Sony, Cable Firms Plan TVs Minus Set-Top Boxes
(From THE WALL STREET JOURNAL)
By David B. Wilkerson
Sony Corp. and six of the biggest U.S. cable operators announced an
agreement to create digital televisions capable of receiving cable service
without a set-top box.
Sony signed a pact with Comcast Corp., Time Warner Cable Inc., Cox
Communications, Charter Communications Inc., Cablevision Systems Corp. and
Bright House Networks to develop technology that will allow consumers to
eliminate set-top boxes, yet still receive basic as well as advanced cable
services, such as pay-per-view movies.
The technological standard should enable a new generation of TV sets to
include video-on-demand, digital video recording, interactive programming
guides and other services, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association
said Tuesday. By eliminating the set-top box, cable companies can simplify
installation and reduce costs, while consumers can worry about one less
component in their home-theater systems.
It wasn't clear what impact the development will have on set-top box makers
such as Motorola Inc. and Cisco Systems Inc., the parent of Scientific
Atlanta.
Through the agreement, cable operators say they will be able to develop and
offer new services in competition against telephone companies and satellite
providers.
Sony and the cable operators will adopt a Java-based application called
tru2way as the nationwide interactive standard, which will allow for the
manufacture of new "plug-and-play" interactive devices that can be used with
TV sets.
The technology could also make it easier for consumers to receive the full
range of cable-based services on other devices, such as laptops, MP3 players
and cellphones.
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