is mhl the same as hdmi?

Your computer is broken, so you’re stuck using your smartphone and tablet for all your online activities.

However, you hate watching shows on their tiny screens. Usually, you would connect your computer to your TV with an HDMI cable, but now you’ll have to find another solution.

You’ve seen a lot of MHL cables for sale online that can connect your smartphone, tablet, etc., to your TV, but how do these cables differ from standard HDMI ones?

In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between HDMI and MHL, and how they’ll affect your entertainment setup, video quality, audio, and more!

Let’s get started!

Before we can discuss these cables’ specs, it’s essential to understand precisely what they are and what they’re used for.

HDMI (or High Definition Multimedia Interface) is one of the most widely-used audio/visual connectors. It transmits audio and video signals between two or more HDMI-compatible devices.

For instance, you may use an HDMI cable to connect a laptop and a soundbar to a TV.

Using an adapter, you can also connect an HDMI-incompatible device to an HDMI-compatible TV.

Not only is HDMI easy to use, but it’s also highly effective as it supports most modern video qualities (1080p, 4K, 8K) as well as multi-channel surround-sound audio.

MHL (or Mobile High-Definition Link) is an adapted version of HDMI.

MHL-compatible cables typically feature a smartphone/tablet-supported connector on one end and an HDMI connector on the other.

While MHL and HDMI cables may look similar, they are not the same. They support different functions, resolutions, and so on.

MHL cables are adapted to work with portable consumer electronics, allowing you to connect your smartphone to your TV without an HDMI adapter.

Both HDMI and MHL use TDMS (Transition-Minimized Differential Signaling) technology as the main communication channel (beside HDMI DDC and CEC, and MHL CBUS) to transmit encrypted video and audio signals.

Let’s learn which connectors are used for HDMI and MHL!

*Note: Some source devices may have one of the listed connectors, but not be MHL-compatible. You can confirm your device’s MHL compatibility by searching for it on the official MHL website.

*Note: Many compatible connectors will have MHL printed next to them. However, not all of them will, so it’s best to check your display’s specs for more information.

An HDMI cable’s version will usually determine its transmissibility (the maintainability of the input’s resolution, refresh rate, bandwidth, etc. to the output).

For instance, if your display supports 8K, but the cable does not, you will not be able to watch videos in 8K.

The same can be applied to MHL.

HDMI

You can learn more about HDMI versions and the difference between them here.

MHL

Check out the MHL website for a detailed review of all available versions and their specifications.

Let’s explore HDMI and MHL’s video quality and speed standards. We’ll also outline how these standards will affect your viewing/gaming experience.

Please note that the values listed below are the maximum supported values. If you’re using an older version of HDMI or MHL, you may not be able to achieve these video resolutions or speeds.

HDMI

The maximum supported resolution for HDMI is 10K. However, few input sources and displays will support this resolution, so it’s unlikely you’ll be able to achieve it without specialized equipment.

MHL

The highest video quality MHL supports is 8K. While MHL’s maximum resolution is slightly lower than HDMI’s, both standards support Full HD and 4K, which are the most widely used resolutions.

While a display’s refresh rate (or frame rate) is not super important when watching content, it can affect your gaming experience.

A display’s refresh rate is measured in Hertz (Hz) and defines how quickly the screen refreshes. So, if you’re playing a game, you’ll want the screen to refresh as quickly as possible so that your commands are displayed on-screen.

Both HDMI and MHL’s maximum refresh rates are 120Hz, which is acceptable for gameplay and sports.

A cable’s bandwidth, which is measured in gigabits/megabits per second (Gbit/s or Mbps), defines how much data can be sent over the network per second. Typically, you’ll want cables with higher maximum bandwidths since more data will be transmitted faster.

To learn more about what bandwidth is and how it affects your user experience, check out Verizon’s article, What is Bandwidth?

HDMI

HDMI cables have a competitively high bandwidth with the HDMI 2.1a cable supporting 48Gbit/s.

MHL

MHL cables’ maximum bandwidth is 6Gbit/s, which is considerably lower than HDMI cables’ bandwidth.

HDMI and MHL support HDR (or High Dynamic Range). This feature comes in handy when gaming as it increases the image’s contrast, making it appear more vibrant.

However, only HDMI supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. So if you’re looking for an exceptional visual experience, HDMI is the way to go.

If an amazing audio setup is important for you, you’ll be more than pleased with either HDMI or MHL.

HDMI and MHL both support 8-channel surround sound, Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD Master Audio, and Dolby Atmos, DTS:X.

While all of these functions are different, they do have one thing in common: they create an amazing auditory experience.

Your TV or any speaker, soundbar, etc., must also support these features to use them. You can check the sink device’s compatibility by checking the Audio or Sound section in its user manual.

You may also have to enable these features in the device’s settings.

