MHL Connector - HTC Amaze 4G

Continuation of closed thread here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1301895
Funny, that thread was the first suggestion in the "Here are similar threads we found:" dialog when I created this thread.
Anyways, my question is pertaining to the last couple posts in that thread. They were talking about the official HTC AC M500 12-pin MHL adapter. I know it's the official MHL adapter for the Amaze, but what I'm wondering is why I'd spring for that adapter, when for just a bit less, I can get the official HTC AC M490, which is the 5-pin version? Not only is it cheaper, but it'll work with any phone that has a standard 5-pin USB/MHL port.

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If you've tried the 5pin then you know that it disconnects almost all the time. Plus the charging while plugged in doesn't work too well. I have the 12pin and I don't have to sit there with a steady hand while connected to the tv and don't have to worry about the battery discharging while watching a movie from my sdcard. I prefer quality over quantity.
Wait....I sent this with Tapatalk?

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Double0EK said:
If you've tried the 5pin then you know that it disconnects almost all the time. Plus the charging while plugged in doesn't work too well. I have the 12pin and I don't have to sit there with a steady hand while connected to the tv and don't have to worry about the battery discharging while watching a movie from my sdcard. I prefer quality over quantity.
Wait....I sent this with Tapatalk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I haven't tried any of them. I guess I've not had any problems with standard 5-pin usb charges staying in place, but perhaps the MHL adapter causes more strain on the connector. If I get the 5-pin it'd also work for my girlfriend's evo3d.... choices

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It will work if the EVO 3D uses mhl. Don't get me wrong the 5pin will work but you will start to get really frustrated if the plug or phone or table is slightly moved and you lose connection. Lol
Wait....I sent this with Tapatalk?

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Double0EK said:
It will work if the EVO 3D uses mhl. Don't get me wrong the 5pin will work but you will start to get really frustrated if the plug or phone or table is slightly moved and you lose connection. Lol
Wait....I sent this with Tapatalk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, the evo3d has MHL, but only the standard 5pin plug.

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I use a 5 pin your right about the charging watched a movie plugged in the whole time batt was at %20 at the end. Wrong about the connection though you must of had a bad one. I can pick up the phone wiggle it around and never loose the picture.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G

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oryan_dunn said:
Continuation of closed thread here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1301895
Funny, that thread was the first suggestion in the "Here are similar threads we found:" dialog when I created this thread.
Anyways, my question is pertaining to the last couple posts in that thread. They were talking about the official HTC AC M500 12-pin MHL adapter. I know it's the official MHL adapter for the Amaze, but what I'm wondering is why I'd spring for that adapter, when for just a bit less, I can get the official HTC AC M490, which is the 5-pin version? Not only is it cheaper, but it'll work with any phone that has a standard 5-pin USB/MHL port.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What I have found out regarding which is the proper adapter, and you are correct it's the HTC AC500 12-pin Ext-USB to HDMI MHL adapter (its the same MHL adapter that the HTC Flyer tablet uses).The micro "Ext-USB" connection and the fact that its twelve pins instead of a 5 pin connector do indeed make a difference in terms of functionality, quality, and performance. Although, that not to say that other MHL adapters with 5-pin connectors like the HTC AC490 adapter won't work on the Amaze, cause they do in terms of displaying video on your TV. However, the 5-pin adapter wont charge the unit while its plugged in, even if you have an MHL adapter that has its own AC power source. According to HTC that is the case at least, and from reading other comments, I assume that HTC isnt bullshitting.
I was also told by the HTC rep via email, that when you use the HTC AC500 12-pin Ext-usb MHL adapter, it actually allows the Amaze 4G to open up or enable a feature where the phone acts more like a playback remote for viewing videos and photos, and so basically it doesnt only just mirror image the display you see on the devices screen on the TV (in other words, it enables an app where you can select the file you wanna view from the app on the Amaze, and then you can use your phone to control the playback of the videos/files etc). I also found out, not only does using the correct MHL adapter enable some pretty cool functionality & features, it also will greatly improve the HD image and sound quality being sent to your TV. All the while, the 12-pin adapter will charge your phone in the process ...
For some people, I guess, those additional features and the improved image & sound quality won't be a deciding factor for them, and will go for the cheapest adapter they can find on eBay. For me however, I'd personally rather spend the additional $20-30 for the official HTC AC500 12-pin adapter.
... Only problem now though is, I can't for the life of me seem to find them anywhere, but you can get them direct from HTCs webstore. Only problem is HTC doesn't operate their official online Accessories Store in Canada ... and neither the US or nor the UK stores will ship items here. Poo
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda premium

