Xbox 360 Headset Sound Quality to be Upgraded in Future Dashboard Update

August 27, 2010 10:20 AM

When Microsoft updates the Xbox 360 dashboard this fall, primarily to introduce its latest peripheral to consoles, it will also boost the quality of sound that comes out of Xbox 360 headsets.

According to Eurogamer, Xbox Live Studios boss Jerry Johnson explained that the current codec and audio infrastructure that determines the quality of voice communication will be upgraded to increase the overall quality of communication over Xbox Live.

According to Johnson, the original "64k connection" required for Xbox Live at the time no longer fits the standard definition of "broadband" and Xbox Live's old "low bit rate" is in need of an upgrade.

"It's time for us to move on," he said at the Edinburgh Interactive Festival. "Especially if we want to think about broadening--a crackly headset on the top of your head--not what people think of when they talk about popular entertainment."

Since the inception of the service, Xbox Live users have struggled with poor headset sound quality. We welcome an upgrade if it helps our tactical decision making during intense matches of (insert your favorite shooter here).

Sadly, the codec upgrade will not increase the quality of speech used during online gaming.

Xav de Matos

Xav de Matos was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

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Remmoth

 reply
August 27, 2010 10:24 AM

"the quality of voice communication will be upgraded to increase the overall quality of communication over Xbox Live. "

Quality? Nothing can fix XBL Idiots.
- rtrson
  
   reply
  August 27, 2010 10:26 AM
  
  ok
- [deleted] 1288022911
  
   reply
  August 27, 2010 10:26 AM
  
  [deleted]
- lukej1337
  
   reply
  August 27, 2010 10:29 AM
  
  it will replace curse words and racist phrases with celebrities saying words like 'puppy' and 'rainbow' at a highbitrate
  - Remmoth
    
     reply
    August 27, 2010 11:31 AM
    
    Happy rainbow mother puppy hugger.
  - daggot
    
     reply
    August 27, 2010 12:31 PM
    
    now that would be a great mod to have, especially if you could load in your own samples. turn any 8 year old's babble into remix versions of your favorite group.
- TheMongbat
  
   reply
  August 27, 2010 10:31 AM
  
  I think he's saying nothing can fix idiots on Xbox Live, not saying "Xbox live is unfixable, you idiots."
  
  It's a missing comma thing.
  - Remmoth
    
     reply
    August 27, 2010 11:33 AM
    
    Yes this is what I meant.
    
    Be my lobbyist.
- XAVdeMATOS
  
   reply
  August 27, 2010 10:34 AM
  
  You ruined my punchline.