How to connect your speakers to your TV via bluetooth

How to connect wireless Bluetooth headphones to the TV

For a long time I did not want to write this article, and not because I was lazy, but the topic of how to connect Bluetooth headphones to TVs with Smart TV is very “dark. It all started when I got Bluetooth headphones and connected them to my Philips TV, which runs on Android TV. It was very easy to connect and without any problems. I thought, why not write a detailed guide on how to connect wireless headphones to televisions. Over, many modern televisions have support for Bluetooth.

But somehow I did not want to write only about Philips TVs, so I decided to make a general instruction, and show how you can connect Bluetooth headphones also with LG, Samsung and Sony TVs. As I do not have these TV sets, and to check everything on my personal experience, I can not, then I started looking for information on the Internet. And then it began. Philips and Sony TVs with Android TV have no problem connecting with wireless headphones, but LG with webOS and Samsung Smart TV are a mess.

It is clear that the TV must have a built-in Bluetooth adapter. But you probably know that almost all televisions only work with original devices (cameras, adapters, remotes, etc. Д.). It’s about the same with headphones. LG and Samsung TVs can be easily connected to the original Bluetooth stereo headset. But ordinary headphones are unlikely to connect. But it depends on the TV model, series, firmware version, year of manufacture, and who knows what else. Such a mess that studying this topic for several hours made my brain boil.

It seems the newer Samsung TVs allow you to connect any Bluetooth headphones. There is also a service menu where you can try to enable this feature. But again, it all depends on the series and model. LG has about the same story. And if you believe LG’s support, you can only connect original headphones. But again, not all models.

To avoid confusion I’ll divide this article into three sections. I will tell you about each manufacturer separately. I’ll show you how you can try to connect Bluetooth headphones in the TV settings.

In order not to waste time I advise you to make sure that your TV has built-in Bluetooth (if you have a Smart TV, it most likely does). In some models it needs to be connected by a separate proprietary adapter. You can check the specifications of your model on the official website.

If your TV does not have Bluetooth, or it flatly refuses to see headphones, you can use a special Bluetooth transmitter that connects to a 3.5 mm output from your TV (you can also connect via RCA (RCA Tuner), or an optical audio output). And then the headphones are connected to it. I will talk more about these adapters at the end of the article (or read the article about Bluetooth transmitters at the link above).

How to check if your TV has Bluetooth

First you want to check if the TV comes with a smart remote, because in this case the TV supports Bluetooth. If you don’t have a smart remote, or aren’t sure if you do, you can still check it by going to the TV settings menu. In the settings you want to select “Sound” and then “Sound output. You will know that your TV supports Bluetooth if you see the “Bluetooth Speaker List” option.

If you have trouble accessing the settings menu, you can also check your user manual or do a little research on the Internet.

Possible problems and alternatives

While there are advantages to Bluetooth, there are also disadvantages and some limitations. Usually the user is drawn to the convenience and comfort offered by wireless connectivity to the TV speakers. However, apart from this point, there are other significant points:

Synchronization of devices

Most Bluetooth TV adapters support a limited number of connectable devices. There are also systems that support two pairs of headphones. In this option, two users at the same time can listen to audio.

Although it is possible to use the sync function to set up two Bluetooth speakers, it is not uncommon for users to encounter problems. The sound is not synchronized, there is no possibility to get proper stereo sound. This usually occurs if the speakers are not designed to work together.

Playback sound quality

Note: It is extremely difficult to compare the quality of sound transmitted via Bluetooth with the quality transmitted via wired connections or other more advanced wireless audio technologies. In the latter two cases, the sound quality is clearly better.

The wireless transmitter/receiver system is acceptable for a variety of other functions, including streaming audio to speakers and other wireless devices

True, much of the quality of sound depends on the manufacturer of the Bluetooth codecs supported on both the transmitting module and the receiving module.

That is why it is always recommended to get as much technical information about the product you buy as possible. This practice will help you to get a better idea of the quality of the audio signal playback.

Signal delay time

The effect of sound delay is not the most pleasant moment for a home theater viewer. This effect is manifested by the fact that the sound lags somewhat behind the video plot.

This “lag”, depending on the models of devices used, may not show up at all, but quite a few of the existing devices show the opposite pattern.

The practice of “no wires”

Despite such an important property of Bluetooth as wireless communication, the practice of operation shows that you can not do without wires at all.

In any case, you need to connect the Bluetooth transmitter, usually on the back of the TV or install it somewhere nearby, so that the signal does not interfere with the TV. Therefore, we will have to use wires (even short ones) one way or another.

Why is a Bluetooth device not connected?? Failed to connect” error

It happens that when connecting near the device writes “Failed to connect“.

I got this error when I did not confirm the connection of the headphones for a few seconds (you need to press “Ok”). But the next time you connect and a quick confirmation everything is connected without errors.

• If you encounter this problem. Try connecting the device again.
• In that case, when there is a request for PIN-code, but you do not know it (it is not specified in the instruction to the device). Try to specify the standard: 1111, 1234, 0000.
• You can also reset the device. Usually you need to press and hold for about 15-20 seconds the “Connect Mode” button or the “Off” button.
• Perhaps, the Android TV box does not support the device you are trying to connect.

If Xiaomi Mi Box S does not see the Bluetooth device, then most likely it is not in connection mode. Connected to another device. This happens very often when you connect wireless headphones. This applies to all Smart set-top boxes.

