Can I use USB to audio on my TV?
What does USB to audio mean?
USB to audio refers to using a USB port on a TV to output audio to external speakers or an audio system. This allows you to bypass the built-in TV speakers and route the audio through USB instead. There are a few reasons why someone might want to do this:
Better audio quality – TV speakers are small and limited in sound reproduction. Using dedicated external speakers or an audio system through USB can provide much better audio quality and volume.
Surround sound – TVs often only have basic stereo speakers. USB audio allows you to connect a surround sound system for a more immersive experience.
More control – External audio systems may provide more adjustable settings, audio modes, equalizer controls, etc. This allows you to customize the audio to your preferences.
Convenience – Using existing speakers/audio system rather than the TV’s built-in speakers means fewer components and cables to deal with.
In summary, USB to audio refers to routing a TV’s audio output through its USB port to take advantage of higher quality audio reproduction from external devices.
Check your TV’s USB ports
The first step is to locate the USB ports on your TV. Many modern TVs have USB ports, often on the side or back of the unit. Check your TV’s manual to identify where the ports are.
Once you’ve found the USB ports, you’ll want to confirm they are USB 2.0 or higher, not the older USB 1.0 standard. USB 2.0 ports have a maximum transfer rate of 480 Mbps, while USB 1.0 is limited to just 12 Mbps, which is too slow for quality audio output [1]. Look for a “USB 2.0” or “Hi-Speed USB” label by the ports.
Additionally, verify the USB ports you want to use for audio are not already occupied. Many TVs use USB ports for firmware updates, steaming devices, or other functions. You’ll get the best audio performance from a USB port dedicated to audio output.
Supported audio formats
Most TVs can play common audio formats like MP3, WAV, and FLAC files via USB. According to Samsung, their Smart TVs support the following audio formats from a USB device:
- MP3 – MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3 (.mp3)
- WAV – Waveform Audio Format (.wav)
- OGG – Ogg Vorbis (.ogg)
- WMA – Windows Media Audio (.wma)
- FLAC – Free Lossless Audio Codec (.flac)
Less common formats like Apple Lossless, AIFF, DSD, and Dolby formats may not be supported. Check your specific TV model’s manual to see the exact list of supported USB audio formats before purchasing music or ripping your CDs.
Cables and adapters
To connect your USB device to your TV’s USB port for audio output, you may need a specific cable or adapter depending on the ports available.
If your USB device has a standard USB A port and your TV has a USB B port, you will need a USB A to USB B cable to connect between them. This is a rectangular USB cable with different connectors on each end. Make sure to get one that is long enough to comfortably reach from your USB device to the TV.
Alternatively, if your TV only has a 3.5mm audio output jack, you can use a USB to 3.5mm audio adapter. This allows you to plug the USB from your device into the adapter, and then connect the 3.5mm jack into the TV’s audio output port. When shopping for a USB to 3.5mm adapter, look for one that specifically mentions compatibility with audio output to avoid issues.
Having the proper cables and adapters is essential for connecting your USB device to your TV for audio playback. Be sure to check the ports available on both devices before purchasing cables to ensure you get the right fit.
Connecting speakers
When connecting speakers to a TV’s USB audio output, you have two main options – passive speakers or powered speakers. Passive speakers require a separate amplifier to power them, while powered speakers have a built-in amplifier. There are pros and cons to each approach:
Passive speakers paired with a separate amplifier generally provide higher sound quality and allow more flexibility in setup and future upgrades. However, they require additional equipment and setup. Powered speakers offer an all-in-one solution without the need for a separate amplifier, but may be limited in overall sound quality and upgradability compared to a passive setup.
If using passive speakers, be sure to match the impedance and wattage capabilities of the speakers with the amplifier’s specifications. For example, an amplifier rated for 6 ohms impedance shouldn’t be paired with 8 ohm speakers. Connecting mismatched equipment can potentially damage the amp or speakers.
Powered speakers designed for computer or multimedia use are a good match for connecting directly to a TV’s USB port. Look for powered speakers with built-in USB inputs for the easiest connections. Some may also include optical or 3.5mm inputs as alternative connection options to USB. The USB audio output from the TV provides the amplification, so impedance matching is not a concern.
Sources:
https://www.whathifi.com/advice/active-vs-passive-speakers-whats-the-difference-which-is-better
https://www.reddit.com/r/audiophile/comments/14ytb4y/passive_vs_active_speakers/
TV Settings
To enable USB audio output on your TV, you’ll need to access the audio settings and change the default audio output. According to Sony’s support article, How to enable USB audio, you can follow these steps:
1. Open the Audio settings on your TV. The menu path may vary by TV brand and model. Look for options like “Sound” or “Audio.”
