[Q] Can a mobile device support MHL without a dedicated chip? - General Questions and Answers

I read that most (all?) mobile phones and tablets that support MHL have a dedicated chip from Silicon Image for this purpose. I wonder why? Is it only for performance issues? Video processing can be expensive. In theory, would be enough for Micro USB port to be able to detect whether an MHL cable is connected and for a phone or tablet to speak MHL without a dedicated chip? I thought that maybe a dedicated chip is necessary because MHL is a proprietary technology and they only sold a licence to Silicon Image but it looks like MHL is not proprietary.
The reason I am asking this question is that myself and some other people wonder whether their non MHL-capable devices could support MHL using software . Of course, detection of MHL-capable device in Micro USB port is still an hardware issue I think but if it was supported on a particular phone or tablet, would a dedicated chip be really inevitable?

Anyone?

Related

Samsung's MHL connector controversy - how to respond?

I decided to buy the GSIII after hearing that Samsung had made a great phone, done a decent job of preventing the carriers from ruining the phone, and had become a top level member of the Linux foundation to boot!
But then I heard about the MHL connector scam - and that is one slimy move. Note that it is not only incompatible with the MHL standard, it is incompatible with other Samsung MHL cables. (If Samsung has issued some sort of clarification or explanation then please let me know.)
If I keep looking for perfection amongst the manufacturers I will never get a new phone, but I certainly don't want to simply turn a blind eye to this obnoxious move. If this is successful for Samsung, I can see them creating a fresh batch of incompatible connectors for every new device they create.
I was disappointed that Apple users never raised a fuss through all those years when Apple kept getting rated as the worst environmental offender in the Consumer Electronics industry, but one of the things that sets Android users apart from Apple users is the lack of blind brand loyalty.
So, is there an informal boycott of Samsung accessories afoot?
I guess I'm suggesting that the XDA community could discourage people from buying any of Samsung's "trick" accessories, including their fake MHL and PDMI connectors. I hope consumers will come to realize that, while Samsung makes great phones, their accessories are not a good choice, and I hope that Samsung will come to realize doing stuff like this isn't worth it.
Obviously, the less money they make from this slimy move the less likely they are to repeat it. The outcome is up to us.
[I'm posting in General forum rather then GSIII because I believe this issue - connectors, standards, and taking action - is of general relevance.]
Get ready for a horde of blind Samsung fanboys to flame you, they are just as bad as Apple fanboys. I actually read about this MHL issue. But at least they released the source code for their international device.
For me, personally, I think MHL adaptor is stupid, its clunky and inconvenient, too many wires involved. A dedicated microHDMI connector solution was better, but manufacturers abandoned it to save money because they have to put in another connector and pay royalty. I like the idea of the royalty free DisplayPort, but there is no micro version of it yet.
I'm probably not getting the SIII unless its price drops a lot since the Nexus is still the best phone software wise.
I'm imagining/wishing 2-3 years from now all phones will have a built in projector, but not sure how they'll keep it small.
An update - still appears that the port is a fake
I did my best to get an answer from the MHL Consortium but they would not respond - even to simple question such explaining how a consumer can distinugish an MHL compliant product. But it is a consortium, not a standards body - it represents member companies, not consumers, so I guess this is to be expected. The media types remain confused too.
I put together a quick website to try to inform consumers about this:
http://www.galaxymhl.com/
I believe that Android users are not the 'sheep' that iPhone users are (as evidenced by XDA itself) and I hope we can influence Samsung on this by encouraging consumers to not buy their 'fake' MHL accessories.
Even if Sammie just stops using the MHL branding with the phone and the accessories it will be a big improvement. As things stand, they are really undermining the standard.
Update!
I have received a complete explanation and have posted it there:
http://www.galaxymhl.com/
I'm pleased that, in the end, the advantages of the 11-pin MHL port on the SGS3 are significant enough to allay the initial suspicions that this was just about selling more accessories.
On the other hand, wow, was it ever a ton of work to get a clear explanation - would have thought they would have wanted to explain this clearly from the beginning. At the very least, I might have thought they would posted a clear explanation to a relevant wikipedia article once all the WTF articles started appearing.
It works for Galaxy W?
Inviato dal mio IPhone 5
PasqualeITA said:
It works for Galaxy W?
Inviato dal mio IPhone 5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe the Galaxy W does not support MHL.
Tomaxda said:
