(Still light blogging this week as a big household move gets underway. I've been sitting on this scoop, however, for far too long, so here goes.)
Less than two weeks after the blogosphere and press erupted with stories that the cable TV set-top faced extinction as a result of Sony signing onto a major interactive TV initiative by cable operators called Tru2Way, folks close to Tru2Way say the first certification test of the technology is a "disaster of spectacular proportions." Among the many benefits of Tru2Way technology is the inclusion of set-top technology inside the TV set units themselves, thereby obviating the need for an external box.
Panasonic, which was slated to introduce Tru2Way TV sets at selected retail outlets in test markets in September (more on that below), recently submitted its units for Tru2Way certification testing at the industry's R&D consortium CableLabs. Panasonic failed the tests, with observers reporting "dozens and dozens" of bugs, so many that they doubt a Panasonic Tru2Way TV set will be available by Christmas, much less September.
Although details are sketchy, the glitches of Panasonic's Tru2Way set were so severe that some even violate Federal broadcasting laws. For example, under the Emergency Alert System, the FCC has established technical procedures for radio and television broadcast stations and cable systems that bar viewers from tuning away from disaster alerts. Panasonic's Tru2Way technology, however, currently permits viewers to do precisely this, according to those close to the testing.
No one, however, will go on the record about this reported certification failure. The industry's chief lobbyist, NCTA CEO Kyle McSlarrow, touted Panasonic's technology yesterday during a speech at the National Press Club (PDF) while announcing three new signatories to the Tru2Way spec -- Intel, Digeo and ADB.
A CableLabs spokesman said that his group would have nothing to say about the Panasonic test. "We don't announce who has entered a cert wave, nor do we announce test results, other than a 'Certified' or 'Qualified.' And we have no further comment on this."
In his speech McSlarrow said that Tru2Way TV sets will be ready by holiday season 2008. However, sources say the next testing wave is in August and it's unlikely that Panasonic, the first electronics equipment maker slated to go out of the gate with a Tru2Way HDTV set, will come anywhere close to fixing the problems with its device by then, making a holiday season release for Tru2Way sets virtually impossible. It takes months to gear up manufacturing processes once certification has been achieved.
This development will likely all but destroy rumored plans by Comcast to unveil Tru2Way TV service in Denver and Chicago in August. According to sources, Comcast was readying a test of the innovative technology in those two markets and Panasonic was gearing up to sell its Tru2Way sets in area Circuit City, Best Buy and Sears stores.
Cynthia Brumfield at 11:41 AM|Comments(7)
Woah there, Dave. Remember the first two years of CableCARD implementations? Those were "certified" also, but it was incredibly painful to make them work, because the cablecos didn't really want them to, despite the FCC requirement. Some would argue CC still isn't being adequately supported.
"Certification" is no guarantee of success. Until the FCC or some enterprising lawsuit finally breaks cable's virtual monopoly on the STB market, don't expect CE devices to work without significant pain, regardless of the certification process.
Posted by: Randle Moore at August 28, 2008 3:57 PM
In another part of the planet far far away from Denver a group of Engineers gathered in a room to test their MHP Implementations (Germany actually)...a Technical Plugfest...So what is the significance? Tru2way was built off of MHP which has been deployed in the market since 2002...The first MHP Plugfest was to test a matrix of Implementations versus Applications and Features...One particular vendor could not get past application one (Hello World) and for them in particular it was a catastrophe..they have since deployed quality products. For the rest of us it was seen as teething trouble. Why is there a testing regime...to find bugs in peoples implementations...AND there is a TEST REJECTION MECHANISM...Not all Tests prove valid or are created correctly...TESTING THE TESTS...Yes it is a complex world in Interactive TV Middleware but we have some 9 different Tru2way stacks out there in a variety of hardware...some based of mature MHP stacks others written from scratch (most often badly until fixed)...8 Million MHP Devices in the market, a self certification scheme and something that works...Wave Certification is what it is...Testing and Certification and it is GOOD. It sorts out the wheat from the chaff...Its not the technology that is at fault it is either the implementation or potentially the tests themselves. This post was Negative Jourmnalism at its best or should I say worst depending on what you are trying to achieve with it.
