MHL to HDMI, yes (was No HDMI out has me sad..)

[BitGambit]

Engadget checked the internals of the SGN and seems to confirm MLH hardware:

Silicon
CPU: Texas Instruments OMAP4460 (same as the Droid RAZR and Archos G9 tablets), 2047.7 BogoMIPS
GPU: Imagination Technologies PowerVR SGX 540 (same as the Galaxy S and Nexus S)
Wifi / Bluetooth module: Broadcom BCM4330 (same as in the Galaxy S II)
Audio codec: Texas Instruments TWL6040
HDMI: Silicon Image MHD SiI9234 transmitter over MHL (same as Infuse 4G and GSII)
USB Switch: Fairchild semiconductors fsa9480 (industry standard)
Framebuffer controller: Samsung S6E8AA0 MIPI LCD with Gamma correction driver

Misc. internals
Main input/output type supported: Headphone, Speaker, Microphone, Bluetooth, Voice, FM, S/PDIF over HDMI; USB Audio DAC (digital-to-audio converter with USB input and stereo outputs) should also be supported

Source: Behind the glass: a detailed tour inside the Samsung Galaxy Nexus -- Engadget

 

[Deleted User]

But given that Samsung already did a bit of a backslide from the GSII spec in terms of the microSD slot (or lack thereof) I'm not confident in assumptions right now!

It's always good to question assumptions, of course. But in terms of manufacturing, there's a huge difference between leaving a component off (the card slot), and switching to a different controller.

The reason there there are some good reasons to believe it will be similar to the S2 is because it doesn't make sense for Samsung to buy, say, two different USB controllers, or two different Bluetooth modules. They cut their purchasing power in half if they do that. So, given that they have a similar top-of-the-line phone that is still in new, active manufacturing, they're going to share components wherever possible. Things like CPUs and GPUs have different considerations so those change from phone to phone but the less-sexy, less-noticed pieces like Bluetooth/Wifi/USB/HDMI are often shared.

 

[B2L]

That sounds very definitive... Do you have an official source for that?

Not doubting you -- in fact I'm pretty confident you're right. I'm just really hoping you have some kind of "proof" to finally put my mind at rest, either from official word from Samsung or a successful MHL test on one of the dev phones given to the launch attendees (for which I could slap them).

There are rumors flying all over the web about MHL on the GN but nobody actually seems to know for sure; it's all based on assumption that it matches the port on the GSII. But given that Samsung already did a bit of a backslide from the GSII spec in terms of the microSD slot (or lack thereof) I'm not confident in assumptions right now!


The other part is that, if it does feature MHL, then Samsung really needs to get their marketing together and quit referring to it as simply "USB 2.0" in the spec sheet. If the port can manage output of 1080p video and multichannel audio -- even via an adapter -- then they need to highlight that. Otherwise it immediately looks like the spec is inferior to phones with native HDMI out, or even an iPhone dock connector.

To phone noobs like me, who had never heard of MHL before this week, it sounds like the Galaxy Nexus is stuck with a basic, ancient USB 2.0 port and no other connectivity except wireless. I'd actually written off the GN for that very reason until I saw MHL mentioned out of the corner of my eye on the GSII wikipedia page, which suddenly changed the whole outlook of the new phone.


I'm also hoping the Galaxy Nexus supports USB hosting via that port too, like the GSII. That would actually go a long way toward offsetting the loss of the microSD slot for me. Especially if something really stupid happens, like it launching as only the 16GB variant.


PS: I'm new. As you can see by the post count. So this can serve as my intro. Hi. Help me finally escape the clutches of this godforsaken 3GS to the greener grass of Android!

Looks like BitGambit already answered it for me. I had read a couple of articles on different Androids blogs that went into detail, and listed MHL in the specs. Typically, I like to get my facts straight before answering so definitively.


Also, welcome to AF.

 

[Deleted User]

It's always good to question assumptions, of course. But in terms of manufacturing, there's a huge difference between leaving a component off (the card slot), and switching to a different controller.

True, very valid points. I guess I'm too much of a born skeptic/cynic/pessimist.

So here's a followup question, since I've already owned up to being a phone noob (but getting up to speed as fast as possible in the last week). Sorry to derail slightly...

Is USB OTG, also on the S2, a function of hardware, software, or a combination of both? (Kinda assuming the latter.) i.e. Is it safe so assume it'll be available on the Nexus simply due to the presence of the same USB controller, or will that depend on other hardware or software factors too? (I'd read rumors that it's natively supported by ICS but I'm still noob enough that that doesn't tell me whether the Nexus will definitely allow it.)

USB hosting and the ability to switch in flash drives (or even microSD via adapters) would make a huge difference for me. I have large music library and hate having to plan my listening ahead or rely too heavily on cloud-based solutions. I've pretty much come to terms with the fact that an element of reliance on the cloud is inevitable, but I still like the old-fashioned backup plan of local data. (Hell, I'm one of the 12 people left in the US who still buys CDs...)


Edit: And thanks to BitGambit for the link. And B2L for the welcome.

 

[Slow Eddie]

So the Galaxy Nexus may or may not charge using the MHL adapter? At first I didn't think this was a big deal, figuring I would just plug it in to the wall charger, then realized that port is going to be used by the adapter. D'OH!

So I guess I'll have to wait until the hands on reviews become available in regards to charging.

Eddie

 

[Deleted User]

Is USB OTG, also on the S2, a function of hardware, software, or a combination of both? (Kinda assuming the latter.)

