There are two 980 product options available, the 980 225MHz (“Gen 2”) and the 980 297MHz (“Gen 3”). The 980 225MHz option offers analysis of HDMI source devices at TMDS clock rates up to 225MHz. The 980 297MHz option offers analysis of HDMI source devices at TMDS clock rates up to 297MHz.

The 980 products capture and decode encrypted or unencrypted metadata (audio sample, infoframes and other data islands) as well as DDC transactions and CEC messages. Unlike competing analysers for HDMI protocol testing, the 980 captures all data islands and control packets with accurate timestamps even when they are transmitted in rapid succession.

The 980 operates in one of two modes: Capture mode or Real Time mode. In the Capture mode, the 980 captures and decodes either unencrypted or HDCP-encrypted HDMI metadata. You can trigger a capture on a variety of conditions or events. Once the data is captured, the 980 Manager presents the data in an easy to understand way through its graphical user interface. You can apply post capture filters and searches on the data in the Data Decode panel. The Capture mode enables you to store data permanently and disseminate to subject matter experts at other locations.

The Real Time mode feature enables you to select which type of data to view in real time. Infoframes and other data islands, timing data, HDCP and EDID transactions can all be viewed in real time. You can observe changes in these data as changes are made in the source device. Reference frames can be set for any data type to enable easy identification of changes.

The optional HDMI and MHL source compliance test suites enables you to conduct compliance tests on your HDMI or MHL source devices in accordance with the Compliance Test Specifications (CTS). The 980 source compliance tests are an ideal solution for pre-testing and/or self testing and enables you to get your source product to market more quickly and to reduce the expense of testing at the ATC.

The optional Encrypted Link Analyser is a test application that enables developers to monitor, capture and analyse HDCP encrypted protocol data transmitted between an HDMI source device and sink device. This enables developers to investigate HDMI interoperability while the content is encrypted by analysing the captured metadata or viewing it in real time and also observing the behavior of the downstream sink device. The Encrypted Link Analyser uses a proprietary solution to emulate HDCP sessions between the source and sink devices. This solution enables the 980 to have full visibility into the protocols of encrypted data with the greatest degree of transparency.

The 980’s built-in 10.4 inch color touch screen provides a graphical user interface (GUI) to control the instrument and to view incoming video and metadata in the Real Time mode.