Optical Port For Headphones

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1stTimePCguy

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#284643 7-May-2021 00:56

Hi all,

I'm relatively new to PC building etc. having been a PS fan for a long time. Recently I just upgraded my motheboard and CPU, but managed to find a new board than what I was using, that doesn't take an optical input/output (IDK what it's technically classified as), which is what I need for my headphones to work. For reference the headphones I am using have a USB with a little cable coming off it that goes into an optical plug, both need to be plugged in for them to work. Please help, I am looking for something that doesn't break the bank as my new components were pretty much bordeline the end of my current budget.

Any help is greatly appreciated :)

jarledb

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#2703118 7-May-2021 02:15

Which headphones are you using? Sounds like a strange setup to me, but being able to have a look at them might help me understand the setup.

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1stTimePCguy

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Wannabe Geek

#2703154 7-May-2021 08:14

I'm using the razer thresher 7.1, wireless headphones. I originally had them for my PS4, but then when I got my pc I wanted to see if I could continue to use them, which I originally could. I've attached a photo of what the dongle looks like.

1stTimePCguy

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Wannabe Geek

#2703155 7-May-2021 08:16

Sorry I'm not sure how to use the image upload option, I'll try again.

xpd

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#2703157 7-May-2021 08:22

You probably don't need the optical part for PC use.

Do they work with just the USB plugged into your PC ?

I have Logitech 933's which only use USB, and I get 7.1 etc.

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timmmay

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#2703158 7-May-2021 08:27

The website says it's compatible with PC. Have a read of the instructions that come with it. Looks to me it should work with just the 3.5mm plug.

1stTimePCguy

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Wannabe Geek

#2703159 7-May-2021 08:28

I must admit I have never tried without, but I feel like they won't, just from a sneaking suspicion, as the optical cable plugs directly into the usb dongle.

networkn

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#2703164 7-May-2021 08:39

You won't need the optical for PC. I imagine, plug that dongle into the PC into USB and the headphones will work. That is how 95% of wireless headphones work if they aren't BT

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robjg63

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#2703169 7-May-2021 08:44

The USB stick looks like the transmitter for the wireless headphones. Powered by USB and most likely able to route the audio from the PC via the USB port on the PC.

The optical part would just be an adapter (if connected) to allow optical audio (from a TV/Amplifier or whatever) to go into the USB stick and be converted and transmitted to the headphones.

As above, you probably just dont need to use the optical cable.

Posting a model number for that USB dongle might help a little if you are still unsure.

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networkn

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#2703170 7-May-2021 08:46

Not sure where you work, but if you want to test it, and your employer doesn't mind. Take the USB and headphones to work and plug it in and see if it works, assuming you don't have a laptop or other suitable PC to plug into somewhere residential.

1stTimePCguy

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#2703172 7-May-2021 08:50

Awesome, thanks so much guys, I will give it a go, but from the sounds of it I should be fine. Cheers

SomeoneSomewhere

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#2704000 9-May-2021 14:55

You might need to install the right drivers to use it directly over USB.

freitasm

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#2704083 9-May-2021 16:02

SomeoneSomewhere:

You might need to install the right drivers to use it directly over USB.

Most wireless headphones will either use Bluetooth or a proprietary USB dongle like this one. The dongles will work on Windows 10 without any special drivers (but if supplied, better).

Being "wireless" is exactly that - no need to plug the optical cable.