I have a Samsung 8 Series 55" LED TV with a digital fiber optic output for a sound bar. There are also HDMI outputs, and there's even a 3.5mm jack. I don't know if it's for headphones or for something else. When I tried a 3.5 stereo jack to two RCA jacks to plug into the back of my stereo all I get is a rapid ticking noise. Whether plugged into the "Video" port or "Phono" port I get the ticking.

An older TV (Sony Bravia) I had RCA to RCA audio output to the stereo and it worked fantastic. The Bravia has developed problems and is being replaced with the 8 series. But the 8 doesn't have RCA out. Instead it has this 3.5mm jack:
View attachment 355758
Top down:
USB-A (0.5A)
USB-A (1.0A)
Digital Audio Out (Optical)
HDMI IN 4 (ARC)
HDMI IN 3
HDMI IN 2
HDMI IN 1
LAN
EX-LINK
ANT IN.

View attachment 355752
It seems EX-LINK is for mostly service technicians. So that seems like it's not a headphones jack. (click below for full size image)
View attachment 355754
For the Digital Audio output:
View attachment 355755
I purchased a converter that supposedly connects to RCA and 3.5mm Phone Jack.
View attachment 355756
Upon connecting this to the fiber optic output (digital audio) and connecting to my stereo via 3.5mm jack, I got the same ticking noise. Wondering if it's the stereo having issues - no. I plugged the stereo back into the Bravia and it works fine. Not the stereo. Tried two different cable sets with the converter. First set was a 3.5mm stereo cable to two RCA jacks. Got the ticking. Then tried the converter with RCA to RCA. Still ticking. (had issues with the converter when unplugging the RCA jacks:
View attachment 355757
One of the jacks pulled out. When I opened the converter I found the RCA jacks were held only by two small SMT solder pads. The unit is being returned because of being defective. It's poor engineering. Those jacks should be mechanically supported, not supported by two measly solder pads. (estimating 2mm x 5mm). Very poor design.

So now I'm still out, trying to figure a way to get audio to my stereo amplifier from the series 8 TV. This is where you guys and gals can help. Having seen the photos, what'cha think?

 

The TV is capable of connecting via bluetooth but the stereo isn't. Thought about getting a BT receiver and plugging that into the stereo. But before I spend any more money and time - I would like some input on this or other possible options. HDMI IN 4 (ARC) might be an option, if I understand ARC to mean Audio Return Channel. https://www.tomsguide.com/us/hdmi-arc-faq,news-26262.html

 

Hello,

There are many optical to 3.5 mm or rca converters:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=optical+to+3.5mm+converter&ref=sr_rib_m_web_qb_llm_defaultffv3_rag_0_2

Bertus

 

I also had a problem with a Toslink optical to analog (RCA) output converter and I though it was a faulty converter (I think is was some sort of ticking sound also).
Turned out to be the setting for the optical output from the TV.
There may be different format options and you need to select the correct one (I think it's PCM).

 

Perhaps it was a setting. Will investigate that.

If I use HDMI IN 4 (ARC) with a converter I will have greater confidence in that. Meanwhile I still continue experimenting with different options.

 

Just checked the EXPERT settings in the audio:
HDMI Audio set to BitStream. The other option is PCM.
Don't yet know what those mean but that's where things are at.
As for the converter with the bad RCA jack, that has already gone back to returns. So I don't have that to mess with. Assumably it has a 3.5mm jack that is still working. It doesn't NEED to be RCA, 3.5mm will work just as well.

 

Is it possible to derive your audio from whatever "set top box" you have?

 

HDMI Audio set to BitStream. The other option is PCM.

Isn't there also a setting for the optical output?
PCM is an uncompressed stereo format, and is the one most likely to work with an optical to analog stereo converter.

 

Isn't there also a setting for the optical output?

Upon connecting this to the fiber optic output (digital audio) and connecting to my stereo via 3.5mm jack, I got the same ticking noise.

Yes, I had to choose which output I wanted. Switched to the optical output. But there was that ticking.

Upon further research it seems I need to switch from "BitStream" audio to "PCM" audio. But now I have to wait for the arrival of the new converter box. And unlike the first converter this time I'm going to try HDMI IN 4 (ARC) instead of Optical Digital.

 

unlike the first converter this time I'm going to try HDMI IN 4 (ARC) instead of Optical Digital.

So you are getting a converter that decodes ARC digital audio?
Note that's different than a converter for HDMI audio.

 

What inputs does your stereo have?

 

RCA Jacks for
Phono
Video
Only other input would be a 1/4" microphone jack for the "Karaoke" input. That would't be suitable because of how much amplification it has. Also, Phono has a high degree of amplification. Video is the only suitable input for the stereo.

