Tru2Way
Encyclopedia
Tru2way is a brand name for interactive digital cable
services delivered over the cable video network, for example interactive program guides, interactive ads, games, chat, web browsing, and t-commerce. The brand also appears as “
. Major cable operators committed to deploy support for the tru2way platform in service areas covering more than 90 million U.S. homes by the end of 2008.
A cable television subscriber who has a digital television (DTV) that supports Tru2way and has a CableCard port (for the decryption codes), will be able to enjoy all of the features of the cable provider's leased set-top box (STB), without the STB. The DTV Tru2way compatibility combines the interactive features of the separate STB into the television, eliminating the STB and its remote control.
CableLabs
, the industry’s research and development arm, licenses the brand to cable companies and cable programmers that deliver tru2way applications and services, as well as consumer electronics (CE) manufacturers that build devices that support such applications and services. Use of the mark on CE devices requires CableLabs certification testing for conformance to the tru2way specifications (also known as the OpenCable Host 2.1 Specifications).
Tru2way includes a middleware
technology that may be built into televisions, set-top boxes, digital video recorders and other devices. Because the middleware is based on Java
technology, it enables cable companies and other interactive application developers to “write” applications once and see them run successfully on any device
that supports the tru2way architecture. With Tru2way technology, consumers can access interactive digital cable programming, including video-on-demand and pay-per-view
content, without the need for a cable operator-supplied set-top box
.
The Tru2way technology is capable of supporting all cable services now delivered to consumers via leased set top boxes, as well as future services written to the Tru2way platform.
and Comcast
announced a Tru2way trial to begin 27 October 2008 in greater Chicago
, Denver, Northern Colorado and Colorado Springs. Abt Electronics
and Ultimate Electronics
will offer a choice of 42" and 50" Panasonic Plasma televisions using Tru2way in these Comcast cable systems. These televisions went on sale for consumer purchase on 27 October 2008, but had to be installed professionally by the retailers' installation group.
In May 2008, Advanced Digital Broadcast
(ADB) was the first set-top-box manufacturer to receive full tru2way certification by CableLabs for their ADB-4820C Set-Back Box
.
In June 2008, six major cable companies had signed a "binding" memorandum of understanding (MOU) to have all of their digital cable systems ready for Tru2way by July 1, 2009. However, none of the cable systems that signed the agreement were ready to implement Tru2way.
In October 2009, Rogers
, one of Canada's largest cable television providers, stated they were not interested in the Tru2way platform because it is not based on open standards. Rogers stated they are considering a more Internet-oriented interactive platform.
In December 2009, Vidéotron
, Quebec's largest cable television provider, announced a partnership with Samsung
to implement Canada's first Tru2way service.
As of July 2010, Panasonic, the sole device manufacturer producing Tru2way compatible televisions, has stated that they will no longer sell Tru2way compatible televisions. Thus at this point there are no television sets with built-in Tru2Way compatibility being sold. The only alternative is to use Set-Back Boxes such as the ADB-4820C.
Digital cable
Digital cable is a generic term for any type of cable television distribution using digital video compression or distribution. The technology was originally developed by Motorola.-Background:...
services delivered over the cable video network, for example interactive program guides, interactive ads, games, chat, web browsing, and t-commerce. The brand also appears as “
OpenCable
OpenCable is a set of hardware and software specifications under development in the United States by CableLabs to "define the next-generation digital consumer device" for the cable television industry...
. Major cable operators committed to deploy support for the tru2way platform in service areas covering more than 90 million U.S. homes by the end of 2008.
A cable television subscriber who has a digital television (DTV) that supports Tru2way and has a CableCard port (for the decryption codes), will be able to enjoy all of the features of the cable provider's leased set-top box (STB), without the STB. The DTV Tru2way compatibility combines the interactive features of the separate STB into the television, eliminating the STB and its remote control.
CableLabs
CableLabs
Founded in 1988 by cable television operating companies, Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. is a not-for-profit research and development consortium that has cable operators as its members. System operators from around the world are eligible to be members. Members dues are based on revenue...
, the industry’s research and development arm, licenses the brand to cable companies and cable programmers that deliver tru2way applications and services, as well as consumer electronics (CE) manufacturers that build devices that support such applications and services. Use of the mark on CE devices requires CableLabs certification testing for conformance to the tru2way specifications (also known as the OpenCable Host 2.1 Specifications).
