Simple TV Headphones!

by PainTrane

56K2414

Intro: Simple TV Headphones!

In this instructable, I will show you how to make a simple headphone adapter for any TV with an audio ouput.

Items you will need:

- TV with an audio output

- RCA to 3.5mm adapter cable

- any FM transmitter with a 3.5mm stereo plug

- any portable FM radio tuner with a headphone jack

STEP 1:

To do this, your TV must have an audio output (usually located on the rear AV panel of your TV)

STEP 2: RCA to 3.5mm Adapter

You need one these adapter cables to connect the FM transmitter to your TV's audio output.

These things cost about $3.00 USD at RadioShack.

STEP 3: FM Transmitter

You need an FM transmitter of any kind, but it must have a 3.5mm stereo plug.

The 3.5mm stereo plug on the FM transmitter will plug into the RCA to 3.5mm adapter cable, which in turn plugs into the audio output of your TV.

You can buy one of these from Amazon.com for under $10.00 USD.

STEP 4: Portable FM Radio Tuner

You need a portable FM radio tuner of any kind, as long as it has a headphone jack (they all do, just saying...)

I guess you could use a full size radio with a headphone jack, but that would be pretty bulky...

You can buy one of these from Amazon.com for about $15.00 USD.

STEP 5: Diagram

This diagram will show you how to hook everything up. It'll all make sense, it's very simple.

Once you're done connecting everything, just use your portable FM radio to tune into the proper frequency on your FM transmitter.

Use the volume control on your portable FM radio to set the volume to a comfortable level.

There you go! Have fun!

P.S.: You can also do this with a Bluetooth transmitter and Bluetooth headphones. As long as the Bluetooth transmitter has a 3.5mm stereo plug, it's the exact same concept!

14 Comments

Sandyho 3 years ago

Can some one please advise how to make BT transmitter to receive audio wired from TV and receive in BT headset ?

ixijimixi 9 years ago

Good idea on this one! My wired headset is on its way out (loose wire inside the actual headset), and I was about to pull the trigger for a $20 bluetooth transmitter to hook up to my TV (to use with my pair of bluetooth headphones). Instead, I bought a $7 FM transmitter from Amazon, and will just plug one of the many regular headphones I into a my MP3 player that has an FM tuner in it.

Leeosis 9 years ago

Also works well using an FM Radio App on cell phone to bluetooth headset instead of fm radio to wired headset/speaker, keeping FM transmitter connected to tv as instructed. And thanks for the Instructable, very happy not to have had to purchase anything to make it work.

get.voxoa 9 years ago

These TV headphones rock, they are wireless (Bluetooth). http://www.amazon.com/voxoom-wireless-TV-headphones-system/dp/B00N3DELQU

oakironworker 11 years ago

did this to run on my treadmill while watching tv thanks

TheDutchOwner 12 years ago

What if your TV doesn't come with Audio out? I don't know many TV's that have that.

lazydiyer 12 years ago

What a great idea! I've been wrestling with the same problem for a couple of weeks now, and was shopping out new components to replace my bedroom surround system. This is SO MUCH EASIER... and cheaper.

Thanks a bunch.

PainTrane 12 years ago

Absolutely! If you got a good idea, might as well share it! :)

dagob 13 years ago

Thas a good idea but what about the sound quality?

guitarmonk15 13 years ago

Cool, except you should change the title to "Simple Wireless TV Headphones," because the simple tv headphones would just be the RCA - 3.5mm connected to the headphones.

stephenniall 14 years ago

Not a bad idea im using this but on a bigger scale to Send music around my home on a Crystal Earpiece and radio I modded fbi style ! could use it to send a voice using a mic Ive done it ones ! Homebrew walkie talkies

tubbychick3n 14 years ago

I actually did that with my tv about 6 months ago. But, i did it without the fm transmitter. I just used 1/2inch to 3.5mm adapter and plugged in an extension cable. Also, you could take something like this and plug the two cables directly into the cords from a game system.

PainTrane 14 years ago

Yeah I did that too, but I turned up the volume all the way on my TV and it just isn't loud enough. Instead of buying an expensive external amplifier, I just did this since I already had the parts lying around the house.