Set top boxes have been a ubiquitous part of TV viewing since the first days of pay cable television. High Definition, DVRs and video on demand have made it common place to have multiple STBs. Most STBs are made by either Motorola or Scientific Atlanta. Those 2 companies provide the set top boxes for virtually every cable company in the country. STB glitches and shortages have been a major problem for pay TV carriers. Well, now some of the biggest cable companies, including Comcast, Cox, Time Warner, and Cablevision, are trying to lose the STB all together. Sony has signed a deal with these and other cable companies to establish a standard for STB functionality, including DVR, Interactive Programming Guides, and PPV, to be built right into your TV. Other TV manufactures have been invited to join the agreement as well.
If this is successful it will be a major boon to the cable companies that now spend billions on STBs and a major blow to Motorola and Scientific Atlanta.
