[AnotherBob]

I suffer from hearing loss which has now reached a level such that I can't hear dialogue on TV without the volume at such a level that other viewers are suffering. Subtitles are helpful when appropriate/available. However what I would like is some cordless/wireless headphones. My TV headphone 3.5mm socket turns off the speakers, but the TV has RCA audio out sockets L/R.
Can anyone recommend a solution enabling me to listen on headphones at the volume I need, without interfering with the viewing pleasure of fellow viewers?

[BBMF]

You need something like this to make your phono out into a headphone socket. Then just plug any old headphones in...

If you like good sound quality, try to avoid wireless as they use FM and the quality isn't as good. Incidentally (and probably importantly for you), the (Sennheiser) ones I had didn't go very loud either, and the battery life wasn't the best.

[Sam Radford.]

I do sympathise. In view of the need for VOLUME, I suggest you don't shop on-line but visit stores like Maplin where you can try out various types. You need something comfortable and loud with a reasonable range and battery life.

Maybe like this?
http://www.maplin.co.uk/searchtempla...O%20HEADPHONES

I suspect that (if your hearing is anything like mine) you aren't too worried about audio quality!

I can cheerfully listen to MP3 at 64kbps without flinching!

[AnotherBob]

Originally Posted by Sam Radford.

I suspect that (if your hearing is anything like mine) you aren't too worried about audio quality!

Too right...
If I can hear it, that's quality audio!

Thanks for your time. Your link leads to a page headed by BLUETOOTH Headphones. I'm not clear if that's the route you are suggesting. I'm not familiar with Bluetooth technology, except a failed attempt to pair my mobile with the hands-free kit in my car. I had assumed I would use the adapter as suggested by BBMF, and then wireless headphones using some kind of FM transmitter.

[TV DUNIYA]

Have you thought about one of these FM listeners,not cheap,I know

[Sam Radford.]

Originally Posted by AnotherBob

Your link leads to a page headed by BLUETOOTH Headphones. I'm not clear if that's the route you are suggesting. I'm not familiar with Bluetooth technology,

Yes, if you read a few reviews you'll understand their limitations. Here's one (USA) that Google found:
http://www.bluetomorrow.com/content/section/385/507/

Don't worry about the technology. You plug the transmitter into the TV and the headphones pick up the signal.

[AnotherBob]

That looks interesting. I presume I could use a 3.5mm to 2 Phono/RCA plugs Adapter to connect the transmitter, and that the volume control is in the headphones themselves. Looking at the illustration I see there is an AC adapter, am I right in thinking that that powers the transmitter? I assume the headphones take batteries, presumably rechargable?

[nutter426]

I wouldn't be surprised to find that an RCA -> 3.5mm jack adapter doesn't always give the results you want. a headphone socket has an adjusted output intended to power headphones, the RCA output will be a line-level output intended to be handled by an amp.

The cheapest and most reliable option would probably be a 2nd hand hi-fi type amp and a set of wired headphones, with a long lead. I would expect this to go louder than wireless headphones.

Since that isn't quite what you asked for, I'll try and be more helpful and actually answer the question.
Motorola make a bluetooth transmitter with the part number DC800. This can pair with any bluetooth headphones, and is commonly sold with the HT-820 behind the neck on ear bluetooth headphones. I got my set off ebay for £20, and there is a set listed here for £29.99. I have seen it available in my local orange shop too.
I do find the HT820s can get a bit heavy, but the battery lasts all day listening to my iPod. Motorola also make some other bluetooth headphones you may be more comfortable with the S9 behind the neck in ear headphones, and s805 which are a more traditional on ear overhead"can" design.
I know you said you had no luck pairing your phone and car kit, but possibly someone else could help you pair a setup that involves any of the above kit, and then all you would need to do is turn it on.

Hope i've been some help.
George

Links (motorola official shop):
S9
S805

[BBMF]

Originally Posted by nutter426

the RCA output will be a line-level output intended to be handled by an amp.

Good point! Adjusting the volume will have no effect on this output either...

[Pollux]

[Edit - Ooops, this was a reply to Nutter's comment] Yes, but I believe the OP wanted to keep the TV speakers working for the rest of the family. As he wrote, his TV cuts off the internal speakers when headphones (etc) are plugged into the headphone socket, as (I think) most TVs do.

The RCA to 3.5mm adapter would at least avoid that. How about a SCART to headphone adaptor? I couldn't find any with a quick Google search, but surely they must exist?

[hx1yamaha]

Luckily both of my main tv sets had an independant headphone channels in their time
Still its possible to get sound out by a scart connector even

Used infra red system which dont like direct sunlight
& an fm unit that ate rechargable batteries

Got a trust surround sound unit but that requires an audio headphone cable connection
Latest trick is to feed the sky rf channel into a tv card on my computer & using a prog called ulead video studio 11 to decode the sound to a set of surround sound usb headphones
Also you can get the freeview channels & do yr own thing by watching on the comp
Sadly subtitles dont come over very well
However the 2 metre cable is not quite long enough so a usb cable extender is needed
Why dont they make a sofa wired for sound??

[Sam Radford.]

Same problem. Audio from a Scart socket is at line level.

[Pollux]

Yes Sam, but I thought "someone" produced an adapter with amplification...

[AnotherBob]

Originally Posted by nutter426

The cheapest and most reliable option would probably be a 2nd hand hi-fi type amp and a set of wired headphones, with a long lead. I would expect this to go louder than wireless headphones.

Thank very much for you help. This solution had occurred to me and it could be the cheapest and best. However I'd rather have something more discreet if I can, involving the least boxes and wires.

