How to Connect a Phone Under a Monitor
When you have a big screen TV, a smartphone or tablet can be an invaluable tool. Whether you’re watching a rented movie or playing games, the Android-powered device can be a great way to entertain yourself. It can also help you save money by avoiding a cable bill.
The first thing you need to do is make sure you have the right hardware. If your phone or tablet has an HDMI port, you can easily connect it to a television or monitor to watch media on your high-definition display.
If your phone or tablet does not have an HDMI port, it’s still possible to connect it via USB. However, the speed and security of this connection may not be as good, so you should only use it for simple tasks like transferring pictures to your computer or backing up files.
Some phones are compatible with a wired standard called MHL, which allows power and audio/video to be sent through the micro USB port. Check the manual for your device to see if it supports MHL and what type of cable you need to connect it to a TV or monitor that supports it (list here).
Another option is to use a wired adapter that allows you to convert USB signals into HDMI. You can find these in the form of USB-C to HDMI, MHL or SlimPort cables.
MHL, or Mobile High-definition Link, is a standard that’s supported by a wide range of Android devices. It works by sending power through your phone or tablet’s micro USB port, and then transmitting the video signal to a TV or monitor that has a special HDMI port that’s MHL-compatible.
To connect your MHL-compatible phone or tablet to a TV or monitor, pick up a micro USB to HDMI (passive MHL) cable and plug one end into the TV or monitor’s MHL port. The other end can be connected to the micro USB port of your device or to a compatible micro USB to HDMI (passive MHL) adapter.
Once the two pieces are connected, you can view your phone or tablet’s screen on your monitor by pressing the touch screen button. Most Android phones and tablets have a capacitive system, which means that the touch screen uses a conductive layer that transmits 92 per cent of light to the monitor’s surface when you press it.
Capacitive systems have a longer life than resistive systems, and they have better accuracy and resolution. But because the screen is made up of several layers, you’ll need a high-quality monitor to get the best experience.