Mobile High-definition Link
Encyclopedia
Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) is a proposed industry standard
for a mobile audio/video interface for directly connecting mobile phones and other portable consumer electronics
(CE) devices to high-definition television
s (HDTVs) and displays. The MHL standard features a single cable with a low pin-count interface able to support up to 1080p high-definition (HD) video and digital audio while simultaneously charging the connected device.
MHL is being developed by the MHL Consortium, a consortium
of developers of mobile devices.
By transporting the digital content in digital form, the full impact of the picture (whether still images or video) can be seen on HDTV
s.
(CES). This interface was termed "Mobile High Definition Link" at the time of the demonstration, and is a direct precursor of the implementation announced by the MHL Consortium.
The company is quoted as saying it did not ship that original technology in any volume, but used it as a way to get the working group started.
A Working Group was announced in September 2009 to develop a specification based on MHL Technology.
The MHL Consortium was announced by the companies of the Mobile High-definition Working Group on April 14, 2010.Nokia
, Samsung
, Silicon Image, Sony
and Toshiba
had been working on a specification since the Working Group announcement in September, 2009.
MHL, LLC is the agent for overseeing the licensing and promotion of the MHL specification.
The MHL 1.0 Specification was announced on June 30, 2010.
Details on adopter agreement are also available on the MHL Consortium website.
The Compliance Test Specification (CTS) was announced on December 21, 2010.
Some writers confuse the origins of MHL with that of HDMI
, while also stating that MHL is based on Silicon Image's technology released in 2008.
LG Electronics available on December 4, 2011 AT&T Wireless
and LG Electronics
is releasing the 'Nitro HD' mobile phone, a True HD AH-IPS panel
display on the device with MHL output abilities for any TV equipped with HDMI
input. The Nitro HD is exclusive for AT&T Wireless
on their LTE
high speed network.
LG Electronics available only in Canadian, European, and Korean mobile Markets LG Electronics
has announced the Optimus LTE available for regions utilizing LTE
networks. The Optimus LTE is the global equivalent of the exclusive AT&T Wireless
Nitro HD available only in the United States
on December 4, 2011. Optimus LTE has a True HD AH-IPS panel
display on the device coupled with MHL output abilities for any TV equipped with HDMI
input.
Samsung announced at the 2011 Mobile World Congress
that their 'Galaxy S II' mobile device features MHL output.
HTC announced at the 2011 CTIA that their 'EVO 3D' mobile device supports MHL output and in addition that the HTC 'Sensation' will also have this capability, as well as its successor, the 'Sensation XE'.
The following retail products are known to have MHL technology available:
HD Televisions
Mobile devices
Industry Standard
Industry Standard is a 1982 album by The Dregs. It is their only album featuring vocals and garnered the group their fourth Grammy nomination.-Track listing:All tracks are written by Steve Morse, except where noted.#"Assembly Line" – 4:25...
for a mobile audio/video interface for directly connecting mobile phones and other portable consumer electronics
Consumer electronics
Consumer electronics are electronic equipment intended for everyday use, most often in entertainment, communications and office productivity. Radio broadcasting in the early 20th century brought the first major consumer product, the broadcast receiver...
(CE) devices to high-definition television
High-definition television
High-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
s (HDTVs) and displays. The MHL standard features a single cable with a low pin-count interface able to support up to 1080p high-definition (HD) video and digital audio while simultaneously charging the connected device.
MHL is being developed by the MHL Consortium, a consortium
Consortium
A consortium is an association of two or more individuals, companies, organizations or governments with the objective of participating in a common activity or pooling their resources for achieving a common goal....
of developers of mobile devices.
Features
- The HDTV charges the connected device.
- Uses a single, thin cable to connect the mobile device to the HDTV.
- The HDTV remote will control the connected device with guaranteed mixed manufacturer interoperability.
- 1080p1080p1080p is the shorthand identification for a set of HDTV high-definition video modes that are characterized by 1080 horizontal lines of resolution and progressive scan, meaning the image is not interlaced as is the case with the 1080i display standard....
uncompressed HD video. - 8 channel (e.g., 7.1 surround sound) uncompressed audio.
- Supports High-bandwidth Digital Content ProtectionHigh-Bandwidth Digital Content ProtectionHigh-bandwidth Digital Content Protection is a form of digital copy protection developed by Intel Corporation to prevent copying of digital audio and video content as it travels across connections...
(HDCP). - MHL is connection agnostic (i.e., not tied to a specific type of hardware connector). The first implementations dual-purpose the most popular mobile connection (micro USB) and the most popular HDTV connection (HDMIHDMIHDMI is a compact audio/video interface for transmitting uncompressed digital data. It is a digital alternative to consumer analog standards, such as radio frequency coaxial cable, composite video, S-Video, SCART, component video, D-Terminal, or VGA...
