Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) has finalized the long awaited DisplayPort v1.2 specification, offering improved performance and a multitude of new features. DisplayPort v1.2, which doubles the transfer rate from the version 1.1 specification from 10.8Gbps to 21.6Gbps, is paving the way for higher performance, faster refresh rates, and 3D stereo display.
Among the new features offered by v1.2 is multi-streaming, allowing users to connect up to four 1920×1200 monitors in a daisy chain or hub configuration while supporting protected content and high performance applications. It can also support bi-directional data transfer, allowing multiple independent, uncompressed data streams, such as USB hubs, video signals, and touch screen panels, to travel over the same cable at up to 720Mbps. DisplayPort v1.2 is backward compatible with DisplayPort v1.1a systems, including existing cables and also the Mini DisplayPort connector.
Keeping up with the 3D bandwagon, v1.2 has improved support for Full HD 3D Stereoscopic displays. It can display life-like HD motion at up to 240 frames per second in full HD (120 frames per second for each eye) in a variety of 3D formats. Its new audio enhancements include support for high def audio formats and video synchronization, as well as the Digital Restrictions Management (DRM) copy protection and category codes.
“DisplayPort is a truly open, flexible, extensible multimedia interconnect standard that is ubiquitous in the PC, notebook and display markets and is rapidly gaining traction in consumer electronics applications. DisplayPort Version v1.2 offers a complete set of benefits and capabilities that no other standard can provide,” said VESA Executive Director Bill Lempesis, in VESA’s January press release.
More on Displayport:
Understanding Displayport Compliance Testing
Displayport and USB 3.0 Named Among Top Technologies of 201o
Sunday, January 31, 2010
New RF Stream Technology Reveals Compatibility Issues
Using the new RF stream recording technology, Allion designed a test to assess the level of television compatibility in the United States. RF signals were collected from 11 cities: Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Elgin, Englewood, Fargo, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Minot, Newark and Philadelphia.
We chose three major TVs sold in North America that support the ATSC system:
Sony LC-32GP1U
Samsung KDL-32L4000
Sharp LN-Y3253H
Allion’s RF Stream TestsFor the testing, Allion sent the variety of RF signals collected to the TVs, and once the stream was received, we performed a series of checks to assess performance. We scanned all TV streams to verify that the streams were being recognized, while adjusting the intensity of the signal to determine the TVs’ sensitivity. We verified the audio and video quality, as well as audio/video synchronization. For stream data performance, we verified the display functions, including the channel and program title, caption service, aspect ratio and EPG information.
Our FindingsWhile the Sony had better overall performance than the Samsung and Sharp, we found compatibility problems across the board. The errors we found included mosaic pictures, double subtitles, scrambled text and broken images. Regarding the locales tested, Philadelphia had more failure than other cities, while Milwaukee had 100 percent performance from all three brands.
This case study demonstrates that even major TV brands can face compatibility issues. The field testing that TVs undergo prior to going to market is insufficient to guarantee consistent quality when receiving signals from different regions or countries. By offering a data pool of signals, Allion’s Real World TV Validation testing helps locate and prevent all possible compatibility issues.
We chose three major TVs sold in North America that support the ATSC system:
Sony LC-32GP1U
Samsung KDL-32L4000
Sharp LN-Y3253H
Allion’s RF Stream TestsFor the testing, Allion sent the variety of RF signals collected to the TVs, and once the stream was received, we performed a series of checks to assess performance. We scanned all TV streams to verify that the streams were being recognized, while adjusting the intensity of the signal to determine the TVs’ sensitivity. We verified the audio and video quality, as well as audio/video synchronization. For stream data performance, we verified the display functions, including the channel and program title, caption service, aspect ratio and EPG information.
Our FindingsWhile the Sony had better overall performance than the Samsung and Sharp, we found compatibility problems across the board. The errors we found included mosaic pictures, double subtitles, scrambled text and broken images. Regarding the locales tested, Philadelphia had more failure than other cities, while Milwaukee had 100 percent performance from all three brands.
This case study demonstrates that even major TV brands can face compatibility issues. The field testing that TVs undergo prior to going to market is insufficient to guarantee consistent quality when receiving signals from different regions or countries. By offering a data pool of signals, Allion’s Real World TV Validation testing helps locate and prevent all possible compatibility issues.
New RF Stream Technology Revolutionizing TV Testing
For TV manufacturers, sustaining the claim of product quality is vital to success; however, the industry has had difficulty consistently delivering on the claim. Broadcasting systems in different countries and regions produce different RF signals, resulting in high error rates. Even well-known TV brands can have compatibility issues when receiving signals in different regions.
