Game Consoles
Gaming Experiences via HDMI
Modern game consoles can reach resolutions up to 8K. High resolution with a high frame rate combined with advanced features such as Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) creates a great testing challenge for the game console manufacturers. With proper test tools you can test game consoles in the R&D development phase as well as in the production line testing environment.
What to Test in Game Consoles
Video & Audio
On game consoles, it is crucial to test the link stability and quality of the transmitted video stream. This can be done by capturing a reference frame that is compared to the transmitted video stream. These types of tests known as cyclic redundancy check (CRC) are time and cost-efficient ways of detecting link errors in the digital video stream. With modern transmitters, featuring resolutions up to 8K, it is impossible to detect errors in the video stream with a bare human eye. Only testing with proper test tools can guarantee a stable and error-free video stream.
Corresponding tests can be run on audio where a certain reference frequency is tested. Unigraf’s test tools also enable the capturing and recording of compressed audio.
Besides built-in CRC tests, Unigraf’s UCD Console GUI also features a preview for the captured video and audio. The video preview shows detailed information about the captured video and audio including the resolution and color format.
Tutorial: DisplayPort CRC Video Stability Test with Unigraf’s UCD-340 and UCD Console
The screenshot below shows the preview for the captured video. Details of the captured video are shown in the bottom left corner.
EDID
Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) is a metadata format for display devices (e.g. monitors) to describe their capabilities to a video source (e.g. game consoles). When testing game consoles, it is crucial to ensure that the device will work with a variety of different kinds of monitors. Unigraf’s test tools come with a built-in EDID editor. You can use the EDID editor tool to simulate different monitors and make sure that your transmitter device works seamlessly with different monitors. With EDID Editor you can read the EDID from display devices and save it. You can then load the EDID into your UCD test tool and the test tool will act as the display device. You can build a comprehensive EDID library of different monitors. The EDID testing can be automated which enables fast and efficient testing of the interoperability between the laptop and different types of monitors.
Screenshot showing the EDID tool in UCD Console
Link & HDCP
Having the capability to monitor and control link and HDCP encryption is a crucial part of testing any transmitter devices. Ungiraf’s test tools enable HDCP testing for both HDCP 1.4 and HDCP 2.3
Screenshot showing the link and HDCP controls
Connector Pins
Common manufacturing defects on HDMI devices are poorly manufactured connector pins. A poorly soldered or grounded connector can result as a defected TMDS signal which can cause the video or audio to fail.
Some modern receiver devices have a high-quality receiver chip which can correct a defected signal. However, all receivers are different and even if your transmitter device works with a monitor it does not mean that it will work with all monitors. Therefore, it is crucial to use an actual test tool to test the HDMI connector.
Unigraf UCD-301, a 4K@60Hz capable HDMI test tool, offers a unique solution for testing the connector pins. A built-in electrical test enables the testing of the connector. The electrical test features ready-made tests for testing the signal continuity with the HDMI connector. Electrical tests can be automated for production line testing.
The screenshot below shows the built-in electrical test set in UCD Console GUI
Enhanced Gaming Features
Unigraf’s HDMI 2.1 compatible Test Tool, UCD-422 supports enhanced gaming features in Varial Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). The screenshot below shows the control for the VRR function in UCD Console GUI.
HDMI.org: Enhanced Gaming Features
Test Solutions for Testing Game Consoles
Unigraf UCD Series Test Tools
Unigraf’s UCD-series test tools enable testing of all the above-mentioned features of HDMI game consoles. All tests available in the UCD series test tools can also be automated.
UCD-422 • State of the Art HDMI 2.1 Test Tool
UCD-422 is a HDMI 2.1 (FRL) Test Equipment supporting resolutions up to 10K@30Hz and 8K@60Hz. UCD-422 also supports enhanced gaming features in Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM)
More information: UCD-422
UCD-323 • 4K Video Analyzer and Generator
UCD-323 is a 4K@60Hz capable HDMI 2.0 video analyzer and generator. With UCD-323 you can test both HDMI transmitters (e.g. game consoles) and receivers (e.g. monitors).
More information: UCD-323
UCD-301 • 4K Video Analyzer with Electrical Test
UCD-301 is a 4K@60Hz capable test tool for testing HDMI transmitters (e.g. game consoles). UCD-301 features Ungraf’s unique electrical test that can be used to test that the HDMI connector is soldered and grounded properly. Manufacturing defects in the connector can cause e.g. the video or audio stream to fail. Electrical Test makes UCD-301 an optimal test tool for production line testing.
More information: UCD-301
