Firms join hands to form mobile HD interface group

Nokia, Samsung Electronics, Silicon Image, Sony and Toshiba have joined forces to form the Mobile HD Interface Working Group that will create an industry standard for an A/V interface that will connect cellphones and portable consumer electric devices directly to HDTVs and displays.

The new mobile connectivity standard will be based on Silicon Image's Mobile HD Link (MHL) technology. It will be defined, promoted and marketed by the working group as an industry standard open to anyone desiring to be an adopter, thus enabling the development of mobile products that adhere to the new standard across a broad connectivity ecosystem.

The group's vision for the next generation of mobile connectivity is to provide an easy and cost-effective implementation for manufacturers while offering consumers a simple and reliable mobile connectivity experience. A single-cable with a low pin count interface will be able to support up to 1,080p HD digital video and HD audio in addition to delivering power to a portable device.

The group will also organize a consortium of founding members who will develop a mobile connectivity technology standard specification that governs transmission and reception of HD content between portable devices and display devices, to support connectivity in accordance with the new specification.