The article in which I showed how to connect Bluetooth headphones to the TV has collected a lot of views and comments. And the main problem that people face is that the TV does not have Bluetooth, or it is there, but the TV does not allow headphones to be connected. Even if the TV has a Bluetooth module, it is very often designed to connect only certain devices or branded accessories. And you can't connect headphones to such a TV. He either simply does not see them, or some kind of error occurs during the connection process.
It is very inconvenient to use wired headphones with a TV. And besides, TV manufacturers are increasingly abandoning the usual 3.5 mm Jack output. Why they remove this output and restrict the operation of the built-in Bluetooth module is not clear to me. But judging by the comments on other articles on this topic, people are actively using (or want to use) headphones when watching TV. This is understandable, because by connecting headphones, you can watch TV, or play on the console without disturbing others. But TV manufacturers are doing everything to make the process of connecting wireless headphones to a TV to the maximum. And impossible without additional devices.
This article will focus on Bluetooth transmitters - devices that can receive sound from the TV through the same 3.5 mm Jack, RCA (tulip), or optical audio output and transmit it via Bluetooth to any headphones, speaker, speaker system, soundbar, home theater etc.
These devices can be used with more than just TVs / headphones. With the help of Bluetooth transmitters, which can work both in reception and transmission, you can connect any speaker system, music center, etc. That is, add Bluetooth support to any speakers. They can also be used in cars to transfer music from mobile devices to the radio. You can broadcast sound from a PC or laptop to wireless headphones or a speaker. But on computers, I would still recommend using Bluetooth adapters.
In order not to write an article about devices that I myself have never seen or configured, I ordered two Bluetooth transmitters on Aliexpress. One is cheap, for $ 2.84 (VIKEFON) and another is much more expensive and more functional, for $ 25.29 (CSR8675 APTX HD).
I will show both transmitters in more detail in this article and talk about them. I have already connected, configured, tested everything. Everything works, but there are many nuances. I will talk about setting up a Bluetooth transmitter on a TV and connecting Bluetooth headphones to it in a separate article. I also want to note that there are just a huge number of these devices, not only in Chinese online stores, but also in ours. They are all very different and differ greatly in their functionality and, accordingly, in price. There are even branded devices from popular manufacturers that cost some unrealistic money. Of course, testing all transmitters on the market is unrealistic. But using the example of these two devices, which I will discuss in this article, you can understand what these devices are, how they work, and what functions they can perform. And we will also find out how a cheap Bluetooth transmitter differs from an expensive one and how to choose such devices among the huge number of them on the market.
What is a Bluetooth transmitter and what is it for?
As a rule, these are compact devices in which a built-in Bluetooth module and various audio inputs / outputs for connection to different sound sources (TVs, computers, phones) or to devices that are designed to output sound (speakers, acoustic systems, stereos, radio tape recorders, etc. etc.). All these devices differ not only in technical characteristics, but also in appearance. Here are some of them:
The main differences between different models of Bluetooth transmitters:
- Support for different connection interfaces. For example, there are transmitters that are connected only through the usual 3.5 mm Jack. And there are models in which, in addition to the 3.5 mm jack, there is also RCA (tulip) and optical audio input / output.
- The presence or absence of a built-in battery.
- Bluetooth versions.
- The ability to connect multiple Bluetooth headphones or speakers.
- The quality of the Bluetooth module, the presence of different control interfaces, the build quality, cables, etc.
If I understood correctly (perhaps I am wrong, since it is unrealistic to check all devices), then all on the market Bluetooth transmitters can operate in both receive and transmit mode (2 in 1). Since even my cheapest adapter can both receive sound via Bluetooth and transmit it to the same speaker system, as well as transmit sound via Bluetooth (from a TV, PC) to headphones or another device. These modes are usually called TX Mode and RX Mode.
- TX - transmitter mode. When the Bluetooth transmitter receives sound from the same TV through a specific interface (cable) and transmits it to the headphones via Bluetooth. These devices are most often used in this particular mode of operation.
- RX - receiver mode. When we connect ordinary speakers, a stereo system, a car radio (via AUX), or another device for sound output to the transmitter by cable. Then, from a phone, tablet, laptop or other device, we connect to the transmitter via Bluetooth and broadcast music. It turns out that we add Bluetooth support for regular speakers.
The picture below shows the operation of two modes:
Even my cheapest transmitter works in two modes without problems (almost without problems :)). We will receive and transmit sound via Bluetooth. But the way to switch between modes on different transmitters is very different.
If the expensive one has a separate TX / RX switch, then the cheap one has no buttons at all. And the change of the mode occurs by connecting, disconnecting and reconnecting the device to the power source. The indicator flashes blue in receiver mode and red in transmitter mode. Without instructions (which, by the way, was not included in the kit) is unrealistic to guess. Well at least in the description of the goods on Ali it is written about this.
Use case # 1
This example shows operation in transmitter (TX) mode. A TV without Bluetooth (or there is Bluetooth, but headphones are not connected), but we need to connect wireless headphones. We connect the transmitter to the TV using an audio cable. If the TV has a 3.5 mm headphone output, use it. In mine, for example, there is no 3.5 mm connector. Therefore, I connect via the optical audio output. You can also use RAC (tulip). Even old TVs have it. It is very important to consider this when choosing this device. You also need to connect power to the transmitter. I plug it into a USB port on the TV. If there is no USB, you can use any adapter with which we charge the phone.
After turning on the power of the transmitter, you need to connect Bluetooth headphones to it. Usually, it is enough to put the headphones into pairing mode. The connection method may differ slightly depending on your transmitter and headphones. Once connected, the sound goes to the headphones. You can connect two pairs of headphones at once to the more expensive model. In the case of connecting to the TV via the optical audio output, the sound is also played simultaneously from the TV speakers. But you can simply turn it off, or twist it on the TV. Then the sound will only be played through the headphones. There is a slight delay between the sound from the TV speakers and the headphones through the transmitter.
Use case # 2
This example shows the operation in receiver (RX) mode. There is a regular speaker system without Bluetooth. But we want to stream music to it from a phone or tablet. Or even from a laptop or PC, but we do not have the ability (or desire) to connect the speakers to the computer via cable. We take a Bluetooth transmitter and connect it to the speakers. Here in the same way, you can use both 3.5 mm Jack and RAC, or an optical audio cable. Depending on what kind of connectors you have on your transmitter and speakers. You also need to connect power to the transmitter. Power can be taken from the USB port of any device, or through an adapter.
Switch the transmitter to receiver mode (RX). In this mode, it is available for detection on all devices (phones, laptops). We turn on Bluetooth, for example, on the phone, and connect to the transmitter (its name should be written in the instructions). The phone or other device detects it as a headphone and outputs sound. And the transmitter, in turn, transmits sound to the speakers via cable.
How to choose a Bluetooth transmitter?
First of all, you must understand why you need it and how you will use it. For example, if you choose a Bluetooth transmitter for your TV (to connect headphones), then you need to find out what connection options are possible specifically on your TV. This is the main thing.
What to look for when choosing:
- On the connection interfaces. In most cases, a transmitter with the ability to connect via a regular 3.5 mm Jack or RCA (tulip) is sufficient. There are just different cables. And when ordering, it is usually possible to choose a specific cable, or order both cables. More expensive models are also equipped with optical audio input / output. And if your TV has an optical audio output (Digital Audio Out), then I would advise buying a model that supports this interface. Here, for example, is a cheap model with support for only 3.5 mm Jack and RCA (RCA cable was not included, but you could choose it when ordering):
And the expensive model also has support for an optical audio cable. Well, and accordingly all the cables are included.
