You know you can connect your phone to the TV to launch content in real time from your smartphone to the TV screen? This allows you to enjoy games, show pictures to family and friends, watch videos on a larger screen ... with little effort. In this guide we will explain what options you have to enjoy content on your TV from your smartphone. It is not very difficult, and there are several alternatives to do so depending on the manufacturer.
Connect the phone to the cable TV
It is the easiest option for Android phones. Some smartphones have a specific micro HDMI port and others allow connection via the mini USB port using an adapter. Even if your phone is an iPhone, below we dedicate a section to Apple where he also explain the connection cable.
If your phone has HDMI Micro connector
The micro HDMI port looks very similar to the mini USB aspect, so it usually takes the "HDMI" label to differentiate. If your phone has an HDMI port, it is as simple as plugging in a compatible cable (HDMI to micro HDMI) between the terminal and a TV with HDMI input to display the screen of your mobile phone at the time.
If your mobile phone only has USB connector
If your phone does not have a micro HDMI port, you can connect through the USB mini charger. But note that your phone must be compatible with MHL (Mobile High Definition Link) technology or Slimport. Otherwise, the USB port will not work with your TV. In addition, you'll need a cable or compatible adapter. In manual or box your mobile you can see if your terminal is compatible with MHL or Slimport.
MHL
If your mobile supports MHL, you need only one cable. The technical name is active MHL Cable. On the one hand it is connected to the USB port of the mobile and on the other to HDMI TV. It is called active because it has a third USB connector to the stream (for example, a USB charger or USB port on the TV). Sometimes, instead of a cable, it may be an adapter that goes to the phone and we can connect a standard HDMI cable.
The MHL is the standard used by Sony, Nokia and Samsung phones, as these companies are part of the MHL Consortium. Although some mobile Samsung may require a special cable type MHL (the Samsung micro-USB to HDMI adapter that has a USB connector of 11 pins -instead of 5-). Therefore, it is important to confirm that the cable you buy is compatible with your phone model.
If the cable "passive" type, it is a simple cable that is not connected to the current (has only USB and micro HDMI connector). But in this case our TV must be compatible with MHL technology, something that is not so common. So we recommend buying a cable active type in doubt.
Prices vary these cables (6 to 30 euros) depending on the manufacturer (the officers are the most expensive, but there are white markings).