Since that isn't quite what you asked for, I'll try and be more helpful and actually answer the question.
Motorola make a bluetooth transmitter with the part number DC800. This can pair with any bluetooth headphones, and is commonly sold with the HT-820 behind the neck on ear bluetooth headphones. I got my set off ebay for £20, and there is a set listed here for £29.99. I have seen it available in my local orange shop too.
Hope i've been some help.
George

You certainly have. I'm going to try the Bluetooth solution first. I'd prefer the in-ear type of headphones not wishing to isolate myself from the domestic chatter which accompanies some TV watching. I think I'll take a trip to Maplins as Sam suggested, and see what they have.

[AnotherBob]

Originally Posted by BBMF

Good point! Adjusting the volume will have no effect on this output either...

Thanks for your help...
Do you mean that the volume control on the headphones will have no effect?

[WelshH@rp]

I also have hearing difficulties. I have a Welltech wireless headphone.
The base unit has 3 channel settings, so one can chose the best response. The head set has a volume control and auto scan facility to pick up the channel selected on the base unit. The headset also has rechangeable batteries which are trickle charged when the headset is parked in the base unit. I have been using these for over two years without any problems. The range is great. I can listen to radio channels off of the TV whilst gardening or working in the garage. In fact I can listen to programmes whilst cutting the grass in my neighbours back garden across the road over 100 ft from the base unit. I got my set up from either aldi or lidle a couple of years ago and it only cost £19.99 with a 3 years warranty.
Great bargains to be had from those German supermarkets.
WH.

[BBMF]

Originally Posted by AnotherBob

Thanks for your help...
Do you mean that the volume control on the headphones will have no effect?

No. The volume control on the headphones will work. The volume control on the TV won't change volume fed to the headphones (when they're connected via the phono out on the TV).

Also, I'm not sure if there are any implications with connecting headphones to a line level output (as the phono out will be). It may only be very loud (which you could fix by turning it down on the headphones themselves, or not (!) if they have the facility), or it may do some damage to the headphones. I don't know for certain.

[AnotherBob]

Originally Posted by BBMF

No. The volume control on the headphones will work. The volume control on the TV won't change volume fed to the headphones (when they're connected via the phono out on the TV).

That's OK, because the TV volume will be set at the level required for my "hearing" fellow viewers.

Also, I'm not sure if there are any implications with connecting headphones to a line level output (as the phono out will be). It may only be very loud (which you could fix by turning it down on the headphones themselves, or not (!) if they have the facility), or it may do some damage to the headphones. I don't know for certain.

I would think if I set the volume on the headphones to a low setting before connecting that might guard against damage. I've been to Maplins and other high st. outlets and I can't find what I want. However on Ebay I have found this and this. If I connect the dongle to an adapter such as you suggested earlier do you think this setup will work?

[BBMF]

Ooh, dunno. I have no experience of pairing bluetooth gubbins...looks like it would probably be ok.

[hx1yamaha]

The advantages of using the trust USB surround sound headphones together with the RF fead into a computer and a Ulead video processing system is that it overcomes the problems of a TV that doesn’t have separate volume settings for loudspeaker and headphones
Also the surround sound system has an enormous number of adjustable settings like theatre, room and even ones like classical music or speech
You can even use the built in graphic equaliser to adjust the sound to suit your needs
It may be a bit elaborate but it’s the best system I have come up with so far

However if you want to be able to walk around without cables then the best approach is the FM system
Mine did have volume control setting but not one in for each ear which you do really need
Also the headphones were not padded to allow you to use your hearing aids as well
The transmitter had a charger unit built in it did not have the ability to charge and transmit at the same time so basically you needed a couple of spare batteries handy
As with all things battery, they invariably go down at crucial moments

[AnotherBob]

After all this time I'm about to try something. I've got an FM transmitter from my local ALDI for about £7 and a phono to 3.5mm adapter off EBAY. I'll plug these into my TV and use my little Roberts pocket radio to tune to the FM signal. If it works OK I shall feel very smug at sorting the problem for less than a tenner.

[TV DUNIYA]

Originally Posted by AnotherBob

After all this time I'm about to try something. I've got an FM transmitter from my local ALDI for about £7 and a phono to 3.5mm adapter off EBAY. I'll plug these into my TV and use my little Roberts pocket radio to tune to the FM signal. If it works OK I shall feel very smug at sorting the problem for less than a tenner.

Good luck! Bob and post back with the results,whatever the outcome.
Thanks.

[Sam Radford.]

If it's the "Tevion" transmitter I doubt you'll be happy with it. See review:
http://www.satcure.co.uk/reviews/review112.htm#01

[AnotherBob]

Originally Posted by TV DUNIYA

Good luck! Bob and post back with the results,whatever the outcome.
Thanks.

I'm afraid it didn't work.
It appears the TV's RCA output is (as has already been suggested) intended to be fed through an amplifier. If I can find a small (cheap) amp I might try that.

[tr_ramsgate]

I have a Welltech wireless headphone

The range is great

I can confirm this. I have answered the main door (two storeys down) wearing these headphones and still had perfect reception.

For the price (I think they were around £20 in Lidl) you can't complain.

As I recall they came with a phono to headphone adaptor allowing them to be either connected to the white and red sockets at the back of the TV or to TV's heaphone socket.

In Tesco they have scart to phono adaptors, so I presume that you could connect to a scart on the TV if you wanted.

Connected to the phono sockets on the TV, the output level is controlled by the TV's volume control (on my set) - but since the receiver in the wireless headphones has its own volume control you can have the sound in the headphones at what level you choose without any problem, provided that the TV volume is reasonable.

If the TV's volume is very low, than turning up the headphones volume control does introduce hiss.

Maybe (I've never tried it) the sound level off a TV's scart is fixed. I guess it could be, otherwise you would have to adjust the TV's volume control when making VCR recordings directly off the TV.