Analogix was promoting a new idea of the “nano-console”. The firm, which is behind the SlimPort variant of the myDP connection standard, has developed a small box that connects to a TV by wire and to a mobile device by SlimPort. The key item that Analogix has developed, is a bluetooth remote control that can act as a controller for the phone. The device has a touch sensitive surface so can be used as a controller for mobile games – it was demonstrated on the impressive RipTide android gam. So the phone connects to the phone and the TV, but the remote control means that the phone can be put close to the TV. Although the Nano-console includes an integrated cable for myDP/Slimport, it also has an HDMI input connector for MHL or HDMI devices.
The performance was very good in terms of latency and showed how a good gaming experience can be achieved with a mobile device and a TV or monitor. The product will go on sale from the end of Q1 through global etailers and will cost somewhere from $50 to $70. Analogix is selling the box under its own brand, an unusual move for a chip company.
Analogix was also showing USB Type-C to VGA dongles and Type-C to HDMI dongles. Analogix is very positive about the potential for USB Type-C and told us that it had been involved in many of the discussions to set it up. The specification process was pushed along by Google, Microsoft and Apple, a powerful combination.
We had an interesting conversation about Type-C. It seems that the connector is still a bit tall for mobile phone applications and it could be relatively expensive, at least in the early days – adding as much as $5 to some designs. It seems that Type-C is a very attractive connector for a number of industries, including automotive suppliers who think that they could eliminate HDMI, MHL and USB Type A connectors.
The firm was showing the ANX7816 SlimPort transmitter, which is capable of transmitting UltraHD (or DCI 4K) at 30 fps over mini or micro USB connectors, taking input from the HDMI output of an application processor and converting it to myDP or DisplayPort. Analogix told us that the only phone that can currently drive an UltraHD display is the Sony Experia 3 which uses MHL 3 and works only with Sony sets.
In the suite, there was a demonstration of the output from a Blackberry Passport (which has SlimPort) being transmitted over optical fibre. As the company said, “HDMI can’t do that!”.
It seems that the number of supporters for SlimPort is growing in the mobile space and the technology is pushing on, with 5K from a phone the next barrier to be overcome (and here, DP1.3 over USB Type-C is the only solution at the moment). In December, the firm said that it has now shipped more than a billion devices with DisplayPort.
Finally, we had a quick chat about timing controllers (TCons), where Analogix claims a 30% market share and market leadership as it has LG and Samsung as customers. The firm has developed eDP TCons that support Panel Self Refresh (PSR) which helps to reduce power consumption.
