Introducing THX 3D Certified Displays

THX 3D Certified Displays deliver 3D movie experiences with the stunning clarity and detail found in the filmmaker’s studio. The new LG INFINIA PX950 Plasma Series are the world’s first TVs that have what it takes to achieve THX 3D Display certification.

During the THX 3D certification process, more than 400 laboratory tests are conducted, evaluating Left and Right Eye images for color accuracy, cross-talk, viewing angles and video processing performance. This testing is critical because a THX Certified 3D TV must present both Left and Right eye images accurately, with minimal artifacts, to ensure a pristine 3D effect for the viewer.

However, since most of us spend the majority of our time watching 2D TV programs and other content, all THX 3D Certified Displays undergo a rigorous design and laboratory testing process to also ensure exceptional 2D image quality. The result is the LG PX950’s THX 2D and 3D Cinema Modes which, with a simple push of a button, present stunning 2D and 3D movie experiences from broadcast sources and Blu-ray Discs.

Performance Benefits

• 400 Bench Tests: THX testing delivers accurate images and pristine video processing performance in both Left and Right Eye images.
• Accurate Color Reproduction: 3D adds a layer of complexity to achieve accurate color. THX certification closely reproduces the HD Color Standard used by filmmakers for broadcast and Blu-ray Discs in both 2D and 3D Modes.
• Simplified Set-up: With the push of a button, selecting THX 2D and 3D Cinema Modes delivers the closest thing to a pre-calibrated video setting right out-of-the-box.
• Sharper Pictures: THX certification improves 2D and 3D de-interlacing and jaggies, ensuring sharp images.

THX Optimized Settings

THX Cinema: A simple, one-button solution
for reproducing accurate color used by
filmmakers in the studio.

THX Bright Room: Bright Room Mode sets
luminance, color, blacks, and gamma for
typical bright room conditions.

THX 3D Cinema: Sets luminance, color,
blacks, gamma and video processing for 3D
broadcasts and Blu-ray Discs.

For more information LG HDTVs visit the LG Partner Profile

THX®-BluFocus 3D Certification

The 3D revolution will be broadcast, streamed and also delivered to you on Blu-ray Disc. But, with this added dimension of entertainment comes more layers of complexity for filmmakers, content producers and others in the mastering chain. Even consumers have to grapple with new playback modes, 3D glasses and device interoperability, as well as physiological questions about the effects of 3D.

THX has teamed with BluFocus, an official Testing Center for the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA), to build an ecosystem of production and mastering services for 3D broadcasters, authoring houses and post-production studios. This partnership brings together two of the most respected names in Hollywood and consumer electronics to address 3D picture quality, interoperability and the physiological effects of 3D.

THX-BluFocus 3D Certification Categories

The THX-BluFocus 3D certification program helps pinpoint and eliminate any AV quality and creative flaws long before movies are broadcast, streamed or manufactured on optical disc. Attention is also paid to disc interoperability, with THX and BluFocus testing Blu-ray Discs and Players to ensure they play seamlessly. When shopping for a 3D Blu-ray Disc, consumers should look for the following THX-BluFocus certification icons.

To find a complete list of THX Certified DVDs, Blu-ray Discs and THX-BluFocus Certified 3D titles, click here.

For questions about getting your next 3D Blu-ray Disc, broadcast program or digital download THX-BluFocus Certified, click here.

Logitech Speaker Systems

A THX Certified Multimedia Speaker system is designed for those who crave the power and performance of home theater and studio sound at the desktop.

A deep understanding of the filmmaking process is at the very heart of every THX Certified 2.1 and 5.1 speaker system from Logitech. Engineered to mirror the performance characteristics of professional studio speakers, THX certification recreates peak, Reference Level quality at your desktop listening position.

Logitech Z623 2.1 Speaker System

Logitech Z623 2.1 Speaker System

THX worked closely with Logitech during product development, ensuring the two-satellite and subwoofer Z623 speaker system was meticulously mapped to THX design standards. Then, THX performed more than 400 bench tests, including frequency response, noise, distortion and power. The result is a THX Certified Multimedia Speaker system that delivers THX Reference Level sound pressure and fidelity – letting you hear every bass note, sound effect and dialogue as it was created in the studio.

Z623 Performance Benefits:

• 400 Bench Tests: THX acoustic and electrical bench tests ensure accurate and powerful audio performance.
• THX Reference Level: Designed to mirror the performance characteristics of professional studio speakers, recreating peak, THX Reference Level quality.
• Wide Bandwidth: Low frequency extension of satellite speakers ensures a smooth and balanced audio experience when sound pans from satellites to subwoofer.
• Desktop Engineered: The Logitech Z623 is perfect for PC gaming, podcast production, audio and video editing, and enjoying music and movie applications on your desktop.

