Panasonic and Comcast (News - Alert) have announced the launch of the first tru2way VIERA HDTVs and have officially declared the tru2way platform active in Chicago and Denver.

 

Tru2way technology is being used to create a common software platform that will enable cable companies, consumer electronics companies, content developers, network programmers and others to extend interactivity to the TV set and other kinds of devices.

 

Built on the tru2way technology, the new Panasonic (News - Alert) VIERA HDTVs enable consumers to access two-way digital cable programming, like video on demand, without a cable operator-supplied set-top box.

 

"The arrival of the first tru2way HDTVs at retail combined with Comcast's activation of its first tru2way head ends are among the most significant milestones in the cable industry and are a huge win for consumers," said Dr. Paul Liao, Chief Technology Officer, Panasonic Corporation of North America.

 

The tru2way VIERA HDTVs will be available in the Chicago area at Abt Electronics in Glenview and at Circuit City locations as well as at Ultimate Electronics and Circuit City stores in the Denver area.

 

Panasonic's first tru2way enabled VIERA Plasma HDTVs will be available in 42-inch class and 50-inch class sizes with integrated tru2way cable receiver capability within the set's chassis.

 

These tru2way HDTVs will enable consumers to access all digital cable services such as electronic program guides and the full range of interactive and video-on-demand programming which is directly accessible through the television's remote control without any external cable set-top box.

 

"We see tru2way technology as the gateway for our customers to experience the next generation of interactive television, and our work with Panasonic to develop and support the first fully digital-cable-ready HDTVs is an important first step in making that happen," said Mark Hess, Comcast's Senior Vice President of Video Product Development. "This common platform also will let us develop an exciting array of interactive services and applications that we can deliver on our advanced fiber network to a variety of consumer electronics devices."