HDCP stands for High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection and ensures that you’re not illegally displaying any copyrighted content on a display. Some online streaming platforms, like Netflix, require HDCP-enabled cables.

Luckily, HDMI and MHL are HDCP 2.2-compatible. So, you’ll have no problem streaming your favorite shows on your TV from your smartphone.

To learn more about HDCP, what it is, and how it works, watch the video below.

Another difference between HDMI and MHL is their power charging capabilities.

Let’s learn about them!

HDMI

HDMI does not have any power charging capabilities. This means that to charge your input source device, you will have to connect it to power with another cable.

MHL

The great thing about MHL cables is that they usually connect to your device’s charging port, and can charge it while it displays its screen.

MHL supports up to 40 Watts of charging power, which is enough to charge your phone. This is extremely convenient since connecting your smartphone to your TV to stream content quickly drains your phone’s battery.

While HDMI and MHL ports may look similar and both make use of TDMS tech, they are quite different in practice.

HDMI is used to connect HDMI-compatible laptops, gaming consoles, streaming devices, sound bars, etc., to your TV/projector. On the other hand, MHL connects portable electronics (e.g. smartphones and tablets) to MHL-compatible displays.

HDMI supports a higher resolution than MHL, but both standards boast a refresh rate of 120Hz.

However, only MHL supports power charging, which comes in handy when streaming content from your phone for long periods.

Remember, your smartphone/tablet must support MHL to be connected to a display with an MHL cable.

Did you know the difference between HDMI and MHL? What’s your experience connecting your smartphone/tablet to a display using MHL?

Let us know in the comments below!

Note: Before you go ordering MHL equipment online, check to see if you can mirror your smartphone to your TV using the gear you already have at home.

In 2010, a band of electronics companies, including Sony and Nokia, developed the MHL connection protocol. Short for Mobile High-Definition Link, MHL utilizes a special type of HDMI input on compatible TVs and A/V receivers to connect a growing list of smartphones, tablets, and other devices. The standard takes smartphone and tablet content to the next level, allowing you to showcase everything from your phone on your TV with a single connection.

Given the proliferation of wireless screen mirroring methods, MHL has fallen out of favor with many manufacturers, but you can still find plenty of televisions that support it.

The most common way to connect for most people is to use an MHL adapter (such as the one shown below), which consists of a male Micro USB plug on one end and a female HDMI port on the other. If your phone hosts a Micro USB port, all you need to do is simply connect an MHL adapter to your phone, and run an HDMI cable from the adapter to the MHL-enabled HDMI port on your television (the correct port will be labeled “MHL”), and you’re all set.

If your phone or tablet does not host a Micro USB port, you’ll also need another adapter, which we’ll discuss in more detail in the next section below.

When MHL first launched, adapters like the one shown above were more or less the primary way to utilize the technology. Now, though, there are lots of different cables that support MHL, including direct Micro USB-to-HDMI cables.

The next step is simply plugging in your compatible device, which will allow you to display all of its applications, games, movies, photos, and music right on your TV, with resolution at 4K Ultra HD (and above).

If you’re looking into MHL, you should make sure your device and display are compatible with the protocol by checking the official MHL site — found here — for a full list of supported devices. If your display device isn’t on the list, don’t bother buying an MHL adapter — it’s not going to work. If your display device is on the list, but your mobile device isn’t, there are some other ways to connect.

If you’re an Apple enthusiast, your iPhone or iPad does not have the correct output for the default MHL adapter or cable described above. Luckily, there are workarounds. This Lightning to Digital AV Adapter allows you to connect most iOS devices to your TV.

Newer Android phones have USB Type-C ports, rather than Micro USB. They’ll need to work with MHL ports. In the same vein, some compatible Samsung phones require a different (11-pin) adapter, as the default (five-pin) adapter won’t properly interface. However, be aware that these adapters won’t charge your phone like standard MHL, and they can be quite unreliable (we had a hard time finding any with positive review scores). Also, don’t accidentally purchase a Micro HDMI connection — that’s the wrong type of cable.

As mentioned, there are several wireless methods that work for mirroring mobile devices to bigger screens: Apple’s AirPlay for iPhones and iPads, for example, or Miracast for Android devices. And of course, Google’s Chromecast lets you stream video and audio from multiple apps. These methods don’t always offer the same level of video and sound quality as MHL, but the wireless connection is more convenient for many applications.

There are some cases where MHL would come in handy, though. The system is especially useful for those without cable or internet, for instance. In such a scenario (assuming you’ve got games or movies loaded directly on your phone), MHL essentially turns your phone and TV into a full-blown entertainment center, with no Wi-Fi required.

