Bluetooth transmitter for TV: how to choose and connect

Companies that produce televisions, as always, trail at the very end of trends and lag behind them by 2-3 years. Bluetooth headphones began to appear quite a long time ago, and now there are not many TVs that can easily connect to them without an additional module.

At the same time, the Bluetooth module itself is small in size and is not expensive. What was the difficulty in putting it into the TV during assembly? This question can be endlessly asked to companies that produce TVs.

TVs with Smart TV, and not only with it, can be divided into two types:

1. With a Bluetooth adapter - these are newer models purchased 1-2 years ago.
2. Without Bluetooth adapter - older screens.

What to do if the TV is old, and there is a small child at home or your wife is sleeping, and you want to watch a football match, series or movie. Our article will enlighten you about the Bluetooth adapter for your home TV. I will tell you how the connection occurs, I will tell you how to choose the right receiver/transmitter, and also how to connect it correctly.

What’s most interesting is that this module is suitable for almost all TVs, even the most ancient ones without Smart firmware. Whether you have Sony, Samsung, Philips, LG of antediluvian times, you will still be able to connect headphones of any brand to it.

HELP! If you have any difficulties, problems during the process, or you don’t know which transmitter to choose for you, then write your questions in the comments. And I will be happy to help you.

What is it and what is it for?

So, let's imagine that we have a TV without a Bluetooth transmitter. So just praying while trying to connect your headphones will simply be useless. The TV has various connectors on the back panel. Their location may depend on the TV company, so our task is to find any mention of the word “AUDIO”. Turn your TV around and look at the back panel.

Here I found 4 connectors:

1. Regular 3.5 mm Mini-Jack.
2. Next is a connector for connecting a fiber optic audio cable.
3. And then there is the RCA connection - red (sometimes orange) and white tulip. May also have the letters "L" and "R". Connections for analog signal.

We will most likely only use a mini-Jack or analog input for connection. But now there is another question. If the TV sends an audio signal to these ports, then how can it be transmitted to our Bluetooth headphones? For this task we just need a transmitter or Bluetooth adapter for the TV. It does the following:

1. Receives a signal.
2. Translates it into a format for reading by any Bluetooth receiver.
3. Pairs, in our case with headphones.
4. Sends a signal via radio frequencies.

And that’s all: you can calmly listen to music, watch movies and not disturb your family. In this case, now all we have to do is buy this transmitter and connect it to the TV.

How to find out about bluetooth on TV?

When buying a TV, it is useful to find out in advance whether it supports Bluetooth. This question may also arise in relation to the existing TV.

You can find out if your TV has Bluetooth as follows:

1. If your TV comes with a smart remote control, then it definitely has Bluetooth support.
2. If your TV is not equipped with a smart remote control, go to settings. There, select the “Sound” tab, and then “Sound Output”. The presence of the “Bluetooth Speaker List” option indicates support for this type of wireless communication.
3. If there is no access to the menu, open the instructions or look on the Internet - enter the name of the TV model and find out the question you are interested in.
4. When buying a TV, check with consultants about Bluetooth connectivity.

Which Bluetooth transmitter should you choose?

They have approximately the same connection method. That is, the output will be according to the mini-Jack standard, like in headphones. Or according to another stereo standard. They also differ greatly in price. Many on the forums do not advise buying cheap models, as they may have a strong sound delay or interruption. They are also divided by type of food:

• With battery
• Via USB

Here everyone decides for himself what is more convenient for him. Models with a battery are convenient because you can easily take them anywhere. The most important thing is that the device has the same connections. Let me introduce you to several models.

Bluetooth B5 stereo audio transmitter

88
4.8

Find out the price

This is a cheap and at the same time excellent model for a TV. Firstly, it does not have an extra battery, but is powered by a USB connector. Secondly, to connect, just connect the adapter to USB first, and then the mini-Jack. When connecting two or more devices, latency and interruption issues may occur.

Receiver and transmitter set-top box CSR8675

6

5.0

Find out the price

Quite massive due to the powerful battery. Can work for several days without recharging. Supports the modern 5.0 transmitter standard, which increases the data transfer speed and range of the radio signal. Works smoothly with multiple connected devices. Convenient and compact module with support for Bluetooth 5 and all available protocols. Works both from the network when connected via USB, and from a battery - operating time up to 22 hours. Supports almost all known and modern headphones, headsets and speakers.

