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When the Nexus 4 was announced yesterday, there was one spec from the feature list that caught our eye. It’s called “SlimPort” and while it doesn’t quite have the “cool” factor of the Miracast wireless display, it does manage to get the job done in a more efficient way.
Using a technology developed by Analogix, you can use the Nexus 4’s micro USB port to output its display onto a television, monitor, or just about any display via a SlimPort accessory or DisplayPort cable (coming soon) but that’s not all. This new tech also allows the Nexus 4 to simultaneously charge and output its display, simplifying the whole process of getting your media from the Nexus 4 onto the big screen.
Analogix will be releasing a total of 4 SlimPort accessories in the coming weeks, but for now, the SP1002 HDMI connector is officially available for sale on Amazon (DVI, VGA and DisplayPort coming soon). It doesn’t run cheap, at $30, it’s not exactly an impulse buy. Still, for Android fans looking to snag a few Nexus essentials early, there’s no better time than right now.
[Amazon]
This type of device already exists for $10 and for any phone.
http://amzn.to/TVslXC
Yeah, Google/LG went with a new tech. MHL is oldschool, son. O_o
What’s the difference?
“You can use the Nexus 4′s micro USB port to output its display onto a television, monitor, or just about any display via a SlimPort accessory or DisplayPort cable (coming soon).”
Sounds more comprehensive.
The HDMI experience looks quite like MHL though…
Well, not any (as my Vibrant can’t), but my phone is nearly 3 years old now. What I think is different is that the video out/charging capability is being advertised with the phone. Most OEM MHL adapters don’t have the charging capability, so a lot of people don’t know it’s out there.
Oh, and I really like the multi-technology push there at the end, instead of just HDMI. HDMI is getting much better at being adopted, but I’m holding out hope for an RCA variant. It truly is just about everywhere you’d go (including hotel rooms).
I have that for my gnex and its not the same. A seperate microusb cable from a wall outlet or other power source must be plugged into a microusb port on the side of that box also. That separate cable is eliminated with this new setup
You don’t see that micro-USB port on the orange side of the box?
He means there is a separate port you have to plug a micro USB cable into. The USB side needs to go into a PC or something with a port to power the MHL cable. That “micro-USB port on the orange side of the box” you are talking about plugs into the phone.
You don’t see it either? Look closer, there is a port NEXT to the cable that runs to the phone…..
No they are talking about hte fact that a THIRD cable must be connected to the adaptor to charge it while this is just a two way cable thus eliminating that inconvenience.
Exactly. You have to plug in a micro-USB cable into that port right there on the side. Still not getting it?
I’m not sure that micro usb port is for charging. It might be for accessories. The article says that you can charge the device and simultaneously display an output with just the HDMI cable.
It has to get power from somewhere, the hdmi port isn’t going to supply it.
As I said to Ted above, middle of the three pictures, orange area, port next to the cord going to the phone. Is that not a THIRD cable?
You’ve got the cord going to the phone (1), the micro USB looking port (2) right next to it, and the HDMI port (3) on the opposing side. How can you people not see this?
You cite a “separate port you have to plug a micro USB cable into”. Middle of the three pictures, orange area, port next to the cord going to the phone. Does that not look like a micro USB cable inlet?
Move the micro USB port-looking-thing in that picture above to one of the sides and tell me it doesn’t exactly resemble an MHL cable.
You’re right, I didn’t see that port. But the description says the phone charges without another cord so I’m assuming the HDMI cord gives it power, and that itdownconverts to a regular mhl adapter that needs a third cable to power it if ur TV isn’t slim port compatible
This phone buildin’ hype son. Phone gonna be extra sweet.
Isn’t this just an MHL cable?
Apparently it’s some new DisplayPort tech. If you have a TV that supports it, you can use a single SlimPort cable to power and output your device. Future tech, apparently.
I think you should clarify that in the post. Because MHL-equipped TV’s can also charge without the need of power. So its the same if your TV isn’t slimport ready, you *can* connect a power source to charge your phone, just like MHL.
I think the main differences between slimport and MHL are:
– Slimport does NOT require a power source to display your phone content, MHL does (either via USB or mhl tv)
– Slimport can output to VGA, Displayport or HDMI. MHL is HDMI only
Source: http://www.slimportconnect.com/
“There are definite power perks for people choosing SlimPort. By using a standard micro-USB cable to display your content, you’ll be charging your mobile device’s battery. And even if you don’t have a power cable handy, SlimPort draws very little power from your device for overall low power consumption.”
Thanks for explaining it. I’ve been wondering about the difference all day.
Nothing says that the HDMI adaptor doesn’t require a power source…
I’ll believe it when I see this little thing in action.
What does “By using a standard micro-USB cable to display your content” mean? Is it what they call their adaptor, a standard micro-USB cable?
Slimport also supports higher resolutions and frame rates than MHL, and it supports 3D output to 3D TVs … though apparently MHL is adding 3D in their next version.
is this just an Micro USB>hdmi port? what proprietary tech/standard is it using (if any)
sounds like mhl
So it only supports one device i want that for my soon to come gn2
Not a dealbreaker but I’d have preferred the MHL standard.
Any idea if it will work with Nexus 7?
Unfortunately, no :/
Does Nexus 7 support any video out?
That’s a negative sadly…
Another day, another stupid display standard. As if MHL wasn’t horrible enough. What’s wrong with good old micro HDMI? Isn’t that far more convenient since you can also charge your phone via the micro USB *SHOULD YOU CHOOSE*?
Retina Display Technology (RDT) is a standard only iN Apple products, DON’T buy anything without iT, that’s a dead giveaway that iT’s not a true Apple product!! Take for iNstance, the new iPad mini …NO Retina Display Technology (RDT) found = Chinese knockoff!
Retina is nothing more than marketing BS from Apple. They take something and call it something else just to be different. A lot of companies do this, just Apple is the king of this practice.
Lesson number one: don’t feed the trolls!
Check this out, this is an interview (from 2011) showcasing MHL stating that future TV’s will be able to charge the device through just the HDMI.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtwTcnR0hqA&t=1m41s
Is SlimPort the product he was talking about?
Why can’t we just get one standard and stick to it?
Because we aren’t Apple.
Do you realize that OEMs have to pay a royalty to Silicon Image every time they use HDMI? Slimport is based on DisplayPort (a VESA standard) with no royalties. Plus it’s nice to not have to plug in your display adapter to a power plug every time you want to use it.
Multiple standards may be a pain but it keeps competition up and technology moving ahead. Otherwise we’d be stuck with a giant 30-pin connector for 8 years like Apple was.
Cant you just use a micro HDMI to hdmi cable? I am confuzzled
For people in the UK this Slimport to HDMI adapter appeared on Amazon.co.uk today: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009UZBLSG