July 30, 2008

LG's 2009 Flat Panel HDTV's To Be tru2way-Enabled

LG Electronics and Funai Electric are the latest TV makers to jump on the tru2way bandwagon, both signing the tru2way Memorandum of Understanding and officially pledging their support for the CableLabs-developed platform that allows delivery of two-way interactive digital cable services without a set-top box. Most of the premium name TV brands have already signed on including Sony, Panasonic, and Samsung as have the six biggest cable operators in the United States. Funai Electric-produced home theater devices are sold under the names Philips, Magnavox, Sylvania, and Emerson in the US.

LG is a rapidly growing flat panel brand in the US and the pact with American cable operators could make it even bigger. Starting with LG's 2009 HDTV models, cable subscribers with Comcast, Time Warner, Cox, CableVision, Charter and Bright House Networks will no longer need a set-top box. The tru2way technology platform will be built into LG's 2009 HDTV models so that cable subscribers will be able to access video-on-demand services, interactive games, and even shop right from the TV screen. Maybe you can buy something that'll fit nicely right where that set-top box used to be.