Audio Precision has introduced the HDMI2+eARC module, an integrated digital I/O module enabling direct connection to HDMI2 and eARC audio devices for testing in a wide range of HDMI audio-compatible devices, including streaming media players, televisions, soundbars, receivers, and Blu-ray players.
‘HDMI is a ubiquitous interface for connecting displays and home-theatre audio devices,’ says Audio Precision General Manager, Daniel Knighten. ‘The latest update to the standard, v2.1, supports ultra-high-definition video and additional audio functionality including the enhanced audio return channel, eARC. To date, no company has provided a solution for simple and efficient testing of the audio features of these devices. Today Audio Precision brings to market a new interface module that makes it as easy to test HDMI2 and eARC audio as we have previously made testing other analogue and digital audio interfaces.’
The new module is a turnkey solution that supports all audio formats embedded in HDMI. The HDMI2+eARC module closes a gap in consumer electronics device testing enabling the verification of audio embedded in high definition (HD) HD and Ultra-HD video signals, both generated and received. It facilitates verification of ARC and eARC, sink, and source audio channels while supporting 1K, 4K, and 8K video modes. With the ability to handle up to eight channels of linear PCM audio at up to 192 kHz sample rates, it also enables playback of pre-encoded signals such as Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD™, as well as DTS and DTS-HD signals. Additionally, it provides bit error detection in all received audio formats, ensuring the highest level of audio quality.
‘Previously people have been forced to test using chip-level evaluation modules and cobbled together solutions,’ Knighten says. ‘The APx HDMI2+eARC module makes testing televisions, soundbars, home theater receivers, internet streaming devices, and other HDMI2 devices a painless exercise while using the most trusted audio analyser in the world.’
The HDMI2+eARC module can be pre-installed in any new APx517, APx52x, APx58x, or APx555 analyser. It can also be retrofitted to any existing B-Series APx analyser by an APx service centre or accredited service partner.
More: www.audioprecision.com
