Sony, Panasonic, Toshiba ally in interactive TV deal for Japan
Source: Sony Electronics Inc.
Three of the world's largest consumer electronics brands are planning a joint venture targeting interactive DTV services for the Japanese market, according to news reports.
Sony, Matsushita (Panasonic) and Toshiba will develop the new service, slated for a fall debut, which will include teleshopping and on-demand music and games. The three companies have jointly developed DTV receivers, which will go on sale this fall when digital broadcasts via satellite launch in Japan. Combined, the three companies sell half of all TV sets sold in Japan
The three will work together on developing standards for copy protection, as well as data storage and conditional access via digital set-tops that will be equipped with TiVo-like hard drives. They also plan to work with Hitachi to develop an "e-platform" to link broadcasting services with the Internet.
Edited by Tom Butts