Benefits of Using a Bluetooth TV Adapter

Many users seek to ensure comfortable listening to TV programs and use bluetooth headphones. However, not all TVs are equipped with a Bluetooth module. Following the desires of customers, special adapters (transmitters) have been developed.

What is a Bluetooth adapter? Why is it needed?

A Bluetooth adapter is a small device that connects to your TV equipment to send sound to your wireless headphones or speakers. The adapter has a small size, concise shape. Outwardly, it resembles a power bank or a flash drive. As of 2021, TV models from all leading manufacturers have built-in wireless connectivity. But TVs released in 2018, 2019 may not have such modules, not to mention older versions of broadcast equipment.
The bluetooth adapter is connected using:

• 3.5mm minijack;
• RCA;
• optical audio cable.

The device is powered by a built-in battery or via the TV’s USB port. How the adapter works:

1. The sound signal through the audio output goes to the adapter.
2. In the bluetooth adapter, the signal is encoded and transmitted to wireless headphones.

Thanks to an external Bluetooth device, manufacturers of many companies successfully circumvent the ban by South Korean giants Samsung and LG on connecting other people’s wireless headphones to their TVs.

Connection pros and cons

Before buying a bluetooth adapter for a TV, it is worthwhile to comprehensively evaluate it. The device has not only advantages, but also disadvantages. Pros:

• there are no wires and docking stations to establish a connection between the source and the sound receiver;
• the sound quality is not affected by the acoustic features of the premises, the quality of television speakers and extraneous noise;
• people with poor hearing can watch TV with loud sound without disturbing the rest of the household;
• you can watch and listen to TV, moving around the rooms, doing your own thing.

Minuses:

• the sound quality and volume are reduced if the user moves more than 10 m away from the TV;
• signal quality is affected by barriers that are impenetrable to radio waves;
• a certain number of devices can be connected to the adapter (the more it is, the higher the price);
• the sound may lag behind the picture due to imperfect compatibility between the headphones and the adapter.

Kinds

All bluetooth modules can be divided into two large groups – external and internal devices. They differ both in functionality and connection method. Internal modules are usually used to interact with computer equipment, acoustic devices. They are installed inside the TV, and not every user can cope with such work. But such adapters are durable and practical. Connection of external adapters does not require any knowledge and 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 safe.

With battery

Such adapters have the addition of an internal rechargeable battery that allows them to operate autonomously for 8-24 hours or more. Modules are used in stationary devices and while traveling. The battery-powered versions are more expensive than their non-battery counterparts. Before buying such a device, it is worth considering whether autonomy is needed and whether it is worth overpaying for it.

Via USB

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

External modules, although inexpensive, are durable, durable (if their manufacturer is a reliable brand), and small in size.

Overview of popular models

The market is rich in a wide variety of Bluetooth adapters. They differ in appearance, technical characteristics, connection method, price, and most importantly, the quality of signal transmission. Do not buy cheap devices from unknown manufacturers. Such savings are fraught with various problems when using the device. It is better to give preference to more expensive, but user-proven brands. Popular models of bluetooth adapters:

1. TREND-net-TBW-106UB. A compact Bluetooth 2.1 device with a long range – up to 100 m. The maximum speed is 3 Mbps. Connection – USB 2.0. Price – from 870 rubles.
2. Gembird BTD-MINI 1. High power Bluetooth 2.0 device. Speed ​​– up to 3 Mbps. Operates at a distance of 20 m. Connects via USB 2.0. Price – from 410 rubles.
3. TREND net TBW-107 UB. A miniature device that can be connected to multiple devices at the same time. Generation – Bluetooth 2.1. The maximum range is 10 m. Connection is USB 2.0. Speed ​​- 3 Mbps. Price – from 780 rubles.
4. ASUS USB-BT 400. A small device that is compatible with different devices and operating systems. Wireless Bluetooth 4.0. Operates at a distance – up to 10 m. Speed ​​- 3 Mbit / s. Connects via USB 2.0 connector. Price – from 850 rubles.
5. HAMA H-49238. The device has a large range (100 m), high power, has a led indicator. Generation – Bluetooth 3.0. Connects via USB 2.0. Speed ​​- 3 Mbps. Price – from 1,000 rubles.
6. Espada ES-M 03. Inexpensive model with a good range (30 m) and easy installation. Generation – Bluetooth 2.0. Connection – USB 2.0. Speed ​​- 3 Mbps. Price – from 400 rubles.
7. Mobile data UBT-207 . Works without installing drivers with different operating systems. Inexpensive but powerful. Generation – Bluetooth 2.0. Connection – USB 2.0. Range – 20 m. Speed ​​- 3 Mbps. Price – from 500 rubles.
8. HAMA H-49218. A device with an affordable price and automatic installation of drivers. It has a good range – 20 m. Generation – Bluetooth 4.0. Connection – USB 2.0. Price – from 600 rubles.
9. Bluetooth B6. Universal model. Bluetooth 2.1 support. Speed ​​- 3 Mbps. Battery powered (8 hours). There is an audio output of 3.5 mm and RCA. Price – from 1,950 rubles.
10. BTR Bluetooth 5. The most popular model. Generation – Bluetooth 5.0. Can be powered by battery or other power source. Works at a distance of up to 10 m. Connection – Micro USB. There is a 3.5 mm audio port. Price – from 442 rubles.

