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Xbox One Gets One More Great New Feature - And The Series X Is Getting It Too

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Even though the Xbox Series X and S are just around the corner, Microsoft is still working on bringing key new features to the Xbox One family. As evidenced today by the announcement of the long-awaited addition to Xbox One consoles of DTS:X Home Theater support.

DTS:X is, like the rival Dolby Atmos sound system, an object-based sound format that creates a three-dimensional audio environment ideally suited to creating more immersive gaming experiences. While Dolby Atmos is at its best, though, when it’s natively mastered into a game’s sound design, DTS:X for consoles is designed to enhance any form of content. It doesn’t have to have been catered for by a source’s sound design. In fact, it can work with films or music as well as games. 

DTS:X has been available for headphones on the Xbox One since June, where it’s delivered impressive results. With more and more gamers choosing to partner their consoles with multi-channel speaker systems, though, the arrival of the home theater DTS:X implementation today for Xbox Insider Beta Program members will be widely welcomed. Naturally a wider roll out to all Xbox One owners will follow once any potential bugs have been ironed out. 

DTS also confirmed in its announcement that DTS:X home theater support is expected to be available at launch for the Xbox Series X and S.

The integration of the DTS:X for Home Theater system on the Xbox will create a DTS:X bitstream compatible with all DTS:X AVRs and soundbars. The bitstream will render, too, to the full speaker layout capability of the supported DTS:X AVR or soundbar, and there won’t be any performance difference between movie of gaming content.

When it completes its Beta Insider trials, the feature will be automatically enabled on Xbox at no additional charge to the consumer once the DTS Sound Unbound application has been downloaded. 

As well as further expanding Xbox’s already impressive suite of AV features, the arrival of DTS:X For Home Theater provides Microsoft’s consoles with another performance-related feature that Sony’s rival PlayStation consoles do not have. Though it will, of course, be fascinating to see where Sony goes with the ‘Tempest’ 3D audio system it’s introducing with the PS5. 

Bill Neighbors, senior vice president and general manager for Cinema, Home and Media Solutions at DTS owner Xperi, has this to say of the DTS:X for Home Theater roll out to Xbox: “Unlocking DTS:X capabilities throughout their whole home entertainment system, and across the whole Microsoft Spatial sound ecosystem, will be an invaluable next step for so many of our customers who have invested in the Xbox platform. This launch gives consumers access to clear, rich and dynamic audio for the most engaging experiences, whether they are gaming, watching their favorite movie or listening to the latest album.”

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