). Other than the connectors being used, no USB nor HDMI technology is being used. It is exclusively MHL signalling through the connectors and over the cable. Other proprietary and custom connections are also allowed.
By transporting the digital content in digital form, the full impact of the picture (whether still images or video) can be seen on HDTV
High-definition television
High-definition television is video that has resolution substantially higher than that of traditional television systems . HDTV has one or two million pixels per frame, roughly five times that of SD...
s.
History
Silicon Image originally demonstrated a mobile interconnect, based on its TMDS technology, at the January 2008 Consumer Electronics ShowConsumer Electronics Show
The International Consumer Electronics Show is a major technology-related trade show held each January in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Not open to the public, the Consumer Electronics Association-sponsored show typically hosts previews of products and new...
(CES). This interface was termed "Mobile High Definition Link" at the time of the demonstration, and is a direct precursor of the implementation announced by the MHL Consortium.
The company is quoted as saying it did not ship that original technology in any volume, but used it as a way to get the working group started.
A Working Group was announced in September 2009 to develop a specification based on MHL Technology.
The MHL Consortium was announced by the companies of the Mobile High-definition Working Group on April 14, 2010.Nokia
Nokia
Nokia Corporation is a Finnish multinational communications corporation that is headquartered in Keilaniemi, Espoo, a city neighbouring Finland's capital Helsinki...
, Samsung
Samsung
The Samsung Group is a South Korean multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Samsung Town, Seoul, South Korea...
, Silicon Image, Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
and Toshiba
Toshiba
is a multinational electronics and electrical equipment corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is a diversified manufacturer and marketer of electrical products, spanning information & communications equipment and systems, Internet-based solutions and services, electronic components and...
had been working on a specification since the Working Group announcement in September, 2009.
MHL, LLC is the agent for overseeing the licensing and promotion of the MHL specification.
Introduction
An abridged version of the specification was made available for download on April 14, 2010 from http://www.mhlconsortium.org/. A nonrefundable fee of US$100 is charged.The MHL 1.0 Specification was announced on June 30, 2010.
Details on adopter agreement are also available on the MHL Consortium website.
The Compliance Test Specification (CTS) was announced on December 21, 2010.
Reception
Almost immediately after the specification was announced, articles appeared highlighting the use of the industry-standard micro-USB connector to send high-definition video and audio, as well as take in power, and use a command bus between the mobile device and the TV.Some writers confuse the origins of MHL with that of HDMI
HDMI
HDMI is a compact audio/video interface for transmitting uncompressed digital data. It is a digital alternative to consumer analog standards, such as radio frequency coaxial cable, composite video, S-Video, SCART, component video, D-Terminal, or VGA...
, while also stating that MHL is based on Silicon Image's technology released in 2008.
Products
Silicon Image announced a family of chips supporting MHL including a transmitter, a bridge and a port processor.LG Electronics available on December 4, 2011 AT&T Wireless
AT&T Wireless
AT&T Wireless Services, Inc., founded in 1987 as McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc., and now legally known as New Cingular Wireless Services, Inc., formerly part of AT&T Corp., is a wireless telephone carrier in the United States, based in Redmond, Washington, and later traded on the New York...
and LG Electronics
LG Electronics
LG Electronics is a global electronics and telecommunications company headquartered in Yeouido, Seoul, South Korea. The company operates its business through five divisions: mobile communications, home entertainment, home appliance, air conditioning and business solution...
is releasing the 'Nitro HD' mobile phone, a True HD AH-IPS panel
IPS panel
IPS panel technology was developed by Hitachi in 1996 to solve the two main limitations of TN-matrices at the time, those being small viewing angles and low-quality color reproduction...
display on the device with MHL output abilities for any TV equipped with HDMI
HDMI
HDMI is a compact audio/video interface for transmitting uncompressed digital data. It is a digital alternative to consumer analog standards, such as radio frequency coaxial cable, composite video, S-Video, SCART, component video, D-Terminal, or VGA...
input. The Nitro HD is exclusive for AT&T Wireless
AT&T Wireless
AT&T Wireless Services, Inc., founded in 1987 as McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc., and now legally known as New Cingular Wireless Services, Inc., formerly part of AT&T Corp., is a wireless telephone carrier in the United States, based in Redmond, Washington, and later traded on the New York...
on their LTE
LTE
- Organizations and companies :* London Transport Executive, the organisation responsible for public transport in the Greater London area, UK, between 1948–1962...
high speed network.