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Double0EK said:
If you've tried the 5pin then you know that it disconnects almost all the time. Plus the charging while plugged in doesn't work too well. I have the 12pin and I don't have to sit there with a steady hand while connected to the tv and don't have to worry about the battery discharging while watching a movie from my sdcard. I prefer quality over quantity.
Wait....I sent this with Tapatalk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, since you use the 12-pin adapter ... correct me if I'm wrong about what I wrote above. I don't have any 'hands on' experience using one, so I'm only going off what I have heard.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda premium

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eBay has the DC T500 for $9.99 or two for $17.99.

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MHL on Sony Erisccon Live With Walkman?
I have a Sony Ericsson Live with Wlkman. Can I able to use MHL on my phone to view movies on TV?

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kjisaac said:
Hey, since you use the 12-pin adapter ... correct me if I'm wrong about what I wrote above. I don't have any 'hands on' experience using one, so I'm only going off what I have heard.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I don't browse the accessories to often. But to answer your question. It does have a different feature...only on stock. It seems some roms remove the feature. But its no biggie. It still plays really good HD.
--------------------------------
It's Better To Fail At Originality
Than To Succeed In Imitation.
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Which ROMs Support?
couldnt ever get the 5-pin to work with my Sensation before & now on either my Amaze or Flyer (but i know it works cuz it does on my bros One V) so im selling it....picked-up a 12-pin from fleabay for $15
my ? is, which ROMs will support this feature (or which ones do not)? im using EnergyROM with the Amaze & OneXXL with the Flyer
update: 12-pin working great without the need for power to be plugged-in. sold the 5-pin OEM Adapter [73H00394-00M] for the same $20 i bought it for so ended up making $5 out of the whole thing
Double0EK said:
It does have a different feature...only on stock. It seems some roms remove the feature. But its no biggie. It still plays really good HD.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kjisaac said:
What I have found out regarding which is the proper adapter, and you are correct it's the HTC AC500 12-pin Ext-USB to HDMI MHL adapter (its the same MHL adapter that the HTC Flyer tablet uses).The micro "Ext-USB" connection and the fact that its twelve pins instead of a 5 pin connector do indeed make a difference in terms of functionality, quality, and performance. Although, that not to say that other MHL adapters with 5-pin connectors like the HTC AC490 adapter won't work on the Amaze, cause they do in terms of displaying video on your TV. However, the 5-pin adapter wont charge the unit while its plugged in, even if you have an MHL adapter that has its own AC power source. According to HTC that is the case at least, and from reading other comments, I assume that HTC isnt bull****ting.
I was also told by the HTC rep via email, that when you use the HTC AC500 12-pin Ext-usb MHL adapter, it actually allows the Amaze 4G to open up or enable a feature where the phone acts more like a playback remote for viewing videos and photos, and so basically it doesnt only just mirror image the display you see on the devices screen on the TV (in other words, it enables an app where you can select the file you wanna view from the app on the Amaze, and then you can use your phone to control the playback of the videos/files etc). I also found out, not only does using the correct MHL adapter enable some pretty cool functionality & features, it also will greatly improve the HD image and sound quality being sent to your TV. All the while, the 12-pin adapter will charge your phone in the process ...
For some people, I guess, those additional features and the improved image & sound quality won't be a deciding factor for them, and will go for the cheapest adapter they can find on eBay. For me however, I'd personally rather spend the additional $20-30 for the official HTC AC500 12-pin adapter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

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Would love to find one of these in Canada somewhere.

