MHL to HDMI Adapter for Galaxy S2, HTC Evo

What does the Adapter Do?

Everything is being done to make smartphones lighter and thinner. One innovation is MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) which allows you to play HD video on a TV without having a cumbersome HDMI-out port on your phone.

You simply pipe the HD video (up to 1080p res) from your micro USB port. Pretty soon there will be TV's that can use this output directly. For now, you need an MHL to HDMI adapter.

The device also allows some data to go back from the TV to the phone. This means you can use the TV remote to start or stop playback, fast forward and so on (though I wouldn't count on full functionality for every TV/smartphone combination).

What is the Drawback?

The only real drawback, apart from having to part with more money and carry yet another adapter, is that you will always need your phone charger.

Every device I have seen demands you use your charger during Video playback.

What Phones and which TV's Have MHL?

Right now (mid 2011) there are only a handful of phones, most notably the Samsung Galaxy S2, HTC EVO 3D and HTC Sensation that use MHL.

It looks like becoming standard issue in the near future. A large consortium of manufactuers sponsored the development and they will all be using the techology in up coming models.

Sony, Toshiba and Samsung are the big players and will supply the compatible TV's too. The video, below, gives a good overview.

Best MHL to HDMI Adapter?

This is a very new technology and the number of adapters that are available is small. They have also been expensive so far with typical prices in the $30 to $40 range. Each phone has also needed a particular adapter, too which makes sourcing them more difficult.

This is changing with the launch of a new adapter from Menotech. It is already available from Amazon for pre-order and is featured to the right.

For the HTC EVO 3D Sensation

If you have an EVO 3D or Sensation, want a longer cable and don't mind paying (the slightly crazy) asking price of about $35, there is something that should perfectly suit you, pictured right.

I am guessing the price of this will fall as soon as the Menotech adapter arrives.

Accell Cable

The manufacturers of this device simply don't say which phones this will work with but the assumption is that it will work with any MHL smartphone and any HDMI ported TV.