- THX
- THX CERTIFIED INTERCONNECT TESTING PROGRAM
THX CERTIFIED INTERCONNECT TESTING PROGRAM
With the ever-increasing HDMI signal bandwidth demands now reaching 48Gbps and newly implemented lossless audio transport features, the demand for a highly reliable HDMI® cable is now more important than ever. The newly updated THX Certified Interconnect testing program for 8K HDMI cables has been designed to deliver 100% uncompressed high-speed signals, to enforce real-world HDMI protocol feature-set validation for devices, and to provide the highest standard of 8K interoperability and reliability.
WHAT WE TEST
THX engineers complete hundreds of different scientifically-formulated HDMI interconnect tests to ensure the highest level of audio-visual signal delivery standard possible. With THX Interconnect Certification and the mandated HDMI 2.1 ATC Certification pre-requisite, Professionals and Enthusiasts alike are provided the highest level of confidence while installing HDMI cables between their 8K-ready AV equipment from a reliability, interoperability, and all-around system robustness perspective.
Key areas in the THX Certified Interconnect testing program for 8K HDMI cables are as follows:
UNCOMPRESSED HIGH-SPEED SIGNAL VALIDATIONSpecifically 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 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 TESTINGAll THX Certified interconnects 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 TESTINGAll 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 operations recover properly following all of the aforementioned events.
INTEROPERABILITY TESTINGAll 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.
PERFORMANCE BENEFIT
Interconnect cables are tested and certified to deliver 8K content with absolutely zero effect on picture and sound quality.
THX Certified legacy 4K products are also tested and certified against the same rigorous THX Certified interconnect standards.