Ready to ditch that cable box? Go get one of the new Panasonic Viera HDTVs that include tru2way technology.

If you haven’t heard about tru2way, you’re probably in the majority. In a nutshell it’s a common platform for cable companies and electronics manufacturers to include cable’s interactive features like video on demand and menu guides right from your TV—no set-top box necessary.

Anyway, Panasonic will make available its 42-inch TH-42PZ80Q and 50-inch TH-50PZ80Q Viera plasmas later this month at places like Abt Electronics, Ultimate Electronics and Circuit City, beginning in the Chicago and Denver areas where Comcast is on board with tru2way to deliver the digital cable goods straight to the Vieras and bypass the box.

The TVs themselves have 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast, built-in SD memory card readers and Viera Link to give you some Panasonic-filtered web content. Expect a larger rollout of the tru2way cable service in other Comcast-ruled areas in the coming months.

Look for the 42-inch Panasonic model for an SRP of $1,599, and the 50-incher for $2,299.

Arlen Schweiger - Managing editor of Electronic House Magazine

Arlen contributes product news items to electronichouse.com along with his role on the print publication. Got a tip? Send it along!