Dear Astro Customers,

We greatly appreciate your patronage and value your feedback.  As much as we strive for perfection with our products, we are not always perfect.   Unfortunately this is sometimes the nature of the consumer electronics industry, particularly when releasing groundbreaking first generation products. We have found that our A50 Wireless Headset is no exception.  Although the vast majority of A50 owners report no problems whatsoever, and despite our most rigorous testing, we have discovered a few known issues that MAY (or may not) need to be addressed with your system.

With the awesome help of the ASTRO community and engineers, we’ve been able to find common issues and pinpoint root causes.   And as we all know, the A50 being an accessory to a more complex ecosystem; certain models of controllers, vintage consoles and even certain variances in home electrical configurations – any, or all of these variables can cause one or more of the symptoms listed below.

POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS:

1)     Headset: Voice Chat not working on XBOX Live, or the Headset not being recognized by the XBOX Controller.

2)     Transmitter: Dolby button turning off and not turning back on, or the Tx not transmitting audio.

3)     PS3 *SLIM* only: Transmitter not powering on or losing power when connected to a PS3.

SOLUTIONS: Here are the solutions we can currently offer A50’s with these problems:

UNITED STATES CUSTOMERS: If you are experiencing either items 1) or 2) above, we will pay to ship your product back to us, fix both the Transmitter and the Headset and ship the system back to you – free of charge.  Since the fix is extremely easy and takes a small amount of time to complete, we expect to be able to turn these repairs around in about a week from receipt, if not faster.

OUTSIDE THE US CUSTOMERS: If you are experiencing either items 1) or 2) above, we will pay to have your product sent back to a local warehouse and do the same work as above (we have a warehouse in Canada, one in Australia, and another in the UK which will service all of Europe).

IN ALL CASES: Please open up a support case here (https://support.astrogaming.com/new_case) and we’ll be able to quickly get a call-tag issued and get the process started.  All product warranties will be automatically extended to mark this repair date as the beginning of the one-year period.

For people experiencing the PS3 Slim Problem #3 above – this is a recently discovered issue and we’re working on a solution as we speak.  Once this is resolved we will notify the public immediately.  But for those small number of users with this issue, there’s a workaround you can implement with a USB Hub (watch this video to see how http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUIbgjnZw6c).  Another alternative is to power the Tx from a USB source other than your PS3 Slim – of course voice chat won’t work in that case, but if you don’t need voice chat this option can be a stop-gap fix.    In any case, we’re confident we’ll have a fix shortly.

Again, we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience these issues may be causing you and will always do our best to remedy any problems.  Thank you for being an ASTRO customer, we truly appreciate your patience and look forward to your continued patronage.

Sincerely, Jordan & Brett / Founders of ASTRO Gaming

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Using the Astro MixAmp with the PS3

If you have an Original A40 MixAmp (purchased before November 19th 2009), please click here for the Original MixAmp PS3 Setup Guide.

To get the Astro MixAmp going full speed on your Playstation 3, with fully adjustable GAME/VOICE balance control, there are a few simple steps you’ll need to follow.

Cable Connections

Power and Voice:

• Connect the included USB-to-USB Mini ‘B’ cable to an available USB port on the PS3 and attach the other end to the USB input on the MixAmp. This will not only power the MixAmp, but it will also provides the voice channel input and output.

Game Audio:

• To provide the best audio to your MixAmp, we recommend using a TOSlink optical cable (sold separately) for full Dolby® Digital Surround Sound. Connect it directly from the rear of the PS3 to your MixAmp.

• You can also connect your MixAmp to the PS3 via the included RCA cables or from the PS3 AV cable directly to the Left/Right RCA inputs on the back of your MixAmp, providing Dolby ProLogic II Surround Sound via Dolby Heaphone.

• To see the “better” and “best” setup solutions for your PlayStation 3, you can read the Astro MixAmp manual here.

