Here's one for the weirdos... (like myself)

[HiggityHank]

Alright, I'm not gonna make this out like it's a project because I'm a genius, or because I'm really that bored... it's a project because I'm sick of my lousy TV and it's lousy speaker... but I'm far too poor to purchase a new one.

Basically, what I want to do is make some manner of RCA out on the TV to my reciever, so that I can get some decent sound out of my 15+ year old Sylvania 20" TV. (complete with 1 speaker)

Now my thoughts on the matter lead me to believe that I can tap the lines off the internal speaker and run the RCA's that way... and just get some decent Mono signal. Running the volume on the TV low enough should produce a small enough signal as to not bug my reciever too much, and then I can just tweak the volume on the reciever to adjust the TV. (which already works for my computer setup)

Any thoughts on this? Will it work? Am I seriously wasting my time thinking crap like this up? (well... of course not...)

Would I need anything other than a female RCA jack and a Y? (and some time to split open the TV, tinker with it's guts, and put it back together)

Thanks in advance.

[Richard C]

Ideally try to find the input to the built-in amp and take the audio from there.

If you use the speaker feed it might be worth attenuating the output: connect a 100 Ohm pot across the speaker wires and take the signal off the centre pin of the pot. Adjust the pot for the most useable output level.

[HiggityHank]

Having not actually torn into the TV yet, I'm curious as to how I might find the input to the amp. I guess that's just one of the things I'll need to look at.

As for the 100ohm pot, could you go into a bit more detail as to how that would wire up... I'm assuming by your desc that it's a 3 pin dealy... but I don't quite get how I get 2 wires out of 3 pins. (it's been quite a while since I've done electronics... about 10 years, so I know the parts you're talking about... sorta... just not all the wiring I might require)

[bobcat190]

*LOL*

I have a 15 year old Sylvania i've been wanting to do the same thing to. I even posted the same thread along time ago. my tv has a/v inputs but no outputs. i was going to hookup to the audio out from the speakers with a headphone hookup.

Some weirdo.

[SY]

If you do this, make sure that you use an isolation transformer between the TV and the power socket or that your TV isolates its chassis with a power transformer. Some TVs have a chassis which is "hot." This can be a dangerous project unless you know exactly what you're doing.

[mrfeedback]

Hank,
Your TV may very well have a LIVE CHASSIS !!!!! if it does not have signal or speaker input or ouput connectors.
If your TV is live chassis and you connect the internal speaker wiring to an external device you may risk ELECTROCUTION!!!!.
One way to determine this is to measure continuity from the shield of the antenna input socket to either connection of the internal speaker.
If this connection is continuous you should be ok.
If the shield of the antenna connector is DC isolated from the circuitry of the set, your chassis is live and your idea is unsafe (deadly).
A safer and better method is to take line level audio from a VCR.

Eric.

[HiggityHank]

A little electrocution never hurt any.... oh... wait...

Well, I'm still going to give it a look, but thanks for the heads up guys. If she turns out to be live, I'll just scrap the plan, and start looking for another TV in my price range (free)

I'd use the VCR plan, but I don't have, nor want one.

Think I'ma head downstairs with the TV now... if you hear some zapping noises, well... I guess you were right (dont' worry folks... I'll be careful)

Thanks for the help.