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No Dolby 5.1 support with Xbone optical port (surround headphone users beware!)
- Thread starter netBuff
- Start date
Boaty McBoatface
Member
If this is true then it is a problem for AV setups (well cheap ones anyway), as I use a DVD 5.1 receiver which has optical in, but it only decodes DD 5.1, not DTS.
If you have a proper receiver with multiple HDMI's and Optical in's then it isn't a problem.
If you have a proper receiver with multiple HDMI's and Optical in's then it isn't a problem.
This had me laugh out loud, and it's going to be 4am over here.
It's certainly a problem for setups like mine that are mainly geared for headphone use (as I prefer it).
Wait, what? I'm at work so I can not read everything due to time constraints, but does this mean i can still output surround sound through optical if my receiver supports dts? (is there a difference to dts digital?)
I got this one:
http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers/yamaha-rx-v750/4507-6466_7-30825256.html
Will I be able to hear surround sound through the optical out?
Edit: If not this would be horrible, horrible news. I'd rather play in 480p with surround sound than anything else...
I got this one:
http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers/yamaha-rx-v750/4507-6466_7-30825256.html
Will I be able to hear surround sound through the optical out?
Edit: If not this would be horrible, horrible news. I'd rather play in 480p with surround sound than anything else...
Terbinator
Member
But why? I don't see any reason to assume this is the case, when really, the most reasonable one is MS either overlooking it for cost reasons or just overlooked it entirely.
Yes.
Kotaku said that XB1 doesnt pass 5.1 to your receiver... but this was for TV stuff?
Daffy Duck
Member
This is from the Eurogamer hardware test:
So does that confirm no 5.1/7.1 from the Optical out?
So does that confirm no 5.1/7.1 from the Optical out?
MikeHattsu
Member
This is even worse. It doesn't mention any Dolby support at all.
Terbinator
Member
Well it confirms DTS 5.1 out, not DD.
Maybe, but the chances of your HDMI enabled receiver not supporting DTS is extremely slim.
What it does do is kill off any DD 5.1 receivers, though.
MikeHattsu
Member
Yeah, it doesn't affect me personally, but it's worse for the people who were hoping for DD 5.1 through HDMI -> TV -> Optical if it's true.
And there's a much slimmer chance of it getting patched in. Because if they don't support DD on HDMI then they might not have bought the licensing at all.
The Kotaku article seems to suggest that the HDMI supports DD though, so I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Yeah, if it is intentionally forever limited to stereo audio because of the HDMI in, this makes the optical port essentially useless.
Not really, it just says that a DTS stream is output, it could still be 2ch.
You can read the HDCP Licence agreement here. It states that the legacy digital audio port cannot output more than CD quality (2ch).
Terbinator
Member
I'm going to be using it to transport audio to my MixAmp as i play on a Dell U2711. Stereo sound is better than no sound.
Terbinator
Member
Okay then, i will be very surprised if it isn't DTS surround as you may as well just leave it to 2 channel PCM rather than support DTS for the sake of 2 channels.
But i'm still not sure what that would have to do with content not protected by HDCP - such as the games.
MikeHattsu
Member
Um. That section of the document is about the DVD-Audio format. And the DTS format is not the same as the Linear PCM or Packed PCM format anyway.
Travis Touchdown
Member
Really? That's bad.
OT: I have a mixamp pro 2013, what audio settings should I use on ps4?
OT: I have a mixamp pro 2013, what audio settings should I use on ps4?
Terbinator
Member
DD 5.1
Wolfgunblood Garopa
Member
It really is.
I haven't been to an electronics big box store in a year, but I remember surround sound headphones that use optical in were all over the store. A year later and all of those headphones don't work?
Daffy Duck
Member
Doesn't the Astro Mixamp take care of the 7.1 stuff?
Z_Y
Member
I think this is a dealbreaker for me and it is a shame because I was just getting hyped up about the XB1 (mainly for the TV stuff) and was likely going to keep my pre-order.
I mentioned this concern in the launch thread but here is my problem:
I have an older Onkyo AV receiver that supports DD and DTS and all that but it does not have HDMI inputs/output. Basically for my DirecTV box (and every other device except the WiiU) I run an optical cable to my receiver and the HDMI output to my TV. The DirecTV only spits out a DD signal. I can't be the only one here who has a setup like this, right?