While field tests have the potential to reduce error rates, they have intrinsic limitations. Successful field testing in one region does not guarantee that the product will work in nearby areas. Field testing also requires the manufacturers to heavily invest both time and money.
A new way of recording RF stream is revolutionizing how TV manufacturers solve the problem of addressing compatibility with differing RF signals. These RF signals enable developers to test their products by simulating the RF signals from different regions. The TV RF signals can be recorded and saved as the IQ format (TV RF Raw Data), containing the environmental factors and retaining complete parameter data.
The IQ format improves on the previously used TS (Transport Stream) format, where the demodulator reconstructed the signal but lost some of the related features during the process. With this new technology, TV manufacturers will be able to thoroughly test the tuner performance, A/V performance and stream data performance of their products without the high cost of field testing.
Utilizing the new RF Stream recording technology will make it possible for manufacturers to develop products that can live up to their quality claims in any region.
While field tests have the potential to reduce error rates, they have intrinsic limitations. Successful field testing in one region does not guarantee that the product will work in nearby areas. Field testing also requires the manufacturers to heavily invest both time and money.
A new way of recording RF stream is revolutionizing how TV manufacturers solve the problem of addressing compatibility with differing RF signals. These RF signals enable developers to test their products by simulating the RF signals from different regions. The TV RF signals can be recorded and saved as the IQ format (TV RF Raw Data), containing the environmental factors and retaining complete parameter data.
The IQ format improves on the previously used TS (Transport Stream) format, where the demodulator reconstructed the signal but lost some of the related features during the process. With this new technology, TV manufacturers will be able to thoroughly test the tuner performance, A/V performance and stream data performance of their products without the high cost of field testing.
Utilizing the new RF Stream recording technology will make it possible for manufacturers to develop products that can live up to their quality claims in any region.
Monday, January 11, 2010
First Certified SuperSpeed USB Consumer Products Announced
January 11th, 2010
The USB-IF has announced the first wave of consumer products to pass compliance and certification testing for SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0). The 17 products include certified SuperSpeed USB laptops, devices, silicon and motherboards.
Notable products announced include:
ASUS P6×58D Premium motherboard
HP Envy 15 notebok PC
Fujitsu FMV-BIBLO NF/G70 notebook PC
Western Digital My Book USB 3.0 external hard drive and USB 3.0 PCIe adapter card
Seagate BlackArmor external drive
Consumers who want the fastest USB experience can now have access to these certified SuperSpeed USB products, which pave the way for future USB solutions. Additional certified products are slated to enter the market in the first quarter of 2010.
The USB 3.0 specification delivers data transfer rates up to 10x faster than Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0), offers optimized power efficiency and is backward compatible with the billions of USB devices currently in the market.
Allion has been authorized by the USB-IF as a USB-IF Compliance Program testing lab and has been working with the organization for years. The USB test program is designed for hardware vendors who want assurance that their products meet the USB specification. Allion looks forward to the USB 3.0 testing transition to third party test labs and testing the growing variety of SuperSpeed USB products before they hit the shelves.
The USB-IF has announced the first wave of consumer products to pass compliance and certification testing for SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0). The 17 products include certified SuperSpeed USB laptops, devices, silicon and motherboards.
Notable products announced include:
ASUS P6×58D Premium motherboard
HP Envy 15 notebok PC
Fujitsu FMV-BIBLO NF/G70 notebook PC
Western Digital My Book USB 3.0 external hard drive and USB 3.0 PCIe adapter card
Seagate BlackArmor external drive
Consumers who want the fastest USB experience can now have access to these certified SuperSpeed USB products, which pave the way for future USB solutions. Additional certified products are slated to enter the market in the first quarter of 2010.
The USB 3.0 specification delivers data transfer rates up to 10x faster than Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0), offers optimized power efficiency and is backward compatible with the billions of USB devices currently in the market.
Allion has been authorized by the USB-IF as a USB-IF Compliance Program testing lab and has been working with the organization for years. The USB test program is designed for hardware vendors who want assurance that their products meet the USB specification. Allion looks forward to the USB 3.0 testing transition to third party test labs and testing the growing variety of SuperSpeed USB products before they hit the shelves.
DisplayPort and USB 3.0 Named Among Top Technologies of 2010
December 17th, 2009
Earlier this quarter, Maximum PC compiled a list of top technologies in 2010. We think this list is worth sharing as it gives some insight into where the industry is headed which will influence the test, validation and certification ecosystem. Several technologies we regularly cover on the Blog including USB, PCI, SATA and DisplayPort are listed. We think this is a good indication that many emerging technologies are poised to make a big splash both within the industry and with consumers next year.