Interference during audio playback in the YouTube app using headphones

There are some reports in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев that the sound in the YouTube application via Bluetooth headphones on the Mi Box S (most likely the same problem on Mi TV Stick) plays with the interference, stutters. I checked my own system and it had the same problem. But in other applications everything is fine, and the sound on YouTube is fine through the TV speakers. I tried several solutions (disconnected Wi-Fi and connected via cable, tried to update YouTube), nothing worked.

But one solution did work. You need to go into the settings of the device, in the “Applications” section. Then select YouTube from the list of apps. There you need to “Delete data” and “Clear the cache.

I still have questions? Feel free to ask in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев. Share your experiences using different Bluetooth accessories with your Smart set-top box. What you connect? What kind of set-top box do you have?

Connecting passive speakers

Passive audio systems differ from active ones in the absence of an integrated amplifier. Is it possible to connect passive speakers to the TV with a cable? First, the audio system is connected to an amplifier. It is then connected to the TV.

To establish a connection, users connect the speaker to the TV with cables, which are sometimes included in the basic package, and in some cases must be purchased separately.

Make sure you check one very important detail: according to the specifications, the power rating of the amplifier must be at least 30% of the corresponding speaker system rating. The wire is chosen based on a cross-sectional area of more than 1 square millimeter. Of course, the thicker the cable, the more reliable it is.

When connecting the speakers to the TV set without an amplifier, be sure to consider the output impedance parameter. The value of this parameter should be nominal and correspond to the impedance of the sound system. Be sure to observe polarity, especially connect the left channel to the left speaker. Connect the right speaker to the right speaker accordingly. If you ignore this principle, the sound quality will drop significantly.

Most obsolete equipment comes with a “tulip” or “mini-jack” connector. In situations where you want to connect a speaker that consists of several passive speakers simultaneously, the AV receiver is used. Requires a separate cable. This is probably the easiest way to set up the equipment.

The alternative. To connect the speakers via HDMI ARC interface. This method produces the highest quality sound. Therefore, if there is such a connector, give it preference.

The wired connection of speakers and headphones

Headphones or speakers are usually connected with a minijack wire:

Your TV often might not have one at all. How you can get it:

Step 1. See what other audio outputs (labeled AUDIO OUT, not to be confused with inputs. AUDIO IN ) the TV has:

RCA AUDIO OUT

Two “tulip”, red and white, not to be confused with the same AUDIO IN, through which the TV receives sound “to input”:

Step 2. This connection can be turned into a minijack with a simple adapter:

Optical SPDIF / TosLink output

Keep in mind that on many TVs, audio adjustment is not available on the digital outputs, so you will need to adjust from an adapter or directly from your speakers/headphones.

Coaxial digital SPDIF

Orange or black “tulip” labeled AUDIO OUT, not to be confused with the analog video input CVBS VIDEO IN

Keep in mind that on many TVs the audio control is not available on the digital outputs, so you will need to adjust from the adapter or directly from the speakers/headphones.

HDMI ARC

A special version of HDMI. ARC (Audio Return Channel. Audio return channel), not to be confused with regular HDMI IN. Which is “input only.”

Keep in mind that many TVs don’t have audio adjustments available on the digital outputs, so you’ll need to adjust from an adapter or directly from your speakers/headphones. By the way, there are adapters which support HDMI CEC audio control with the “native” TV remote control, a very handy feature if your TV works with HDMI CEC.

If speakers or home theater 5.1 with a digital (optical or coaxial) input, and the TV does not have one

Many readers have asked us a question: how do you connect a home theater with a digital input that doesn’t match the TV output. Answer: https://besprovodnoe.Ru/catalog/perekhodniki-konvertery-adaptery-kabeli-preobrazovateli/filter/from-.

If the TV doesn’t have any audio outputs at all

In this case, the only possible option is. Gain access to the TV’s circuitry. Attention! This operation carries the risk of electric shock!

Get rid of cables: Wireless

The best alternative to an HDMI or optical connection is a wireless connection, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. They will retain the high-definition surround sound that you would expect from an HDMI or optical cable. This solution may even be preferable because it avoids the tangle of wires that collect dust behind the TV console.

There are a number of TV and sound bar configurations that affect how the connection is made. Some televisions are equipped with Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi. Others will require adapters. We’ve already covered the technical details here: (how to connect a sound bar wirelessly ). Just follow the instructions for your TV and sound bar and you’re all set.

Connection problems

If you can’t connect your speaker to Yandex:

• Replace the HDMI cable with the supplied one. The audio device is not compatible with some versions of cables;
• Clean the port of any dust that may cause signal interference;
• Make sure the cable is connected to the station and to the TV;
• Use only branded adapters. Similar ones can damage the power connector and destroy the device;
• If your TV has more than one HDMI port, use a remote control to switch between them. The station may be connected to the first port while the TV switches to the second port;
• The speaker sometimes does not connect after a firmware update, so reset it: disconnect the device from the power source for 5 seconds and reconnect.

To restore your Yandex station to factory defaults.

• Disconnect the AC adapter;
• Press the activation button, insert the device back into the slot;
• After 5 seconds of power on, release the button;
• Resetting takes 5-7 minutes. You will then need to reconnect the speaker to the Wi-Fi hotspot.

Important! Do not disconnect the device from the power supply during the software update process, otherwise there is a possibility of firmware failure and failure of the station.

If the device does not work when connected to a power source (the circle under the physical buttons does not light up, no greeting from the voice assistant), then the speaker has failed due to mechanical damage or possible malfunction. In case of such a problem, contact a service center or replace the device covered by the warranty.