Posted by: Mister MHP at June 16, 2008 8:33 AM
This is one vendor. There are many other vendors in the works. Why would you even post something like this unless you are a complete moron who does not understand how technology works. There will always be bugs to iron out while working on new technology. You make it sound like True2Way is in deep trouble. But you only referred to one vendor in your blog. There are other vendors that are already certified by CableLabs as True2Way vendors. If you do a google search you would have found this out already.
And I quote:
"“CableLabs conducts multiple test waves throughout the year in order to accommodate additional testing. Panasonic has entered an upcoming certification wave, which provides ample time for products to reach the marketplace to meet the company’s rollout schedule. Other tru2way products, including products from Samsung and ADB, have already been certified by CableLabs.”
Posted by: Does It Matter at June 13, 2008 4:03 PM
Just as the previous post stated, if it's certified by CableLabs, then it should work. This holds true to all CableLabs products they certify. DOCSIS 1.0, 1.1, 2.0 and 3.0. The CableLabs engineers are picky, and held back the DOCSIS 3.0 release untill they felt they had a great set of standards that the cable industry would be able to build on into the future.
The problem is in the programming and the programming language currently being used to program most of these set top boxes and DVR's. Our tech schools have gotten away from teaching Machine programming Languages, which operated faster, used less CPU, less memory, and when done right had less compiler bugs.
The old Tru2Way spec (OCAP) was to use a Java VM to be used to load guide data, VOD software and more, automatically when plugged into a cable operators coax. Here's the problem, the Java VM applet is created using a basic C+ program with a poor compiler. Then the VM is ran on a CPU that will be the bench mark chip for most Tru2Way devices in the future. It's designed to be cheap, and not really more powerful than the MC68000 series Motorola chip that is currently being used in the Motorola set-top boxes today. Then more applets, (like the guide works, VOD software, games and more...) are programmed from the ground up, in Java programming language then compiled. It has to be programmed from the ground up, for the original guide works and VOD applets are written in C+.
Java was chosen to be used by CableLabs for the mere fact that it is a compact programming language and for its moderate learning curve. Most Java applets runs with very little memory space needed. Hopefully the programmers can get it right soon for Tru2Way has promise.
Posted by: Jason (Tech) at June 11, 2008 8:39 PM
Statement from CableLabs:
Certification test results are not published by CableLabs. While we cannot address speculation made in the media about specific tests results, it is important to understand that it is common for devices to require multiple test runs before achieving CableLabs certification. Manufacturers generally account for such timing in their product plans. CableLabs conducts multiple test waves throughout the year in order to accommodate additional testing. Panasonic has entered an upcoming certification wave, which provides ample time for products to reach the marketplace to meet the company’s rollout schedule. Other tru2way products, including products from Samsung and ADB have already been Certified by CableLabs.
- CableLabs
Posted by: CableLabs at June 11, 2008 4:08 PM
Comcast continues to be completely committed to tru2way. We are confident in the technology and are on track to introduce this software platform and services at retail later this year in select markets. We are working closely with multiple CE companies to bring interactive services and products to consumers. As is the case with most certification processes for new technologies, there are many steps and trials that companies need to go through before technologies are introduced to consumers. As with any innovative and complex technology, the development, testing and certification phases require work and issues will arise.
Posted by: Alana at Comcast at June 11, 2008 4:07 PM
Actually, this is cable's biggest positive - all these devices must be certified, so there's a high probability whatever you buy will actually work. (Until cable pulls the rug from under, again;) Not sure how I feel about the push for more self-certification... Would bring things to market faster, but what about quality?
Posted by: Dave Zatz at June 10, 2008 12:52 PM
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