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Menotek MHL adapter
I'm late to the thread but I thought I'd add my experience with a similar MHL adapter. I got one by Menotek from Amazon [sorry, can't post links yet]. Short story is that it works, but far for perfectly:
- it does not charge the Amaze while it is connected to my TV via HDMI
- if you unplug it and plug it back, it will not detect the phone and TV connection anymore. I need to restart the phone in order to re-establish the link
- it works great for low res graphics such as youtube, fpse (PSX emulator)
- it sucks for hi res such as netflix movies
While my main use for this MHL adapter is to play PSX games on my phone on by big screen TV, I am disappointed that it doesn't give high quality video from my netflix app.
I wonder if I should buy the aforementioned 12-pin MHL adapter which is also available from Amazon. Does anyone have personal experience with this adapter on their Amaze?

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I got mine off ebay for about 8 dollars and its never disconnected on me, I can even play games on it... works great!

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blindskater39 said:
I got mine off ebay for about 8 dollars and its never disconnected on me, I can even play games on it... works great!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you give more info on the MHL adapter you got off ebay? Brand/model or even link?
Thanks!

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doczeuhl said:
Can you give more info on the MHL adapter you got off ebay? Brand/model or even link?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm late to the thread but I thought I'd add my experience with a similar MHL adapter. I got one by Menotek from Amazon [sorry, can't post links yet]. Short story is that it works, but far for perfectly:
- it does not charge the Amaze while it is connected to my TV via HDMI
- if you unplug it and plug it back, it will not detect the phone and TV connection anymore. I need to restart the phone in order to re-establish the link
- it works great for low res graphics such as youtube, fpse (PSX emulator)
- it sucks for hi res such as netflix movies
While my main use for this MHL adapter is to play PSX games on my phone on by big screen TV, I am disappointed that it doesn't give high quality video from my netflix app.
I wonder if I should buy the aforementioned 12-pin MHL adapter which is also available from Amazon. Does anyone have personal experience with this adapter on their Amaze?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dont remember which seller they were one of the top rated sellers though and the mhl adapter supports 25-75hz. It was just one of the many 8 dollar ones on ebay... Idk how many pins it is, its just a regular micro usb port that plugs into the phone and it charges. Never acted up on me on stock on and still works fine on Speed Rom 7.8. These new postings for mhl adapters on ebay for 8 dollars claim to be capable of outputting 3D but in reality that is a requirement of 120hz. I don't know if I can believe that (well maybe it can output 3D but not good 3D video)
I havent tried netflix on my phone to the tv yet, last I remembered the quality wasn't that great even streaming to a phone and watching family guy... Is there anyway to adjust or even trick net flix into streaming higher quality for tv use?

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I just got a Sanoxy MHL cable and it works great I have a USB to micro USB from my computer plugged into it and the phone charges faster than it drains. I tested disconnecting the phone from it and then reconnecting to see if the TV would pick it back up and it did. I had Bluetooth GPS and WiFi going while running a linux rom over the TV browsing the internet for about a half an hour and my battery percentage was even higher when I was done.
Sent from my HTC Ruby using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 10:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:05 PM ----------
Forgot to mention I got it off of amazon for $4.66 after shipping and I said rom when I meant operating system haha. Also was using bluetooth mouse and keyboard not just had Bluetooth turned on
Sent from my HTC Ruby using xda app-developers app

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sbcdave said:
I just got a Sanoxy MHL cable and it works great I have a USB to micro USB from my computer plugged into it and the phone charges faster than it drains. I tested disconnecting the phone from it and then reconnecting to see if the TV would pick it back up and it did. I had Bluetooth GPS and WiFi going while running a linux rom over the TV browsing the internet for about a half an hour and my battery percentage was even higher when I was done.
Sent from my HTC Ruby using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 10:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:05 PM ----------
Forgot to mention I got it off of amazon for $4.66 after shipping and I said rom when I meant operating system haha. Also was using bluetooth mouse and keyboard not just had Bluetooth turned on
Sent from my HTC Ruby using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How well does the battery hold up with local video, streaming, gaming?

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I haven't been doing much gaming lately and I don't have netflix anymore and the only videos I have on the phone are short clips for showing friends, so I'm not sure but if I get Netflix back or decide to game out on this thing I'll let you know.
Sent from my HTC Ruby using xda app-developers app