Desktop Listening Recommendations

Click to view larger image

For the best listening experience, THX recommends having a 28-inch viewing distance from your speakers and desktop display to your seating position. If you have a 5.1 Logitech system, the Front Left and Right speakers should be placed to the side of your display, with the Center Channel Speaker either above or below the display —aimed at the listening position. The Surround speakers should be positioned 56 inches from your seating position. Click here to get more Speaker Setup Tips from THX.

For more information about Logitech speaker systems, visit www.logitech.com.

Onkyo & THX

THX and Onkyo® are celebrating more than 15 years of collaboration and innovation. Onkyo served as the driving force behind developing the industry’s first THX Certified audio-video receiver in 1994—the Onkyo TX-SV919THX. More than a decade later, Onkyo and THX collaboration has provided consumers numerous ground breaking THX Certified products, including Integrated Systems, AV receivers and THX Certified Blu-ray Disc players.

Onkyo TX SR608, 3D Ready AV Receiver

Onkyo TX-SR608 7.2 Channel AVR

At its very core, THX receiver and pre-amp certification aims to recreate cinema volume and fidelity. This is achieved through a mix of engineering standards, strict laboratory testing and THX proprietary DSP technology.

The 2010 line of Onkyo THX Certified AV receivers are well equipped to provide superior music and movie surround sound experiences, with high build-quality and excellent value. The TX-SR608 is packed with audiophile features and is Onkyo’s first 3D-ready AV receiver.

• THX Tested: 2,000 THX bench tests ensure Reference Level performance with no distortion.
• Connected: HDMI v1.4 connectivity.
• 3D-ready: Six HDMI inputs capable of passing 3D video.
• THX Select2 Plus Certified: Designed for home theaters systems in medium sized rooms with a 10-12 foot viewing distance from the screen.
• THX Loudness Plus: Engineered with THX technology to deliver every detail of a surround sound mix when the volume is lowered.

Onkyo BD SP807 THX Certified Blu-ray Player

Onkyo BD-SP807

THX Certified Blu-ray disc players are engineered to recreate superior images that closely match the filmmaker’s mastering environment. During the THX certification process, THX engineers conduct in-depth analysis of image quality and signal processing to ensure Blu-ray disc players present accurate color, contrast, and black/white levels without softening the picture or producing digital artifacts.

The Onkyo BD-SP807 Blu-ray Disc Player provides a robust and versatile playback solution for your favorite movies and music on Blu-ray discs, DVDs and CDs.

• THX Picture Quality: Critical analysis of image quality and video processing capabilities ensures accurate color, contrast and clean processing.
• True High Definition: Playback of Blu-ray Discs with full high definition 1080p video resolution.
• Connected: Ethernet port enables interactive Profile 2.0 BD-Live features; SD card slot lets you enjoy downloaded Web content or digital photos.
• Serious Sound: Delivers a Pure Data Bitstream from Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio codecs.

For more information about Onkyo AV receivers and HTiBs, visit www.onkyo.com.

LG INFINIA Series TVs

LG has completely redesigned its 2010 LED LCD and Plasma TV line-up with the introduction of the INFINIA Series. Combining a slim design and thin bezel with enhanced connectivity options, including Skype and Netflix 2.0, the LG INFINIA LED LCDs and Plasmas deliver the perfect blend of style, sophistication and stunning visual performance.

The new LG INFINIA 8500 LED LCD series, and LG INFINIA PK950 and PK750 Plasmas are among the world’s top performing TVs that have what it takes to be called THX Certified. They are also the first TVs to feature THX Bright Room, a new playback setting that lets you recreate cinematic image quality in home theaters with abundant ambient light.

LG Infinia 8500 LED LCD TV

Product Spotlight: LG INFINIA 8500

The INFINIA 8500 Series are the only LED LCD TVs to receive THX certification in the U.S. market.

The 8500 features include:
• Uni-layer design with ultra-slim (8.5MM) bezel
• Full LED Slim technology with Local Dimming, TruMotion 480Hz
• LG Magic Wand Remote
• NetCast Entertainment Access: Skype, Vudu, Netflix, Youtube, Yahoo! Widgets, and more
• THX Display Certification, featuring THX Movie Mode and THX Bright Room Mode

The THX Advantage

Filmmakers work hard to bring their vision to life. When their films are mastered in the studio, the color, black levels and other video parameters are carefully monitored and adjusted so that movies play back a very specific way in the home. THX certification helps recreate the filmmaker’s vision in your living room.

