop compelling boxes that will introduce lots of swanky new features, merely hooking into the cable network for video, right?

Wrong.

Tru2way devices are forced to use the application suite supplied by the cable company. This means that while you may be using a Sony and your neighbor might be using a Samsung, both of you will still suffer through the same horrible program guide, on-demand menu, DVR, etc. that the cable company provides. Only instead of those features being supplied through a horrible cable box, they are now built into the TV.

Essentially, Tru2way works by smooshing the same shitty cable box you have now directly into the TV. So if you walk into a store expecting to be able to buy a nice new tru2way device to get relief from horrible cable company boxes, you'll be disappointed, because EVERY tru2way device is essentially a horrible cable company box.

For cable companies, it's a boon; they used to be forced to buy cable boxes from one vendor. Cable systems running on the SciATL/Cisco platform required SciAtl/Cisco cable boxes, and systems running on the GI/Motorola platform required Motorola boxes. With tru2way, cable companies can buy boxes from anyone, regardless of what system the company runs on.

For consumers, it's just a new way for the cable companies to shaft us.

[(Unverified) Posted May 30th 2008 4:14PM]

UnnDunn, you're already forced to use the application suite provided by the cable operator, it's just that today you're forced to do it on their box as well. With tru2way you can choose the device, and in addition to whatever application suite the cable operator provides, you'll potentially be able to use whatever application suite the CE vendor provides, or even third-party suites (if so enabled by the CE vendor or the cable operator).

Put another way, today the cable operator has 100% control of the hardware and software. Tru2way eliminates the hardware lock-in and creates a competitive environment which may well eliminate the software lock-in as well.

[(Unverified) Posted May 28th 2008 6:45PM]

tru2way will eliminate renting cable boxes- solid.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 8th 2008 9:36PM]

Until Tru2Way V2 comes out and then you have to buy a whole new TV. If you can afford to keep up with the standards, it might be worth it. Only last year the one way devices were what everyone was clamoring for. Now they're most likely obsolete? I am very interested in how this pans out. I wonder if the slot will be backwards compatible. I would also like to see the OEM lock from the bios removed for white box venders so that DIY'ers like myself can use a digial cable tuner from someone like ATI on my home built PC and Vista Ultimate.