What is MHL Technology? Its Features & How to Use It

MHL stands for Mobile High-Definition technology with which you can access your smartphone’s multimedia content on your HD TVs. This audio/visual connection technology was developed by a Consortium formed by leading electronics companies including Samsung, Sony, Toshiba, Nokia etc. It was first introduced in 2010 and the latest version of this technology called as MHL 3.0 with more advanced features was announced in August 2013.

MHL is an adaptation of HDMI and is mainly intended for mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. But unlike the HDMI 19 wire connector, MHL comes in a very compact size with just 5 wires which makes the adapter lighter and smaller in size.

Features and other key Specifications :

With this MHL technology, you can transform your smartphone into a home theater system. It comes with some wonderful features like

• HD display resolution (the latest MHL 3.0 even supports 4K UHD)
• Immerse Audio with 7.1 surround sound (Dolby-DTS)
• Remote Control Features
• Plug and play games without any lags
• Simultaneous charging
• Supports simultaneous multiple displays
• Transforms your device into high-speed data channel
• Supports High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection(HDCP)

How To Use It ?

Just connect this MHL cable into microUSB port on your smartphone or tablet while its other end into your television HDMI port and watch all your phone’s multimedia on your Television screen. You can even simultaneously charge your mobile device and also this comes with a unique interoperable remote control features to navigate your apps on your HD Large Screen Display.

You can view your photographs, play games, show presentations on your TV display along with pairing your device with a bluetooth keyboard and mouse and use your smartphone as a computer. It converts your device into a set-top box and stream your favorite TV channels and movies in HD. You can even connect to your car’s infotainment system with your smartphone.

It’s not necessary that you need to have an MHL-enabled TV to connect with your MHL smartphone or tablet. You can connect your HDMI compatible TV with an MHL adapter paired with an HDMI cable and enjoy real home theater experience through your smartphone.

MHL Enabled Products

Even though most of the latest products and smartphones are coming out with this MHL support, there are nearly 400 million products with MHL support available in the market. Some of the latest smartphones from Samsung, Sony, HTC,LG, Huawei, etc. are MHL enabled. The Automotive and Smartphone manufacturing sector has already accepted this technology and you may see more MHL enabled products coming up in near future.

How to check if my smartphone is MHL enabled?
In order to check if your smartphone is MHL enabled or not, just visit “Do I Have MHL?” page on the official MHL website, and check if your device is featured on the list of MHL enabled smartphones.

You can always connect your SmartPhone with your TV but the MHL options you would rather get a quicker way to access the media files on the device available to be shown on the large display. If the device does not support this technology you can always buy an additional adapter and try it out.