QuestionQUESTION: I thought I knew the answer to this “simple(?)” question, but the guy at RADIO SHACK (RS) convinced me otherwise. Based on decades of old electronics reading/experience, am now wondering why it failed.
I have two (2) TV’s, neither of which have an earphone (female input) jacks. In the back and front, they have audio “phono jacks” female inputs. I though maybe if you got a “1/8” to Phono Adapter” (as it is exactly called on the RS package) converter to the phono jack (I think it was called years ago an RCA jack?), the speaker would shut off and you could hear the sound via head phones via the converter/adapter, which now would take the place of the earphone jack that I do not have; the RS guy said it would.
Tried on both TV’s and it did not work. The first thing I thought would happen was that the speaker would mute upon putting the RCA in the audio inputs, but it did not happen. Head phones work, so not that.
What I barely remember is that the signal that comes via the RCA/phono jack is NOT THE SAME as one would receive via an earphone female jack, which would also cut off the speaker when the jack goes in (otherwise, what is the point or purpose).
So who is right, the old man here or the RS guy.
AND FOR FUTURE REFERENCE: IF IT DOES NOT HAVE A BUILT IN EAR PHONE INPUT JACK AND YOU DO NOT WANT TO DRILL A HOLE TO INSTALL ONE, YOU HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE SPEAKER BEING ON ALL THE TIME?
THANK YOU IN AN ADVANCE FOR YOUR VALUABLE TIME AND PROFESSIONAL ANSWER.
P. S. I am an old timer in Las Vegas, so if I can return you a favor on any “local knowledge” you may need coming this way someday, please ask. I have accumulated a few gold nuggets for the years…..alan0147@hotmail.com
ANSWER: As far as I know pre-requisite for a job as salesman for Radio Shack was a high school education, some sales experience and very little knowledge in electronics, not that your question requires very adept audio knowledge. I suspect that there is some training of sorts, in stock items.
Having said that, I will see if I can give you the short explanation of the common use for RCA connectors. RCA connectors typically are used as line level audio and video. In audio these levels are generally too low in voltage to drive a transducer (headphone or speaker). Moreover they have a different impedance than an amplifier which is designed to drive the same. There are also connectors of different types that have what is called normally closed contacts. These connectors will pass signal thru an amplifier (in a TV or stereo)so that when you insert a plug signal flow will be diverted to a headphone or other external device.
Now that I've explained some of the technicality, I'll tell you what I know about TV's. RCA Audio outputs are designed to feed something on the order of a receiver, VCR, etc. RCA audio inputs are designed to feed an audio signal into the TV to play it thru TV speakers. A headphone jack will typically be either a mini type plug or a 1/4" phone jack. Most older TV's do not have these. Stereo's, CD players, Cassette players, iPods, MP3 players do.
As a kid I can remember being frustrated with exactly what you're trying to do and for the same reasons.
Possibly I can assist you with an alternate solution. How old is the TV and what is the make and model number?
For now lets do this thru this website. If I feel we need to I will email you directly.
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QUESTION: Hello Robert
Here is the info to your question of:
“Possibly I can assist you with an alternate solution. How old is the TV and what is the make and model number? For now lets do this thru this website. If I feel we need to I will email you directly.”
Answer:
1. TOSHIBA 27 A 41 6 YEARS OLD
2. JVC C 13910 9 YEARS OLD
AGAIN, THANK YOU IN ADVANCE ROBERT FOR YOUR VALUABLE TIME AND CONCERN WITH MY PROBLEM….Alan
alan0147@hotmail.com
P. S. Enjoyed this comment of yours; how true, how long ago.
“As a kid I can remember being frustrated with exactly what you're trying to do and for the same reasons. “
AnswerSince both units are too old for me to find manuals from the respective companies, you should try and to the following. If you have a digital camera, photograph the connector portion of each device. Try and take a picture that shows the writing next to the connectors so that it can be read. If not and you have fair drafting skills, draw as accurate a picture of the connectors with their labels as possible. Maybe that will shed some light on what you can and can't do.