Tru2way includes a middleware
Middleware
Middleware is computer software that connects software components or people and their applications. The software consists of a set of services that allows multiple processes running on one or more machines to interact...
technology that may be built into televisions, set-top boxes, digital video recorders and other devices. Because the middleware is based on Java
Java (programming language)
Java is a programming language originally developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and released in 1995 as a core component of Sun Microsystems' Java platform. The language derives much of its syntax from C and C++ but has a simpler object model and fewer low-level facilities...
technology, it enables cable companies and other interactive application developers to “write” applications once and see them run successfully on any device
Write once, run anywhere
"Write once, run anywhere" , or sometimes write once, run everywhere , is a slogan created by Sun Microsystems to illustrate the cross-platform benefits of the Java language. Ideally, this means Java can be developed on any device, compiled into a standard bytecode and be expected to run on any...
that supports the tru2way architecture. With Tru2way technology, consumers can access interactive digital cable programming, including video-on-demand and pay-per-view
Pay-per-view
Pay-per-view provides a service by which a television audience can purchase events to view via private telecast. The broadcaster shows the event at the same time to everyone ordering it...
content, without the need for a cable operator-supplied set-top box
Set-top box
A set-top box or set-top unit is an information appliance device that generally contains a tuner and connects to a television set and an external source of signal, turning the signal into content which is then displayed on the television screen or other display device.-History:Before the...
.
The Tru2way technology is capable of supporting all cable services now delivered to consumers via leased set top boxes, as well as future services written to the Tru2way platform.
Deployment
PanasonicPanasonic
Panasonic is an international brand name for Japanese electric products manufacturer Panasonic Corporation, which was formerly known as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd...
and Comcast
Comcast
Comcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
announced a Tru2way trial to begin 27 October 2008 in greater Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Denver, Northern Colorado and Colorado Springs. Abt Electronics
Abt Electronics
Abt Electronics is an independent retailer in the United States of consumer electronics, major appliances and furniture. Abt operates at a single location in Glenview, Illinois, on of land, and through an online retail website...
and Ultimate Electronics
Ultimate Electronics
Ultimate Electronics was a chain of consumer electronics stores in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Wisconsin. It is incorporated in the state of Delaware and...
will offer a choice of 42" and 50" Panasonic Plasma televisions using Tru2way in these Comcast cable systems. These televisions went on sale for consumer purchase on 27 October 2008, but had to be installed professionally by the retailers' installation group.
In May 2008, Advanced Digital Broadcast
Advanced Digital Broadcast
Advanced Digital Broadcast designs, manufactures and deploys solutions to distribute pay-TV and multimedia services to the connected home, for all types of networks. The company has its global headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland and regional headquarters in Denver, USA and Taipei, Taiwan...
(ADB) was the first set-top-box manufacturer to receive full tru2way certification by CableLabs for their ADB-4820C Set-Back Box
Set-Back Box
The term set-back box is used in the digital TV industry to describe a piece of consumer hardware that enables them to access both linear broadcast and internet-based video content, plus a range of interactive services like Electronic Programme Guides , Pay Per View and Video on Demand as well...
.
In June 2008, six major cable companies had signed a "binding" memorandum of understanding (MOU) to have all of their digital cable systems ready for Tru2way by July 1, 2009. However, none of the cable systems that signed the agreement were ready to implement Tru2way.
In October 2009, Rogers
Rogers Communications
Rogers Communications Inc. is one of Canada's largest communications companies, particularly in the field of wireless communications, cable television, home phone and internet with additional telecommunications and mass media assets...
, one of Canada's largest cable television providers, stated they were not interested in the Tru2way platform because it is not based on open standards. Rogers stated they are considering a more Internet-oriented interactive platform.
In December 2009, Vidéotron
Vidéotron
Vidéotron GP is a Canadian integrated telecommunications company active in cable television, interactive multimedia development, video on demand, cable telephony, wireless communication and Internet access services. Currently, the company primarily serves Quebec, as well as the francophone...
, Quebec's largest cable television provider, announced a partnership with Samsung
Samsung
The Samsung Group is a South Korean multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Samsung Town, Seoul, South Korea...
to implement Canada's first Tru2way service.
As of July 2010, Panasonic, the sole device manufacturer producing Tru2way compatible televisions, has stated that they will no longer sell Tru2way compatible televisions. Thus at this point there are no television sets with built-in Tru2Way compatibility being sold. The only alternative is to use Set-Back Boxes such as the ADB-4820C.
External links
- http://www.tru2way.com/
- http://www.cablelabs.com/
- http://www.opencable.com/
- Alticast Tru2way solutions
- The OCAP/EBIF Developer Network
- The Tru2way Primer