Crosscourt121 Posted June 7, 2020 Posted June 7, 2020 My father in law has poor hearing whilst the mother in law’s remains good. He has the TV on max and she can hardly stay in the room. I suggested TV headphones like some Senheisser RS120 ii (currently on sale) so that the sound still comes out the tellie as well as more sound out the headphones which can be turned up. We went to the store today to look at compatibility with their recent Samsung tv. Found out that these new TVs don’t have analogue audio out, or a headphone jack for that matter. But they do have an optical out. So the salesman says that you will need an adaptor / converter and said they start at about $40.00. I realised a little while later that what they need is a DAC!! Now which one, the jaycar version or maybe something from dCS or MBL? 1
mjs Posted June 7, 2020 Posted June 7, 2020 Does your MIL want to listen at the same time? If not, some wireless headphones should do the trick, assuming the tv can pair with them (most recent tvs should be able to). if they both want to listen at the same time, then a modest DAC/headphone amp should do the trick. Perhaps a few hundred bucks.
LHH Posted June 7, 2020 Posted June 7, 2020 (edited) My mother and father in law are in the same situation. I ended up getting them an Arcam rDAC on closeout special and some Sennheiser RS120s. Keeps both of them happy. Only problem is that Netflix cannot be used with an external DAC. Edited June 8, 2020 by LHH Sp. 1
JukKluk2 Posted June 8, 2020 Posted June 8, 2020 19 minutes ago, LHH said: Only problem is that Netflix cannot be used with an external DAC Funny you should say that. I bought my daughter a Cambridge DAC Magic 100 to feed from her TV, and I couldn't work out why Netflix wouldn't work with it. Any Ideas why? And why haven't I had the same problem with a succession of DACs in my system? 1
LHH Posted June 8, 2020 Posted June 8, 2020 Something to do with Netflix's use of Digital Rights Management I think (though I'm not entirely sure). I object to companies treating their customers as criminals, and so will never subscribe to any service that uses DRM. 1
Crosscourt121 Posted June 8, 2020 Author Posted June 8, 2020 Thanks for the info gents. Very helpful.
Mr_B Posted June 20, 2020 Posted June 20, 2020 On 08/06/2020 at 9:40 AM, LHH said: My mother and father in law are in the same situation. I ended up getting them an Arcam rDAC on closeout special and some Sennheiser RS120s. Keeps both of them happy. Only problem is that Netflix cannot be used with an external DAC. I use a DAC from a Sony tv to watch Netflix, not sure if there is something about your setup that precludes this? DAC just processes tv sound via optical. 1
Bunno77 Posted June 20, 2020 Posted June 20, 2020 Netflix works though all dacs I have used but I don't have netflix built into the tv either. Chromecast?
LHH Posted June 20, 2020 Posted June 20, 2020 3 hours ago, Mr_B said: I use a DAC from a Sony tv to watch Netflix, not sure if there is something about your setup that precludes this? DAC just processes tv sound via optical. Panasonic smart TV, optical out to DAC. Works perfectly with all sources except Netflix app. Don't know why it doesn't work, but a quick search suggests that lots of other people are having the same problem. Shrug.
navlrac Posted June 20, 2020 Posted June 20, 2020 (edited) Make sure the TV is not outputting multi channel audio on optical with Netflix, often the TV has a setting for stereo or two channel output. These DACs can only play 2-channel PCM. Edited June 20, 2020 by navlrac 1
Bunno77 Posted June 20, 2020 Posted June 20, 2020 Yep that's one thing. Make sure TV is set to output PCM stereo 1
MattyW Posted June 21, 2020 Posted June 21, 2020 Yeah, I found setting digital output to PCM did the trick for me. In the end though the Netflix client never seems to be updated on TV's so I ended up moving to am Nvidia Shield om one (I've a preamp uses an Apple remote so the Shield is a better choice) and an Apple TV downstairs.
johnk- Posted June 21, 2020 Posted June 21, 2020 Another thing to check are the audio settings on the TV. Most TVs have some form of compressor built in which can make a big difference if you are struggling to hear by reducing the volume of the loudest noises and increasing the volume of the quiet ones. Manufacturers name these settings differently but look for DRC (dynamic range control) or night mode and you should find something. Cheers, John
MattyW Posted June 22, 2020 Posted June 22, 2020 1 hour ago, johnk- said: Another thing to check are the audio settings on the TV. Most TVs have some form of compressor built in which can make a big difference if you are struggling to hear by reducing the volume of the loudest noises and increasing the volume of the quiet ones. Manufacturers name these settings differently but look for DRC (dynamic range control) or night mode and you should find something. Cheers, John Most of the TV's I've used call it "Night Mode"
Recommended Posts