Xbox One - IR Blaster?

[Alir]

I just got and set up my Xbox One.

 

The back of the Xbox One (Elite - the same as the original but matte black) has what appears to be a 3.5mm audio port. I looked it up and apparently it's an IR Out port for IR Blasters or something like that. It's used by VCRs and DVRs.

 

So what exactly is it?

[Alir]

Not to point out the obvious but it would make sense for gaming consoles to support audio devices like headphones. Even the Xbox One doesn't support USB headphones. Despite being based off Windows 10.

[SteinerW]

It allows you to control IR controlled devices though the xbox. My media PC had one. It send IR singles just like a remote would.

[saladcrack]

The IR blaster is for remote controllers like your TV remote so you can use it on your Xbox or whatever. And yes the Xbone doesn't support USB headphones but it is meant for a more living room setup where a person is not going to be stringing 6-12 feet of cables from the TV area to the couch.  The controller does have a 3.5mm jack for headphones that don't require a USB like my Astro A40s.

[Shiv78]

The Xbox One's Kinect uses IR blasters to turn the TV and/or sound system on and off when the Xbox turns on and off. Without the Kinect, you can get a little external IR blaster to do the same thing.

[Alir]

21 hours ago, Gamessys said:

The IR blaster is for remote controllers like your TV remote so you can use it on your Xbox or whatever. And yes the Xbone doesn't support USB headphones but it is meant for a more living room setup where a person is not going to be stringing 6-12 feet of cables from the TV area to the couch.  The controller does have a 3.5mm jack for headphones that don't require a USB like my Astro A40s.

 

Now I understand. Thanks everyone.

 

Side note on the 3.5mm jack, not all Xbox One controllers have them:

http://www.windowscentral.com/xbox-one-controller-getting-dedicated-35mm-audio-jack
 

Fortunately mine does. Strange thing is when I tried it yesterday, I wasn't getting any sound. I'l try again.

 

Also, I'm sure most console users use their consoles in their bedrooms. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's my guess. Living rooms are generally used for watching TV.

 

[Shiv78]

3 hours ago, Alir said:

Also, I'm sure most console users use their consoles in their bedrooms. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's my guess. Living rooms are generally used for watching TV.

 

Most console users I know game in the living room.

 

I used to, but now I play my XB1 in my home theater in the basement... 120" of 720p30-60 glory lmao

[Alir]

On 13/11/2016 at 0:25 AM, Shiv78 said:

 720p30-60 glory

 

Are you trying to start a riot in here?