Features of choosing a Bluetooth transmitter

When buying a bluetooth adapter, you have to take into account many technical issues. Recommendations for choosing equipment:

1. Bluetooth version. Technology is constantly improving, generations of bluetooth connections regularly replace each other. Previously, most of the devices supported bluetooth 1.0, then 2.0. Now there are adapters that operate at speeds of 4.0 and 5.0. The newer the version, the more powerful the device.
2. NFC support. The technology makes it easy to connect the adapter to the main device.
3. Range of action. There are adapters designed for 5, 10, 15 m, etc. The greater the range, the further the user can move away from the TV without deteriorating hearing.
4. Built-in battery. It is optional if the user does not want the adapter to be used offline. In fact, the battery is not needed if the transmitter / receiver is located near the screen.
5. The number of connected devices. If the adapter supports Dual Link technology, it is possible to connect two or more devices at the same time.
6. Price. The cheaper the adapter, the less chance of high-quality and correct work. Budget devices give poor sound, interfere, operate intermittently.

And most importantly, you should make sure that the adapter has the same audio output option as the TV. All technical parameters of the device can be specified in the documentation. Important details are the warranty, equipment, brand, connection methods.

How to find out about bluetooth on a TV?

When buying a TV, it is useful to find out in advance whether it supports Bluetooth. Also, this question may arise in relation to the existing TV. You can find out if your TV has Bluetooth as follows:

1. If the TV is equipped with an intelligent remote control, then it definitely has Bluetooth support.
2. If your TV does not have a smart remote control, go to settings. There, select the “Sound” tab, and then “Sound output”. The presence of the “List Bluetooth Speakers” option indicates that this type of wireless connection is supported.
3. In the case when 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 of interest.
4. When buying a TV, check with consultants about the bluetooth connection.

Bluetooth adapter connection methods

If the TV is produced by a well-known manufacturer – Samsung, Sony, Philips, LG – it is unlikely that you will be able to connect an adapter from another manufacturer. Brand TVs usually need “native” devices. Below are examples of connecting bluetooth TVs Samsung and LG.

To Samsung TV

South Korean brand Samsung TVs are famous for their quality and advanced technologies. Connecting wireless technology is not difficult, the main thing is to follow all the steps in sequence. How to connect Bluetooth on Samsung TVs:

1. Go to the settings menu. Select the “Sound” tab, and then click on the “OK” button.
2. Click on “Headset connection” or “Speaker settings”. Click the “Search Device” tab. Activate Bluetooth on the paired gadget and connect the device to the TV.

A similar algorithm is suitable for most Smart TV models from the Samsung brand. The differences are only in the details.

To LG TV

Smart TVs use WebOS. Previously, it only supported audio devices from LG. The third and subsequent versions of webOS allows you to connect devices from other manufacturers. How to connect Bluetooth on LG TVs:

1. Press the “Menu” or “Settings” button on the remote control.
2. In the window that opens, select the “Sound” option.
3. Check the box next to the “LG Sound Sync / Bluetooth” tab.
4. Click on the “Select device” tab to activate the pairing mode on the desired device – it will be detected and connected.

How to add Bluetooth to any TV?

Adding the Bluetooth function to TV models other than the aforementioned brands does not present any particular problems. Following the instructions below, even the most inexperienced user can easily cope with the task. Procedure:

1. Pay attention to the type of adapter – rechargeable or not. In the second case, connect the device to a power source. Battery adapters usually have an LED to indicate when they are low.
2. Now activate the device so that it enters pairing mode. This step depends on the model. Read the instructions for the bluetooth adapter carefully. Almost all prototypes are activated by turning on the power button for 3-4 seconds until the LED starts flashing a red and blue light.
3. The next step is to put the TV into the appropriate mode. Go to “Menu”, select “Connection Guide”. Follow the suggested steps here. Then click on the speaker options – the Bluetooth tab will appear. When the TV switches to wireless mode, check the box next to “Available outputs”.

If all steps are completed correctly, the Bluetooth function will be added to the TV. After that, you can use not only the remote control, but also your own smartphone to control. Video how to connect bluetooth function:

Problem moments

Bluetooth equipment, despite all the 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 the audio at the same time. The sync feature often causes problems when setting up two Bluetooth speakers. This situation usually occurs when the speakers are not compatible.
2. Bad sound quality. Sound broadcast via Bluetooth is noticeably inferior in quality to sound transmitted over wires or other, more advanced wireless technologies. In many ways, the quality depends on the Bluetooth codecs that are supported on the transmitter and receiver. Problems can be caused by interference from a variety of devices. Electromagnetic waves cause sound to be interrupted. The issue is solved in a simple way – by shortening the connecting wire.
3. signal delay. Another common annoyance is the braking of sound. Usually occurs when an unsuccessful choice of 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 the wires. You have to connect the Bluetooth transmitter with wires to the TV or put it somewhere nearby so that the signal is clear.

To eliminate the need to further purchase a bluetooth adapter as an additional device, it is recommended to foresee this moment when buying a TV. If you want to connect a wireless device to an operating TV, you should carefully check the synchronization parameters of the transmitting and receiving equipment.