Software Settings

Here’s how to get your PS3 software setup to best work with the MixAmp. Don’t forget to flip through the pictures above as well – we’ve got screenshots of the harder to find menu items that you might otherwise miss.

Go to Settings > Accessory Settings > Audio Device Settings, and make sure that the “ASTRO Gaming USB MixAmp” is recognized and selected for the Input/Output devices.

• You can also set your voice level in this menu screen. The default level is set at three (3) which is ideal for most gamers. We recommend adjusting it so the bar graph on the top just reaches the red section when you speak loudly.

• You can hear how you’ll sound to other players if you go back to the Accessory Settings menu and select the Voice Changer option.

• Go back and double check that you are connected properly and your mic is set to the optimal level if you experience problems.

PS3 Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound Settings

If you use a TOSlink optical cable to experience enhanced Dolby Digital 5.1 output from your PS3, you may need to adjust your PS3 settings based on how you connect your PS3 to your display device.

HDMI

• If you are connecting your PS3 to your TV with an HDMI cable and use an optical cable from the TV to your MixAmp, go to Settings > Sound Settings > Audio Output Settings and specify the HDMI output.

• Then manually choose your method of output and select “Dolby Digital 5.1 Ch”. Make sure that “DTS 5.1 Ch” is NOT checked.

• Please note that most TVs are capable of audio HDMI to TOSlink optical pass-through but if you are not sure if your TV supports this option, please contact your TV manufacturer.

TOSlink Optical Cable

• If you are connecting your PS3 to your Astro MixAmp directly with a TOSlink optical cable, go to Settings > Sound Settings > Audio Output Settings and specify the Optical Digital output.

• Then select “Dolby Digital 5.1 Ch.” for the output format. Again, make sure that “DTS 5.1 Ch” is NOT checked.

Any questions? Give us a shout at support@astrogaming.com!

Happy gaming!

–The ASTRO Crew

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Hey everyone,

Just want to give you an update with our BXR line of headsets.

Update:

All BXR Headsets are now sold out. Stay tuned for updates on future special editions.

We’ll definitely continue to bring more Special Edition versions of ASTRO gaming equipment in the future as we’re committed to serving our loyal ASTRO fans. We invite you to be the first to know on our next set of Special Edition products by signing up to our newsletter here.

If you have any questions, please sign-up on our forums and let us know.

Cheers,

- ASTRO Stanimal

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If you have an original A40 MixAmp (purchased before November 19th, 2009 from the US store) and would like access to the manual and quickstart guide, see the links below to review or download either in PDF format:

A40 MixAmp Manual
A40 MixAmp Quickstart Guide

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Using the Astro Original MixAmp with the PS3

If you have the Astro MixAmp (purchased after November 19th 2009 from the US store), please click here for the Astro MixAmp PS3 Setup Guide.

To get the Astro Original MixAmp going full speed on your Playstation 3, with fully adjustable GAME/VOICE balance control, we recommend the USB Music Fairy. This driverless USB adapter enables you to run voice communication as a dedicated voice channel, vital if you want to use the balancing features of the A40 MixAmp.

Using the USB Music Fairy with the Astro Original MixAmp

The USB Music Fairy is fully compatible with the PS3 out of the box. However, pay special attention to wiring the USB Music Fairy as it’s a bit different than most other adapters we’ve tried.

Cable Connections

Power and Voice:

• Connect the included USB-to-USB Mini ‘B’ cable to an available USB port on the PS3 and attach the other end to the USB input on the MixAmp. This will power the MixAmp.

• Connect one of the included 3.5mm-to-3.5mm cables from the A40’s PC MIC output to the RED connector on the PS3 Adapter. A second 3.5mm-to-3.5mm cable is included in the PS3 Adapter package, connect this to the GREEN jack on the PS3 Adapter package, and then attach it to either one of the Daisy chain ports (after the red Daisy chain connector is removed).

Game Audio:

• To provide the best audio to your MixAmp, we recommend using a TOSlink optical cable (sold separately) for full Dolby® Digital Surround Sound. Connect it directly from the rear of the PS3 to your MixAmp.

