How to connect wireless headphones to a TV: types of portable devices and how to connect them

Watching TV with wireless headphones is convenient. Firstly, this way you can make the sound louder, and secondly, it will not interfere with others.Yes, and the sound in this case will be of better quality, which is quite important for cinephiles or connoisseurs of Hi-Fi sound.

How can I connect wireless headphones to my TV? What kind of variations exist?

And what about the owners of those TVs that were released more than 10 years ago, because they do not provide any wireless communication modules?

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What are wireless headphones

Today, there are 3 standards for wireless audio transmission that are actively used in consumer technology:

Radio. One of the oldest sound transmission standards "over the air". It is also used, for example, in conventional FM radio. The main advantage is a long range (about 100 - 200 meters from the receiver). But the sound quality is low, and there is also no resistance to interference. If there is even a mobile phone near the receiver (a device that generates a radio signal), then this can provoke its distortion.
WiFi. A more modern standard, but rarely used in practice. Because the WiFi signal is adapted specifically for high-speed data transfer, and not for sound. And when using WiFi in headphones, manufacturers have to install a chip that will be responsible for converting digital data into an audio signal.
bluetooth. The most advanced and yet perfect standard for wireless audio transmission. Operates on the same frequency as WiFi.But in Bluetooth modules, by default, a chip is installed that is able to convert the received digital data into an audio signal. That is, for the manufacturer, the production of such headphones is many times easier, and the sound quality is at its best. For example, Bluetooth modules from QUALCOMM already allow Bluetooth to transmit Hi-Fi sound (with a bit rate comparable to FLAC).

But WiFi and Bluetooth headphones can be connected to the TV only if the corresponding wireless data transmission modules are installed in the TV. And this mainly applies only to modern TVs with Smart TV support.

But for old TVs, it is possible to connect only radio headphones (they are compatible with all devices that have a 3.5 mm audio output).

REFERENCE! There are also so-called "hybrid" WiFi-headphones. They also connect to the 3.5 mm jack on the TV. The signal is transmitted to a special WiFi base (supplied with the headphones), and then the signal to the headset itself is transmitted via WiFi. These headphones can also be connected to old TVs. The only thing you need is the presence of a 3.5 mm jack (or AV, to which you can connect via an adapter).

How to connect wireless headphones to TV

But the connection algorithm directly depends on what type of headphones is used, as well as what TV is connected to.

Connecting radio headphones

It is easiest to connect just such radio headphones, since a special receiver is included with them. The audio source can be any audio output that is available on the TV (and has a compatible input on that same receiver).In most cases, either AV or 3.5mm jack is used.

You also need to connect a power source to the receiver first. It can be either a rechargeable battery or a power supply. It synchronizes with the headphones automatically, as they are configured to work with the same radio frequency.

That is, the connection order is as follows:

Connect the receiver to a compatible TV audio output. It is recommended to use AV or 3.5mm.
Apply power to the receiver. That is, either install batteries, a rechargeable battery, or connect a power supply.
Turn on your headphones. They also have a rechargeable battery, sometimes also an external receiving receiver (usually with a clip-on mount).

The main advantage of radio headphones is a long range. There are models that allow you to transmit sound at a distance of up to 100 meters with a direct line of sight between the receivers.

The main disadvantage is the low quality of signal transmission, as well as low resistance to any external interference. Even a cell phone can create them, not to mention large-sized home appliances.

Connecting Bluetooth Headphones

Unlike radio headphones, they transmit an order of magnitude better sound. But the range is significantly limited - only about 10 - 15 meters with line of sight. Although in the most modern full-size models it is higher - up to 25 meters.

The sound is transmitted in stereo. Also, each Bluetooth-module version 2.1 or higher is equipped with a special microprocessor, which is responsible for audio processing. Therefore, the sound is similar to that of a wired connection.

You can only connect Bluetooth headphones to modern TVs that support Smart TV or Android TV, for example, from Sony, Philips, Lg.

