One of the most frustrating discoveries you can make after buying an X Rocker gaming chair is getting it home and finding out that it can't connect to your gaming console right out of the box.
But, there is a solution.
While the Bad News is that, yes, you might have to buy yet another device (dang it!), the Good News is that it's not necessarily that expensive, nor hard to find.
(Anywhere from $25 to $65 online)
Here's a brief description of the problem, the solution, and a list of gaming systems you'll want to know about.
The Problem
They have a funny phrase in the electronics industry: “If you can buy it, then it's already obsolete.”
Technology moves so fast, it's hard to keep up. As demands for “better and faster” increase, new chips have to be made, and new controllers, and connectors, etcetera, etcetera…
As TVs moved to high-definition (HD) images and surround sound, gaming systems changed to provide that imagery and sound. And the old stereo connectors just don't deliver on that anymore.
Enter a digital solution.
The HDMI connector (it stands for “High-Definition Multimedia Interface”) was designed to deliver all that high-definition, surround-sound glory in one cable.
It's a huge convenience over the several cables you used to need for the older method.
The X Rocker gaming chairs, however, are still designed to work with the older left-and-right stereo sound, and RCA connectors.
(There is only one X Rocker designed for surround sound. But, it still uses the older RCA cables.)
This actually allows for maximum compatibility across gaming systems.
While some new gaming systems simply added the HDMI port to the plethora of connectors already on the back, others completely replaced the older connectors, doing away with them completely.
So, now you're stuck with an HDMI-only based gaming system, and an RCA-only based gaming chair.
Here's what you need…
One Solution
As I mentioned, the simple answer is that you need an additional device/adapter called an HDMI Audio Extractor.
What that adapter does might sound a little complicated, but here goes:
The HDMI Audio Extractor converts the digital audio signal from the HDMI cable to analog stereo RCA connectors that you can connect to your X Rocker chair.
At the same time, it sends the video part of the signal to another HDMI port that you can connect to your HD Television, ensuring the same quality video image.
Here's an example of what it might look like:
Bottom: HDMI & Stereo RCA comes OUT
(and Optical Audio)
So, first you'd use an HDMI cable to connect your game system to the HDMI input on the converter, and another HDMI cable to connect the converter's HDMI Output to the TV.
Then, you'd use the RCA cables that come with your X Rocker to connect the converter to the chair.
Make sense?
Click here to buy an HDMI to RCA Audio Extractor on Amazon
A List of Compatible Systems
So, the main questions you're probably asking are:
- Does the X Rocker work with PS4? PS3? Older PlayStations?
- What about how to connect X Rocker to the Nintendo Wii, and Wii U?
- Does the X Rocker gaming chair work with XBOX, XBOX 360, and XBOX One?
Here's a list of all the modern gaming consoles, and whether it works out-of-the-box with your X Rocker gaming chair, or if you'll need the adapter mentioned above:
Will My Gaming Console Work with the
X Rocker Gaming Chair?
| Connect X Rocker to… | Works with X Rocker? |
| XBox | Yes |
| XBox 360 (S & E) | Yes |
| XBox One (S & X) | Needs Adapter |
| XBox Series X | Needs Adapter |
| PlayStation | Yes |
| PlayStation 2 | Yes |
| PlayStation 3 | Yes |
| PlayStation 4 | Needs Adapter |
| PlayStation 5 | Needs Adapter |
| Nintendo Wii | Yes |
| Nintendo Wii U | