TV with Optical Connection

Robm1955

I've just had to purchase a new tv for the bedroom. My previous tv, had an headphone socket, this one doesn't. It does have optical audio connection. I found an adaptor on ebay, which I think converts from optical, to 3.5mm jack. Is it that straight forward? Will I need something else to listen to my tv through headphones?

Rodders53

It'll likely just be line level out and fixed volume.  It'll be far too quiet for most headphones.  But without the link to item / specs we can't be sure.

You need a headphone amp with optical in so as to have amplification and a volume control.

Check if TV has bluetooth headphone transmit capability as new headphones might be another way.

Robm1955

No it doesn't have bluetooth. Here's the link.
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9429132?clickSR=slp:term:ue24n4300akxxu:1:1:1

shiraz99

Do you have a link to the adapter? What you need is something that converts digital audio to analogue, in other words a DAC.

Probably something like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/eSynic-Digital-Converter-Adapter-Headphone-2-1-CH-3-5mm-Audio-Output/dp/B00IXN6L3G/ref=sr_1_16

and not forgetting the appropriate cables that you'll need.

Robm1955

This is the link to the adaptor
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384703097993?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=7101533165274578&mkcid=2&itemid=384703097993&targetid=4585169652812020&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid=412354547&mkgroupid=1305120599331881&rlsatarget=pla-4585169652812020&abcId=9300541&merchantid=87779

but I think I need something like this, but I'm not sure.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292690488523?chn=ps&var=591487507184&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=7101533165274578&mkcid=2&itemid=591487507184_292690488523&targetid=4585169652812020&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid=412354547&mkgroupid=1305120599331881&rlsatarget=pla-4585169652812020&abcId=9300541&merchantid=87779
 I've never had dealings with optical connections before.

shiraz99

Robm1955 said:

This is the link to the adaptor
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/384703097993?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=7101533165274578&mkcid=2&itemid=384703097993&targetid=4585169652812020&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid=412354547&mkgroupid=1305120599331881&rlsatarget=pla-4585169652812020&abcId=9300541&merchantid=87779

but I think I need something like this, but I'm not sure.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292690488523?chn=ps&var=591487507184&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=7101533165274578&mkcid=2&itemid=591487507184_292690488523&targetid=4585169652812020&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=&poi=&campaignid=412354547&mkgroupid=1305120599331881&rlsatarget=pla-4585169652812020&abcId=9300541&merchantid=87779
 I've never had dealings with optical connections before.

You must've just missed by post update, what you'll need is the DAC and a toslink cable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qVnjLijnrk

Robm1955

shiraz99 said:

Do you have a link to the adapter? What you need is something that converts digital audio to analogue, in other words a DAC.

Probably something like this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/eSynic-Digital-Converter-Adapter-Headphone-2-1-CH-3-5mm-Audio-Output/dp/B00IXN6L3G/ref=sr_1_16

and not forgetting the appropriate cables that you'll need.

Thanks for that. That's brilliant. Looking at the product, it has all the cables I need. 

getmore4less

Stating the obvious this is something you research before buying.

Can you send it back and get something more suitable

Robm1955

getmore4less said:

Stating the obvious this is something you research before buying.

Can you send it back and get something more suitable

Not at the same price. Buying the DAC, still makes the tv cheaper than others. The link  I shared for the tv, is Argos. The wife actual ordered it from BT, saving us £50, so £11 for an adaptor, isn't a biggy.

Olinda99

I may be wrong but the problem with that is that there is no volume control or at least no remote? Optical out is a fixed level (so the TV remote won't change volume) so you will need some kind of volume control on the DAC.  But it may be there and I have missed it

Amazon sell the ones with with remotes.

Robm1955

Yes Olinda99, you're quite right, which I found out when my DAC arrived. So when I've got the headphones on, it's at one level, and too loud not to annoy my parner defeating the object. I've noticed too, only terrestrial tv works through the optical sound, none of the other streaming platforms have any sound coming through the headphones.