The transmitter itself has an optical input and output: SPDIF IN TX and SPDIF OUT RX. And on the case there is an SPDIF / AUX switch. Which must be set to a certain mode, depending on which cable you use to connect to the audio output source, or to the device to which the audio will be output.
If you take a device with three cables (Optical + RCA + 3.5 mm), then you can definitely find the right interface to connect to your TV or other device. - Don't buy the cheapest devices. I was personally convinced of this. My transmitter (which is cheap at $ 3) outputs terrible sound to my headphones. Noise and crackling is heard during playback. I tried to change the power adapter - it didn't help. While in the opposite direction, it outputs sound from the phone to the speakers without interference. The headphones have been tested on different devices, the problem is not with them. Perhaps I just got married. Also in cheap models there may be a strong delay in sound transmission (due to a cheap Bluetooth module). And the sound will lag far behind the picture on the TV. The sound quality and the quality of the device itself as a whole strongly depend on the cost of these devices.
- If you need to connect more than one pair of headphones to the TV through the transmitter at the same time, then be sure to find out before buying whether the model you have chosen gives this opportunity. In my case, only one headphones can be connected to a simple and cheap transmitter. For an expensive model - two pairs of headphones at the same time. I checked it works. I connected headphones and a speaker at the same time. But the connection process is very complicated. Especially when the instruction is in English and too lazy to translate it.
- As for the Bluetooth version, take the devices with the latest version. I have both with Bluetooth 5.0. On headphones, if I'm not mistaken, Bluetooth 4.1. Everything is working. They are compatible with each other.
- There are Bluetooth transmitters with NFC. I don't have that, I can't check. But according to the idea, NFC support is needed to more easily connect headphones, speakers, phones and other devices, which, of course, also have NFC support. Since the process of connecting headphones and similar devices to the transmitter is still something to do, the presence of NFC is an excellent solution.
- I saw transmitters with external antennas. In their characteristics, it is stated that the range in the room increases to about 30 meters. In the usual range of 10 meters. I didn’t have to work with such models, but if you have a large house or apartment, or some special tasks, then this option may suit you. In the usual case, I see no reason to overpay.
- Built-in battery. To be honest, I don't quite understand why it is needed. For my transmitter, the manufacturer dries up battery life for 24 hours. But why? It's probably easier to plug in the power than thinking about charging another device. Although, perhaps in some situations, the ability to work independently can come in handy.
And the expensive model also has support for an optical audio cable. Well, and accordingly all the cables are included.
The transmitter itself has an optical input and output: SPDIF IN TX and SPDIF OUT RX. And on the case there is an SPDIF / AUX switch. Which must be set to a certain mode, depending on which cable you use to connect to the audio output source, or to the device to which the audio will be output.
If you take a device with three cables (Optical + RCA + 3.5 mm), then you can definitely find the right interface to connect to your TV or other device.Please read the specifications carefully. It always indicates what comes with the device, what cables, what connection options are there, how many devices can be connected via Bluetooth at the same time, etc. Read reviews.
Conclusions
Interesting and useful devices. You can think of many ways to use them. But the main one is connecting wireless headphones to a TV. Moreover, even in new TV models, which of course are equipped with Bluetooth, manufacturers for some reason limit the connection of headphones.
Everything connects and works even with a $ 3 transmitter. But I would not recommend buying such devices. All because of the very poor quality and the high probability of getting the device with a marriage. In addition, the process of connecting such devices is not the most simple and straightforward. On more expensive devices, everything is a little simpler. There are buttons and switches. Another would be the instruction in Russian / Ukrainian, so in general it would be great.
When buying a Bluetooth transmitter, be prepared for the fact that you have to spend a little time figuring out how to connect and configure everything. Read the instructions on the website of the online store. Using a phone (camera in Google Translate), you can translate the instructions that come with the kit (if any). In the case of connecting to a TV, there may be some inconvenient moments with switching the sound from the TV speakers to the headphones and vice versa. Much depends on how you connect the transmitter to your TV and on the TV itself.