• You can also connect your MixAmp to the PS3 via the included RCA cables or from the PS3 AV cable directly to the Left/Right RCA inputs on the back of your MixAmp, providing Dolby ProLogic II Surround Sound via Dolby Heaphone.

• To see the “better” and “best” setup solutions for your PlayStation 3, you can read the Astro MixAmp manual here.

Software Settings

Here’s how to get your PS3 software setup to best work with the MixAmp. Don’t forget to flip through the pictures above as well – we’ve got screenshots of the harder to find menu items that you might otherwise miss.

Go to Settings > Accessory Settings > Audio Device Settings, and make sure that the “Generic USB Audio Device” or “C-Media USB Audio Device” is recognized and selected for the Input/Output devices.

• You can also set your voice level in this menu screen. The default level is set at three (3) which is ideal for most gamers. We recommend adjusting it so the bar graph on the top just reaches the red section when you speak loudly.

• You can hear how you’ll sound to other players if you go back to the Accessory Settings menu and select the Voice Changer option.

• Go back and double check that you are connected properly and your mic is set to the optimal level if you experience problems.

PS3 Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound Settings

If you use a TOSlink optical cable to experience enhanced Dolby Digital 5.1 output from your PS3, you may need to adjust your PS3 settings based on how you connect your PS3 to your display device.

HDMI

• If you are connecting your PS3 to your TV with an HDMI cable and use an optical cable from the TV to your MixAmp, go to Settings > Sound Settings > Audio Output Settings and specify the HDMI output.

• Then manually choose your method of output and select “Dolby Digital 5.1 Ch”. Make sure that “DTS 5.1 Ch” is NOT checked.

• Please note that most TVs are capable of audio HDMI to TOSlink optical pass-through but if you are not sure if your TV supports this option, please contact your TV manufacturer.

TOSlink Optical Cable

• If you are connecting your PS3 to your Astro MixAmp directly with a TOSlink optical cable, go to Settings > Sound Settings > Audio Output Settings and specify the Optical Digital output.

• Then select “Dolby Digital 5.1 Ch.” for the output format. Again, make sure that “DTS 5.1 Ch” is NOT checked.

Any questions? Give us a shout at support@astrogaming.com!

Happy gaming!

–The ASTRO Crew

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Due to the A40 Headset’s adoption of the iPhone friendly 4-pole connector jack, the A40 simply plugs into the 3G iPhone and works great — right out of the box. You’ll no longer need to compromise with poor quality audio headphones or an inferior microphone — the A40 Headset provides class-leading audiophile sound and voice quality, while providing hours of comfortable wear.

Plugging the A40 Headset into your iPhone will enable you to swap effortlessly between music, movies, and phone calls. Treat yourself to a simplified setup when you are traveling and the perfect desk solution at work or home.

So, if you have an iPhone, go ahead and give the A40 Headset a try — you’ll understand why we think the A40 is truly the world’s most versatile headset!

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Yo! Experience what you’ve been missing when using our brand new ASTRO A1 Headset + MixAmp system made for the Sega Genesis system. That 13″ TV can only do so much, but if you really want to turn up your games and listen to the 16-bit sound system built into your console, you’ll want to be using ASTRO products. Providing a ear-shattering 101 decibel load through our 6 channel stereo A1 MixAmp, it’s sure to impress your friends as they come over to play NBA Jam!

Our A1 Headset + MixAmp system is also fully compatible with the XBand network! Crush your enemies in Mortal Kombat II and tell them who’s boss when using our uni-directional, noise canceling mic on the A1 Gaming Headset.

ASTRO premium construction uses really hard plastic with a black glossy finish to match that Genesis look and feel. Complimented by the unmatched comfort and style, our A1 Headset allows for hours of usage for those long gaming sessions. We’re confident that our new gaming line is the sickest stuff out there for console gaming!

-ASTRO Warblade

PSYCHE! Made you look!

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