Leading CE Manufacturers
Agree To Support Tru2way™ Technology
Establishes Platform for Retail Devices to Receive Interactive Cable Services
A number of leading consumer electronics companies, including Sony Electronics, and information technology companies including Intel, and leading cable operators have signed binding Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) on tru2way™ technology.
These agreements will lead to technology deployment and support enabling consumers to purchase innovative "two-way" digital televisions and other devices that can receive interactive digital and high-definition video services without a set-top box.
The consumer electronics companies that have signed the MOU include Funai Electric, LG Electronics, Panasonic Corporation of America, and Samsung Electronics America. Other companies that have signed include set-top makers ADB and Digeo. 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 customers have also signed the MOU.
This negotiated industry agreement establishes the fundamentals for a competitive retail market for "two-way" digital cable-ready devices. It addresses how such products will be brought to market with interactive services like video-on-demand, digital video recording and interactive programming guides.
In addition, the agreement makes it clear that consumers will be able to enjoy a choice of differentiated two-way products at retail and through cable operators from a variety of consumer electronics and information technology manufacturers. The agreement includes provisions to facilitate the development and support of a two-way retail market and to ensure that cable operators can continue to develop and offer new competitive services on the same tru2way platform.
Representative Rick Boucher (D-VA), a senior Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and one of the leading advocates in Congress for new technology and consumer freedoms said: "I congratulate Sony and the major cable operators for achieving consensus on a set of core principles that will speed the introduction of new two-way plug-and-play devices." Representative Boucher added: "With this groundbreaking compromise, these industry-leading companies and other major cable companies will ensure that consumers will have broader access to innovative competitive cable ready navigation devices from commercial retailers and will have expanded options to enjoy cable programming, including video on demand and other interactive programming options."
As part of the agreement, the parties will adopt: the Java-based "tru2way" solution as the national interactive "plug-and-play" standard; standard licenses for the tru2way technology; and new ways for content providers, consumer electronics manufacturers, information technology companies and cable operators to cooperate in evolving the tru2way technology at CableLabs.
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.
"This marketplace agreement is good news for consumers," said Edgar Tu, Sony Electronics' Senior Vice President of TV Operations of America. "A national plug-and-play digital cable standard for interactive TV receivers, recorders and other products that is transferable and viable wherever you live is ideal for today's mobile society."
"This is a landmark agreement which will provide a national, open and interactive platform resulting in more choices of services and products for consumers," said Kyle McSlarrow, NCTA President & CEO.
"We are pleased that this technical challenge has been addressed through a voluntary, private-sector solution," said Consumer Electronics Association President and CEO Gary Shapiro. "We look forward to working with our cable colleagues to ensure Americans across the country have access to high value cable content while using the equipment of their choosing."
"We really are pleased with the public support of the tru2way platform by so many major companies in the consumer electronics, information technology, content, cable industries; it is really all coming together," said Dr. Richard R. Green, President and CEO of CableLabs.
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