I have received a complete explanation and have posted it there:
I'm pleased that, in the end, the advantages of the 11-pin MHL port on the SGS3 are significant enough to allay the initial suspicions that this was just about selling more accessories.
On the other hand, wow, was it ever a ton of work to get a clear explanation - would have thought they would have wanted to explain this clearly from the beginning. At the very least, I might have thought they would posted a clear explanation to a relevant wikipedia article once all the WTF articles started appearing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, finally I got it. So if I've understood it well, The official MHL adapter works fine to allow you HDTV signal (HDMI) and USB OTG at the same time but... every review I read says that the MHL adapter needs power in its microUSB connector, so has anyone tested if it is possible to get USB OTG in that connector fingers-crossed::fingers-crossed::fingers-crossed??
Thank you very much in advance!
Tularis said:
Yes, finally I got it. So if I've understood it well, The official MHL adapter works fine to allow you HDTV signal (HDMI) and USB OTG at the same time but... every review I read says that the MHL adapter needs power in its microUSB connector, so has anyone tested if it is possible to get USB OTG in that connector fingers-crossed::fingers-crossed::fingers-crossed??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have the actual adapter (was boycotting it) so I can't say anything concrete, but I believe that what you are saying conflicts with the explanation that I received. The Samsung adapter for the Galaxy SIII is supposed to be able to get its power from the phone - no need for power from a separate USB cable. The adapter in question is here:
http://www.amazon.com/Adapter-HDMI-EPL-3FHU-Samsung-Galaxy/dp/B0080CXSOU
Can you give me a link to one of these reviews that says otherwise?
Tomaxda said:
Can you give me a link to one of these reviews that says otherwise?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure, here for example:
clove.co.uk/samsung-galaxy-s3-mhlhdmi-adaptor
It says:
"Please note: For the MHL cable to work you will need to have it connected to mains power."
So I don't really know what to think...Maybe you can power it using a Hub...
At first when I saw the S3 MHL adapter I though in using this connection scheme:
imageshack.us/photo/my-images/341/mhlotg.png
But I've been told that this is not going to work. I have not tested it yet but maybe its a matter of the USB OTG cable used or one of them should not be OTG, I don't know. But I have not been able to find any website or review that shows both, USB OTG + MHL, wroking at the same time and for me that is suspicious...
EDIT: sorry for links but I'm not able to use them yet...Copy+Paste
Tularis said:
Sure, here for example:
clove.co.uk/samsung-galaxy-s3-mhlhdmi-adaptor
It says:
"Please note: For the MHL cable to work you will need to have it connected to mains power."
So I don't really know what to think...Maybe you can power it using a Hub...
At first when I saw the S3 MHL adapter I though in using this connection scheme:
imageshack.us/photo/my-images/341/mhlotg.png
But I've been told that this is not going to work. I have not tested it yet but maybe its a matter of the USB OTG cable used or one of them should not be OTG, I don't know. But I have not been able to find any website or review that shows both, USB OTG + MHL, wroking at the same time and for me that is suspicious...
EDIT: sorry for links but I'm not able to use them yet...Copy+Paste
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for supplying that link. I will try to contact Clove to see whether perhaps they just added that disclaimer about needing power because past MHL adapters needed it.
Tomaxda said:
Thanks for supplying that link. I will try to contact Clove to see whether perhaps they just added that disclaimer about needing power because past MHL adapters needed it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it needs power in its microUSB female connector, but I wish it doesn't. Nobody has the MHL and the USB OTG to make the test? Maybe the OTG cable should be connected to a USB hub in order to supply power also...I need to test that on my own, but the MHL cable has not arrived yet and Im getting holydays veeeery soon...
The whole mhl thing has put me off getting any adapter.
Does anybody know if the S3 has the capability of connection to a Widi adapter or all the companies developing a medfield platform just to go off and make propritary adapters??
FYI;
Intel claim widi for their phones only
http://software.intel.com/en-us/blo...splay-technology-on-ia-phones#comment-1641598
HTC have their own adapter;
http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/14/htc-media-link-hd-review/
http://www.androidcentral.com/htc-sense-4-complete-walkthrough
Generic stickers to further confuse us all;
http://www.engadget.com/2012/09/19/wi-fi-alliance-announces-first-miracast-certified-devices/
I've been trying to connect but the phone only wants to shoot files at my Belkin adapter, no success.
If the galaxy S3 supports miracast should it work, maybe it will come with jelly bean...
http://www.autoomobile.com/news/samsung-galaxy-s3-lg-optimus-g-miracast/1003391/
I'm hugely confused!
Closed
Wrong section, please read and respect the rules.

