Android News
MHL is the future: provides HDMI-out and charges device at the same time
May 17, 2011 | by Andrew Kameka
Android News
What is MHL other than a new acronym for the tech averse Android community to remember? Well, aside from being the lifeblood of HDMI-out on the HTC EVO 3D and Samsung Galaxy S II, MHL is the next stage of media output from mobile phones.
MHL is shorthand for Mobile High-Definition Link, a connection standard that supports 1080p HD video and Digital Audio at 7.1 Surround Sound when linking a mobile device to a television. So when someone records video on an Android phone or wants to share select multimedia content on a TV, that person can connect their MHL-capable phone with a compliant television and enjoy a better media experience.
HDMI-out already handles that on my phone, so big deal, right? Wrong. What sets MHL apart is the ability to provide power while connected to a television. Current HDMI-out links from a cell phone can lead to battery draining quickly, but MHL connection modes actually enable charging while sending audio and video from the phone to an HDTV set. Rather than deplete the battery, MHL gives it a boost. And best of all, you can sit back down on the couch once the phone is connected since some handsets support remote control of the mobile device once linked.
MHL optimizes the connection of mobile devices. The days of having a special HDMI-out port and another port for charging will fade away. A switch in the MHL port recognizes when the user merely wants to charge the device and when he or she wishes to connect to a television. That, along with anti-piracy content protection and the ability to build at a lower cost, make MHL an appealing connection interface for phone makers.
Samsung, Sony Ericsson, and TOSHIBA are the only Android device makers who are part of the MHL Consortium, but more than 20 companies have licensed the technology. Acer is an MHL licensee, and HTC is including the technology in the upcoming HTC EVO 3D. Due to limitations of legacy sets, MHL may not be compatible with all devices and televisions for charging, so some MHL-capable devices may require adapters. The AT&T Infuse 4G is one such device. Below is a video showing how the set-up works with an adapter, but future televisions with MHL built-in will require only an MHL phone-to-television cable.
Fast forward to 1:54 if you want to only see the adapter demo.
Interesting idea certainly – thanks for covering it ! The beginning of the article does contain a puzzle though – why say "the tech-averse Android community" ? I think it was pretty clear especially in the early days of Android that it was eagerly seized upon by techies who recognised the Linux background of Android. Compare this with say Apple products which are carefully "dumbed down" for people who really are tech-averse and want/need everything arranged for them – and as a result often losing out on some pretty important features. Mike.
Very very bad idea not to have a separate HDMI and USB. SONY Xperia Arc (as LG Optimus 2X) has separate HDMI and USB and it is the best solution. SAMSUNG Galaxy S2 has no separate HDMI/USB: wrong solution ! inconvenient and disadvantageous solution !
It's BAD. The SGS2 does not include an adapter. Right now, none are available. Plus, it's expensive! You still need to buy an HDMI cable to use it. Another DUMB standard that no one will use. OH HAI, PDMI!! -_- HDMI/USB FTW!
Our MHL-HDMI dongle features a 5-pin microUSB plug on one end and HDMI-A (female) on the other. This dongle connects an MHL-enabled portable device to an HDMI cable coming out of HDTV, and its small form factor makes it easy to carry around with your mobile device.This dongle features: 1080p HD video Digital audio Simultaneous charging to the mobile device TV remote access and control on mobile device Samples available for evaluation PLS contact sara13724361124@hotmail.com to order from us,we have OEM in China
MHL is a BIG FAIL for picoprojector and pocket fun !!!!!!!!!!!!!! I need to disable phone charge, enable video output, and power the SII9290 MHL-to-HDMI ship !!! it’s CRAP
Hdmi is awesome..mhl sucks cause it occupies the usb port..on a phone with hdmi port, i can put tv out and at the same time also put a usb stick to my phone, and also charge my phone. wiht mhl the usb port is taken by the stupid mhl..i can only charge but i cant connect a usb stick/card reader…also it needs a big mhl adapter box..sucks !!!
Hi…I have a lg p350 and this dapter works on my phone?