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Apple TV and Headphone Jack (3.5mm)?..
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HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
TV is not an amplifier. You need a separate box (amplifier or receiver) and it's to that second box that you connect your speakers. TV is a "source", much like a BD or DVD player, Cable/Satt TV box, CD player, etc. Each offloads the amplification of sound for speakers to something else (either the TV or a receiver/amplifier box).If your speakers have an amplifier built in (such as many soundbar speaker systems), you can probably connect via HDMI or optical cable. Otherwise, you need an additional piece of hardware.
I'm talking about computer speakers that have headphone jack for connection. The one you connect with Airport Express for example. Do I really need adapter for Apple TV?
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Computer speakers generally have an amplifier built in, so that part of things is probably covered (if you can turn them up or down). There is no analog out of TV, so you are going to still need something to convert either digital out (HDMI or optical) to an analog jack. Do a search for an adapter like this one on Amazon...
Fosmon Digital to Analog (L/R) Stereo Audio Converter Adapter - Changes Digital Coaxial or Optical Toslink [SPDIF] into Stereo 3.5mm Jack or L/R (Red/White) RCA Audio Outputs - Includes AC Power Cable
TV, so you are going to still need something to convert either digital out (HDMI or optical) to an analog jack. Do a search for an adapter like this one on Amazon...Fosmon Digital to Analog (L/R) Stereo Audio Converter Adapter - Changes Digital Coaxial or Optical Toslink [SPDIF] into Stereo 3.5mm Jack or L/R (Red/White) RCA Audio Outputs - Includes AC Power Cable
There is no analog out of
I see. Thank you.
Maybe Airport Express is what you need
Depending on what you want it for, an Airport Express might fit your needs. It has a built-in DAC (I read some good opinions on that while researching my purchase). I use mine to connect to my old integrated amplifier and stream music from iTunes directly without the need for wiring around the room.
Depending on what you want it for, an Airport Express might fit your needs. It has a built-in DAC (I read some good opinions on that while researching my purchase). I use mine to connect to my old integrated amplifier and stream music from iTunes directly without the need for wiring around the room.
Assuming you're using it with a TV, just connect your speakers to the TV's 3.5 mm jack. Job done.
I'm thinking about this but the downside of it is you have to turn on TV even though you just want to AirPlay some music or podcast.
- If that's your intended use, you're much better off with the AirPort Express, as suggested above.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
TV is generally controlled with the TV on and generally connected to home theater speakers instead of computer speakers.A desire to have the TV off AND use computer speakers makes me (re)think that OP might be better off kicking the
TV out of this equation and using an iPod Touch or other iDevice (even an older, used one). I keep getting the feeling OP is trying to force the TV into this setup when it increasingly looks like it's the wrong thing for the (general) job(s). Sure, one can use an iDevice to control the
TV with the TV to which it is hooked turned off, but then one could plug those computer speakers OP has into that iDevice and bypass the 
apple:TV) middleman.
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Yup
All you need is a digital audio (Toslink) to RGA converter that has 3.5 mm audio built in:
http://www.amazon.com/Fosmon-Digita..._sim_23_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=0022HZ4NPEDDP6NAXE4D
I had one for an old stereo and it worked fine.
All you need is a digital audio (Toslink) to RGA converter that has 3.5 mm audio built in:
http://www.amazon.com/Fosmon-Digita..._sim_23_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=0022HZ4NPEDDP6NAXE4D
I had one for an old stereo and it worked fine.
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Nice! Thank you.
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Keep in mind a couple of "facts" related to Apple-related or Apple-specific products... Not all TOSLINK adapters (or any TRRS adapters, for that matter), relative to Apple products, are the same.
There's two "types" of 3.5 mm plugs - TRRS and Apple TRRS. Apple reverses the "ground" in the two rings (the two rings or "R" in TRRS).
Any "converter" from TOSLINK to TRRS might need to be Apple-specific or have a converter that "translates" the two "R" rings.
If you can't "get any sound" out of your TOSLINK adapter, I told you first.
There's two "types" of 3.5 mm plugs - TRRS and Apple TRRS. Apple reverses the "ground" in the two rings (the two rings or "R" in TRRS).
Any "converter" from TOSLINK to TRRS might need to be Apple-specific or have a converter that "translates" the two "R" rings.
If you can't "get any sound" out of your TOSLINK adapter, I told you first.
Keep in mind a couple of "facts" related to Apple-related or Apple-specific products... Not all TOSLINK adapters (or any TRRS adapters, for that matter), relative to Apple products, are the same.
There's two "types" of 3.5 mm plugs - TRRS and Apple TRRS. Apple reverses the "ground" in the two rings (the two rings or "R" in TRRS).
Any "converter" from TOSLINK to TRRS might need to be Apple-specific or have a converter that "translates" the two "R" rings.
If you can't "get any sound" out of your TOSLINK adapter, I told you first.
TOSLINK is TOSLINK. There is no Apple-specific TOSLINK.
The TRRS thing you bring up would be, but isn't, an issue at the other end of the TOSLINK to 3.5mm converter, and it doesn't matter anyway. The Apple-specific change only affects headsets with mics and buttons (relates to iPhone, iPad, Macbook, etc.). Since we are converting from TOSLINK to stereo sound only, there are no mics or buttons at play here. Thus, this ground reversal doesn't matter in this context either.
IMHO I believe you misinterpreted that part of my post - I was calling out the need for an Apple-specific converter, and I thought I qualified that pretty well in the previous paragraph. And, yes, TOSLINK is TOSLINK.
We've got two sets of speakers in my offices that are Apple-specific and the specific adapters we bought from Amazon work just fine. I also plug my Beyerdynamic T51i into the adapter to get my news fix on via the ATV on my desk, so I don't have to be distracted by the TV screen. Cheers!
Maybe I am confused. What are Apple-specific speakers? A 3.5mm stereo plug, no matter who makes it, is compatible with all Apple devices.
Either way, if it works it works. These converters are often finicky and work or don't work in the strangest combinations.
We made the speakers, buying the components we wanted. In my small company, I only allow iOS devices - it's just easier to manage one platform and some of my clients have banned Android devices in their offices (I didn't ask). My business partner "hates" the iPhone 5 I gave him - he had a VZW GNex but it died, but I give him a hard time that he hasn't returned my iPhone 5 after 5 months... He plays guitar, and that's how it started - he had to rewire several devices that had the two "RR" rings "reversed" as he put it, so we've built a few sets of speakers and a few breakout boxes with several different inputs. We know we don't need the mic ring, but it was easier to buy "20 of something" rather than "1 of this, 4 of that, 3 of another one..."Maybe I am confused. What are Apple-specific speakers? A 3.5mm stereo plug, no matter who makes it, is compatible with all Apple devices.
Either way, if it works it works. These converters are often finicky and work or don't work in the strangest combinations.
After reading about grounding issues that occur when converters that "convert" from TRRS to TS or TRS, and since I'm the boss - one Apple-specific converter type is it. One animal works with our Macs, iPads, and iPhones. The components were ordered from Amazon, and some of the work was done by a friend of mine who's an EE whose company builds wiring harnesses and circuit boards. And, yeah, he's finicky too...
Fair enough. Sounds like a cool company. Any chance you need to hire an in-house IP attorney? I'll bring my own Apple stuff.
Also worth noting, for your future reference, China has yet a 3rd 3.5mm jack standard. Watch out for that, because headsets/speakers with the mic/button cable designed for China will not work with US devices.