Xbox outputting Stereo audio via HDMI/Optic while using Dolby Headset (Plantronics 800LX)

Hello Xbox support,

I've posted this on Reddit already, but after a chat with Xbox support I'm posting this here. The reference from the chat was 1449985394:



I just bought the Plantronics RIG 800LX. I'm pretty happy with it, but yesterday I noticed a major disappointment. When the dongle is connected for the 800LX, the Xbox is outputting in Stereo via the HDMI and/or Optical output. Even when I turn the headset
off the Xbox stays in the same state. Only when I unplug the USB "dongle" for the 800LX the audio settings are automatically reset to normal.

This issue does only occur when using the Windows Sonic or Dolby Atmos option for the headset. I could turn the headset output to stereo, but that's not what I bought the headset for.

The thing is that you don't want to keep walking to your Xbox to plugin/unplug the dongle for your headset. The whole purpose of "wireless" is a bit down the drain like this. And if I leave it in, I won't be able to use the full potential of my 5.1 surround
set when getting stereo input.

Is this a known issue, or do you guys know a workaround? I'm pretty surprised this is happening on a official Xbox headset. I would reckon the Xbox would switch to the default settings automatically when I turn the headset off. Especially since the dongle
switches status (red led) when turning off the headset and could "report" the status.

:)

 

Xbox One Steaming with Gen 3 A50s

I have speaker audio as: HDMI audio - stereo uncompressed; Optical audio - Bitstream out; and Bitstream format - Dolby Digitial. My headset audio is: Headset format - stereo uncompressed.

 

Xbox One and turtle beach

"I like to play games and watch movies with an Astro surround-sound headset, which decodes Dolby 5.1 audio from an optical input cable. However, the Xbox One is currently only able to output stereo and DTS Digital through its optical output. My headphone
receiver can't read DTS Digital, so I have to output in stereo, and my surround headphones turn into regular old headphones. I've been asking Microsoft for the last week if they intend to add Dolby output to the optical audio port in the near future (it's
an option for HDMI output), but haven't gotten a solid answer on whether a fix is coming."

 

Be sure to follow the instruction provided with the headset.

I have a TB elite pro + amp and basically the amp is connected via optical audio. For that one, I've selected Bitstream out > Dolby Digital.

After you have done this, you can also choose to do not stream audio via HDMI as far as I know.

Have you tried reaching out to the Plantronics support about this? It might be a configuration issue.

 

Hello Sanana94,

Yes, I've followed and double checked the instructions provided with the headset. In my case the headset is connected via the USB Dongle, and not via optical/HDMI. The Xbox states that the regular audio output will be adjusted for the headset until it is
turned off/unplugged. So when the headset dongle via USB is connected, the Xbox adjusts the headset output to Dolby Atmos (or Windows Sonic) and optical/HDMI output to Stereo instead of Dolby.

However, my issue is that when I turn the headset off the Xbox still recognizes the USB dongle as a "headset". The dongle itself states with the "red led" that it is disconnected, but does not trigger anything to the Xbox so it "knows" that there is no active
headset. Therefore the Xbox keeps the Stereo audio output via optical/HDMI. Which is not preferred because I like to watch Netflix via the Xbox and I am not always using my headset while gaming.

I haven't contacted Plantronics yet, but since this seems to be a Xbox software issue and it is a official Xbox headset I thought this would be the best place to start.

 

Honestly it seems that the headset is still sending a signal to Xbox. But it can be both sides, you did great reporting it here. Also use your built-in report tool from the console (Hold the xbox button on the controller) and report this issue, it might
help the teams a lot

 

Thank you for your reply's. I'll do an extra report via the tool on the Xbox console.

I also think there still is a signal being sent to the Xbox, but from the Dongle and not from the Headset itself. The dongle seems to "confirm" being disconnected from the headset by turning red, but nothing changes on the Xbox Dashboard. Also, when connecting
the dongle while the Headset is turned off, the Xbox immediately reports "Headset assigned" and the audio settings change.

 

Hello Gaaiz,

The console is still reading it as a headset, due to the USB Dongle is still plugged in to the console, even though the dongle is turned off. As for the Official Xbox headset they are a third party headset not a first party. They are usable on the Xbox but
not an official product of Xbox. Official are the Xbox one chat headset and Xbox one Stereo Headset made by Microsoft. As Sanana stated you could get with the manufacturers and see what options they have for configuration of the headset.

Thanks,

Brad

 

Hello Brad,

I've contacted the Plantronics support and got the reply below. Can you confirm with Microsoft tech support if the 800LX USB Dongle could manage to send a "message" to the Xbox that the headset is disconnected? If so, I can get back in contact with them.
Or maybe it does send a "message" to the Xbox (the led is turning red so..) and the Xbox does not handle the message?

Dear ****,

Thank you for contacting Plantronics Customer Care.

We would like to inform you that our experts have looked into your issue and according to them we cannot change how the xbox manage the different audio sources connected to it. If it requires the USB dongle to be unplugged in order for the Xbox machine
to be able to output surround via HDMI then that is how the Xbox operates, so we cannot change this.

The case number for your reference is 06932171. If you need any further assistance, please let us know.

Kind regards

****

Technical Support

 

Hi there Gaaiz,



Thanks for reaching out. I'm sorry to hear about the issue with the compatibility of the Plantronics 800LX. I did
find some information regarding the headset. Are you using the Plantronics Rig 800LX?
If so,
The Rig 800LX connects wirelessly to both Xbox One and PC via square-shaped USB transmitter and is enabled through the Dolby
Access App on Xbox One.



I recommend taking a look at the following troubleshooting articles:

• Connecting a compatible headset to Xbox One
• Xbox One controller and headset compatibility
• Windows Sonic and Dolby Atmos headset options and help on Xbox One
  

Hope this helps.