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".

[A1M]

Is this topic still silence ? 

I'm waiting for Sony answer too. 

so pain to know this.

[Bloodhoundje]

Poke!

Still 0 response from Sony, great way for them to loose valuable customers. Not showing any interest in our issues....

As much as I love my XZ2 compact and the amazing camera/audio quality. I will not buy another Sony phone after this. Horribly dissapointed by the design choices and radio silence from Sony about the lacking HDMI support.

[Bgiron]

Answer the question sony I didn't spend $1000 out of pocket for a new xz3 to have this simple feature locked please send update with a fix to this. 

[Kiriu]

I seriously cant beleive this thread has been going so long without an answer from Sony.  I've owned Xperia devices through the entire family line starting with the Z1.  I currently have an XZ2 and would seriously hardpressed at this point to buy another Xperia device when it comes time to upgrade after not even an acknowledgement or response from Sony on this issue.  If it's a licensing issue or some other problem where this feature will never be developed, I'd like to at least know.  If it's technically possible and something that may be considered as a development request, I'd also like to know.  This is completley unacceptable on Sony's behalf to not even respond to a thread in their own forum for over 6 months now...  Looks like there's a decent number of other people who share my sentiments. 

[Jonas]

Hello everyone and I'm very sorry for the late reply in regarding to your questions about USB Type-C and MHL/HDMI support.

No Xperia devices manufactured 2018 or earlier support HDMI/MHL output through the USB Type-C port.

I'm afraid that I don't have any information as to why this is not available in our devices with a USB Type-C port.

[RME]

Hi Jonas, I can understand you reply about Sony supporting or not the feature... But I can assure you XZ1 Compact did work for screen mirroring through USB-C I used to do it with a Dell docking station USB-C, to Hdmi as also with a USB-C to Hdmi converter... I bought a new phone from Sony as my last one was picked out of my pocket in the subway. Sony disabling this kind of features is not necessarily a step forward in customer loyalty..  For sure I will test my next phone for all needs before buying... 

[Kevin1967]

Yup.  Pretty disappointing.  Has Sony released a workaround to get this accomplished?

[Jonas]

Hi @Kevin1967, since the feature is not supported, I'm not quite sure if there any workaround to get this to work.

You can still cast the content using, for example, a Chromecast or mirror the screen using the screen mirroring feature.

[zzcool]

someone was able to get around it don't remember the link though, the question is if the same problem persists with the xperia 1 i want to buy the xperia 1 but i am doubtful if theres no hdmi output

[Danin]

On Tuesday, March 12th 2019,I will be performing at a poetry and arts event. I want to be able to broadcast a YouTube video of a poem of mine, called Orange Slice Ships through a projector. Is it even possible to do so? And if it is tell me please exactly what I need. Thank you. I am nervous about what I have been reading here. I have an Xz2 Compact. I bought it in January.