Maximum PC’s full list of top 2010 technologies includes:
Intel Core i7 chip going mainstream – Intel’s new series of CPUs are affordable yet appealing to power users
AMD Orochi chip – the next generation chip can be built on the 32nm processor, rather than the current 45 mn process. This processor will feature more than four cores, over 8 MB of L3 cache and a DDR3 integrated memory controller.
PCI Express 3.0 – significantly increases bandwidth and efficiency over the existing PCIe 2.0.
Graphics - graphics chips from industry leaders such as NVIDIA and AMD will be fast and functional
Storage - hard drives will continue to become more spacious, fast and affordable
As we mentioned earlier this month, SATA Revision 3.0 (SATA 6 Gb/s) will give SSDs the throughput they need to optimize speed.
Mobile Broadband – WiMAX is a 4G solution for handheld devices and notebooks and will help bring broadband to rural area. Another 4G technology is LTE (long term evolution), an IP-based, low latency network with bandwidth 2-3x what WiMAX offers.
SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0) - up to 10x faster than USB 2.0, backward compatible with Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) and optimized for power. Need we say more? We’re looking forward to testing SuperSpeed products as adoption becomes widespread.
DisplayPort – this digital display connection has been gaining momentum and will continue to grow in 2010. It is a DVI replacement and is significant as the connector is small and easy to use. DisplayPort provides more data per wire than DVI, and supports HDCP content protection. Allion is the leading independent test lab accredited by VESA for DisplayPort testing and plans to continue DisplayPort compliance and logo program testing as adoption for the standard expands next year.
Multi-touch – From gaming systems to computers to handheld devices, advanced touch technology will continue to be sought after in 2010.
Multiscreen – AMD has a high-end graphics card that can support up to six DisplayPort connectors. In a California test lab, each connector was attached to a 30-inch display, and the six monitors were configured as a single monitor.
While the list is extensive it is certainly not exhaustive, so which technologies do you think will generate the most buzz in 2010? Let us know in the comments.
Earlier this quarter, Maximum PC compiled a list of top technologies in 2010. We think this list is worth sharing as it gives some insight into where the industry is headed which will influence the test, validation and certification ecosystem. Several technologies we regularly cover on the Blog including USB, PCI, SATA and DisplayPort are listed. We think this is a good indication that many emerging technologies are poised to make a big splash both within the industry and with consumers next year.
Maximum PC’s full list of top 2010 technologies includes:
Intel Core i7 chip going mainstream – Intel’s new series of CPUs are affordable yet appealing to power users
AMD Orochi chip – the next generation chip can be built on the 32nm processor, rather than the current 45 mn process. This processor will feature more than four cores, over 8 MB of L3 cache and a DDR3 integrated memory controller.
PCI Express 3.0 – significantly increases bandwidth and efficiency over the existing PCIe 2.0.
Graphics - graphics chips from industry leaders such as NVIDIA and AMD will be fast and functional
Storage - hard drives will continue to become more spacious, fast and affordable
As we mentioned earlier this month, SATA Revision 3.0 (SATA 6 Gb/s) will give SSDs the throughput they need to optimize speed.
Mobile Broadband – WiMAX is a 4G solution for handheld devices and notebooks and will help bring broadband to rural area. Another 4G technology is LTE (long term evolution), an IP-based, low latency network with bandwidth 2-3x what WiMAX offers.
SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0) - up to 10x faster than USB 2.0, backward compatible with Hi-Speed USB (USB 2.0) and optimized for power. Need we say more? We’re looking forward to testing SuperSpeed products as adoption becomes widespread.
DisplayPort – this digital display connection has been gaining momentum and will continue to grow in 2010. It is a DVI replacement and is significant as the connector is small and easy to use. DisplayPort provides more data per wire than DVI, and supports HDCP content protection. Allion is the leading independent test lab accredited by VESA for DisplayPort testing and plans to continue DisplayPort compliance and logo program testing as adoption for the standard expands next year.
Multi-touch – From gaming systems to computers to handheld devices, advanced touch technology will continue to be sought after in 2010.
Multiscreen – AMD has a high-end graphics card that can support up to six DisplayPort connectors. In a California test lab, each connector was attached to a 30-inch display, and the six monitors were configured as a single monitor.
While the list is extensive it is certainly not exhaustive, so which technologies do you think will generate the most buzz in 2010? Let us know in the comments.
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