Hearing impaired help

[pipepro]

I am hearing impaired and use hearing aids, when watching TV the clarity is better if I use headphones. I can only use my headphones on one TV which has a cable DVR and that TV has audio out. All other TV's in the house only have audio in jacks or a mono jack, then if I use that, nobody else can hear the TV . Is there audio equipment that I could use with my bedroom TV that has audio out, so I can use headphones with it.

 

[markw]

All other TV's in the house only have audio in jacks or a mono jack, then if I use that, nobody else can hear the TV . Is there audio equipment that I could use with my bedroom TV that has audio out, so I can use headphones with it.

I'm unclear as to exactly what you are asking but if you are asking if there is some device that will work with a TV with no means of audio outputs, then not that I'm aware of.

But, if you have a cable box (or some other source) with audio outputs you might have some options.

Can you clarify a little?

 

[pipepro]

I was thinking if I got a home theater setup maybe instead of connecting one of the speakers I could connect my headphones to the setup. I guess I would connect a hdmi cable from TV to home theater unit, as long as it had rca cable hook up for external speakers?

 

[markw]

Generally, a HDMI cable sends a signal from the receiver to the TV, not the other way around. Now, there are some newer TV's and receivers that allow that with HDMI version 1.4 but that's a fairly recent thing and both he TV and receiver have to have that version of HDMI.

What TV and receiver do you have in mind?

...and, if it goes well, we'll be talking a set of wireless headphones, OK? and speakers don't use RCA cables.

 

[pipepro]

Well as you can see I don't have any idea how to make this happen other than get another DVR from the cable company. I really appreciate your help, thank you. I guess I wanted to enhance my wife's listening experience, because for me to hear the volume is quite high. I never considered the speakers not having rca jack receptacles.

 

[markw]

I'm not trying to bust your chops. I'm trying to get some information to work with.

I don't mean to discouage you but sometimes to get answers more information is needed. Not all apparantly simple questions are as simple as one thinks and don't have a simple answer one-size-fits-all answer.

Your question is kinda like asking "What air filter do I need for my car?"
I'll ask "What kind of car is it."
You say "It's a Chevy."
I say "there's a million different Chevys."
you say "It's an Impala"
...yada yada yada
Can you see where this is going?

The good news is that many DVR's have audio outputs and I'm pretty sure we can find some wireless headphones with volume controls. That way, she can use her 'phones and you can listen to the speakers. There might even be other options depending on how much you are willing to invest in a solution.

So, do you want to continue to work further to see what we can possibly do here?

 

[BMXTRIX]

Plug in some Sennheiser RS120 headphones (about $90 on Amazon). They are wireless and can use the RCA output jacks from your cable TV tuner. Most cable TV tuners have this connection on them so you can just plug them in, turn them on, and you will be good to go. They aren't 'flawless' sounding, but they are more than adequate for the needs that it sounds like you have. Good volume without wires, local volume control, and rechargeable so you aren't replacing batteries all the time.

Very easy to use if your main goal is just to watch some television.

 

[pipepro]

Mark I didn't think at anytime you were busting my chops, I am clueless as to how I can adapt my tv to my needs without breaking the bank. OK here is a picture of my tv.

I see it has a digital audio out. My wife just purchased some Sennheiser RS170 headphones for me.

 

[markw]

You have a loving, caring wife. Either that, or she simply wants her sleep.

That picture helps a lot. That orange jack could be your saviour.

The good news is that that's an audio output.

The bad news is that it's in digital format which is useless for your purposes.

The good news is that there's most likely inexpensive digital to analog converters out there that will work to feed your headphones but we need to know what type of digital audio it puts out. (I'm hoping PCM but it might be Dolby Digital)

What is the make and model number of your TV? We should be able to look at the manual and see what's up.

Of course, if you're using a cable box, what BMX suggested is a ready-to-go, no cost option, assuming it has analog audio outputs. (most do)

 

[pipepro]

It is a Magnavox Model# 39ME413V. I went into the menu/sound and seen Multichannel and PCM choices. On the front of the tv it does say Dolby Digital. Also, my bride of 43 years said the speakers along with the headphones have to work or it is a game breaker lol.

 

[markw]

(somehow, every manual I find for this set on line is in French which does me no good)

Great! Since you can set it's output to either, pick one and get hold of one of these:

This one does Dolby Digital.

This one does PCM.

You can get an RCA cable to connect it to your TV at your local Radio Shack, Home Depot or even Walmart. You don't need anything fancy. Virtually any should do.

Then, connect your headphones transmitter to whichever device you wind up with.

Happy listening, and sleeping.

And, another marriage saved by markw.

[edit] I'm not sure how or if the TV's volume control affects the digital output. Hopefully, the digital output is independent of the volume control. You might want to check this out.

You don't use a cable box on that TV?

 

[Adam]

Question - when you plug headphones into that TV, does it automatically turn the TV speakers off? Like Mark said, the English version of the manual isn't linked properly on the manufacturer's website (and I haven't figured out the right link to it, yet).

EDIT: I feel like Sherlock Holmes : Manual in English. It still doesn't tell me if the TV speakers turn off when you plug in headphones (although a lot of systems will do that).

 

[pipepro]

I don't use a cable box on this tv. Mark one more question if I get the dolby one do I set for multichannel, I guess I could play with it both ways. Adam I only have a mono earphone jack that when I plug in my headphone the sound does go out for the tv speakers.
Ok so when I purchase digital to analog box I plug the rca into the digital output jack got it.

 

[Adam]

You can also look into getting an inexpensive (and perhaps used) A/V receiver for not much more money (or perhaps even less money) than those DACs cost. Just a thought.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Amazon.com: SANOXY® AGPtek Digital Optical Coax to Analog RCA Audio Converter Adapter: Electronics

I use this with my AppleTV and it works perfectly.

In your TV settings, set the output to PCM.

 

[markw]

I'd go with BMXs suggestion. I was only going by what I would do in that situation.

BMX has already been there and actual experience trumps speculation any day.

 

[pipepro]

Well you guys have opened Pandora's Box now. My wife now says that I have ruined her hearing over the years, so she purchased the Sennheiser RS170 with an extra headset for her, and she also purchased the Etekcity converter. I think the $9.99 a month extra DVR from the cable company is looking pretty good. Just joking, when I get the delivery I will be back to tell you how it all worked out. Thanks.

 

[markw]

Well you guys have opened Pandora's Box now.

Yeah, we get that a lot.

 

[pipepro]

OK got the headphones and the analog to digital converter came. The converter hooked up right away I am very happy with this setup for my Magnavox (I am using my old headset (Sony's , actually glued them back together). The Sennheiser headphones would not connect through my tv output jacks (like the RCA and Sony headsets) but work through the Hd/DVR cable converter. From my perspective so far, the (Sony headphones) have a better quality sound for half the price of the RS-170 Sennheisers.
I can't thank Mark and Bmx enough, it all worked out well, the wife is happy with the extra headset for her also.