Use Optical Port and TV Speakers

Epyon · 3 Jul 2012 at 16:23

Hey guys,

Pretty simple question, I got a pair of wireless headphones and would like to have them connected to my TV AND still have the TV speakers function (so I can just mute when I want just the headphones). The 3.5 mm jack doesn't do this as you would expect but will the optical port allow this?

Marsman · 3 Jul 2012 at 23:36

You will need a DAC (digital to analogue converter). I'm assuming the headphones base station has 3.5mm and RCA/phono connections?

Assuming it does have RCA/phono connections, then a FiiO D3 is a good option, and doesn't cost a lot of money.

Epyon · 3 Jul 2012 at 23:58

Huh, so I can't get a 3,5 to optical converter and use the TV's optical port while also using the TV speakers? There is a RCA port I believe (it is a Samsung ES6100).

Epyon · 4 Jul 2012 at 14:46

Quick bump, I was hoping this would be an easy setup ...

Marsman · 4 Jul 2012 at 15:53

Epyon said:
Huh, so I can't get a 3,5 to optical converter and use the TV's optical port while also using the TV speakers? There is a RCA port I believe (it is a Samsung ES6100).

Most DAC's don't have 3.5mm connection, only stereo RCA/phono. If your headphones only have 3.5mm connection, then you will need an adaptor cable as well.

If your TV has stereo RCA/phono output, then you can use that instead. Again, if your headphones only have a 3.5mm connection, then you will need an adaptor cable.

There is no mention of RCA out in the TV specs, only composite, which also uses an RCA connector. That is for video though.

Using a DAC will be independent to the TV speakers.

Epyon · 5 Jul 2012 at 00:59

So essentially my only option to utilise the TV's speakers and my wireless (3.5) headphones is to get a DAC, was hoping that if I was the optical port that it wouldn't cut the speakers out like the 3.5 jack.

Okay, lastly, if I attach a sound bar, etc via HDMI will using earphones, etc cut both sound sources out or will it just affect the TV?

Marsman · 5 Jul 2012 at 02:11

Epyon said:
was hoping that if I was the optical port that it wouldn't cut the speakers out like the 3.5 jack.

That won't happen, as anything connected to the optical out is independent to the TV's speakers.

Epyon said:
Okay, lastly, if I attach a sound bar, etc via HDMI will using earphones, etc cut both sound sources out or will it just affect the TV?

Earphones? Do you mean your wireless headphones when you say that?

If you're connecting headphones to a DAC, then that will not affect anything else.

Epyon · 5 Jul 2012 at 02:28

Hold on, if I can get a 3.5 to optical converter I will just plug that into the TV, problem solved, I get TV audio coming out the speaker and the headphones.

Apologies for the confusion, the information provided has helped me a lot :-D

.

Epyon · 5 Jul 2012 at 02:43

I retract my statement I now understand why I need a DAC ... *sigh* ...

Marsman · 5 Jul 2012 at 14:05

Epyon said:
I retract my statement I now understand why I need a DAC ... *sigh* ...

I suppose you were thinking of a cable with optical at one end and a 3.5mm connection at the other. As you've gathered now, it doesn't work like that. One is analogue and one is digital. Digital needs to be converted to analogue, which only a DAC can do.

Sorry, I should have explained why exactly a DAC was needed before.

As I say, most only have RCA connections, so you will need an adaptor cable, so that 3.5mm connection can be connected to it.

Epyon · 6 Jul 2012 at 01:52

Thanks, the information you provided has been super helpful. I've ordered a cheap DAC, hoping it come out okay.

If not I can just wait till I get my soundbar system and have the audio sent to the amp via HDMI and just use the TV's 3.5 for my speakers.

I just wanted to have a setup where I could leave the 3.5 always connected but still have audio from at elast one other source (e.g. speakers, etc).