There’s a minute but significant fact about Samsung’s newest Galaxy S II Android- it is the very first smartphone to feature MHL port. MHL, as you know, was first announced in 2008 as the Mobile High-Definition video Link “standard” for mobile devices promoted by a consortium that includes Nokia, Samsung, Toshiba, Sony, and Silicon Image. Hence it’s another mobile interconnect standard similar to DisplayPort, mini-HDMI, or Light Peak.
Essentially, the micro-USB shaped MHL jack at the base of the Galaxy S II features internal circuitry that recognizes USB or MHL impedance and then automatically switches the phone into USB data / charging or MHL audio / video / charging modes. A special 5-wire micro-USB to HDMI cable allows you to send video and audio to existing HDMI-equipped displays.
However, TV won’t charge the Galaxy S II during playback unless you insert a phone charger adapter between the GSII and TV or wait for MHL-enabled TVs to begin shipping later this year. Once connected, you can then use your TV’s HDMI-CEC compatible remote to navigate and control the Galaxy S II’s media interface.
Samsung Galaxy SII is the first MHL device coming this summer.
Watch the video for details.
