THX Adjusts

The mind-numbing complexity of most A/V systems makes it easy to miss a setting and end up with a less than optimal experience. Aspect-ratio adjustment is a perfect example. Nobody likes those pesky black bars, but between the display, the DVD player, the cable or satellite receiver, some A/V receivers, and outboard video processors, there can be three or more separate aspect-ratio controls. If even one of them is set wrong, you end up with pictures stretched or squished out of shape. Wouldn't it be nice if there were a foolproof, automatic way for your system to know what to do?

THX thinks so. Behind closed doors, it demonstrated a new technology with the working name "Blackbird." (That totally apropos name is borrowed from an ultra-high-tech Cold War-era spy plane, the SR-71.) During mastering, Blackbird places metadata into the content stream — cable, satellite, DVD, or videogame. Once embedded, the triggering signal remains with the content throughout the delivery chain. When a Blackbird-enabled system recognizes the metadata, it takes action, automatically setting your system appropriately. THX demo'd a proof-of-concept system that adjusted aspect ratio, picture parameters, audio reference level, and surround processing modes.

Like its spy plane namesake, Blackbird works invisibly to the user. Just pop in your favorite movie, concert video, or game, or channel-surf, while your components adjust themselves for the perfect presentation. THX, hoping this technology will be widely accepted, will be making it available for both THX-certified and uncertified components. — John Sciacca