USB-C HDMI support - Why has this been disabled?

[Bloodhoundje]

I recently bought the XZ2 Compact and have been enjoying my phone so far. 

As Steam released it's BETA streaming client and steam controller support under android this enabled alot of new options for gaming. Just when I was getting excited for gaming on the go on my phone through VPN + Inhome, I got hit by immense dissapointment when I found out that Sony decided to disable the HDMI support through USB-C. 

My plan was to buy the Sony MP-CL1A pico projector (https://www.sony.com/electronics/projector/mp-cl1a), connect my phone through HDMI, connect my steam controller over bluetooth and I would have an amazing gaming platform on the go.

Sony stated in another message here on the board that the removal of HDMI has been a design choice. I would like to hear the reason why Sony has actually put effort into removing a feature that is available on the SOC by default. Every other phone with this SOC supports usb-c  to HDMI and it is even a part of the USB-C protocol...

Miracast is not a viable replacement for HDMI, it is slow and only usefull when giving a powerpoint presentation.

So please Sony, it would be greatly appreciated by the entire community if you enable this standard feature on the XZ2 compact. Enabling this is a software change, not a hardware change. When this feature is supported I will instantly buy the pico projector to use with my phone. 

Stating this this change is by design while knowing that this does not change anything to the hardware layout or appearance on the phone simply means that this "design" change is purely based on forcing your end users to use miracast and earn extra money over sold miracast devices.

Currently not having this feature made me decided not to buy another Sony smartphone in the future.

I hope that someone at Sony could give us an actual answer with better reasoning than "it is by design".

[Zebastian]

Totally agree here. Doesn't make much sense...

So please Sony, enable this feature.

[Pugnip]

I'm with this guy. I've got the xz2 and connecting up to my projector is a pain and on my 4k TV is a  Nightmare streaming my hdr 4k movies with a buffering wait on most videos making everything wifi sounds like a plan but it's not direct and has lag. Quick and easy way I guess..   😩

[DTamal]

Hey SONY? Is there anybody alive to answer?

[JoBill]

I'm also in with this request... hoping it is "only" about a software update. Please Sony update about this.

Get used to watch Movies+Subtitles through MHL (as broadcasting to chromecast or similar dongles do not support subtitles (Typically [Android VLC/BSPlayer Player+Movie+Subtitle => Chromecast] is a setup that does not work (no subtitle), hence MHL was/is the only way to do this properly, while phone's full screen casting usually brings some lags in image/sound/subtitles).

So the hardware link from Sony's phone to any kind of HDMI input is something to have (USB-C to HDMI cable), especially while considering contemporary (Sony's) smartphones as much more that just a phone, but more a media-center-on the-go.

I'm stuck to Z1 Compact because of this, while considering XZ2 compact as a new potential device. Do not want to go to Samsung only because of this missing feature!!... So if it is "just" about a software update, just let us know, at least we can be aware that it can be activated through a Sony's incoming system update. Thanks.

[odinho]

Maybe they removed it in order to not have to pay the HDMI license fee for each sold phone? 

[MichalH94]

Please Sony, make this phone usefull or I will must sold it and buy other brand...thx.

[Mercilies]

Yes! I bought this smartphone because of this feature, as the previous model worked perfectly through mhl, and was an integral part of my coexistence with the smartphone om, naively assuming that it will be the default time on the smartphone claimed USB type-C connector! Imagine my disappointment when I specially purchased adapter TYPE-C-HDMI is not working! I went to the store and ordered a few more tips to check that it does not work smartphone. We checked them all with the sellers and none of them worked, while Samsung easily transferred the image to an external monitor. And at this moment the balance has swung in the opposite direction of Sony Xperia. I'm writing this post with Xperia Xz2 Compact, tion the following phone seems Galaxy S9.

[980ctane]

Has this been escalated/reported to Sony? I also bougtht this device assuming it would have this capability. Even my old Z2 had mhl out. 

Thanks

[CC4SONY]

Im still using my Xperia z5 because of its MHL Output. But its time to upgrade ...i would love to stay with Sony but Sony needs to have hdmi output for me to even consider it...come on Sony! Please Add it! And oh ya, a headphone jack would be ideal as well...