April 05, 2011, 5:36 PM — Just about everything is cutting-edge about the HTC EVO 3D: the dual-core processor, Verizon 4G LTE data speeds, and of course, the 3D display and camera. But there's another spec that puts the EVO 3D ahead of the pack: the MHL port. I met with the president of the MHL Consortium, Tim Wong, at CTIA in March and got a rundown of the technology and a glimpse into the future of how smartphones will interact with HDTVs.
The MHL specification, which stands for Mobile High Definition Link, is a 1080p HD video and digital audio interface for connecting smartphones and other portable devices (tablets, cameras, etc.) to HDTVs. So what's the big deal? It simultaneously provides power to your phone--something that HDMI cables don't do. It remains to be seen how power-hungry a dual-core, 4G phone with a 3D display will be, but given how quickly smartphones with lesser specs seem to lose power, charging is always appreciated.
The specification also allows any TV remote to control your phone's interface, apps and content. Basically, you can hook your phone up to any HDTV, by any manufacturer, and have complete access to it on the big screen.
This also means MHL phones will only have one port and require one cable needed for charging and hooking up to a TV. Other HDMI-enabled phones, like the HTC EVO 4G for example, have two ports: the microUSB port (for charging and hooking up to your PC) and the HDMI port. A single port allows smartphones to be slimmer and sleeker in build.
You can also use your standard USB connector with the port. When connected, your phone will automatically recognize whether it is hooked up to an MHL port or a USB port and will switch accordingly.
Wong was unsure whether Verizon would package an MHL cable with the EVO 3D or sell it separately in stores. He expects the cables to be cheaper than HDMI cables (which are generally sold separately) because they are much thinner and cost less to make.
The HTC EVO 3D is the first phone announced in the US to support the MHL 1.0; the Galaxy S II is the only other phone announced to have an MHL port. The HTC View 4G, coming to Sprint, will be the first tablet to boast an MHL port. And expect more MHL-enabled devices this year: Wong said that there were at least 12 devices in queue, including TVs, smartphones and tablets.
