Comcast's Roberts unveils Tru2Way

LAS VEGAS Comcast ceo Brian Roberts unveiled a new technology called Tru2Way at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this morning that will allow manufacturers to create TVs and digital video recorders that aren't dependent on a cable company's set top box. Roberts, the first cable industry executive to deliver a keynote speech at CES, described Tru2Way as an "open market" that will bypass proprietary cable boxes and services.

"This will turn the cable market into a single market," said Roberts. "Virtually the entire cable industry will embrace Tru2Way by the end of the year and major manufacturers including Panasonic, Samsung and Motorola will be bringing new products to market to support it." Panasonic president Toshihiro Sakamoto appeared with Roberts to unveil one of those new products, a portable DVR-DVD player called AnyPlay that doubles as a set top box. Roberts said Tru2Way will also be able to deliver high definition content directly to computers.