For this you need:

Put the headphones into pairing mode. How exactly this is done must be specified in the instructions. In most cases, it is enough to press and hold the power key (it can also be a touch button if these are TWS headphones).
On TV, go to the "Menu", find the item "Devices" (or "Sound output").
Select Bluetooth.
Select headphones from the list of detected devices. If necessary, enter the pairing code (you can also find it in the instructions or check the manufacturer's website).
Wait until the devices are paired.

On some TVs, you can also select the port through which sound is output from the menu. And by default, HDMI is enabled (if, for example, a game console is connected to it).

That is, you need to go to this item and manually set it so that the sound output is via a Bluetooth headset.

IMPORTANT! Android TVs also allow you to use the built-in microphone in Bluetooth headphones. You can use this, for example, for voice input or searching for information in the browser.

Connecting WiFi Headphones

Now WiFi-headphones are practically not produced, since in terms of sound quality they are inferior to Bluetooth headsets. And they are not resistant to radio interference at a frequency of 2.4 gigahertz. That is, if there is a router next to them, a mobile phone with WiFi turned on, then there is a possibility of a periodic disconnection.

These headphones also come with an external receiver (in most cases, it is made in the form of a docking station, when installed on which the headset is also charged).

That is, the order of connection will be as follows:

Connect a compatible audio source to the receiver. In most cases, this is a 3.5 mm port.
Turn on the receiver, the headphones themselves.
Wait for their automatic synchronization. In some cases, you need to reset the WiFi receiver settings. To do this, simply press and hold the power key or the special Reset button (depending on the model).

The sound quality in such headphones is an order of magnitude higher than that of a radio headset. Range, on average, 30 - 40 meters.

But they consume a lot of electricity, so they are quickly discharged. And they are not yet resistant to interference at a frequency of 2.4 gigahertz.

Adjusting the sound after connecting to a TV

The sound level can be adjusted both through the TV itself and on the headphones themselves (if an appropriate switch or adjustment knob is provided). Sometimes buttons on the receiver itself are provided for this purpose.

Switching the audio output source is done directly through the TV settings. In most cases, you just need to press the "Menu" on the remote control, then go to the "Sound" section, specify the output device.

On older TVs (not supporting Smart TV) there are no such settings. There, sound is output through the built-in speakers, if the device is connected to a 3.5 mm or AV jack, then through it.

If the Bluetooth headphones on the TV do not work correctly (for example, the sound is not output through them, even if everything is correct in the settings), then in most cases the “culprit” is HDMI.

It is necessary to disable the HDMI CEC function in the settings (in Android TV, for example, it is located in the “Image” section). After - be sure to turn off and turn on the TV (or manually reconnect HDMI). After - re-sync the wireless headset.

Why is there no sound after connecting?

The most common reasons why no sound is output from the headphones after connecting the headphones are as follows:

The TV does not support the necessary Bluetooth codecs. As a rule, the wireless communication module in them is used exclusively for connecting the remote control. The only way to get around this limitation is to use an external Bluetooth receiver.
TV firmware needs to be updated. Many manufacturers from the factory do not support wireless headphones and a whole range of additional functions. But they are added in the future by releasing updated firmware.
The 3.5 mm jack on the TV is faulty (if using a WiFi connection or via radio headphones). Since they are rarely used, oxides often form inside the pads. Accordingly, when headphones are connected, the signal is simply not transmitted. You need to contact the service center. Although the forums often recommend cleaning it yourself using ethyl alcohol.
The headphones themselves are faulty or their volume is set to the minimum.
There are devices placed near the TV that theoretically can interfere with the radio signal. It can be a refrigerator, microwave oven, wireless router, mobile phone, and so on. It is recommended to place both the receiver and the headphones at a distance of at least 3-5 meters from a potential source of interference.

In total, watching TV using radio headphones is really convenient.

If this is a Smart TV, then connecting wireless speakers to it is quite simple.Difficulties for users most often arise when using outdated TVs, where the connection is made through a special receiver.

Useful video

For information on how to connect wireless headphones to a TV, see the video clip: