Technology May. 29, 2008 - 05:23AM JST ( 0 )

TOKYO —

Sony Corp and six major U.S. cable operators have agreed on the joint development of digital television sets that will allow consumers to dispense with set-top boxes, a U.S. industry group said Wednesday.

The six firms are Comcast Corp, Time Warner Cable Inc, Cox Communications Inc, Charter Communications, Cablevision Systems Corp and Bright House Networks, according to the National Cable & Telecommunications Association.

Sony and the U.S. operators will unify standards for digital video distribution and promote digital cable-ready products compatible with interactive services such as video on demand, the association said.

The six companies provide services to more than 82% of all U.S. cable subscribers, according to the association.

JCN