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Topic: How to add Bluetooth transmitter to a Denon AVR-X1200W
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Joined: Oct 28, 2015
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I have a AVR-X1200W and I would like to add a Bluetooth transmitter to it.
I have a good 7.1 speaker system and it works well. I want to add Bluetooth so my wife, who is hard of hearing, can use earbuds or a headset during movies. I want to also continue using the speaker system.

How can I get an audio output from the AVR (other than zone 2) that I can feed into a Bluetooth transmitter so she can use a headset and I can use the speaker system? The Zone2 section is in use for the house so it is not an option.

I also cannot use the headphone jack on the front because it cuts out the speakers.

All of my inputs from Disk, Roku and Blu-Ray Player are HDMI to the AVR. I do not think audio is left on the HDMI cable going to the projector after it is processed.

Please tell me what I need to accomplish this if it is even possibly ... I did ask Denon support - clueless.

Thanks very much.
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Joined: Mar 28, 2005
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The receiver doesn't have any preouts whatsoever. The only way to feed any audio to headphones is to use Zone 2. This is also going to be required because the audio coming into the receiver will be in full surround sound, while the receiver will downmix the surround sound audio to stereo for zone 2.

If you already have zone 2 hooked up to another room, then you are out of options.

This is something I have given a lot of thought to over the years and have come to the conclusion that if people want to do exactly what you want to do, you need to dedicate a second/third zone for this specific purpose. All manufacturers that I've seen do things this way. There is not a single good solution from ANYONE I've seen.

I do strongly suggest that instead of Bluetooth which introduces latency to the audio and isn't really meant for real time video, you should get some wireless headphones.

My in-laws and several family members use the Sennheiser RS-120s.
https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-RS120-Wireless-Headphones-Charging/dp/B0001FTVEK/ref=sr_1_3

I have provided these to many clients as well.

This is very much a 'you can't get here from there' scenario as the ONLY way to preserve surround sound is to let the A/V receiver downmix your audio to the second zone for you and use that feed for the headphones. You can program a universal remote to turn on zone 2 and zone 1 at the same time and track the same source easily.

In my home, I use very expensive downmixing equipment to preserve my surround sound mix as well as give a stereo feed which I can then use for my headphone connections. It would be cheaper for you to buy a new receiver with more zones if that's what you needed to do over what I've chosen to do.
AV Integrated - Theater, whole house audio, and technology consultation during the build and installation process in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
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Joined: Oct 28, 2015
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Thanks very much for the thoughtful reply. I was afraid you would say this.

I don't have the equipment to test but am curious if the AVR output to the projector via HDMI might still have the audio in it. If so, I was thinking I could use a pass through device that will strip out the audio and output it on Blue Tooth.

I found this on Amazon but hate to buy if it is worthless.

My current AVR works like new and has only been in-service about a year so I hate to upgrade to a newer model with the function built in and scrap this one. The problem with using zone2 is that is is simple stereo and I lose all of the surround effect.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JJCZ3WL/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1C41W6V7R1EVA&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BIQER0E/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A2IX3RNQE846HA&psc=1
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You can't use a HDMI audio extractor because it doesn't have any integrated DSP. That is, the audio would need to come into it as 'stereo' to get stereo out for a set of headphones. This is a huge issue because you would lose surround sound.

May I ask why you don't use the Zone 2 output? This really is the best solution as the A/V receiver can process surround sound to stereo for zone 2 while keeping surround sound in the main zone.

You get a RCA level output which you can feed to a proper set of wireless headphones like I linked, or try that Bluetooth transmitter unit which you linked. You may find the audio delay with Bluetooth to be intolerable. But, that's up to you.
AV Integrated - Theater, whole house audio, and technology consultation during the build and installation process in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
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Thank you again for the informed reply. I don't know much about this stuff so your advice is most appreciated.

The Zone2 is being used for whole house distribution of internet radio, easy listening music 24/7.

I can switch it to make it work but will lose the remainder of the home and would have to constantly switch back and forth - that is the only reason.

I was curious if the audio was still on the HDMI cable going to the projector and had thought about the possibility of taking if from there but I think you are telling me this is not practical because it isn't processed for headphones. I had read about delay but these people claim low to zero latency which I suspect is BS marketing to people like me. I would be very unhappy with an audio delay.

I could use the front headphone jack but that kills the speaker system.

Thank you again. Maybe my best option is to try to sell this AVR and move up one notch that has the function built in. I am happy with the unit and only used it about a year - sat in the closet for 2 years while I was building this home. Probably could not get much for it used.
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