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Some caveats come with Xbox One headset adapter [update]
Not all models of headset will be compatible with the Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter coming out in March. Tritton's Warhead model, as well as the Xbox 360 Wireless Headset and Xbox 360 Wireless Bluetooth Headset are incompatible, as is any headset with the type of dongle you see pictured above. Even if your headset is compatible, however, there are a couple caveats to keep in mind. According to an Xbox One troubleshooting page, a 2.5mm-to-3.5mm adapter cable included with the Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter will allow you to connect to the device for chat audio, but not game audio. For that, you'll need additional cables. If your headset uses an optical audio cable, plug one end into the headset or headset receiver, and the other into the Xbox One's optical audio output port. If your headset connects using RCA, you'll need RCA audio output ports or a 3.5-mm headphone jack output on your TV. If you've got the latter, you'll also want a 3.5mm mini-to-RCA adapter cable. The upcoming Xbox One Stereo Headset uses a single 3.5mm jack for both game audio and chat audio, so using it is a simple matter of plug and play. Mostly. Before you use either the Xbox One Stereo Headset or the Stereo Headset Adapter, you'll need to update the firmware on your Xbox One controller. And how do you do that? You connect to Xbox Live, remove the controller batteries, plug in the adapter and headset of choice, install an update, and replace the batteries. Update: While Microsoft's support page also lists the Tritton Primer model as an incompatible headset, a Mad Catz representative told Joystiq that information is incorrect. "The TRITTON Primer should work fine via the adapter," Mad Catz PR Director Alex Verrey tweeted.
Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter due 'early March'
Microsoft is releasing the Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter worldwide in early March, bringing support to third-party headsets including compatible Xbox 360 ones. The $25 adapter plugs into the controller, and connects to headsets to enable chat audio. Game audio is added in by connecting the headset to the Xbox One with an optical cable, or to the TV via RCA cables. The adapter itself features volume controls to adjust chat levels and the option to mute the headset's microphone. Arriving alongside the adapter is Microsoft's own $80 Stereo Headset, which promises "a premium audio experience for both game and chat audio." It offers full range audio, a unidirectional microphone, and over-the-ear speakers, and ships with the adapter included. There's no news in today's announcement on Dolby Digital support, which isn't universally available for Xbox One headsets. Last we heard, support was coming via a future update. [Image: Microsoft]
Xbox One controllers, headsets available for pre-order
The Xbox One controller is available for pre-order on the Microsoft Store for $59.99. The store is also offering the controller with a Play and Charge kit for $74.99, with the kit priced at $24.99 on its own. Lastly, Microsoft's Store lists its "must-have" wired headset for $24.99. Amazon also has the Xbox One controller available for pre-order, listed for a Wednesday, November 27 release, just one day before Thanksgiving. The Microsoft Store still has the "Day One" edition of the Xbox One console listed as being available in November. Whether Amazon's date holds up remains to be seen, but the controller is also available for pre-order at GameStop and Best Buy. Sony's DualShock 4 controller for the PlayStation 4 is also available for pre-order, and is also around $60. [Thanks, Eoin!]