Bluetooth B6

52

4.7

Find out the price

The model can be used not only for a TV, but also for a computer. You can connect a headset to listen to music or talk on Skype. Bluetooth 4th generation support. Includes RCA cable, USB cable and audio.

BTR Bluetooth 5

4382

4.7

Find out the price

At the moment this is the most popular model. Works even with older Bluetooth 3.5. Operates on either power or battery - choose the version you need.

EDR Dongle

4323

4.5

Find out the price

Small, compact, works both for reception and transmission. Can be connected to a TV, computer, laptop or any audio system. Don’t look at the fact that it’s so small; with support for the fifth generation of Bluetooth, the model began to hit further.

VIKEFON

109

4.9

Find out the price

Small and compact. It uses RCA as an input, two optical outputs and a 3.5 mm mini-jack. Works stably with all modern Bluetooth devices.

VIKEFON NFC BT-B21/BT-B22

421
4.8

Find out the price

The most advanced model and the longest range due to two antennas. Yes, it costs more, but it also has higher functionality. Supports fifth generation Bluetooth with CSR8675 chip. Supports AptX HD and AptX protocols, which improve connectivity and sound quality. The rechargeable battery allows you to enter standby mode when you are not using the device, which increases the operating time up to 20 hours. There is support for dual stream - so you can connect two headsets at once. Simplified mode for pairing with a phone via NFC.

Bottom line

As you can see, they are all about the same. For a TV, I would, of course, take it without a battery, since it is essentially not needed - if this transmitter/receiver is located near the screen.

You should also pay attention to Dual Link support - this technology allows you to connect multiple headphones and even wireless speakers. The Blue Tooth version is no small thing either. The maximum information transfer speed and coverage radius in an apartment or house will depend on it.

ATTENTION! When choosing, be careful not to confuse this transmitter with an HDMI or USB Wi-Fi module - they are a little similar, but have different purposes. It’s better to ask the store several times what you need and why.

Kinds

All Bluetooth modules can be divided into two large groups - external and internal devices. They differ in both functionality and connection method.

Internal modules are usually used to interact with computer equipment and acoustic devices. They are installed inside the TV, and not every user can cope with such work. But such adapters are durable and practical.

Connecting external adapters does not require any knowledge or skills from the user. These are small devices connected to the TV through one of the ports - USB, TRS, RCA. They are easy to set up, inexpensive and secure.

With battery

Such adapters have an addition - an internal rechargeable battery, which allows them to operate autonomously for 8–24 hours or more. The modules are used in stationary devices and during travel.

Versions with a battery are more expensive than their non-battery counterparts. Before buying such a device, you should think about whether autonomy is needed and whether it’s worth paying extra for it.

Via USB

Such models are cheaper than battery-powered ones. They are connected to TVs or other equipment via a USB connector. The devices are powered from portable chargers or directly from the TV.

External modules, although inexpensive, are distinguished by their strength, durability (if their manufacturer is a reliable brand), and small size.

Connection instructions

Everything is quite simple. We have already figured out which ports on the back of the TV are intended for outputting an audio signal. If you bought an adapter that only supports connection via a 3.5 connector, then such modules come with a non-detachable cable. Just plug it into the TV socket. And for power, insert the flash drive into any USB port.

If you have a separate large unit with a battery. Then you need to charge it first. There is a separate wire included for this purpose. Then connect by choosing the best option:

• Mini-Jack
• RCA
• Optical fiber

We plug the second end from each wire into the corresponding connector on the TV. After this we check the connection. Turn on your headphones and press the pairing button on them. Typically has an angular "B" icon. Press the button until the blue light turns on.

Automatically, the headphones should immediately connect to the device and determine the connection type. After that, just enjoy the sound, listen to music, watch your favorite movies and TV shows in complete silence.

