The exciting features of the Nexus 4 just keep on coming. It seems it will support a technology called SlimPort which allows you to use the micro USB to connect the phone to a second display via HDMI, DVI, VGA and DisplayPort.
The only connector available at present is for HDMI, which also charges the device while connected. Other connectors are to be released in the future.
Info from Engadget.
EDIT: New review from AnandTech. See below:
In my Nexus 4 review, I noted that the device was the first shipping handset to include support for SlimPort via an Analogix ANX7808 SlimPort transmitter. When I wrote that review it wasn't immediately clear what advantages SlimPort offered over MHL, which has become relatively ubiquitous in the year or so since its introduction. Since then I've acquired the SlimPort microUSB to HDMI 1.4 SP1002 and VGA (D-SUB) SP2002 adapters from Analogix for testing out SlimPort on the Nexus 4.
SlimPort is a new video output standard which works over microUSB, and is effectively an MHL alternative based on the DisplayPort standard administered by VESA. SlimPort is offered both license and royalty free, and supports up to 1080p60 or 1080p30 with 3D content over HDMI 1.4 (up to 5.4 Gbps of bandwidth), in addition to support for DVI, VGA (up to 1366x768 and 720p at 60 Hz), and DisplayPort. What's different about SlimPort from a user-facing perspective is that external microUSB power is not required for the adapter to work and is instead only required for optional charging. At the same time, the adapters draw no power from the source to operate.
I've spent some time playing around with the SP1002 HDMI adapter, which I believe is based on ANX7730, and the SP2002 VGA adapter, which is likely based on ANX9832. As of this writing, the Analogix SP1002 adapter is available on Amazon for around $30 USD. I haven't seen the SP2002 available online anywhere yet, however.
When connected to the Nexus 4, the HDMI adapter rotates the UI into landscape and mirrors the display just as expected. Resolution is scaled to 1080p60 on the Nexus 4 up from the panel resolution of 1280x768, which results in some letterboxing. As expected there's no requirement to have microUSB power connected to the adapter, I tested it with and without external microUSB power, all this does is just enable charging.
I posted a video review (shot on the Samsung Galaxy Camera) demonstrating the Nexus 4 doing mirroring with the SlimPort SP1002 adapter and received a query about whether the combo enables multichannel audio over HDMI as well. I tested VLC for Android with some .MKVs I had laying around with 5.1 AAC tracks and found that VLC will decode the multichannel audio and ship it over as 5.1 PCM to my A/V Receiver, so this does work, surprisingly enough. There's no bitstreaming support as far as I can tell, however. As an aside I was able to playback a number of 720p MKVs with hardware decoding checked in VLC for Android and 5.1 audio out with no dropped frames. The Nexus 4 seems to be a passable platform if you're looking to play the occasional 720p video over HDMI — provided you have the free storage for it.
I also tested out the SP2002 microUSB SlimPort to VGA adapter, which has a longer cable and correspondingly beefier module for accommodating the D-SUB connector on the end. I tried with a Dell G2410 LCD display and XGA resolution DLP projector and saw an output resolution of VGA (640x480 at 60 Hz), which wasn't quite what I expected. The SP2002 should work just fine with 720p60 over VGA, and I know both monitors expose the proper EDID, it seems as though the Nexus 4 just defaults to this mode. Just like the HDMI adapter there's a microUSB port on the back for optional charging, though the dongle doesn't require external power to operate.
Thus far I'm fairly impressed with SlimPort. I enjoyed discrete microHDMI connections on devices when that was the norm, though finding a microHDMI to HDMI cable was always the challenge. Later MHL seemed a step in the right direction, but requiring three cables to do display mirroring seemed like a bit much. With SlimPort I think we've finally arrived at something close to ideal with the standard not requiring external power to function. It will be interesting to see how SlimPort, MHL, and Miracast adoption fare in the coming year as mirroring to a larger display is in the cards as a convergence trend for smartphones and tablets.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Charges the device while it's connected? That's awesome!
I questioned that at first as well. If you follow the link to the adapter and look at the pics you'll notice that it has a USB input. I assume this has to be connected to charge the phone. As far as I'm aware HDMI doesn't carry power.
Only TVs with built in MHL HDMI Ports provide power.
Sent from my Desire HD using xda premium
I read that the adapter has to have a power source to work... I assume then that this additional micro USB input is to enable use with TV's that dont support MHL.
Nothing like this exists now? Intriguing concept.
Will this work without having the charger connected? It seems nearly identical to Samsung MHL adapters.
