The MHL Consortium this week revealed superMHL, a new specification that future proofs its against changes in device connectors and makes dramatic improvements with respect to handling media content.
The superMHL connector is reversible, much like Apple’s Lightning cable. Further, it supports the new, reversible USB Type-C connector, which will eventually replace the microUSB connector found on mobile devices.
Beyond the physical elements of the cable/connector, superMHL can deliver 8K video at 120fps and supports up to 48-bit color. It adds HDR video and immersive sound support, including Dolby Atmos, DTS-UHD, and 3D audio. It also supports daisy-chaining between multiple devices (TVs, Blu-Ray players, receivers) and can control them all with a single remote. The new superMHL spec also supports power charging up to 40W.
The superMHL specification will be available for consumer electronics makers to download at the end of January.
