THX facts for kids
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| Subsidiary | |
| Industry | Motion picture industry |
| Founded | May 20, 1983 |
| Founders | George Lucas Tomlinson Holman |
| Headquarters |
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U.S.
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THX Ltd. is an American company that focuses on making sound and picture quality amazing. They create special standards for how movies, games, and music should sound in places like movie theaters, home theaters, and even in cars. When you see a THX logo, it means the sound and picture meet very high quality levels.
You might have heard the famous THX sound, called the Deep Note, which plays before many movies. It's a unique sound that starts low and gets louder and higher.
THX was first created in 1983 by Tomlinson Holman at George Lucas's company, Lucasfilm. George Lucas wanted to make sure the sound for his movie Return of the Jedi (a Star Wars film) sounded perfect in theaters. The name THX comes from Tomlinson Holman's initials, and the "X" can mean "crossover" or "experiment." It's also a nod to George Lucas's first movie, THX 1138. The Deep Note sound was made by James A. Moorer, who worked with Holman.
THX is not a way of recording sound. Instead, it's a system that makes sure the sound you hear is exactly how the filmmakers wanted it to be. It's like a quality check. THX-certified movie theaters have special sound systems and room designs to make sure every movie sounds its best. This includes things like special walls and floors to stop echoes and outside noise.
In 2002, THX became its own company, separate from Lucasfilm. It was then bought by Creative Technology, a company known for computer sound cards. Under Creative Technology, THX started certifying computer sound cards. In 2016, Razer Inc., a company that makes gaming hardware, bought THX. As of September 2024, Tuyen Pham is the CEO of THX.
How THX Began
Tomlinson Holman, an expert in sound, started working for Lucasfilm in 1980. He helped design the sound system for a new movie mixing studio called Sprocket Systems. Holman and George Lucas came up with a clever way to arrange speakers and use special sound equipment to make the best possible movie sound.
Filmmakers who visited the studio were amazed by the sound quality. Jim Kessler, who hired Holman, thought of calling the system "Tomlinson Holman's Crossover." He later changed it to "THX," which also honored George Lucas's first movie, THX 1138. The "X" was then said to mean "experiment."
The First THX Theaters
The first four movie theaters in the United States installed THX sound systems. To introduce this new system, James A. Moorer created the famous Deep Note sound. THX officially launched on May 20, 1983. The first THX trailer and Deep Note played in theaters when Return of the Jedi was released just five days later. People saw it as a big step forward in movie sound.
THX for Your Home
In 1990, THX introduced the Home THX Audio System for people to use at home. They released a special LaserDisc (an old type of video disc) called Wow! that showed off the sound with clips from movies like Star Wars and Indiana Jones.
- In 1993, The Abyss was the first LaserDisc to get THX certification.
- In 1995, the Star Wars trilogy became the first THX-certified VHS (video cassette) release.
- In 1997, Twister was the first movie on the new DVD format to be THX-certified.
THX in Cars and Games
In 2002, Lincoln cars became the first to offer THX-certified sound systems. This meant that the sound in these cars met THX's high standards.
THX also started certifying video game audio in 2003. Electronic Arts was the first company to get this certification. This helped make game sound much better. Games like Need for Speed: Underground and Medal of Honor: Rising Sun had THX logos on their boxes. In 2020, THX introduced "THX Certified Game Mode" for TVs, which makes games look and sound even better with clear pictures and less delay. TCL Technology released the first TV with this feature.
THX for New Technologies
As technology changed, THX kept up:
- In 2006, THX started certifying Blu-ray discs, beginning with Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
- In 2010, THX introduced "THX 3D Display" certification for 3D TVs. The LG Infinia PX950 Plasma HDTV was one of the first to get this.
- In 2013, THX released its first mobile app, "THX Tune-Up," to help people set up their home audio systems.
- In 2014, THX expanded to China, working with China Film Group to improve movie experiences there.
- In 2016, Razer Inc. bought THX. The first THX-certified laptop, the Razer Blade Pro, came out in 2017.
- In 2018, THX introduced "Spatial Audio," which creates an immersive 360-degree sound experience through headphones.
- In 2020, Walmart started selling Gateway laptops and tablets tuned by THX for better screen colors and sound.
- In 2021, THX released its first product for consumers, the Onyx, a small device that improves headphone sound.
Where THX Was Developed
The very first THX theater was the Eileen L. Norris Cinema Theatre at the University of Southern California. This theater is part of the university's film school.
THX Certifications
THX has a special process to certify many different products, not just movie theaters. This includes home audio systems, speakers, soundbars, and even HDMI cables. When a product is THX certified, it means it meets strict quality standards.
THX Certified Ultra
These products are for very large home theaters, like rooms that are about 3,000 cubic feet. You would typically sit 12 feet or more away from the screen.
THX Certified Select
These products are for medium-sized rooms, up to 2,000 cubic feet. The best viewing distance is usually 10 to 12 feet from the screen.
THX Certified Compact
These products are for smaller rooms, also up to 2,000 cubic feet. They are designed for a viewing distance of about 8 feet from the screen.
THX Certified Dominus
These products are for huge home theater spaces, around 6,500 cubic feet. They are designed for viewing distances of 20 feet or more from the screen.
I/S Plus Systems
These are complete home theater systems that include an AV receiver and speakers. They are certified for small home theaters or dorm rooms where you sit about 6 to 8 feet from the screen. Companies like Onkyo and Enclave Audio make these systems.
Multimedia Products
THX also certifies multimedia products, which are designed for PC gaming and other computer uses on your desktop.
THX Certified Optimode and Optimizer
Some THX-certified DVDs and video displays (like plasma or LCD TVs and projectors) include "THX Optimode" or "Optimizer." These features help you set up your TV or projector to show movies exactly as they were meant to be seen. The first DVD with THX Optimode was Fight Club, released in 2000.
THX Mascot
THX has a fun robot mascot named Tex. He was created and voiced by John Lasseter, who used to be the CEO of Pixar Animation Studios.
- Tex first appeared in a trailer called Tex 1 EX in 1996, which played before movies like Independence Day. In this trailer, Tex fixes the THX logo.
- A second trailer, Tex 2: Moo Can, came out in 1997. In this one, Tex uses a "moo can" toy to make the Deep Note sound.
- A newer trailer, Tex vs. the Robot, was released online in 2020. It showed Tex and another robot trying to put an orb into a spaceship, demonstrating THX's Spatial Audio technology.
Deep Note
The Deep Note is the famous sound that plays before THX-certified movies. It's a unique sound that starts with a low rumble and then rises in pitch, creating a powerful and immersive experience. It was designed to grab your attention and prepare you for the amazing sound quality you're about to hear.
See also
In Spanish: THX para niños
- Home cinema
- AV receiver
- Surround sound
