MHL HDTV Smart Adapter

[SprintGuy]

Hey guys.

Here's my latest experience with this accessory. I'm a "moderate expert" on Android, so the troubleshooting is good here...

Bought Samsung-branded version adapter. Have Sprint SGS3. Have Sony Bravia HDTV (3 yrs old).

Plugged it all in. Ran a 1080p video (that plays perfectly on the phone) via the HDMI line to TV and got choppiness and skipping.

Called Samsung support. They ran me through some fairly decent testing. No fix. SO...I actually did a hard/factory reset (pisses me off). Re-ran testing on "clean" device. Same thing.

So, there may be actual issues with full 1080p via this adapter.

The support engineer (level 2) was perplexed. Officially said this would go up the chain for additional research and possible software repair.

SECOND ISSUE...upon connection of the adapter from the TV to the phone, I get a large dip in cell signal strength, to the point that the RoamGuard pops a warning screen. It's a re-createable failure too. Happens every time. Support engineer had no prior knowledge of this issue either, and no fix.

Any thoughts guys? Any similar experiences? Anyone have this exact setup working just fine?

 

[Forgetful]

Sucks. I I haven't heard much good about mhl. Have you tried to run netflix?

Sent from my Galaxy S3

 

[SprintGuy]

Yes! The NetFlix app actually ran really sweet. I was shocked that it was even allowed.

I was able to fire up the app and send a streaming NetFlix movie right to the HDTV in "pretty close to HD" glory. Picture was pretty smooth and clear. This is a fabulous thing really...

If you don't have an internet-to-HDTV device, to get NetFlix on your TV...you do now.

 

[SprintGuy]

For those of you with app performance questions...

I ran "RipTIde" (fabulous game) via this setup and there was also chop. It was unplayable.

RipTide is VERY graphic intensive with super-fast moving high-density graphics. I absolutely could not play the game by watching the TV screen.

Although...I did not think to ratchet the "Graphics Details" slider down to the "Better FrameRate" side...

But, this setup does seem to be "full mirroring" of the S3 screen to the TV. I saw nothing on the screen that wasn't fully mirrored to the TV. I was impressed at a basic overall level...just not with any high-density graphically-intensive video stream.

My guess is that Samsung does have an issue here...and that we'll probably see a fix in a software update in the next few months. (I hope.)

 

[Aquila76]

Is this the latest MHL adapter (white printed Samsung logo), or the one that came out with the S2 (black heat-stamped logo)? I've seen issues with some of the generic MHL adapters not working properly or at all with the S3. Maybe the S3 has a new spec MHL or pinout?

 

[kenyee]

Is there any lag in the video?

The WiDi adapters (probably what Samsung's wireless device uses) have around a 1-2sec lag...

 

[SprintGuy]

This is the latest "MHL HDTV Smart Adapter" accessory, ordered direct from samsung.com, branded by samsung, for full price (Ouch.), ordered from my specific S3's support/shop page a few days ago. I did this specifically because I didn't want any issues. Well...I got issues anyway...

Re: "Lag"...I think you mean hesitation between the time u press Play on the phone and when u see video on the TV. No. No lag hardly at all. Maybe 1 second or less. As I've tried to make clear, this connection is full real-time mirroring, and videos start playing nearly immediately (not like the lag u see in the demo videos for the HTC MediaLink where u click Play and it takes a few seconds to get some content over to the TV wirelessly, and to start playing.)

If there wasn't the choppiness in 1080p video, this would be an awesome connection (except for the long HDMI cable between the TV and S3, which ain't ideal...but not too bad).

 

[8er]

Thanks for the report. I was pretty excited about the feature.

Is this what you have?
HDTV Universal Adapter (11 Pin) )

I read you can use USB to GO and the samsung MHL adapter simultaneously. Anyone try it?

 

[GSDer]

That looks like what he's describing. I had a 'chat' with Samsung support, asking if there are any Samsung adapters that provide simultaneous OTG & MHL support and was told that there aren't any. So until someone comes out with one I don't know how you'd get it all hooked up.

Sent from my rooted, debloated, deodexed Sinclair ZX-80 running CM -0.001 using Tapatalk 2

 

[SprintGuy]

Yes...that appears to be the one I have. However, I'm not sure the model # is exact. The one I got was purchased by clicking the link from the "Accessories" listed on the "Support" page for my exact phone model. (SPH-L710...the Sprint S3).

 

[SprintGuy]

GSDer...you may not believe this...but I built a Sinclair ZX-80 from a kit and programmed many BASIC routines into that thing. It was amazing. I soldered all the components...and it didn't work. I was sad (and like 12 or something). My Uncle fixed the cold solder joint and voila! Yep...those were the days... Then came the Commodore VIC20, with the cassette tape backup drive and 16k extension RAM module (of course).

 

[elrigoz]

Maybe it's the TV. It's weird but I had a bit of a lag and zoom in on my rca TV with the hdtv adapter but it works perfect with my lg computer monitor.

 

[deanodrums]

I bought an MHL adapter for ?9.99 from ebay and works a treat. I can watch films on my tv with no troubles.
I also played some angry birds on it aswell and it looks really good on a big screen!
After reading this i think i got lucky though as i know many people who have bought cheaper versions and the real thing for a huge price and still have many problems.

 

[Marcus Williams1]

I had the same issue with my 52 inch bravia. It worked once then I couldn't get it to work again. I took it upstairs and it works perfectly every time with my Westinghouse 42 inch. It may be a issue with some Sony tvs.

 

[SCOTT DIMORA]

Hello, I am new to this forum, but I have had issues that I solved and want to share them with you. I have the Samsung S3 phone with the Sony Bravia KDL-46XBR8.

1] I hooked up the phone using the hdmi adapter. The adapter reqires a power connection and says to connect it to the phone charger. Instead of connecting to the charger, I connected it to a usb cable and the usb to an unused port on the tv. This works well as I can leave the cables and adapter always attached to the tv and just unhook the phone when I want to.

2] I had to remove my protective silicone case from the phone before inserting the adapter connection as it would not make good contact. Eventhough the connector is longer than the charger one, it was not long enough.

3] When I am going to play a video from the phone through the TV, I first have to turn OFF mobile data. If mobile data is left on, it breaks up the video stream and the tv goes nuts trying to resync every ~ 40 seconds. When done with your video watching turn the mobile data back on.

Knowing these 3 things should help many of you. Good luck.