It’s about to happen – television without set-top boxes. Sony has signed a deal with five major cable TV operators in the United States that will lead to its use of Tru2way technology which will enable the company’s television sets to work without set-top boxes.

The agreement, which has been embraced by other consumer electronics manufacturers like Panasonic, provides integrated two-way interactive digital and high definition video services, according to the National Cable & Telecommunications Association. It addresses how products will be brought to market with services like video-on-demand, digital video recording and interactive programming guides.

Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications, Charter Communications, Cablevision and Bright House Networks signed the deal with Sony.

Sony will use Tru2way, a Java-based technology, for the interactive plug-and-play standard in its new television sets. Tru2way, which was formerly called OpenCable, is integrated into televisions, set-top boxes and other devices, and will allow companies to develop services that can be offered across all products that comply with the specification.

At the recent Cable Show 2008, Panasonic showed its line-up of Tru2way-enabled products, such as an HD-DVR set-top-box