I bought one. It seems like the packaging said something about the micro usb port being optional if you want it to charge, but I threw that stuff away and don't have an N4 to test with.
I think the "HDTV Cable" on the SlimPort site is going to be a cable that's micro usb (SlimPort) on one side, and HDMI on the other without any power input.
I ordered one as well
Cant wait to try it
FatalityBoyZahy said:
Charges the device while it's connected? That's awesome!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As funny as that sounds, that would actually be nice. I know it's not SlimPort, but I use a Monoprice MHL-HDMI adapter currently. It requires power to work. Unfortunately, it can't negotiate high current and the phone shows USB charge mode. But with the screen active, it ends up losing 10-100ma. I haven't researched the actual micro-usb pinout to see if video uses the usb data pins or what. If somehow it doesn't, I might be able to short them out and have it go into AC charge mode.
Or maybe the better MHL adapters actually do negotiation and do charge?
Either way, hopefully the initial feedback on the N4 is good enough that I can overlook the fixed battery and storage.
ziddey said:
As funny as that sounds, that would actually be nice. I know it's not SlimPort, but I use a Monoprice MHL-HDMI adapter currently. It requires power to work. Unfortunately, it can't negotiate high current and the phone shows USB charge mode. But with the screen active, it ends up losing 10-100ma. I haven't researched the actual micro-usb pinout to see if video uses the usb data pins or what. If somehow it doesn't, I might be able to short them out and have it go into AC charge mode.
Or maybe the better MHL adapters actually do negotiation and do charge?
Either way, hopefully the initial feedback on the N4 is good enough that I can overlook the fixed battery and storage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My MHL adapter charged my GS3 charged when watching the Avengers movie Samsung gave T-Mobile GS3 customers. It was a pretty slow charge, but prevented my battery from dying like it should have.
I think this would be a lot more appealing in dock form.
The cable+block adapters are always a bit awkward to connect up and actually use in my opinion.
Will an MHL adapter work? I was using one on my GS2 and want to know if I will be able to use it on my N4
the video on this page specifically says that no external power source is needed.
http://www.analogix.com/products/slimport.html
I tried mine yesterday
I works with no power at all
Although I must say the phone got pretty hot when watching a YouTube video
Sent from my Nexus 4 using XDA Premium HD app
Just ordered one of these Slimport adapters from Amazon since my Google order has just shipped. Reasonably priced and power is optional unlike MHL.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK6HttbgTaI&feature=plcp
sitnlow4life said:
I tried mine yesterday
I works with no power at all
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine arrived from Amazon yesterday but I can't get a picture on the TV, when I plug everything in the screen on the N4 rotates to landscape and the phone loses sound, all good so far. But when I select HDMI source on the TV I just get a black screen.
This is annoying because the S3 worked perfectly with the Samsung adaptor.
p5f said:
Mine arrived from Amazon yesterday but I can't get a picture on the TV, when I plug everything in the screen on the N4 rotates to landscape and the phone loses sound, all good so far. But when I select HDMI source on the TV I just get a black screen.
This is annoying because the S3 worked perfectly with the Samsung adaptor.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is your TV set to the correct HDMI port?
Nexus4, Tapatalk
There are apparently 3 dongles out there being marketed with a male microusb and female hdmi output:
Can someone please provide clarity on which ones will work with the nexus 4? Specifically looking for someone to post results for example 1
1. Generic MicroUSB MHL dongle cable : these are sold on ebay and optionally have an extra female microusb on them for OTG or power. This one will NOT work on Galaxy S3 bc of pin change. Can someone report if this type works on Nexus 4? It would be the most affordable solution if so
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MHL-Micro-U...748540?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item1e74de5c3c
2. Samsung SGS3 MHL dongle cable: bc of samsung pin change, this cable was specifically required for SGS3. - Reported not working on Nexus 4
http://www.engadget.com/2012/06/09/galaxy-s-iii-incompatible-with-previous-mhl-dongles/
3. Slimport microUSB cable - Reported working on Nexus 4, but pricey
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009UZBLSG?tag=5336653508-20
I'm finding tons online - most of them look very cheaply made. I've read many reviews complaining about them not being compatible with various Android devices. Can someone recommend one they actually have and are satisfied with? Thanks.
I'm using the 11-pin Samsung MHL cable (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0080CXSOU/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and AllShare Cast dongle with Amazon Basics HDMI cable and it works perfectly fine with our LG and Samsung TV's on both my Note 8 and S3. I've also got a fine MediaBridge that works.
