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.

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.

When you are watching a movie with the playback volume set to “0” on a THX Certified Receiver, you experience every sound element exactly like it was produced by the filmmaker—with the same fidelity, detail and clarity.

What is Reference Level?

Manufacturing receivers and speakers that can achieve THX Reference Level is no simple task. It requires a tremendous amount of power to drive an audio system effortlessly without clipping or distorting. To ensure the audio products can reach this peak performance, THX developed a set of standards as part of its THX Ultra2, THX Select2 and I/S Plus certifications.

• Experience Studio Clarity: THX Certified Receivers reproduce studio Reference Level, 85dB SPL with 20dB of headroom.
• Reference Level for your Room: THX Ultra2 Plus, THX Select2 Plus and THX I/S Plus certification categories deliver Reference Level performance in your specific room size.
• Distortion-free Playback: THX Certified Receivers and speakers are designed to recreate Reference Level with minimal distortion.

Listening Below Zero

Of course, there is a downside to watching all of your films at Reference Level—it is often too loud for your neighbors. But, when you lower the volume level, bass sounds, surround effects and other sound elements can be lost or perceived differently. To correct this, THX developed a technology called THX Loudness Plus, which lets you experience the rich details of a movie or game soundtrack without driving your neighbors crazy.

Re-EQ

Many movie soundtracks are mixed in studios for playback in large cinema auditoriums with an array of speakers. When played on home systems, they may appear abrasive and edgy. Re-EQ establishes a more accurate tonal balance when enjoying movies in your home.

Other THX Receiver Technologies

THX Certified Receivers also feature THX Adaptive Speaker Array technology, which establishes surround sound modes for movies, music and games, and THX Loudness Plus for enjoying surround soundtracks at lower volume levels.

What is THX ASA?

Today, movie, music and games are created in different types of studio environments, with multiple speaker configurations. The dilemma? Finding a single listening solution for playing different types of media, without physically moving your speakers. THX ASA addresses this by providing the following Listening Modes:

THX Cinema Mode

Recreates the ambiance of the movie theater by positioning the 5.1 mix to immerse you in the movie’s soundtrack.

THX Games Mode

Distributes the sound effects and dialogue generated by the game engine, placing the audio from a 5.1 mix source to the appropriate “action” location – creating 360-degree gaming experience.

THX Music Mode

Emulates the original studio environment by repositioning the 5.1 surround sound mix further behind you for an accurate and increased sense of spaciousness and localization – placing you directly in the recording session.

THX Surround EX

Decodes the third surround channel from the traditional two surround channels, creating a more immersive entertainment experience.

Click here to learn more about THX Certified Receiver features.

THX Certified BGX-4850 In-wall Subwoofer

Most of us have experienced deep bass rattling walls, windows and doors in the home and car. THX Balanced Bass-line provides the ability for speaker manufacturers to deliver big-box bass performance—minus the vibrations.

THX Balanced Bass-line breaks the mold of traditional subwoofer designs—getting the sub out of the big box. The technology places small, micro-precision woofers face-to-face, arranged in balanced pairs. This approach force cancel vibrations, ensuring deep low frequency performance without vibrations discoloring soundtracks or intruding into adjacent rooms.

THX Balanced Bass-line Features

• Tight Bass Performance: Experience natural sounding bass exactly like it was recorded, without shaking the walls loose.
• Shape Shifting Designs: THX Balanced Bass-line allows speaker manufacturers to produce very natural, vibration-free bass from smaller, more stylized systems.

The BG Radia BGX-4850 Subwoofer System

THX Balanced Bass-line was first introduced in the BG BGX-4850 in-wall subwoofer for custom home theater installations. The BGX-4850 consists of four separate in-wall bass modules driven by the BGA-2104 rack-mountable power amplifier/DSP equalizer controller. Each bass module contains twelve micro-precision woofers, each sealed in an airtight enclosure, and arranged in six balanced pairs. The four modules have a total radiating area equal to two 18 inch drivers, yet fit completely inside a standard 2×4-inch stud-wall.

Hailed by critics and audiophiles alike, the BGX-4850 won “Best of CEDIA 2009” and the 2009 CEA Mark of Excellence Award.

Available Now

The BGX-4850 is currently available to order from your BG Radia representative. Visit BG Radia for more information.

What is THX Loudness Plus?

All movies, music and games are mixed at Reference Level in the studio, to be played back at the same Reference Level in the cinema or home theater (0 db on the volume dial for THX Certified Receivers is equal to the studio Reference Level). However, many of us find Reference Level is too loud for our homes. But, turning the volume down often means that elements of movie, music and other soundtracks are lost or perceived differently from the original sound mix.

THX Loudness Plus maintains the integrity of soundtracks when listening below Reference Level. The technology compensates for the tonal and spatial shifts that occur when the volume level is reduced. By automatically raising the levels of the ambient sound, you experience the true impact of movies, music and games regardless of the volume setting.

How Does THX Loudness Plus work?

THX Loudness Plus incorporates two new THX Technologies. As the user changes the volume, THX Multi-channel Spectral Balancing™ and THX Dynamic Ambience Preservation™ automatically and seamlessly apply the appropriate compensation. This delivers a more accurate listening experience at any volume level.

THX Multi-channel Spectral Balancing™

adjusts frequency response to counter the perceptual loss of low and high frequency sound in all channels. Begins with a flat response at Reference Level, and continually adjusts the response as the user selects lower listening levels. The equalization is applied to all channels in a multi-channel listening environment.

THX Dynamic Ambience Preservation™

Surround channel processing preserves the spatial detail that is lost when listening below Reference Level. It automatically shapes the output on surround channels to maintain the perceived balance in the original mix.

THX Loudness Plus automatically adjusts the front-to-back speaker level relationship as you turn the volume level down.