Key areas in the THX Certified 8K Interconnect program are as follows:

UNCOMPRESSED HIGH-SPEED SIGNAL VALIDATION

Specifically critical for long reach HDMI extension methods, all THX Certified interconnect pass through a 48Gbps pixel error analysis test. Within this high-speed frame match comparative test, THX engineers are essentially screening for invalid pixel values between the source and destination to ensure only uncompressed signal delivery is occurring through the cable itself. All bits in, all bits out. Cable interconnect methods that use compression techniques cannot pass the THX Interconnect Certification test.

LOW-SPEED COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL TESTING

All THX Certified interconnect are put through live low-speed HDMI protocol testing. Time lapsed, low-speed communication protocol tests include; eARC (Ensuring proper lossless 37Mbps upstream audio connectivity), CEC (Ensuring proper Consumer Electronics Control operation) & HDCP (Ensuring that all HDCP 1.4/2.2 & 2.3 content protection protocols operate as expected concurrently alongside high-speed signal delivery).

FITNESS-TO-APPLICATION TESTING

All THX Certified interconnect pass through a stringent ‘real-world/real-equipment’ suite of tests using a wide array of 8K HDMI Source, Display and Repeater devices. THX tests include lab emulated in-field events such as; multiple cable hot-plugging actions, intermittent power drops, power sequencing as well as time-lapsed pixel error screening. It is critical that all in-system HDMI operation recover properly following all of the aforementioned events.

INTEROPERABILITY TESTING

All THX Certified interconnect are screened through a large matrix of 8K-enabled AV equipment to ensure maximized interoperability between multiple AV equipment vendors. Additionally, the interoperability tests ensure that the combined equipment’s maximum AV format bandwidth capabilities are maintained within the cable as to not drop down the intended video standard that can occur during the HDMI cable’s link training process.