Hands-on with Panasonic's tru2way set-back box

We searched high and low on the show floor for signs of tru2way and in the back of the Panasonic booth we found the new set-back box we told you about. The box uses the VESA mounting holes so it might make it tough to use with some wall mounts. It wasn't a working demo so we didn't get to see how well the integration was with the TV, but the representative from the company seemed to believe that the box would be designed to only work with Panasonic TVs -- we assume it verifies via HDMI-CEC what type of TV it is connected to. With most cable companies still not ready for retail tru2way devices, and almost no manufactures showing tru2way HDTVs at CES, it seems that 2010 will not be the year for adoption, which leaves next year and by then so much can change who knows if anyone will still care.

Hands-on with Pansonic's tru2way set-back box

[PeterFnet Posted Jan 11th 2010 1:59PM]

I like the idea behind it. But this should've been made useful years ago. CableCard was never a viable option for average consumers who just want the technology to work.

SDV was taking away channels from people. SDV was an addon people needed to get after the fact.

On-Demand was never available via CableCard.

The cable company's default box still to this day supports more than any other 3rd party setup will. Unless you find some random TV that supports Tru2way and a market that supports it

[mmaestro Posted Jan 11th 2010 3:51PM]

So is the connector between the box and the TV behind the box? When you screw it into the back of the TV, it's connected right then and there? Because otherwise, I find myself wondering what the component and other connectors are there for? Do they run from the box to the TV (in which case, why component connectors if there's some HDMI verification going on) or do they expect you to plug other items into the set back box?