2. Find the setting related to audio output. There may be an option to specifically enable “USB Audio Device” or change the “Audio Out” setting.
3. Select the USB audio output option. The TV should now route audio through the USB port to your connected speaker or headphone.
You can then adjust the volume and other audio controls as needed for your USB device. The TV remote may be limited in adjusting advanced settings like EQ, so use your USB device controls for full audio customization.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you are unable to get audio when connecting USB devices to your TV, there are some troubleshooting steps you can try:
First, check for any available firmware updates for your TV and install the latest version. Manufacturers often release updates to add support for new audio codecs and fix bugs. For example, see this Sony support article on updating firmware to resolve no audio issues.
Trying different USB cables, especially those capable of high speed data transfer, can sometimes resolve problems. Faulty cables unable to carry enough bandwidth for audio may result in no sound.
Finally, confirm your TV’s supported audio formats by checking the manual. Common formats like MP3 and AAC are usually supported, but less common codecs may not work. If the audio codec or sampling rate of your video files is incompatible, you’ll need to re-encode or convert them to a supported format using a tool like Avidemux.
Audio Quality Considerations
There can be some differences in audio quality when using USB audio versus HDMI audio from a TV. Generally, HDMI is capable of transferring uncompressed multi-channel audio, while USB audio may be compressed or limited to 2 channels depending on the TV.
One consideration is that most TVs have basic digital-to-analog converters (DACs) built in, which may degrade audio quality compared to using a separate high-quality DAC. USB audio from a TV may be compressed or limited to 48kHz sampling rates, while HDMI can transfer uncompressed audio at higher sampling rates resulting in better quality (Source).
Additionally, USB audio has greater latency or lag compared to HDMI audio. This lag means the audio and video can get out of sync, which is especially problematic for gaming or video playback. HDMI keeps everything in sync and has very low latency.
For the best audio quality, using the HDMI output from a TV into a dedicated AV receiver or DAC is recommended over USB audio. However, USB audio can still work well for casual listening and occasions when an HDMI connection is not available.
Latency Issues
One common problem when using USB audio on a TV is latency or lag between the video and audio. This can cause lip sync issues where the sound doesn’t match up with the speaker’s mouth movements. There are a few potential causes of this audio lag:
Audio sync problems can occur because of the extra processing the TV has to do to decode and output the audio from the USB source. According to one Reddit user, “When you play straight from a USB the TV needs to do that conversion itself using its own software. Sometimes, for certain video formats, it can cause a delay.”[1]
There can also be lag when connecting Bluetooth speakers to a TV’s USB port. The wireless Bluetooth connection introduces a small delay in transmitting the audio signal. One solution is to use wired USB or optical speakers to avoid this wireless lag.
For gaming, enabling game mode on your TV may help reduce audio delay by turning off unnecessary video processing. Some TVs also have an audio offset setting specifically to align game audio and video by adding a slight delay to the video signal.
Alternatives to USB Audio
While USB audio can provide a convenient way to connect external speakers or headphones to a TV, there are several other audio connection options that may work better in certain situations:
HDMI ARC
HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) allows audio from the TV to be sent over an HDMI cable to an external audio device like a soundbar or AV receiver. This eliminates the need for a separate audio cable. HDMI ARC is only supported on certain HDMI ports on newer TVs and audio devices. It provides higher quality audio than standard RCA or optical connections.
Optical Digital Audio
Optical/TOSLINK is a common digital audio connection that can support 5.1 surround sound. It uses light to transmit audio signals rather than electrical signals, which prevents electrical interference. Optical cables are less prone to signal degradation than analog cables over long distances. Audio quality is often comparable to HDMI ARC.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth allows wireless transmission of audio from the TV to speakers, soundbars, or headphones. Setup is easy with no cables required, but audio quality may suffer compared to wired options. There is often a slight delay in Bluetooth audio as well. Bluetooth range is limited to about 30 feet.
Analog RCA
TVs with RCA or 3.5mm “headphone jack” outputs can connect to powered speakers using analog audio cables. This is the most basic audio connection, and quality depends on the TV’s built-in DAC. There is no delay like Bluetooth, but cables can transmit noise and degrade over long distances. RCA is common on older TVs lacking digital audio ports.