3.5mm input output box with IR volume control?

[skepticalme]

Is there such a thing as a box with a 3.5mm input and 3.5mm output with IR volume control?

I have a really great HDMI switch with 3.5mm Audio out to speakers (2.1) that have no IR remote to control the sound level.

I could run the 3.5mm out from the TV into the speakers and control the volume level with the TV/ATV remote (as I have been doing for a few years) but the sound quality is terrible from the TV output. However, the sound quality from the HDMI switch output is fantastic.

This is my dilemma 😀

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Ralston18]

Google:

"IR Volume Control kit". Or similar words and phrasing.

Quite a number of links appeared.

E.g.

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Repeater-Control-Extender-Emitter/dp/B07CHTZ7NK/ref=asc_df_B07CHTZ7NK/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241935719665&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5772325947767015607&hvpone=&hvptw

DIY projects as well.

https://www.element14.com/community/thread/16510/l/rookie-project-inline-irbluetooth-volume-knob?displayFullThread=true

https://www.ebay.com/itm/DIY-kit-Remote-volume-control-kit-Aluminum-remote-control-/122101094907

Lots of options available.

 

[skepticalme]

I will do that, thanks for that. I did do a brief search on Amazon and eBay and here but the search terms I was using probably let me down. Thank you very much.

 

[skepticalme]

I just looked at those solutions ...

I'm not sure if they are the type of thing I'm after.

I have an HDMI switch with a 3.5mm Audio Out to some Logitech 200watt 2.1 Speakers that has no IR functionality to control audio levels.

So I'm after some type of box with 3.5mm audio in and 3.5mm audio out with IR and a remote control with up, down, and mute.

What I think those units do is IR extending, that's not what I need, my speakers have no IR to extend.

Also, the HDMI switch has no volume control either. The IR and remote on it just switches between the HMDI ports.

I THINK one of those links describes what I need but as you point out they're DIY, I've never used a solder in my life lol ... I'd probably screw it up knowing myself.

 

[skepticalme]

I think this will work with RCA to 3.5mm cables https://www.amazon.com/MCM-CUSTOM-50-8394-CONTROL-IR/dp/B01CX82KH2

 

[Ralston18]

May be worth a try.

However, if you can, just wait awhile. There are some really good audio folks around here and your post is likely in the best category to get a few reads.

They may be able to identify other products that will make it all work.

As for DIY - may not be as difficult as you think. Caveat being that some viable solution is found. Joining/splicing wires is one thing; soldering a circuit board is another....

 

[skepticalme]

Yeah, I'll wait for the best option.

I just had another look on ebay ... and found this and I realized that the HDMI switch also has a Toslink out as well. This box (with IR volume control) has a Toslink input and a RCA and 3.5mm output. And it's super cheap ...

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Digital-to-Analog-Audio-DAC-Converter-with-IR-Remote-L-R-RCA-3-5mm-Audio-Adapter/183429506374?_mwBanner=1&ul_ref=https%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F0%2F0%2F0%3Fmpre%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com.au%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F183429506374%26rvr_id%3D0%26rvr_ts%3D842651a71670a866b2e1d35dffcf99c2&ul_noapp=true&pageci=ba6ac33f-4926-404f-b5e5-d2ad2eefbb14

 

[Ralston18]

Not seeing the HDMI ….?

The power connector has the appearance of an HDMI port.

I may not be looking at the correct device.

And be very wary of "super cheap".

 

[skepticalme]

That's interesting, I just had another look at it, according to the listing it's USB powered. That's a micro usb input.

I guess you'd have to plug it into a powered usb port on a power socket or a usb port on the tv.

Yes, you're perfectly correct. Cheap means cheap. It's probably garbage. But if I purchased it just to test it, at least it's not going to be a great $ loss.

 

[Ralston18]

Good catch: I tend to be cautious about USB powered devices. The computer is likely to be limited with respect to any given USB load.

Hence the need for separate USB power sources.

The TV might be viable but I would avoid doing so.

Reason: I tend to be equally cautious about any "loops" that may be created. I.e., some circle of electrical connectivity between pc, TV, switch....

May end up with some audio ground loop. Or worse if some electrical problem arises....

Reference:

https://www.thebroadcastbridge.com/content/entry/11485/getting-rid-of-audio-ground-loops

Easy to find other information on the matter and perhaps some of the audio folks will chime in with additional information and ideas. Fine with me.

 

[skepticalme]

Ahh, yeah. I looked at the article. Something like that is what occurred when recording tracks in my old band years ago. I remember the guy who did the recordings briefly mention what was occurring with the "humming" we could hear.

I'll keep on reading and searching, thanks 🙂

 

[skepticalme]

You're not going to believe this, however, I purchased that cheap chinese audio converter with the volume remote. It's usb powered.

So it arrived today, I plugged it into a power socket with a usb plug. Plugged the toslink into HDMI Switch from the audio converter, and (i didn't realize the speakers had them) plugged the RCA cable from the converter to the 2.1

I honestly couldn't ask for better. I now have far better audio quality that I can control with a small remote that includes a mute button. Cheap, this time, worked out well.

 

[Ralston18]

Just for the record post the make and model of the audio converter.

Not to plug it per se but to help others out and to perhaps get a "heads up" regarding possible problems later on.....

 

[skepticalme]

So the great news is, rather than having to purchase a new stereo system to work with my new HDMI switch (the TV's sound is just horrid) I found this generic Audio Converter with Audio Level Control.

Toslink out (from the HDMI switch) to the Audio Converter and then RCA out (from the Audio Converter) to the 2.1 speakers costing me $24AUD for the unit plus extra cable. Less that $20 USD. I found it on eBay. Here is an album of screenshots of the unit https://m.imgur.com/a/PMVOGEb

 

[skepticalme]

@Ralston18 , why don't quote my answer so I can select it as the solution saving others having to scroll down the page?

 

[Ralston18]

Better yet - I selected your info/suggestion as BA. More appropriate.

 

[skepticalme]

Awesome, I thought only the op could do that.

Great, I hope someone finds it useful.

Btw there's no humming, hissing, crackling or anything of the sort. I wasn't expecting much but it does the trick. it's great considering how cheap it is.