The joint venture between Philips NV and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co, D2B Systems Ltd, (CI No 1,446) is to develop, control and maintain a chip standard for domestic audio and video systems. The domestic digital bus is to be built into all Philips and Matsushita televisions and video recorders ensuring automatic compatibility and no cabling differences. No longer will one have to spend hours connecting the two things together and retuning TV sets. One of the first aims of the project is to standardise remote control sets, so you don’t end up with two if you buy televisions and videos from different manufacturers. Philips says that in the future the D2B chip may be incorporated into telephones and audio systems so that telephones, televisions, record players and video could all be linked. Other manufacturers that have agreed to adhere to the standard are Sony and Thomson of France. D2B Systems Ltd, based in Redhill, Surrey will award licences for the manufacture of D2Bs.
PHILIPS-MATSUSHITA VENTURE AIMS TO SET COMMUNICATIONS STANDARD FOR HOME ENTERTAINMENT