[Q] USB to Ethernet

I need to get a USB to Ethernet adapter working with my HTC One S (T Mobile) and I am really struggling to figure out how to make this work.
I have the Apple USB-Ethernet Adapter, model number MB442.
That does not work inherently with the phone. It does work on my Asus Transformer, but not with the phone. I believe that the chipset in this adapter is the USB AX8817X.
So my question is, do any USB to Ethernet adapters work with the phones out of the box? And if so, which ones?
I'm relatively new to Linux/Android development so I don't know how to figure out if this chipset will work or how to compile and install drivers for it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Completed] [Q] Chuwi V10HD Questions re OTG While Charging

I have a new Chuwi V10HD 3G dual OS Windows 8.1 and Android KitKat 4.4. This only has a micro USB 2.0 port - no other I/O ports.
I want to be able to use the capability of the USB OTG 2.O spec - if I understand it correctly - to be able to attach and utilize an external USB 2.0 device (for example, hard drive, flash drive, keyboard, mouse, USB to Ethernet adapter, external display, etc.) while simultaneously charging the Chuwi tablet.
Chuwi says the port is a USB OTG 2.0 spec.
Hours of internet searching gives mixed impressions of whether this can be done.
More hours reading posts here on xda-developers also yields conflicting views and experiences. Some members describe how they've had success by using various Y adaptors or multi-port devices - or even hard wiring their own cables. Others say they've tried that approach with no love. Still others say the OTG spec doesn't allow for that and that it's physically impossible to do both at once.
Then there's the Pluggable Pro 8 docking station which, for a hefty price, says it will charge while connecting external devices.
What is the current state of the offerings now? Does any product really offer a solution now? Is it even possible?
To a layman like me, it doesn't seem like this should be so hard and shrouded in such mystery. <sigh>
Hi there,
You'd be best served asking for help from the experts who own your device, here:
Chuwi vi10 10.6" z3736F dual boot windows 8.1 + android 4.4
Good luck

MHL support

Does the Mi Mix 2s support MHL or any other wired screen mirroring function? Because Miracast is always pretty laggy and it's especially bad when it comes to games.
AFAIK, Mi Mix 1/2/2S only support Miracast/Chromecast/Displaylink. You can try Displaylink supported adapter from Plugable (up to Full HD) and Chromecast Ultra (for 4K). Or you can try some Android TV boxs for Miracast.
Anatasia said:
AFAIK, Mi Mix 1/2/2S only support Miracast/Chromecast/Displaylink. You can try Displaylink supported adapter from Plugable (up to Full HD) and Chromecast Ultra (for 4K). Or you can try some Android TV boxs for Miracast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said l, Miracast is pretty laggy and I was looking for a wired solution like MHL which worked a lot better on an older device I used to own. But still thanks for your answer.
Has someone really tried it though? Or does anyone know more in general?
Many have tried the wired Displaylink supported adapter on their Oneplus 5 along with usb otg. I think the main concern is whether the usb port can supply enough power or not. If that is the case, you have to buy another USB hub with seperare power supply.
Anatasia said:
Many have tried the wired Displaylink supported adapter on their Oneplus 5 along with usb otg. I think the main concern is whether the usb port can supply enough power or not. If that is the case, you have to buy another USB hub with seperare power supply.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From your infos It seems that the MiMix2s is normally able to put out an HDMIN signal through its USB-C port,
but only in combination with a specific app ('displaylink presenter')? This seems very unlikely for me.
Nowadays (6 years later) it surely exist a method with a "common" USB-C-to-HDMI-Adapter, or am I wrong?

External touch screens supported?

Recently, I have seen a few external touchscreens that can provide both it's video and touch capabilities to some Android phones. Examples are the Vinpok Split and Gemini Portable.
They appear to do this using an ordinary USB-C to USB-C cable that you plug into your phone and the screen's USB-C port. The monitors I've seen also state that they are compatible with the Huawei Mate 10.
First, does anyone know what protocol or tech these monitors are using to do this? It doesn't appear to be DisplayLink or MHL and I don't know any other tech that could be used.
Second, does anyone know if this support is entirely software based (and hence, can be ported to the Mate 9) or is there hardware involved?
Thanks!

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