It's no April Fool's Day joke, folks. Microsoft has finally decided to add Blu-ray bitstream pass-through to its Xbox One and One S gaming consoles, which allows users to pass higher-resolution soundtracks--including Dolby Atmos--through to their AV processors for decoding. This update is currently available for Xbox Preview members and will roll out to general users soon.

From Microsoft Wire
This week Xbox announced that Blu-ray Bitstream pass-through, which includes Dolby Atmos support on Xbox One and Xbox One S, would be rolling out to Xbox Preview members. This feature enables all Xbox consoles to pass Blu-ray audio data untouched to a user's audio equipment, allowing your audio receiver or other audio device to produce a high quality, immersive sound experience.

A top fan-requested feature, it enables Xbox users who have invested in pro-audio setups to experience the best possible audio from their Blu-ray movies. To use this feature, you will need to have your console connected over HDMI to a compatible audio receiver which supports decoding of popular Blu-ray audio formats.

If you're an Xbox Preview member, here are some helpful tips on how to enable:
• Ensure your console is connected via HDMI to a device that supports decoding of Blu-ray audio formats.
• Make sure you have the latest Blu-ray player by checking the "Updates" tab under "My Games & Apps."
• Enable "Let my receiver decode audio (beta)" under the "Disc & Blu-ray" settings page.
• Insert your favorite DVD or Blu-ray disc.
• Kick back and enjoy the highest quality audio from your movies and TV shows.

For more info for Xbox Preview Members, you can visit the forums here.

Dolby and Xbox will have more to share next year on timing and availability of Dolby Atmos for gaming audio. Enjoy!

Additional Resources
• Microsoft Releases Xbox One S with UHD Blu-ray Support at HomeTheaterReview.com.
• Visit the Xbox website for more product information.