HDMI ARC, MHL, STB and DVI: explanation and differences

Modern TV sets and AV receivers offer a variety of connections such as HDMI ARC, MHL, STB and DVI. In this practical tip, we explain what exactly that is and how these apparently identical video connections differ.

This is HDMI ARC

You have probably known HDMI for years. Over time, the audio-video connection has undergone some changes and enhancements such as HDMI ARC:

• HDMI usually transmits digital audio and video content. You will find details on HDMI in a separate practical tip.
• ARC stands for "Audio Return Channel" and refers to an HDMI connection with which audio can be transmitted and forwarded in both directions.
• For example, if you connect a Blu-ray player to your AV receiver via HDMI, the AV receiver can output the sound and, if necessary, include the sound - and then pass it on to your television via HDMI.

That is MHL

MHL stands for "Mobile High-Definition Link", ie a portable, high-resolution connection. This is mainly needed for small devices such as cell phones and tablets:

• MHL was driven by Nokia, Samsung, Toshiba, Sony and Silicon Image and has been on the market since around 2010.
• In contrast to HDMI, MHL is not tied to a specific connection. Usually an HDMI socket in the television or monitor is connected to a micro USB connection from the mobile player to transmit video and sound via MHL.
• Both HD video and 7.1 sound can be transmitted via MHL. In addition, an MHL-capable monitor can also charge MHL cell phones and tablets via the connection.
• Even if it looks the same: an MHL cable with HDMI and USB connector is not the same as an HDMI-to-USB interface.

That is STB

Some devices refer to your HDMI port as STB:

• STB stands for Set-Top Box.
• Set-top boxes usually contain a TV tuner and a number of connections to connect BluRay players, game consoles and TV monitors. They act primarily as a switch to route signals.
• Set-top boxes can make connecting many devices easier, but do not include a new transmission standard for audio and video.
• If your HDMI connection is called HDMI-STB, it is a conventional HDMI connection. Most of the time, it has neither ARC nor MHL functionality.

That is DVI

Another digital interface for the transmission of videos is DVI:

• DVI is mainly used by graphics cards and PC monitors.
• An important difference to the other formats is that no sound is transmitted via DVI.
• In addition, the DVI connector is significantly larger than an HDMI or even a micro USB connection.
• In a special practical tip you will find a detailed comparison of DVI and HDMI.

In numerous CHIP online practical tips, we will show you how to connect Wii to the screen, several monitors to a laptop and the PC to the TV.