• THX Certified image quality: LG TVs are designed and tested to meet the rigorous THX standards for image quality and signal processing performance.
• Studio color, out-of-the-box: THX Movie Mode comes as close as possible to reproducing the HD Color Standard used by filmmakers in the studio.
• Optimized settings for ambient room lighting: THX Bright Room Mode sets luminance, black levels, gamma and backlighting for typical bright room conditions.

For more information about LG TVs, visit www.lgusa.com

Creative's WOW Headphones featuring THX TruStudio

Today’s movie fans and gamers expect their sound experience on PCs and Netbooks to be on par with other home entertainment devices. Whether playing the latest first person shooter or watching a Hollywood blockbuster movie, THX TruStudio provides the tools to accurately process and reproduce movie, music and game soundtracks and effects for PC platforms. The result is an immersive sound field that puts you in the middle of the action.

THX TruStudio Features and Benefits

THX TruStudio is the result of collaborative development from Creative Labs and THX. This suite of technologies deliver the fullest audio experience for games, music and movies, while remaining true to the source and intention of the artists who created it.

• THX TruStudio Surround: Provides virtual surround sound channels to control the level of immersion.
• THX TruStudio Crystalizer: Improves the natural dynamic range of compressed music.
• THX TruStudio Speaker: Improves low frequency elements and gives you the extra bass impact for sound systems without a subwoofer.
• THX TruStudio Dialog Plus: Enhances dialogue intelligibility, allowing you to clearly understand dialogue along with music and ambient effects.
• THX TruStudio Smart Volume: Automatically measures and adjusts volume to minimize sudden changes, so you don’t have to reach for the volume dial.

THX II Certified Car Audio System using THX Slot Speaker Technology

THX Slot Speaker Advantage

• Modify directional characteristics of sound
• Simplify packaging
• Reduce grille area
• Opportunity for new speaker styling ideas

THX Slot Speaker and Ground Plane

When listening to traditional PC speakers, sound reflecting from the desktop surface can add to the audio experience at low frequencies, but also cause interference with the direct sound at higher frequencies. The THX Ground Plane and Slot Speaker technologies make use of the desktop surface to improve the overall sound presentation across all frequencies.

Razer Mako 2.1 Desktop Audio System

THX is redefining desktop speaker performance with its THX Ground Plane and Slot Speaker technologies combined for the first time in the Razer Mako 2.1 THX Certified Multimedia System. For PC gamers and music lovers, the THX Slot Speaker and Ground Plane Technologies create a spacious soundstage with room filling sound.

THX Razer Mako Desktop Audio System

Click here to buy a Razer Mako 2.1 THX Certified Multimedia System.

A tone, which starts at 200Hz and transitions down to 20Hz, is generated in the left, center and right channels during this test. The purpose of the test is to alert you to any frequencies that might drop out or not be faithfully reproduced as your Left-Center-Right speakers crossover to the subwoofer. Listen for a drop in volume level during the transition. A high quality system will reproduce the tone sweep smoothly and without volume level fluctuations as the frequency decreases. Systems that appear to vary in audible levels may need further diagnosis. Although any problems maybe inherent in the system, it is important to know what your sound system is capable of reproducing. Faults may be due to a variety of reasons, but the best resource would be your local home theater salesperson. They may suggest a variety of options for you to try. Don’t forget to check out the THX recommended list of home products!

Sounds can be mixed between channels so that they appear centered between the channels or dispersed in nature. If an effect is to sound centered between two channels, an identical level of sound will be directed to each of the two channels desired “in-phase” with each other. The same signal but “out-of-phase” with each other will produce a wide and dispersed sound image. Improper speaker wiring can produce an out-of-phase image by reversing the two wires that feed the speaker. Proper speaker phase is not only important for the front left and right channels, but the center and surround channels as well.

During each Phase Test, the two speakers indicated on the still graphic will emit test tones that alternate being in-phase and out-of-phase. By observing the sound image that is produced by each speaker test sequence, you will be able to determine if your speakers are correctly wired. Listen to these tests by positioning yourself centered between the speakers under test. “In-Phase” will produce a sound image centered between the channels under test while “Out-of-Phase” will produce a sound image that is wide and dispersed and difficult to localize. If you hear an out-of-phase sound image when the image is supposed to be in-phase, and vice versa, turn off your audio amplifier. Next, reverse the wires that feed the speaker highlighted with a red box in the still graphic. Once this correction is made, verify that the correct sound images are now being reproduced, and then proceed to the next test.

Note: This test is most effective for 5.1-channel or 7.1-channel systems only. If your audio system has only two channels, you may reference the left and right front test only. If you have a 7.1 system, the phase tests for the surround channels will appear in the surround back channels during the in-phase test and in the surround left and surround right channels during the out-of-phase test.