Where the problem most often occurs is HDCP issues. Adapters from HDMI to D-SUB (sometimes called VGA) or DVI ports can often not work at all or render only at VGA resolution (640x480px). AllShare Cast seems less picky than the MHL, at least that was my experience with my S3 and the S2 MHL cable+11-pin adaptor under stock ICS/JB firmware. I have HDMI/DVI adapters that work and don't work, and a HDMI/D-SUB that gives me 720p instead of VGA with the AllShare Cast dongle.
When it comes to custom ROM or silly stuff like Miracast, obviously YMMV.
Samsung's new flagship device, the Galaxy S4 is the first phone to support the MHL 2.0 standard, meaning that HDTVs and monitors with such a port can charge the device and stream Full HD content down from it at once.
This adapter allows you to connect your Samsung Galaxy S4 with any standard HDMI video cabled so you can share what is on your S4's screen with other HDMI enabled visual equipment, like a monitor or TV.
This is perfect for sharing photos with family or friends or giving a presentation to a client.
The HDMI adpater uses the MHL 2.0 standard meaning the device does not need a power supply and it supports 1080p!
Just plug the microUSB/MHL connector into the S4 and then connect a standard HDMI cable to the adapter and to the TV or monitor, then the phones display will be shown on the big screen!
Samsung Galaxy S4 HDTV Adapter Features
This is an official accessory for the Samsung Galaxy S4
Allows for HDMI output to HDTV
Uses MHL 2.0 standard so the S4 does not require a power supply to work
It's available at Amazon.com search: B00E9JJ2J8
Hello,
In an effort to get my Note 10.1 to display on a projector/monitor that only has a VGA connection I did the following:
I have connected the Samsung HDTV Adapter to my Note 10.1
I have connected the Samsung HDTV Adapter to Cable Maters HDMI to VGA Active M/F Adapter
I connected the Cable Matters Adapter to a VGA monitor
So doing all I was able to get the tablet screen to show up on the 1080p monitor, but it is very blurry. Is there anything I can do?
gnoteuser2013 said:
Hello,
In an effort to get my Note 10.1 to display on a projector/monitor that only has a VGA connection I did the following:
I have connected the Samsung HDTV Adapter to my Note 10.1
I have connected the Samsung HDTV Adapter to Cable Maters HDMI to VGA Active M/F Adapter
I connected the Cable Matters Adapter to a VGA monitor
So doing all I was able to get the tablet screen to show up on the 1080p monitor, but it is very blurry. Is there anything I can do?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're going to get some signal loss going from hdmi to vga and also from blowing up a 1280x800 screen to 1080p, but not so much it's not usable. My first question is are you using the external power source included with the cable matters adapter? Looking at the device this was the first thing that caught my attention "* The HDMI output of the source device does NOT supply 5V/500mA current"
If you're not that is the first thing I would try.
Thank you for your reply, yes I made sure all the connections were powered, unfortunately the blurriness makes the output unusable. My powerpoint presentations have small text that is blurred beyond recognition, while when I use my laptop connected to the projector, that text is sharp and readable. I have since returned the adapters, I'm not sure if there is another solution for me...
Interesting that a 1080p native monitor has no hdmi inputs.
I think when you connect GNote10.1 from hdmi -> vga monitor, it will simply output at 1280x800. And when LCD/LED monitors are not used at their native resolution, it'll look like crap. CRT (and plasma?) was fine displaying different res.
Solution? Time to upgrade and get a projector/tv that has hdmi inputs for proper presentations. VGA is outdated.
Also... check out miracast:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrTpWlkupUs
I'm having the same problem with the note 10.1 to vga projector. Do you think this is a hardware issue or software issue? As in, would we be able to find a custom ROM for the Note 10.1 that would allow for connection to projector?
Thanks!
Hi
I Bought sm t800 3 days ago. I supposed that since t800 supports mhl I can connect my tablet to my lcd monitor and ı can handle my daily work by using teamviewer app.
I get two diffferent mhl cables however when you connect t800 to monitör the screen is very blurr. If you play a video there is no problem crystal clear.
But if you want to use tablet as a pc which is connectted to monitör the resolution not allowed to work properly.
I also connect tablet three diffrent monitör result is same. Finally I begin to think that mhl works for only playing video if you wanna use tablet like pc hdmi way you should by an android tablet which has special port for hdmi.
When searach for this subject I found an app screen settings that allows you to adjust hdmi screen resolution but it requires root.
Any one has same issue and solution without root.
Thanks
Finally I found a solution.
If you have original mhl 3.0 cable then screen is good. But still cannot chanfe resolution
It down scales resolution to the HD screen, which results in some blurr.