Television Headset Connecting

[Mick Cant]

Hi all, I could not find a direct group so hoped someone could point me to one, or hopefully be able to suggest something.

I live in a block of flats, that has such a noise problem that I use headphones nearly all the time to be able to listen to my TV and not other peoples.

I currently have a Samsung LCD TV set, with a 20" screen. I have sent it back to Samsung once to have the headphone lead connector repaired because it fail, But it is now faulty again, and I cannot get any sound at all with the headphone disconnected and have to keep twisting it with them connected.

I have asked in our local TV supply shops, if there are any TV sets with a more robust heavy duty headphone connector for continual use, but have not had any success. Would anyone know if such a set is made, I am happy to have any make of TV. Thanks for reading, Mick.

[Bill]

Why not get wireless headphones? I've seen them in the past but can't remember where (maybe CPC or Maplins) and I'm not even sure if they are radio or infra-red, but the point is, the transmitter side of it can be left plugged into the telly all the time - no more in/out, in/out - and you can even move around freely without being corded to the telly all the time. Google wireless headphones and you should find a solution.

Bill

[Bob Eager]

Doesn't really help, I'd have thought. It's not entirely clear whether the failures are due to mechanical strain, in which case an anchor for the cable, before the plug, and a longer cable, would help.

If it's the repeated plugging/unplugging, this is presumably because the headphones are not always in use. I was going to suggest a short 'stub' of cable with a plug and sacrificial socket, but there is one big problem with that, as with your suggestion...leaving something plugged in usually mutes the main TV speaker.

[John Rumm]

On solution would be to move!

It sounds like the socket is knackered. Not only does it make connection to the plug, but will typically incorporate a switch that is designed to signal the TV to turn off the main speaker.

This should not be too difficult to have repaired - certainly within the realms of DIY if you can wield a soldering iron.

If you always use headphones then why not leave them connected? Or go for one of the wireless options. Using a headphone extension lead would allow you to disconnect the 'phones without putting strain on the TV's socket.

[Owain]

If you don't mind having the TV sound on as well as the headphones, then you could connect a headphone amplifier (wired or wireless) to the SCART socket at the back of the telly and use that - most newish upmarket tellies will output the sound on SCART or line out.

Some tellies allow separate volume control of speaker and headphone volume, for people with a hearing impairment, obviously those don't cut off the speakers when a headphone plug is inserted.

Owain

[Piers Finlayson]

You could try using subtitles. We don't have the TV loud enough for me to be able to hear it clearly all the time so I find that subtitles, lip-reading and what I can hear make a very complete viewing experience. The subtitles on freeview are generally pretty good, although some "cheaper" stations (like ITV4) don't always have subtitles on the programs (and live subtitling is a right pain in the arse). It was irritating having the subtitles at first but it's bloody marvellous now.

[Steve Walker]

I'm sure that I've seen wireless headphones where the transmitter connects to the TV's line-out or scart connector, leaving the speaker(s) under normal independent volume control.

SteveW

[Lurch]

On Fri, 20 Jul 2007 16:47:13 +0100, "Mick Cant" mused:

Depending on what model of TV you have you could use the line out phono sockets on the back instead. I've just fitted a Samsung 23" LCD and it has these connectors and also an option in the menu to mute the internal speakers only.