Comprehensive HDMI and Blu-ray audio testing
The APx HDMI2+eARC digital I/O module allows engineers to measure HDMI audio quality and audio format compatibility on consumer audio devices such as surround sound receivers, set-top boxes, streaming media players, TV’s (supporting 1K, 4K, and 8K resolution), soundbars, Blu-ray Disc™ players, and smartphones and tablets. Connections are provided for source and sink devices, as well as additional HDMI connections for auxiliary video input and a monitor output.
Support for ARC (Audio Return Channel), a part of the HDMI 1.4 spec, and eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel), a part of the HDMI 2.1 spec, adds the ability to test both ARC and eARC audio quality and connectivity on receivers, TVs, and streaming media hardware that support them.
All standard audio measurements are available including level, SNR, distortion, phase, crosstalk, group delay, and others. The APx500 software is capable of taking 14 measurements in only 7 seconds, automatically generating a report of results, and saving all test settings in a single, sharable project file. Real-time signal monitors include residual THD+N in oscilloscope view and a 1.2M point FFT.
Verifying Dolby & dts Encoded Audio
In addition to generating up to 8 channels of linear / PCM audio streams at up to 192 kHz, APx can stream lossless formats (such as Dolby TrueHD™ and dts-HD Master Audio™) and compressed formats (such as Dolby Digital™ and dts Digital Surround™) from pre-encoded audio test files.
This feature makes it easy to troubleshoot component compatibility and downsampling / downmixing / transcoding issues.
Streaming of .wav, .ac3, .dts, and .cpt over the SPDIF, TOSLINK, and AES/EBU digital outputs is also supported.
HDMI ARC and eARC
An additional set of HDMI connectors (also utilized for AUX In and Monitor Out) are provided for ARC and eARC transmit and receive. In addition to full audio capabilities, APx500 can send and receive CEC commands for ARC transmit and receive, allowing observation and troubleshooting of ARC connection negotiations. For eARC, APx500 supports CDS (Capabilities Data Structure) for communicating connection information. The regular HDMI connectors may also be used simultaneously, making it possible to send a test signal to a device over HDMI and to receive it back over ARC or eARC for analysis.
HDMI E-EDID Data
An EDID is a ROM inside a piece of HDMI sink equipment such as a TV that informs the HDMI source of what audio and video formats the sink supports. For audio, that includes the number of channels, types of codecs, and sample rates.
EDID must be set up correctly or the source may send formats that the sink can’t handle. If the sink doesn’t report its capabilities properly, the unit is likely to have interoperability problems.
APx provides the capability to save the E-EDID of a device connected to the instrument’s source connector for review and modification in a third-party E-EDID editor.
APx HDMI EDID configuration files
APx with HDMI2 supports multiple EDID configurations. EDID files that are pre-configured for various audio formats are available online and can be modified and updated in third-party EDID editors and loaded into APx500. Some .edid files, pre-configured for various audio formats including encoded audio such as dts-HD and Dolby TrueHD, are available from the ap.com website.
Video and Third Party Support
The APx HDMI2+eARC option has a basic video generator. The user can generate a video test signal and control the resolution (up to 8k) and the color depth (8-bit or 10-bit, depending on resolution selection).
Use of third-party video pattern generators is supported by the “Pass External Video Through” option. When an external video signal is provided, APx combines it with the audio stream from the APx’s generator and outputs a single audio/video stream.
The system also forwards E-EDID and CEC data transparently between the device under test and any device connected to AUX IN.
The APx itself does not analyze video; however, all signals delivered to the sink are mirrored to the AUX OUT monitor connector. This allows the user to send the video signal to an external video analyzer or monitor the signal on a display.
In addition to generating up to 8 channels of linear / PCM audio streams at up to 192 kHz, APx can stream lossless formats (such as Dolby TrueHD™ and dts-HD Master Audio™) and compressed formats (such as Dolby Digital™ and dts Digital Surround™) from pre-encoded audio test files.
This feature makes it easy to troubleshoot component compatibility and downsampling / downmixing / transcoding issues.
Streaming of .wav, .ac3, .dts, and .cpt over the SPDIF, TOSLINK, and AES/EBU digital outputs is also supported.
HDMI Module Performance
HDMI 2.1 Source and Sink
Yes
HDMI 1.4a ARC (Audio Return Channel)
Yes
HDMI 2.1 eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel)
Yes
HDMI Audio Layout 0 or 1
Yes
Linear PCM Audio Generation
Up to 8 channels at up to 192 kHz (up to 24-bit)
Lossless Format Generation (e.g., dts-HD Master Audio)
48, 96 and 192 kHz
Compressed Format Generation (e.g., Dolby Digital, dts Digital Surround)
Yes
Video Test Signal Generation
HDMI standard resolutions, color depths (incl. 10-bit deep color), and refresh rates
HDCP Encryption on Source and Sink
Full Support
Additional Items
Auxiliary interfaces for third party video test equipment
Bit-for-bit verification of digital data reproduction
Display Audio Infoframe and Status Bits