In addition, there are a few protocol-specific benefits that might make it worth going with MHL. First, MHL connections tout the convenient ability to transmit control data, which essentially means the remote that controls your display may also be able to control the connected device. For mobile gamers, MHL connection also offers zero latency, which allows for lag-free display of your device on your TV during the most rigorous of gaming sessions. The cable also charges mobile devices up to 40W without any subsequent lag while displaying the content.

As we’re sure you’ve surmised by this point, MHL’s most useful function is to send data from a smartphone or tablet to a compatible TV or A/V receiver lag-free. But MHL also lets you plug your smartphone or tablet into a car’s compatible infotainment system, as well as a compatible computer monitor at home or at work.

By plugging a phone or tablet into a car with an HDMI input (or using some adapters to jury-rig a setup), you’ll have the ability to utilize up-to-the-second traffic reports, charge your device while commuting, and access your personal music library. The system gives easy touchscreen access to all content on your phone right through the infotainment center. Likewise, plugging a smartphone or tablet into a compatible computer monitor can turn your device into a workstation, one you can pair with a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse to create a (semi) functioning mini-office.

Another reason MHL is a viable choice is the fact that an adapter won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Adapters can run as little as $9 (or less), though you’ll still need a long HDMI cable — , which runs another $20 or so — unless you want to stand right next to the TV the whole time. Depending upon the adapters or cables you need, getting set up with MHL can cost anywhere from $10 to $50, which is pretty affordable any way you slice it.

So there you go. Now you’re ready to get down and dirty with MHL. Time to start streaming to that TV, latency-free!

This article explains what MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) is and how it is it used

HDMI is the default wired audio and video connection protocol for home theaters. However, there's another way to extend its capabilities: MHL

An MHL port lets you connect a smartphone, tablet, or another portable device to an HDTV, audio receiver, or video projector using either a special MHL-enabled HDMI input or an adapter.

HDMI combines high-resolution digital video (which includes 4K, 3D, and 8K depending on the version) and audio (up to eight channels) into a single connection, reducing the amount of cable clutter. It can send control signals between connected devices. This is referred to by several names depending on the manufacturer. Still, its generic name is HDMI-CEC.

Another HDMI feature is ARC (audio return channel). This lets a single HDMI cable transfer audio signals in both directions between a compatible TV and home theater receiver or soundbar.

MHL uses the same physical end-connector HDMI uses, but it's not HDMI. It transmits HD video and audio from a connected device while charging that device at the same time. Certain smartphones and tablets support MHL, as do select TV sets.

MHL ver 1.0, introduced in June 2010, supports the transfer of up to 1080p high-definition video and 7.1 channel PCM surround audio from the compatible portable device to a TV or home theater receiver, using a mini-HDMI connector on the portable device and a full-size HDMI connector on the home theater device that's MHL-enabled.

The MHL-enabled HDMI port also supplies power to your portable device (5 volts/500ma), so you don't use up battery power to watch a movie or listen to music.

If you have an MHL-enabled smartphone or other device and your TV doesn't have an MHL-HDMI input, you can use a compatible adapter or dock to connect the two.

Introduced in April 2012, it allows device charging from 4.5 watts at 900ma to 7.5 watts at 1.5 amps. It also adds 3D compatibility.

Released in August 2013, MHL 3.0 adds the following features:

Introduced in January 2015, superMHL supports 8K Ultra HD 120 Hz High Dynamic Range (HDR) video. It also supports object-based audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. The Remote Control Protocol (RCP) was extended so that multiple MHL-compatible devices can be linked and controlled with a single remote.

Here is what Super MHL connectivity provides:

The MHL Consortium's version 3 connection protocol is also designed to integrate with the USB 3.1 framework using a USB Type-C connector. This is referred to as MHL Alt (Alternate) Mode.

MHL Alt Mode allows transfer up to 4K Ultra HD video resolution and multi-channel surround audio (including PCM, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio). It also provides simultaneous MHL audio and video, USB data, and power for connected portable devices when using a USB Type-C connector to compatible TVs, home theater receivers, and PCs equipped with a USB Type-C or full-size HDMI (via adapter) ports. MHL-enabled USB ports can use both USB or MHL functions.

One additional MHL Alt Mode feature is the Remote Control Protocol (RCP). RCP enables MHL sources plugged into compatible TVs to operate using the TV's remote control.

Products using the MHL Alt Mode include selected smartphones, tablets, and laptops equipped with USB 3.1 Type-C connectors.

To make adoption more flexible, cables are available with USB 3.1 Type-C connectors on one end and HDMI, DVI, or VGA connectors on the other end. Docking products for compatible portable devices that include MHL Alt Mode compatible USB 3.1 Type-C, HDMI, DVI, or VGA connectors can also be used.

While HDMI uses consumer electronic control (CEC) technology, MHL uses Control Bus (C-BUS) technology. However with version 3.0, MHL has diverged from being a frame-based technology to a packet-based technology.