It's a combination of both. You need the kernel support for it and also the voltage to supply power to things like USB drives.

It's very likely that the same controller will mean the same USB OTG support.

 

[Szadzik]

No it does not wipe all the data, my Nexus S only has internal storage and no SD slot. You can choose to wipe data, or wipe SD. If you wipe data it will wipe your whole phone except for the SD Card. (So there is really nothing to worry about here.)

The Galaxy Nexus does work with an MHL adapter.

I am sure that when you wipe data from the phone's menu it will not wipe the SD partition and that is great.

Problems come when you wipe the phone from recovery, will SD data be preserved? I doubt that.
And who cares about wiping the phone from its menu if you cannot start it at all because of a bad flash or something like that?

 

[rivera02]

For those wondering, the setup goes:
Mhl adapter plugs into micro USB port on the phone. Then you plug your wall charger into the micro USB port on the side of the mhl adapter. Then you run an hdmi cable from the adapter to the TV. It won't work without the charger being plugged into the mhl adapter. Presumably, if you had a TV that supports mhl you could run a cord right from your phone to the TV without the adapter, but I've never even heard if this being offered on a TV yet. You'll need a long hdmi cord so you don't have to sit right next to your TV, but it's nice because everything you do is mirrored onto the TV. Btw I have an evo 3d so that's why I know this. Hope this helps!

 

[Deleted User]

Problems come when you wipe the phone from recovery, will SD data be preserved? I doubt that.
And who cares about wiping the phone from its menu if you cannot start it at all because of a bad flash or something like that?

The "SD card" partition will be preserved under ALL CIRCUMSTANCES unless you specifically ask the phone to format the card. As an aside, the factory reset from the phone menu is the exact same as the factory reset from Recovery.

Hardware failure is the only scenario where the contents of the phone would not be safe and recoverable.

 

[Szadzik]

The "SD card" partition will be preserved under ALL CIRCUMSTANCES unless you specifically ask the phone to format the card. As an aside, the factory reset from the phone menu is the exact same as the factory reset from Recovery.

Hardware failure is the only scenario where the contents of the phone would not be safe and recoverable.

I am trying to make sure as recently I had to wipe my Galaxy Tab 10.1 via recovery menu and it wiped the SD card partition too. I was simply shocked.

 

[B2L]

I am trying to make sure as recently I had to wipe my Galaxy Tab 10.1 via recovery menu and it wiped the SD card partition too. I was simply shocked.

That's extremely odd, I flash roms every couple of days and have always managed to wipe data, without wiping the SD card. Typically I will do a full SD wipe every few months, to clear out all the stuff I don't need. It's also good that Samsung devices are so hard to brick, I've put my phone through hell and it works better than ever. If I've ever flashed a rom that puts me into a bootloop, it's always quite easy to restore a backup with CWM.

 

[Szadzik]

That's extremely odd, I flash roms every couple of days and have always managed to wipe data, without wiping the SD card. Typically I will do a full SD wipe every few months, to clear out all the stuff I don't need. It's also good that Samsung devices are so hard to brick, I've put my phone through hell and it works better than ever. If I've ever flashed a rom that puts me into a bootloop, it's always quite easy to restore a backup with CWM.

What happened to me was I installed some patch and that bricked the tab. I did not have CWM at the time and no backups. So I wiped it and found the SD partition empty afterwards.

Anyway, I just pre-ordered a Moto Razr and will not be upgrading for another year, maybe there will be a newer Nexus then. For now the 4.65" screen is an overhaul for me and there are a few shortcomings in it.

/OT.

 

[Don S]

For those wondering, the setup goes:
Mhl adapter plugs into micro USB port on the phone. Then you plug your wall charger into the micro USB port on the side of the mhl adapter. Then you run an hdmi cable from the adapter to the TV. It won't work without the charger being plugged into the mhl adapter. Presumably, if you had a TV that supports mhl you could run a cord right from your phone to the TV without the adapter, but I've never even heard if this being offered on a TV yet. You'll need a long hdmi cord so you don't have to sit right next to your TV, but it's nice because everything you do is mirrored onto the TV. Btw I have an evo 3d so that's why I know this. Hope this helps!

Wow, this blows. Needs to be POWERED? uggh.

 

[ylexot]

Wow, this blows. Needs to be POWERED? uggh.

It kinda blows, but if you are going to use it to watch a movie, you're going to want to plug the phone in anyway.

 

[Don S]

It kinda blows, but if you are going to use it to watch a movie, you're going to want to plug the phone in anyway.

True, but for me that is a rare use case. I would much more likely be watching pics I took with my family or a video I shot with the phone. In which case setting up this contraption is a bit more cumbersome than just plugging in a HDMI cable - as I do with my XOOM now.

 

[rushmore]

Wrong thread sorry

 

[viperman2008]

The Samsung Galaxy S II (that I reviewed for my blog) included an MHL adapter in the box. Maybe they'll throw it in with the Galaxy Nexus too!

 

[rivera02]

True, but for me that is a rare use case. I would much more likely be watching pics I took with my family or a video I shot with the phone. In which case setting up this contraption is a bit more cumbersome than just plugging in a HDMI cable - as I do with my XOOM now.

I agree. I just leave the whole setup running to the side of my couch so I don't have to mess with it. However, as the mhl ports start to become standard it will be much more convenient since it will also charge the phone.

 

[Droidood]

When can we expect TVs with MHL ports? Couldn't find anything about them on Google, so I'm assuming it could be a while.