Yesterday I was watching a game at my local Applebees. I would have loved to be able to hear the audio. Same for when I watch cable news in the cafeteria at work. So why won't bars and restaurants install a bluetooth transmitter so that patrons can bring their own headsets to hear audio? Are there any technical issues to prevent it?

 

Coffee will cost extra.

 

I'd gladly pay.

 

Yesterday I was watching a game at my local Applebees. I would have loved to be able to hear the audio. Same for when I watch cable news in the cafeteria at work. So why won't bars and restaurants install a bluetooth transmitter so that patrons can bring their own headsets to hear audio? Are there any technical issues to prevent it?

That's not a bad idea... some of us don't care what's on TV, and want some peace and quiet at a restaurant. So your proposal would most likely make everybody happy. I guess you'd have to submit it to headquaters (or maybe the particular restaurant's administration has some powers to get that done)

 

Yesterday I was watching a game at my local Applebees. I would have loved to be able to hear the audio. Same for when I watch cable news in the cafeteria at work. So why won't bars and restaurants install a bluetooth transmitter so that patrons can bring their own headsets to hear audio? Are there any technical issues to prevent it?

As far as I know, bluetooth is a 1:1 protocol, not a one:many.

A better solution would be to use the FM receiver on your Nokia/Microsoft phone.

 

As far as I know, bluetooth is a 1:1 protocol, not a one:many.

A better solution would be to use the FM receiver on your Nokia/Microsoft phone.

And would transmitting a weak FM signal in the restaurant be legal and within the FCC guidelines?

 

And would transmitting a weak FM signal in the restaurant be legal and within the FCC guidelines?

Yes, little line-out or headphone to FM transmitters have been available for years. That way you could listen to your iPod on your car radio.

Also, a local radio station usually carries local sporting events (even if on TV). I always found the radio guys to be much more descriptive than the TV guy anyhow.

 

That's not a bad idea... some of us don't care what's on TV, and want some peace and quiet at a restaurant. So your proposal would most likely make everybody happy. I guess you'd have to submit it to headquaters (or maybe the particular restaurant's administration has some powers to get that done)

I'll do that, once I satisfy myself there are no show-stopping technical issues. BTW, Blutooth can connect 7 devices per transmitter, so about 20 transmitters would be required for a medium size restaurant. That might put the kibosh on the whole idea. Maybe we should think about wi-fi instead.

 

I'll do that, once I satisfy myself there are no show-stopping technical issues. BTW, Blutooth can connect 7 devices per transmitter, so about 20 transmitters would be required for a medium size restaurant. That might put the kibosh on the whole idea. Maybe we should think about wi-fi instead.

But Gopher's right, maybe his idea's simpler. Most phones have an FM receiver built in them nowadays, and that would allow you to use either wired or wireless headphones for this application.

 

But Gopher's right, maybe his idea's simpler. Most phones have an FM receiver built in them nowadays, and that would allow you to use either wired or wireless headphones for this application.

Most phones have the receiver chip but iPhone and Samsung phones have not enabled it. iPhone does not even connect the FM enable pins on the multifunction receiver chip.

I believe the lumia phones are the only ones that have it enabled and come with an app that lets you use it (with headphones plugged in as antenna.

 

But Gopher's right, maybe his idea's simpler. Most phones have an FM receiver built in them nowadays, and that would allow you to use either wired or wireless headphones for this application.

The little line out transmitter Gopher was writing about is good for two to three feet. Pumping out power to cover a medium to large restaurant might run afoul of FCC regs. I understand that the FCC has already forced some FM re-transmitters off the market. In any case, management would have ot worry about interference with local broadcast programming.

 

I'll do that, once I satisfy myself there are no show-stopping technical issues. BTW, Blutooth can connect 7 devices per transmitter, so about 20 transmitters would be required for a medium size restaurant.

I would consider 140 people a big restaurant! And when you factor in how few would want to be on bluetooth - 1 in 10? - that would be an enormous restaurant. But as a practical matter, maybe things wouldn't work so well with so many simultaneous users.

 

Most phones have the receiver chip but iPhone and Samsung phones have not enabled it. iPhone does not even connect the FM enable pins on the multifunction receiver chip.

I believe the lumia phones are the only ones that have it enabled and come with an app that lets you use it (with headphones plugged in as antenna.

My Samsung Galaxy 5 has the FM radio enabled.

As far as audio broadcast, Wifi + an app would be a far better solution.

 

Wi-fi is a good solution. I thought about BT because of the number of self contained headsets on the market.

 

My Samsung Galaxy 5 has the FM radio enabled.

As far as audio broadcast, Wifi + an app would be a far better solution.

Umm, when we were given Galaxy 3 at work, we were told that Samsung dropped support for the Fm receiver and Galaxy 2 would be the last to offer it.

 

Umm, when we were given Galaxy 3 at work, we were told that Samsung dropped support for the Fm receiver and Galaxy 2 would be the last to offer it.

You've been lied to.

 

You've been lied to.

My Samsung A3 has an enabled FM receiver too... works perfectly

 

The health club where I used to go had several TVs on the wall and they would transmit FM.