THX Certification

[Unregistered]

Just how important is THX Certification in a receiver? And, does it really make that big a difference over using Dolby Digital or DTS??
Thanks

 

[Audioholics]

One thing I'll say - it ensures that the receiver has gone through a whole mess of tests, verifications and hoops to get that designation, including power specifications and handling.

 

[Votrax]

THX certification is actually an optimization of the Dolby Digital and DTS standard. Though THX certified receivers have to meet a minimum required power with all channels driven, it doesn't mean that they'll actually put out what they are advertised at. I don't think you should solely base your purchase on whether it's THX certified or not. If you purchase a receiver that you like that has the certification then it will just be a plus.

 

[Unregistered]

Some people are adamant that THX certification is nothing more than a money grab because equipment manufacturers have to pay a fee to have their equipment certified and alot of non-certified products would meet or exceed the THX specs anyway. Others think THX certification is the greatest thing since sliced bread. As usual, the truth lies somewhere in between.

For all the reasons Hawke cited above, I think THX certification is worthwhile. I would not however use it as a make or break decision when choosing between different brands or models.

 

[Unregistered]

THX certification is actually an optimization of the Dolby Digital and DTS standard.

There is a difference between thx certification and thx surround modes. The thx surround modes, such as THX-EX, preceded Dolby Digital EX. DD EX is based on THX-EX. Receivers that are thx certified naturally include the thx surround modes.

Certification ensures the equipment meets a certain number of minimum performance criteria and usability criteria (eg. the color coding of the inputs is defined by thx).

 

[Unregistered]

There is a difference between thx certification and thx surround modes. The thx surround modes, such as THX-EX, preceded Dolby Digital EX. DD EX is based on THX-EX. Receivers that are thx certified naturally include the thx surround modes.

Certification ensures the equipment meets a certain number of minimum performance criteria and usability criteria (eg. the color coding of the inputs is defined by thx).

THX surround modes are just that. DVD's are still encoded in Dolby Digital or DTS only. There's no such thing as a THX encoded format. The THX surround modes only optimize whichever format you are using whether it is DTS or Dolby Digital.

 

[Votrax]

There is no THX encoded format on DVD's. They may be THX certified, but that's it. If you're using a THX surround mode it's just optimizing the Dolby Digital (or DTS) encoding from the DVD. THX EX is actually Dolby Digital EX encoded according to THX certification. So it is still a Dolby Digital encoding.

What is THX? And how does it relate to Dolby Digital and DTS Digital Surround?

First, it is important to realize that THX is a quantitative measure of quality that works in conjunction with the different surround sound formats (e.*., Dolby Digital and DTS) to bring the quality of the sound presentation to the highest standards.

 

[Unregistered]

THX EX is actually Dolby Digital EX encoded according to THX certification. So it is still a Dolby Digital encoding.

You've got the history backwards. THX EX appeared before DD EX. THX EX applies creates a 6th channel from DD 5.1 sources and optionally (user controlled) applies the thx processes: adaptive decorrellation, timbre matching, and re-eq. DD EX is THX minus the thx processes and was released after thx. There is also THX Ultra 2 (not to be confused with THX Ultra certification) that creates 7.1 from 5.1 and in addition to the other processes includes boundary compensation.

To the other unregistered poster: Nobody said THX is encoded on a disc, you incorrectly inferred that. I was merely pointing out that thx processing and thx certification are two different things that are often lumped together, although all thx certified units include the thx processes.

 

[Votrax]

You've got the history backwards. THX EX appeared before DD EX. THX EX applies creates a 6th channel from DD 5.1 sources and optionally (user controlled) applies the thx processes: adaptive decorrellation, timbre matching, and re-eq. DD EX is THX minus the thx processes and was released after thx. There is also THX Ultra 2 (not to be confused with THX Ultra certification) that creates 7.1 from 5.1 and in addition to the other processes includes boundary compensation.

To the other unregistered poster: Nobody said THX is encoded on a disc, you incorrectly inferred that. I was merely pointing out that thx processing and thx certification are two different things that are often lumped together, although all thx certified units include the thx processes.

I don't recall saying DD EX came first. I guess I should have just said THX EX was created from Dolby Labarotories for THX. The original poster asked if THX was better than using Dolby Digital or DTS. Well you're always using Dolby Digital or DTS no matter what sound field you're using.