not srticly pc hardware but a hardware issue all the same!

[mat777]

this isnt strictly a pc hardware issue but you guys might know what the problem is:

 

when i connect a 3-pin av device (i.e. using the red, white and yellow sockets) to my tv it displays the sounds and picture fine. however, when i tried connecting my pocket radio to it using a headphone jack to red and white pin av cable, nothing happens when i turn it on - i dont get any sound. i find it strange because surely i am giving the tv the same analogue audio signal, just without the video signal to go with it, so why cant i get it to play the sound?

[Guest Wolfeymole]

The sockets you speak of are called RCA sockets and a headphone stereo jack plug whether it's 6.5mm or 3.5mm will not work, simple as.

 

For your information Red and White are the audio inputs (Stereo) and Yellow is video.

[mat777]

i know what each cable of the rca does, but sorry i dont think i explained very well. im not trying to put a headphone jack into the rca sodckets, i am using a stereo adapter cable that adapts the 3.5mm jack output from the radio into a red and a white rca connection, like so:

3.5mm 3.5 Jack Socket to 2 Phono RCA Adapter Cable Lead on eBay, also, Audio Cables, Cables Connectors, Computing (end time 05-Jul-09 00:33:31 BST)

 

as i said, surely it is the same input as the sound from, say, a games console using an rca cable, just without the video. if i unplug the yellow cable when using av equipment i still get sound, so im completely baffled

[Guest Wolfeymole]

So let me get this right, your trying to listen to your radio through the TV?

[mat777]

yes, i am as i dont have a radio in my study and the fm stations i listen to arent available through dtv.

i know the radio and cable work as when i plug it onto the rca stereo input on the back of my hifi downstairs its fine. therefors, im trying to piggyback the speakers of the tv in the same way by playing it through the rca/aux input av channel on the tv

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Why not just get a cheap set of active speakers?

[mat777]

i could, but i dont want to have to spend money unnessecarily. plus my desk is cluttered enough as it is. besides, the last set of cheap speakers i bought were for my old land rover so i could listen to my mp3 player in it, they lasted all of 5 mins before they gave up the ghost

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Well I must say that Land Rovers are renowned for their excellent suspension, how strange they did not last. :confused: :D

 

Consider these from Tesco.

 

Speakers

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, to throw the spanner in of my own making, lets just get this right.

 

You have a standard 3.5 mm jack to left and right RCA adapter cable, so far you have connected the radio into a hi fi and it works, but connecting to the RCA input on the TV it doesn't?

Are the RCA input sockets built into the TV or are you using one of those Scart to RCA adapters? If so I have known some adapters to have an input/output switch on them, is it switched to input? Also I have seen connection problems with these adapters and only cured by a new adapter.

 

If however they are built into the TV, have you any other device that can be tried such as a player of any sort?

The sockets may not be connected inside the TV, as the RCA video line can carry audio as part of the video signal, therefore lulling you into thinking the audio from your AV device, is getting there by the left and right audio leads, when it may not be doing so.

[wellies]

Providing the connections are being made properly one way or another, what you are trying to do could work to some degree but maybe not ideal. There will be a mis-match in signal levels. The TV might be detecting a mis-match and the sockets just won't work under those circumstances. Hard to be sure. If your into making simple circuits, take a look at this.

 

Speaker signal to line level

 

I think this could be applied to your requirements but difficult to guarantee success.

 

The problem could be anything mentioned so far, plus what's written here but I'm sure it would be easier and not too expensive to get a better quality radio and tuck it away somewhere. I've got a couple of half decent ones that I can't even give away. :)

[chris lovett]

I am no expert i admit but have you switch the TV to AV or Component whatever the sockets are associated with?

[mat777]

hi, thanks for all the suggestions. the rca sockets are built into the tv, but i also tried the cable through a scart av adaptor into a scart socket (on the basis that a scart combines all 3 RCA components) but it still didnt work, and it was on the right channel for each socket i tried. the fact it wont work at all probably does suggest the theory of a signal mismatch, but it still puzzles me as my digital hifi has no problems playing it.

 

anyway, i gave up messing around and did buy a cheap pair of pc speakers as suggested by wolfeymole - a pair of mikomi 6-inch tall stereo speakers with built in amplifier, and battery powered so self-contained as well! these were 6 or 7 quid from argos and i must say i am impressed - the build quality is great for the price and the sound is decent as well, and they go louder than you'll ever reasonably need before they distort. i thoroughly recommend them.

 

thanks again for the advice,

 

matt

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Your welcome Matt :)

[I4n]

just a sideways thought, most stations are available on line !

[wellies]

...but it still puzzles me as my digital hifi has no problems playing it.

Does the hi-fi unit have more than one pair of input sockets that can cater for different input devices? If so, it maybe that there would be a suitable input for the radio headphone and that's why it works. If not, then perhaps the input socket can even sense and electronically match any given input. All a bit theoretical without knowing the equipment but a possibility anyway.