Like I said before, it works with the Sony Bravia TV using RCA to RCA cabling. So the issue is not with the amplifier (stereo). I think @crutschow has the right approach; setting the TV to PCM rather than BitStream. Won't know until tomorrow when I get the new converter.

And yes, I plan on trying the HDMI IN 4 (ARC) connection hooked THIS decoder.

 

I plan on trying the HDMI IN 4 (ARC) connection hooked THIS decoder.

Looks like it should work.
Be sure the HDMI cable you use supports the ARC connection (HDMI 1.4 or newer).

 

Hello,

Keep in mind that the phono input may have an RIAA equalization in it:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/RIAA_equalization

Bertus

 

The Phono input has pre-amps before the final amp. It will be much louder and have worse sound. Use the video input because that's looking for something like what drives headphones.

Why are you ditching the Sony Bravia? Didn't you spend like 3 grand on that?

 

The Phono input has pre-amps before the final amp.

Yes, Pete, I know that.

Remember when we were kids and I built that stereo system in my room? Mida stereo receiver amplifier, Bogen mixer and that old Magnavox cabinet with the 12" and 15" woofers, two horn tweeters, two 12" woofers in the ceiling with two 6" midrange and four Peerless Tweeters, one in each corner on the ceiling. Then there was those two 3-way speaker systems adjacent to my drum set.

That was back in the 70's. For eight years I played Rock N Roll drums. What a system. Remember "B" saying she never heard those sounds on her records? She played her records on one of those fold out record players with two fold out speakers. Six woofers, four mid range speakers, two horn tweeters and six dome tweeters. It was the only stereo system where you could listen to rain and feel like you were getting wet.

So yes, I know Phono has preamps. That old Bogen even had inputs for magnetic cartridge inputs.

My dilemma has come with the advent of technology and old age. When I was a 10 year old I could figure all that stuff out. Remember when Aunt "C" brought that console TV to me for repair? Remember the high voltage shock I took to the chin? These days I don't have a hope of understanding how these new fangled flat screens work. ACI; CDC; AFX; AGC and who knows how many other acronyms and what they do. I've figured out that ARC stands for Audio Return Channel, though I don't understand why audio is coming out of a port and it's called a "Return". Later today when the new converter arrives. I'll give it another shot. And mess with the "BitStream" and "PCM" settings. If all that doesn't work I may just go out and buy a sound bar. I've never experienced surround sound in the home. Movie theatre? Yeah, Star Wars. The sound of a jet pack flying up from behind me onto the screen. But you know me. Always have to make what I have in hand work.

 

Back in the 70's I had 16 speakers in my car. Two tweeters by the sun visors, two 6" guitar speakers in the doors, four 6x9 Triaxial speakers. When playing "Funeral for a Friend" you could feel the cold wind with the chiming of the bell. Awesome. But back then I understood audio equipment. Straight forward. An input and an output. With all those speakers crossovers were needed, along with a small amplifier. 25 watt booster. Not a lot, but back then nobody ever heard of those sound systems that rattle cars yards away. I hate those things. Can't hear my own music.

Nuff off topic. I'll let y'all know how things go when I get the new converter.

 

On my TVs all the audio outputs are not affected by the volume control. (RCA jacks and headphone jacks)
Without mute and volume control It did not work for me.

 

PROBLEM SOLVED!

OK, sorry for the shouting. Actually this makes no sense to me but try to follow along:
First I connected the HDMI cable to HDMI ARC. Then other end of the HDMI cable to the "INPUT" port on the converter. Connected power and the audio jumper cable. Nothing! The converter has a mode switch for CH5.0, CH 2 and TV. I tried all settings but nothing worked.

The converter also works with Digital Optical cable. But still nothing going on. Tried all switch configurations. Even tried pulling the plug out for a minute in-between switching the settings. Still nothing. So I went back to the HDMI cable. But this time on the converter I tried plugging the HDMI into the HDMI OUT. That made no sense. But that's when I discovered another indicator light. This light indicated an active signal. With the mode switch set to TV it worked. Seems backwards to me, but it's working. Perhaps it will work for years to come. Perhaps forcing an input into the output might burn something out. Time will tell.

Here's the new problem: The TV remote does not control the stereo. I'll have to look around and see if I can find a universal remote that will operate the Sony stereo. If not - perhaps I can find a remote on line for that model stereo. But that stereo is over 25 years old. Has great sound. But if it goes the way of the Dodo - eh.

 

Does the Samsung have a headphone jack ?