Comcast CEO makes cable pitch

[ music ] ^M00:00:06 >> You're never gonna want to get off the couch. >> That's the dream of Brian Roberts, CEO of Comcast. In his keynote speech Tuesday morning at CES in Las Vegas, he unveiled several new products, both hardware and software. >> We're announcing that the age of the closed proprietary cable set top box is behind us, and the era of an open two way cable platform is here. >> Comcast calls the technology and devices true two way, and says they'll be available to the consumer by the end of the year. >> So whether you're at the PC, or at the TV using your home network, or even an X-Box, or a portable device, the consumer gets one single integrated user interface. >> Toshiyura Sakamoto [assumed spelling], Panasonic's CEO, joined the stage to describe a jointly developed product called Any Play. >> With this device you can record all the first rate content you've come to expect from Comcast, then just detach this portable device from its docking station, and you are ready to go. >> This is the first portable DVR DVD combination available to consumers with true two way capability. >> Robert says you can expect to see it on store shelves later in the year. To explain Fan Cast, Comcast's new video portal, entertainment Ryan Seacrest bounced on stage. >> I can tell you, I get to cover a lot of exciting events and meet some pretty incredible people. But a trip to CES is really one of the coolest things that I've ever done. Fan Cast is not just another entertainment website. It's the launching pad for convergence between the PC and the TV, and the next big step toward a truly personalized entertainment experience. >> He stuck around to heckle some members of the audience. >> I've very happy I picked you. [ laughter ] >> And then he helped show off Docsys [assumed spelling] three point oh wideband internet connection, also available by the end of the year. >> So when we boost web speeds of ten, twenty, maybe even up to fifty times faster than what you're used to today, it will mean a whole new world of innovation that we can barely imagine. >> Injecting some laughs into the keynote were Brett and Jermaine from HBO's Flight of the Concordes. >> Does it have high definition? Is it high definition? >> Yeah, totally. You just sit closer, and the picture's very big. [ laughter ] The closer you sit, the bigger the picture. >> That, that's not high definition. >> Well define high definition. >> Really clear. >> Just do that, you get the best signal. [ laughter ] >> Although business time may mean something different to these guys and the Comcast folks, the show ended with their signature song. [ background music ] >> And you know when I'm down to just my socks what time it is. It's time for business. It's business time. >> That right there is reason alone to upgrade your cable package. I'm Kara Suboy [assumed spelling] reporting for CNET News.com. ^M00:03:16 [ music ]