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How To Use Headphones On a Digital TV With No Headphone Jack

by Steve
(Orlando, Fla)

We have a Digital HDTV that has no headphone jack, but I want to use headphones. The TV does have a single audio output jack. Would the output be compatible with Bose Headphones? How can the volume be controlled? The TV speaker needs to be off when using the headphones.

ANSWER: Hi Steve, the RCA type jack that you are talking about on your TV is called a Coaxial Digital Audio Output Jack. To use your Bose Headphones on this TV, you are first going to have to convert the Digital Audio to Analog Audio by using a Digital Audio To Analog Audio Converter/Decoder.

You would then use a 3.5mm Stereo Female to RCA Male Y-Cable to hook up your headphones and the volume should be controlled by the headphones.

Using Wireless Headphones

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Personally I use Wireless Headphones both at home as well as when we are out RVing. One of the greatest advantages of Wireless Headphones is that you can watch TV or listen to music at the volume level you prefer without disturbing other people. Wireless Headphones are a great option if your RV has an outside entertainment center, by using the headphones, you will not disturb other campers. If you have more people that want to watch the TV, you can purchase extra pairs of headphones that can receive the headphone signal.

Sennheiser RS120 On-Ear Wireless RF Headphones
The headphones that I personally use and love are Sennheiser RS120 On-Ear Wireless RF Headphones (pictured above). They are comfortable to wear and the sound quality is excellent.

Using Bluetooth Headphones With Your RV's TV

Avantree

Audikast Plus Bluetooth 5.0 aptX Low Latency Audio Transmitter

Yes, you can also set up your Digital TV to use Bluetooth Headphones. What you will need is a Digital Audio to Bluetooth Transmitter like the Avantree Audikast Plus Bluetooth 5.0 aptX Low Latency Audio Transmitter (Pictured Above).

If you use the Avantree Audikast Plus Bluetooth Transmitter, you need to pair it up with a pair of APTX Low Latency compatible Headphones.
Other Alternatives
Another alternative that would also improve the sound of your TV when you are not using headphones would be to use a Soundbar System or Home Theater System. Some of these systems also have built in headphone jacks.

The other advantage of these systems is that they will use the digital signals from your TV and convert them to the proper surround sound format which will enhance your sound experience when not using headphones.

Since I do not know what brand TV you have I cannot tell you exactly how to shut off your TV speakers. Usually, in the built-in menu system of the TV, there is an option to shut off the internal speakers and output digital audio. In other cases, there is an actual switch on the TV that can be used to shut off the speakers.

For more great information on TVs and RVing you should visit our Digital TV Tips For RVers page.

Hope this helps.

Do you have any suggestions or comments on this topic? You can add them to this page by clicking on the "Click Here To Post Comments" link located near the bottom of this page.

Happy RVing

RVing Al

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