Think you can’t squeeze one more component into your overcrowded A/V cabinet? Sony wants to clear some of that clutter.

PC World says that the manufacturer is working with a variety of cable companies to ditch the set-top in favor of two-way TV products.

The new products will use tru2way, a Java-based technology that promises two-way interactive TV.

Of course, not every household will want to run out and buy a new TV. However, Sony certainly has some muscle on their side, working with Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox, Charter, Cablevision and Bright House Networks.

Even if you’re interested in ditching your box, your TV purchase may not be limited to Sony. Supposedly, other manufacturers are being courted for the initiative. Panasonic recently made its own tru2way announcements at the Cable Show 2008.

Although no Sony products have been announced yet, expect them to cater to services such as digital video recording, video-on-demand, and interactive programming guides. Panasonic recently unveilved its own PCH2180 tru2way HD-DVR set-top-box (shipping in July 2008), the 42-inch tru2way-enabled VIERA Plasma HDTV, and the tru2way-enabled Portable DVR model TZ-LC100 (shipping early 2009).

Rachel Cericola - Contributing Writer

Over the past 15 years, Rachel Cericola has covered entertainment, web and technology trends. Check her out at www.rachelcericola.com.