MHL, LLC has developed an MHL Alternate Mode (‘Alt Mode’) for the USB Type-C specification. Using the MHL Alt Mode, a USB Type-C connector and cable can support the MHL 3 specification, which includes 4K video, multi- channel surround sound audio, HDCP 2.2 and is backward compatible with existing versions of the MHL specification.
“The USB Type-C cable and connector is designed to be a long-lasting, robust solution that is ideal for all platforms and devices,” said Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF President and COO. “We’re coordinating with MHL, LLC to ensure consumers can recognize when MHL Alt Mode is supported on USB Type-C devices.”
Part of MHL’s success comes from its support of popular connectors already present on mobile devices and displays, as well as proprietary connectors. This flexibility has enabled MHL to grow to more than 650 million devices in a few short years. Mobile devices designed with a USB Type-C receptacle and built to support the MHL Alt Mode will be able to connect to a large ecosystem of MHL TVs, monitors, AVRs, Blu-ray Disc™ players, projectors, set-top boxes and automotive products using USB Type-C to HDMI Type A MHL cables. Mobile devices with USB Type-C MHL Alt Mode can also connect to HDMI legacy displays using adapters that support MHL-to-HDMI protocol conversion.
“This benefits consumers and systems designers because a single connector reduces costs and increases functionality,” said Rob Tobias, president, MHL, LLC.