Problematic points

Bluetooth equipment, despite all its advantages, is not immune to malfunctions and other problems. There are several points that create inconvenience for users:

1. Device synchronization. The vast majority of Bluetooth TV adapters are supported by a wide variety of devices, and also allow you to connect two pairs of headphones at once. In the latter case, two people can listen to audio at the same time. The sync feature often causes problems when setting up two Bluetooth speakers. This situation usually occurs if the speakers are not compatible.
2. Poor sound quality. Sound transmitted via Bluetooth is noticeably inferior in quality to sound transmitted over wires or other, more advanced wireless technologies. The quality largely depends on the Bluetooth codecs that are supported on the signal transmitter and receiver. Interference from a variety of devices can cause problems. Electromagnetic waves cause sound interruption. The issue can be solved in a simple way - by shortening the connecting wire.
3. Signal delay. Another common problem is sound braking. Usually occurs when choosing an unsuccessful model or is associated with incorrect equipment settings.
4. Wireless “wired” communication. Bluetooth is characterized as a wireless device. But practice shows that it is not possible to completely eliminate wires. You have to connect the Bluetooth transmitter with wires to the TV or place it somewhere nearby so that the signal is clear.

To eliminate the need to purchase a Bluetooth adapter as an additional device in the future, it is recommended to take this into account when purchasing a TV. If you want to connect a wireless device to the TV you are using, you should carefully check the synchronization parameters of the transmitting and receiving equipment.

WiFi

It's the best choice to enjoy wireless audio. To connect, you will need to have a TV with built-in WiFi modules, since the gadget connects directly to the device that transmits the audio signal. By the way, you can simultaneously listen to a TV show via 2 pairs of gadgets.

The connection is configured directly or through an auxiliary router to obtain maximum coverage indoors. The price of such gadgets varies depending on the brand and consumer needs. In the high price segment you can find headsets that can transmit sound without compression, which ensures maximum listening pleasure. With full support for all audio ranges.

The connection setup depends on the TV model. As a rule, it is enough to open the Wi-Fi options on the TV and select a pre-activated (turned on) headset there.

Additional wi-fi routers operating in amplifier mode allow you to expand coverage up to 100 meters without sound distortion.

Rating of popular models

The Russian rating of popular Bluetooth adapters for TV includes the following 10 models:

1. TREND net TBW-106 UB
2. Gembird BTD-MINI 1
3. TREND net TBW-107 UB
4. ASUS USB-BT 400
5. HAMA H-49238
6. Espada ES-M 03
7. Mobile data UBT-207
8. Mobile data UBT-208
9. HAMA H-49218
10. HAMA H-49233

Let's look at their characteristics.

TREND net TBW-106 UB

Gembird BTD-MINI 1

TREND net TBW-107 UB

ASUS USB-BT 400

HAMA H-49238

Espada ES-M 03

Mobile data UBT-207

Mobile data UBT-208

HAMA H-49218

HAMA H-49233

Possible problems

Most of the faults arise from the connection diagram and subsequent configuration. Connecting to an old TV set can become an insurmountable difficulty.

If all the connections were made according to the rules, but nothing began to work, you need to check the power supply or test the socket. Additional settings can be made via the remote control.

Conclusion

Next time you buy a TV, try to get it with a built-in Bluetooth module so that you don’t have to suffer in the future like I did. We also don’t forget about the Wi-Fi transmitter, which allows you to connect your TV to your home network, access the Internet and watch TV series directly from the websites’ Web pages. But that's a completely different story.

Bluetooth is a standard for modern communication devices that has gained high popularity mainly in audio devices. Thanks to this type of connection, it is convenient to connect, for example, external TV speakers. The absence of wires creates increased comfort. However, you need to configure Bluetooth TV if you decide to apply this method to your TV. Let's look at the options - how to add Bluetooth to your TV, as well as nuances and alternatives.

Headphones

They work on the principle of transmitting radio frequencies directly to the device. They are connected via a radio channel, which allows you to listen to any TV programs wirelessly. They are connected using special modules that are installed in the audio output of the TV.

Some models of television receivers are initially equipped with a transmitter, so there is no need to purchase additional equipment.

Before purchasing radio headphones, pay attention to the presence of a volume control and their size. They often turn out to be quite inconvenient for the average user.