MHL, a high-definition mobile link, allows consumers to connect their mobile devices to larger displays. Vipin Sawhney, India Country Manager, Silicon Image, talks to Pupul Dutta about the future of this technology and how it will impact the smartphone industry.
What is the significance of MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link)? How is this technology expected to change the mobile experience?
MHL technology allows you to connect your smartphone, tablet, and other mobile devices to TVs, monitors, projectors, in-dash automotive displays, audio-video receivers (AVRs) and the rapidly expanding ecosystem of other products.
Developed by Silicon Image, which is a member of the MHL Consortium (along with Nokia, Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba), MHL technology features a single cable, 5-pin digital interface that can transmit 4K (UHD) video and enhanced surround audio while simultaneously providing power to the mobile device.
MHL can also deliver audio, video, data, and power over a single connector. The MHL specification enable companies to leverage popular connectors already present on many mobile devices and displays, including micro-USB and HDMI Type A, in addition to proprietary connectors.
The technology is optimised for mobile and sends uncompressed, Ultra High-Definition (UHD) video and up to 8 channels of surround sound audio from an MHL smartphone or tablet to any TV, monitor or display, while also charging the device. With MHL, smartphones and tablets can be transformed into game consoles, home entertainment systems, PCs and more.
How many devices are coming pre-installed with this technology? Are you in talks with OEMs for promotion of this technology?
The technology has been consistently growing with more than 650 million devices shipped in three short years. This is faster growth than HDMI in that same timeframe. Leading consumer electronics and mobile device companies continue to release exciting MHL-enabled products that showcase the power of MHL technology, which brings UHD multimedia content from mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets to TVs and monitors. The global MHL ecosystem includes adapters, automotive accessories, A/V receivers, Blu-ray Disc players, cables, DTVs, monitors, projectors, smartphones, streaming media sticks, tablets and more.
The beauty of an open standard is that it spurs innovation. More MHL products are being released that push the boundaries of where we thought the technology could go, helping to drive MHL? continued growth.
Specific to India, there are phones and tablets from HTC, Huawei, Samsung, Sony and ZTE that come pre-installed with the MHL technology. There are also a variety of TVs from LG, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba.
In what ways will MHL impact other technologies that are currently in the market? Do you think it can emerge as the next game-changer?
When MHL released its first specification, it started with a simple idea of connecting a phone to a TV. This has now evolved into an advanced world of connectivity. MHL’s product ecosystem has rapidly grown and the use cases continue to expand, making MHL the world? most widely adopted mobile TV-out standard and the de-facto system for connectivity between mobiles and consumer electronics products.
MHL has achieved broader adoption in countries like India where smartphone shipments are rapidly accelerating. The ability to connect a smartphone or tablet to the big screen to display photos and videos, play games or use productivity applications is a compelling value proposition, which continues to expand the adoption of MHL in emerging markets.
I do believe that MHL is a game changing technology with multiple applications that can benefit consumers.
How do you see the technology evolving in over a period of next two years?
We can? provide any forward looking statements for MHL technology, but the consortium is made up of companies that are leaders in the mobile and consumer electronic space. The goal of each specification is to deliver a set of features that enable companies to stay ahead of the industry curve, forecasting the future needs of consumers.