My plan was to run the HDMI from the DirecTV box to the XB1 and then run an optical output from the XB1 to my Onkyo receiver and the HDMI output from the Xb1 to my TV. Now this news makes it sound as if the XB1 will only be spitting out a 2.0 stereo signal from the optical port. Therefore, no DD when I'm watching TV anymore. This is just unacceptable. My Onkyo receiver isn't that old by AV receiver standards. I don't think I want an XB1 bad enough to upgrade my receiver and I really can't go back to 2.0 now. Damn shame.
I mentioned this concern in the launch thread but here is my problem:
I have an older Onkyo AV receiver that supports DD and DTS and all that but it does not have HDMI inputs/output. Basically for my DirecTV box (and every other device except the WiiU) I run an optical cable to my receiver and the HDMI output to my TV. The DirecTV only spits out a DD signal. I can't be the only one here who has a setup like this, right?
My plan was to run the HDMI from the DirecTV box to the XB1 and then run an optical output from the XB1 to my Onkyo receiver and the HDMI output from the Xb1 to my TV. Now this news makes it sound as if the XB1 will only be spitting out a 2.0 stereo signal from the optical port. Therefore, no DD when I'm watching TV anymore. This is just unacceptable. My Onkyo receiver isn't that old by AV receiver standards. I don't think I want an XB1 bad enough to upgrade my receiver and I really can't go back to 2.0 now. Damn shame.
Lighthouse
Member
Extremely disappointed in this news. I just bought an astro mixamp specifically for the xbone and ps4. On the astro gaming site they state their mixamp will work with both the xbone and ps4.
Here are the descriptions:
Xbox One Compatibility
Our headsets will all deliver Dolby® Digital GAME AUDIO on the Xbox One, just like they do for the Xbox 360.
PS4 Compatibility
ASTRO headsets are fully compatible with PS4 once the Firmware 1.50 update has been applied to the console. Our headsets will deliver Dolby® Digital 5.1 and 7.1 game audio and full voice chat functionality over the PlayStation Network.
Notice the difference?
Ya, even though the xbox one description states it will work "just like they do for the xbox 360", they only mention Dolby® Digital and not Dolby® Digital 5.1 and 7.1 like the ps4 description does.
This leads me to believe astro knew that dolby surround would not work through their mixamp on the xbox one but worded it in a way that would deceive many potential customers, including myself.
Microsoft needs to come out and tell us if dolby digital through the optic port will be enabled in the future or not, straight up.
This is some bullshit.
Here are the descriptions:
Xbox One Compatibility
Our headsets will all deliver Dolby® Digital GAME AUDIO on the Xbox One, just like they do for the Xbox 360.
PS4 Compatibility
ASTRO headsets are fully compatible with PS4 once the Firmware 1.50 update has been applied to the console. Our headsets will deliver Dolby® Digital 5.1 and 7.1 game audio and full voice chat functionality over the PlayStation Network.
Notice the difference?
Ya, even though the xbox one description states it will work "just like they do for the xbox 360", they only mention Dolby® Digital and not Dolby® Digital 5.1 and 7.1 like the ps4 description does.
This leads me to believe astro knew that dolby surround would not work through their mixamp on the xbox one but worded it in a way that would deceive many potential customers, including myself.
Microsoft needs to come out and tell us if dolby digital through the optic port will be enabled in the future or not, straight up.
This is some bullshit.
Daffy Duck
Member
I shouldn't imagine it will sadly.
They will push you to get the new 2014 range of headsets from Astro/Turtle Beach.
I fully expect the 2014 range of Astro headsets/mixams to support DTS for the surround sound.
It's a very bitter bit of news that's for sure.
They will push you to get the new 2014 range of headsets from Astro/Turtle Beach.
I fully expect the 2014 range of Astro headsets/mixams to support DTS for the surround sound.
It's a very bitter bit of news that's for sure.
Daffy Duck
Member
I tweeted Major Nelson, Acey Bongos about it this morning and I've heard nothing.
