Although the
FCC has recently realized that CableCARD is a failure, it'll be years before anything changes; and even when things do change, the cable industry is probably going to support it for years to come. So we are still happy to see that Panasonic is continuing to try to push
tru2way into more homes. Currently only available in Comcast areas of Chicago, Denver and Atlanta; Panasonic plans to add Boston to that list. The interesting twist here is that apparently Panasonic has given up on HDTVs with tru2way built in, and is instead pushing a set-back solution. Basically it would be a box designed to attach to the back of a Panasonic TV and presumably require it's own power but only one connection to the TV via HDMI. Then it would work just like the function was built into the TV -- this kind of defeats the purpose of tru2way, but it is better than a traditional set-top box sitting under the TV with its own remote. The problem is the set-back box doesn't have an analog tuner, which crazy enough is a FCC requirement, so Panasonic is also asking the FCC to waive this requirement, and honestly this is one waiver we would agree needs to be granted.
posted December 8th 2009 4:47PM
i dont care about ondemand, so meh
I'm so-so about this set-back box. Instead of building in the CableCard slot, which obviously manufacturers aren't keen on doing, a separate box that integrates well via software sounds like a nice compromise. What I don't like is this no analog tuner because, for example, my parents got a HDTV a year ago, and they have cable. They watch the ClearQAM HD basics, but still get Discovery, History, USA, ESPN etc. via analog cable. Is it that tough to build in an analog tuner chip? I mean really, this seems like a small thing.
-Brian
I don't have a problem with the sidecar or set-back solution.
1. It keeps costs to a minimum. People who don't want or need the Tru2way capability don't have to pay for it.
2. With the drive to make sets thinner, not having to find a place to install the cablecard slot would be a plus.
3. Finally a good use for HDMI CEC (or VieraLink in this case). The sidecar is controlled by the TV and it's remote. An elegant solution to the two remote issue.
And why it is all digital - simple - most cable companies have all-digital lines that the Digital STBs and Cablecard devices use in addition to the traditional analog basic channels. Comcast is like this both in my hometown in suburban Detroit and at my mom's in West Virginia. Charter up here in Bay City Michigan does Analog / Digital s Simulcast as well. It is odd that it is an FCC requirement but honestly I think for most cable subscribers not having an analog tuner in the Tru2way sidecar is a non-issue. If you just subscribe to basic cable, just use the TVs built-in NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuner.
Sounds great to me (living in Boston) because hopefully I'll be able to get tru2way Tivo whenever that comes out as well.