LG Electronics available only in Canadian, European, and Korean mobile Markets LG Electronics
LG Electronics
LG Electronics is a global electronics and telecommunications company headquartered in Yeouido, Seoul, South Korea. The company operates its business through five divisions: mobile communications, home entertainment, home appliance, air conditioning and business solution...
has announced the Optimus LTE available for regions utilizing LTE
LTE
- Organizations and companies :* London Transport Executive, the organisation responsible for public transport in the Greater London area, UK, between 1948–1962...
networks. The Optimus LTE is the global equivalent of the exclusive AT&T Wireless
AT&T Wireless
AT&T Wireless Services, Inc., founded in 1987 as McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc., and now legally known as New Cingular Wireless Services, Inc., formerly part of AT&T Corp., is a wireless telephone carrier in the United States, based in Redmond, Washington, and later traded on the New York...
Nitro HD available only in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on December 4, 2011. Optimus LTE has a True HD AH-IPS panel
IPS panel
IPS panel technology was developed by Hitachi in 1996 to solve the two main limitations of TN-matrices at the time, those being small viewing angles and low-quality color reproduction...
display on the device coupled with MHL output abilities for any TV equipped with HDMI
HDMI
HDMI is a compact audio/video interface for transmitting uncompressed digital data. It is a digital alternative to consumer analog standards, such as radio frequency coaxial cable, composite video, S-Video, SCART, component video, D-Terminal, or VGA...
input.
Samsung announced at the 2011 Mobile World Congress
Mobile World Congress
The GSMA Mobile World Congress is the combination of the world's largest exhibition for the mobile industry and a conference featuring prominent Chief Executives representing mobile operators, device manufacturers, technology providers, vendors and content owners from across the world...
that their 'Galaxy S II' mobile device features MHL output.
HTC announced at the 2011 CTIA that their 'EVO 3D' mobile device supports MHL output and in addition that the HTC 'Sensation' will also have this capability, as well as its successor, the 'Sensation XE'.
The following retail products are known to have MHL technology available:
HD Televisions
- ToshibaToshibais a multinational electronics and electrical equipment corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is a diversified manufacturer and marketer of electrical products, spanning information & communications equipment and systems, Internet-based solutions and services, electronic components and...
Regza WL800A LED TV range (one of the earliest TV's to ship with MHL). - Samsung's UN55D8000YF, UN55D6300SF LED TV range.
Mobile devices
- LG Nitro HD mobile phone
- LG Optimus LTE mobile phone
- HTC RezoundHTC RezoundThe HTC Rezound is a smartphone by HTC and sold through Verizon. Along with the Galaxy Nexus and Droid RAZR, it is expected to be a major competitor to the iPhone 4S. It was released on November 14, 2011.- References :...
phone - Samsung Galaxy NoteSamsung Galaxy NoteThe Samsung Galaxy Note is an Android smartphone and tablet computer that was introduced in 2011. It occupies a niche in Samsung's Galaxy range, bridging the gap between other Galaxy-series smartphones such as the Galaxy S II and tablets such as the Galaxy Tab....
phone - Samsung Galaxy S IISamsung Galaxy S IIThe Samsung Galaxy S II is a smartphone running under the Android operating system that was announced by Samsung on February 13, 2011 at the Mobile World Congress. It is the successor to the Samsung Galaxy S, with a different appearance and significantly improved hardware...
phone - Samsung Infuse 4G phone (bundled with an MHL to HDMI adapter)
- Galaxy NexusGalaxy NexusThe Galaxy Nexus is a touchscreen slate Android smartphone developed by a partnership between Samsung and Google. The phone and operating system were developed collaboratively by engineers from both companies. It is the third generation successor to Google’s previous flagship phones, the Nexus One...
phone - HTC Evo 3DHTC EVO 3DThe HTC Evo 3D is an Android 2.3 smartphone that allows for the creation and viewing of 3D content through the use of two 5 MP rear-facing cameras and a glasses-free 3D-capable 4.3" qHD touch screen. In the United States, the Evo 3D is available exclusively on the Sprint/Nextel network...
phone - HTC FlyerHTC FlyerThe HTC Flyer is a tablet computer by HTC Corporation. It was announced at the Mobile World Congress 2011 and released in May 2011. Unlike other tablets announced at MWC, the Flyer has a single-core 1.5 GHz CPU and runs Android 2.3.3 instead of 3.0...
tablet - HTC SensationHTC SensationThe HTC Sensation is a smartphone designed and manufactured by HTC Corporation that runs the Android 2.3 Gingerbread software stack. Officially announced by HTC on April 12, 2011, the HTC Sensation was launched by Vodafone in key European markets including the UK on May 19, 2011 and by T-Mobile in...
phone - HTC Sensation XE phone
- HTC Amaze 4GHTC Amaze 4GThe HTC Amaze 4G is a smartphone developed by the HTC Corporation. It was released by T-Mobile in the United States on 10 October 2011.. It was first released in Canada by Telus on 04 November 2011...
phone