Exactly what I expect to hear about this.
Exactly what I expect to hear about this.
GANGSTERKILLER
Member
What? This is a huge dealbreaker...
I have a Onkyo receiver that supports all the latest lossless audio formats but also introduce input lag when I connect my consoles trough it via HDMI.
And this is the only way you can get 5.1 surround on the Wii U, this console doesn't even have a optical out input (lol Nintendo).
I only connect my PS3 through HDMI > receiver when I want to watch a Blu-ray movie so I can listen to Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio or PCM formats.
HDMI out on console > TV > optical out on console > receiver. I'm totally fine with only Dolby Digital/DTS in my games. Fuck input lag.
I have a Onkyo receiver that supports all the latest lossless audio formats but also introduce input lag when I connect my consoles trough it via HDMI.
And this is the only way you can get 5.1 surround on the Wii U, this console doesn't even have a optical out input (lol Nintendo).
I only connect my PS3 through HDMI > receiver when I want to watch a Blu-ray movie so I can listen to Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio or PCM formats.
HDMI out on console > TV > optical out on console > receiver. I'm totally fine with only Dolby Digital/DTS in my games. Fuck input lag.
ActiveRush
Member
I'm extremely confused about the specifics of this news. My setup is a pair of Sennheiser HD 598 headphones paired with an astro mixamp. I'm only using this setup for gaming on the Xbox One. What does this mean for me?
MikeHattsu
Member
If your receiver supports DTS then it should work fine for you.
Daffy Duck
Member
So if I get a receiver that supports DTS, I then connect it up that(HDMI ->Receiver ->HDMI TV, Optical Out -> Mixamp) way on the optical out from the receiver and get my surround sound back on my A40's?
MikeHattsu
Member
No. HDMI out on console > TV + optical out on console > DTS receiver works. No A40's or mixamp in the mix.
Lighthouse
Member
It means you are limited to stereo sound.
Xbox one supports dolby audio 2.0, basically stereo. Ps4 supports dolby 5.1 and 7.1, see my previous post above.
I want a godamn reason why this is the case and if we can ever hope for a fix.
Z_Y
Member
But what about TV passthrough with the audio output via optical? Fuck it, I'm drawing a picture:
This is how my set-up would be. It sounds as if I will not be getting the DD 5.1 output from my DirecTV receiver if this news is true.
Then there is this quote from the article:
That reads to me like even HDMI audio passthrough is downmixed to 2.0. Man...this unacceptable out of the gate. What kind of media box/all-in-one device would do this? i really wish Major Nelson would comment on this.
But what about TV passthrough with the audio output via optical? Fuck it, I'm drawing a picture:
This is how my set-up would be. It sounds as if I will not be getting the DD 5.1 output from my DirecTV receiver if this news is true.
Wouldn't you want to feed the X1 through your AMP and then to the TV ?
If they downmix HDMI audio to stereo that would be pretty sad/funny
BrickArmour
Member
Wait, is this only for passthrough on the XBO or does game audio on the optical port come out in stereo as well?
Z_Y
Member
Not sure what you're asking. My amp doesn't have HDMI switching. I have to hook it up this way.
the way i am reading it, I think it is both. I think we have two separate issues here.
Alcoholikaust
Member
yes Microsoft, win me back by not allowing me to use my nice headset with your console.
this is getting ridiculous
this is getting ridiculous
a) wtf happened to Dolby? I mean that shit was standard for like 20+ years, and now with blu-ray all of the sudden everything is DTS.. Kudos to DTS I guess.
b) wow.. xbone not supporting Dolby 5.1 out of optical is sort of baffling. Not sure it will bone more AVR users than the Wii U situation, but yeah almost everyone with surround headphones is kind of screwed.
b) wow.. xbone not supporting Dolby 5.1 out of optical is sort of baffling. Not sure it will bone more AVR users than the Wii U situation, but yeah almost everyone with surround headphones is kind of screwed.
This is for all audio, including game audio. With the HDCP restriction posted early (due to HDMI in) it also seems likely that DTS may be limited to stereo only as well.
Ok, but do both support Dolby Headphones? It's a great feature to down mix 5.1/7.1 surround sound to a stereo headphone