Silicon Image Offers Mobile Phone Manufacturers a Better Way to Implement an HDTV Connection

Silicon Image Offers Mobile Phone Manufacturers a Better Way to Implement an HDTV Connection

Silicon Image, announced its ultra-low-power interface solution consisting of a VastLane SiI9206 HDMI transmitter PHY semiconductor and a companion link layer IP core for use in consumer mobile device applications. This dual-mode solution supports the HDMI specification and Silicon Image's MHL technology interface. MHL technology is a new connectivity solution that can reduce connector size by only requiring five pins for full HD content delivery. It can also accommodate multiple functions across shared pins like USB, charging, analog video and audio headsets, making it the most optimized answer for mobile handset requirements today.

Consumers are demanding more from their mobile handsets as entertainment content becomes available for download and consumption. Connecting stored mobile content to an HDTV will be a differentiating handset feature. Taking high-resolution photos and storing full movies on mobile handsets is commonplace, and connecting to an HDTV is the perfect way to increase the value of that content.

Today, mobile device IC providers have the option of either using external discrete HDMI chips or fully integrating HDMI functionality into their mobile device ICs. Silicon Image is now offering a solution that provides the benefits of both approaches, including a lower bill-of-material cost compared to discrete IC implementations, faster time-to-market and less chip I/O compared to full integration into the SoC.