New TVs - not much choice of sound output
Discussion
Noticed on many new TVs that the only option for sound output is either the in-built TV speakers (which are usually garbage) or the 'optical out' port on the rear.
I've spent a few hours looking for a 2.1 sound system that has both optical input and also a headphone jack so that I can listen to the TV without disturbing other members of the family.
It seems the 2.1 systems are mainly for PCs/smart phones/i-pods/mp3 docking stations etc. etc. and 5.1 systems are for TVs.
Now, most of the 2.1 speakers systems don't seem to come with an optical input but they do have the headphone jack.
And the 5.1 speaker systems do come with the optical input but they don't come with the headphone jack.
Any body know an easy way forward on this?
Ideally I don't want loads of speakers dotted around the living room, hence my preference for a 2.1 system, but really do need that headphone jack.
(All for under £70?)
I've spent a few hours looking for a 2.1 sound system that has both optical input and also a headphone jack so that I can listen to the TV without disturbing other members of the family.
It seems the 2.1 systems are mainly for PCs/smart phones/i-pods/mp3 docking stations etc. etc. and 5.1 systems are for TVs.
Now, most of the 2.1 speakers systems don't seem to come with an optical input but they do have the headphone jack.
And the 5.1 speaker systems do come with the optical input but they don't come with the headphone jack.
Any body know an easy way forward on this?
Ideally I don't want loads of speakers dotted around the living room, hence my preference for a 2.1 system, but really do need that headphone jack.
(All for under £70?)
I know audiophiles (you dirty beasts!) will blanche at this, but I use the 3.5mm headphone socket plugged into a spare set of 2.1 PC speakers I had lying around. If I need to use headphones, I can still plug them into the 3.5mm line out on the volume controller for the speakers.
Much better sound quality than the in-built standard speakers, the cost, £5 for a 3m 3.5mm plug - 3.5mm plug cable.
Much better sound quality than the in-built standard speakers, the cost, £5 for a 3m 3.5mm plug - 3.5mm plug cable.
Warw1ckHunt said:
I know audiophiles (you dirty beasts!) will blanche at this, but I use the 3.5mm headphone socket plugged into a spare set of 2.1 PC speakers I had lying around. If I need to use headphones, I can still plug them into the 3.5mm line out on the volume controller for the speakers.
Much better sound quality than the in-built standard speakers, the cost, £5 for a 3m 3.5mm plug - 3.5mm plug cable.
Problem I have is that I only have 'optical out' from the TV and can't find any 2.1 systems with optical input AND 3.5mm headphone socket.Much better sound quality than the in-built standard speakers, the cost, £5 for a 3m 3.5mm plug - 3.5mm plug cable.
I have decided to order one of these things...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/200664552264?limghl...
The converter will just give out L-R Stereo sound, which is fine for headphones and a 2.1 speaker system.
But strange as to why expensive TVs these days do not come with many sound output options like they used to.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/200664552264?limghl...
The converter will just give out L-R Stereo sound, which is fine for headphones and a 2.1 speaker system.
But strange as to why expensive TVs these days do not come with many sound output options like they used to.
AJI said:
But strange as to why expensive TVs these days do not come with many sound output options like they used to.
I'm not sure I agree with this. So, on my (actually very cheap) TV I have:Optical out
ARC
Headphone jack
So I have analogue and digital out, which is more then any of my other TV's have had.
I know that's not very helpful to you, but you're trying to do something a bit odd. The omission of the headphone jack on your TV is a pain, presumably done for cost reasons. You really should be using the ARC output on the HDMI to get sound out of the TV. If we were to swap the digital outputs for analogue RCA jacks there's no way to ever get surround sound out of the TV. I think it's better this way.
AJI said:
I have decided to order one of these things...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/200664552264?limghl...
The converter will just give out L-R Stereo sound, which is fine for headphones and a 2.1 speaker system.
But strange as to why expensive TVs these days do not come with many sound output options like they used to.
This may not be the solution, unless the digital output is variable on the TV. Most aren't. Headphones will be at fixed volume.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/200664552264?limghl...
The converter will just give out L-R Stereo sound, which is fine for headphones and a 2.1 speaker system.
But strange as to why expensive TVs these days do not come with many sound output options like they used to.
PS when setting up make sure you set the TV output to PCM Stereo.
conkerman said:
Why? when HDMI does it via ARC. COme on its 2013, HDMI has been the standard for years.
Well, not wanting to show my lack of knowledge on HDMI, but I didn't know it could output sound to a 2.1 speaker system just by plugging it in. When searching for 2.1 speaker systems I didn't notice any with an HDMI input.
Does the ARC output on a TV allow the volume levels to be changed with the TV's remote (similar to how it would with a 3.2mm headphone jack)?
AJI said:
conkerman said:
Why? when HDMI does it via ARC. COme on its 2013, HDMI has been the standard for years.
Well, not wanting to show my lack of knowledge on HDMI, but I didn't know it could output sound to a 2.1 speaker system just by plugging it in. When searching for 2.1 speaker systems I didn't notice any with an HDMI input.
Does the ARC output on a TV allow the volume levels to be changed with the TV's remote (similar to how it would with a 3.2mm headphone jack)?
AJI said:
Does the ARC output on a TV allow the volume levels to be changed with the TV's remote (similar to how it would with a 3.2mm headphone jack)?
Not an expert myself, but can confirm that the TV remote on mine controls the volume on the amplifier via ARC, either watching the TV directly or any other inputs (Blu-Ray, satellite etc).So this cable would be an easy solution right?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/SODIAL-HDMI-RCA-Cable-1-8m...
Simply plugging one end in to the TV's HDMI ARC slot and then the RCA left and right in to the 2.1 speaker inputs.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/SODIAL-HDMI-RCA-Cable-1-8m...
Simply plugging one end in to the TV's HDMI ARC slot and then the RCA left and right in to the 2.1 speaker inputs.
AJI said:
So this cable would be an easy solution right?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/SODIAL-HDMI-RCA-Cable-1-8m...
Simply plugging one end in to the TV's HDMI ARC slot and then the RCA left and right in to the 2.1 speaker inputs.
I assume not. I don't see how this cable converts the digital ARC signal to analogue for the RCA plugs. Worth a try for the price and I'd be interested to hear your results.http://www.amazon.co.uk/SODIAL-HDMI-RCA-Cable-1-8m...
Simply plugging one end in to the TV's HDMI ARC slot and then the RCA left and right in to the 2.1 speaker inputs.
You can get a basic 5.1 AV receiver for £100. Volume control, input switching etc.
It will all work properly rather than faffing about with adaptors etc. Leave the amp in Stereo and you are away.
In fact, I don't understand how that cable will work. HDMI sends its Audio signal digitally and would require a DAC.
It will all work properly rather than faffing about with adaptors etc. Leave the amp in Stereo and you are away.
In fact, I don't understand how that cable will work. HDMI sends its Audio signal digitally and would require a DAC.
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