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THX Launches 4K Ultra HD TV Certification Program

By Rachel Cericola

When looking for a new HDTV, there are certain features that we aspire to own. One of those must-have features is THX certification.

Having THX certification means that the set has been through the proverbial AV ringer to make sure it's up to snuff. (For an in-depth peek at the process, check out "Inside THX: What it Really Means to be THX Certified.") Now, the company has launched an entirely new set of standards for its THX 4K Certification program.

THX 4K Certification features all sort of new tests and parameters -- 600 of them, to be exact. These tests go through every nook and cranny on the set, from the color and clarity to detail and more. The big difference here is that the new tests are specifically designed for Ultra High-Definition TVs.

To date, the THX 4K Certification program is the only performance standard currently available for higher-resolution displays.

Sharp is the first company to achieve those bragging rights, with its 60-inch LC-60HQ10. Having that certification means that this 60-incher can convert standard HD content into a 4K2K picture, with eye-popping detail. This model also has Integrated Cognitive Creation (ICC) image technology for delivering 4K2K images and an LCD panel specifically designed to showcase ICC image reconstruction technology.

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THX 4K Certified sets will also include a new setting, known as THX 4K Movie Mode. This setting boasts the best possible pre-calibrated video settings for viewing Ultra HD and reconstructed HD movies right out-of-the box.

"With consumers today demanding more immersive and compelling home entertainment experiences, the industry has moved beyond HDTVs toward even higher resolution displays that offer a whole new level of entertainment realism in the home," said Peter Vasay, vice president of technology operations at THX Ltd. "Our new THX 4K Certification process ensures that content viewed on a THX Certified Ultra HD display meets the most exacting video standards achievable in a consumer television today. Each display we evaluate must pass a stringent battery of tests to guarantee it can accurately reproduce the original HD image, in precisely the colors, tones and resolution intended."

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Sharp's 60-inch LC-60HQ10 is the world's first THX 4K Certified display.

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