Review : Samsung HDTV Adapter for Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

The HDTV or HDMI adapter is easily one of the most anticipated adapters for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. Since the Tab 10.1 was announced many have asked if and how you could connect it to your televisions. We were always told that an adapter would be made available using the Accessory Port on the Tab. The adapter is here and it is nice. As you see it above it connects to the Accessory Port of the Tab 10.1 and has a slot to connect a regular HDMI port to. I will add that you will also have to power the adapter using the power cable used to charge the Tab. Once these are all connected, the image on the Tab is mirrored on your television or HDMI destination.  And that is it. It is that simple, anything going on on your Tab is mirrored on the television. 

I did however have a few issues which I am sure can be corrected. First, the fact that a power source is required is a problem. I don’t want to run off and find my power cable to show my family a Youtube video on my television.  You should have the option and even a warning that the Tab will be powering the transfer of video to the television and thus the battery may drain quicker. Second, I didn’t like that the Tab didn’t auto rotate when connected to this adapter. If I have the Tab, with the adapter connected and facing the television, then the image will appear upside down. Just make it autorotate, whether the adapter is connected, it will make everyone’s life a little easier. Last, and this one is petty. The image on the screen is cut off at the corners. Give some control to either adjust the resolution so that it fits a standard 16:9 television perfectly.  ( I realize this would have been a great time to introduce a picture, but I will have to get you all on the next one.)

Other than those issues the adapter worked flawlessly.  None of the issues were deal breakers by any means and you always have the use of DLNA devices to transmit video to your big screens if you don’t want to use an adapter.  Definitely an adapter to consider.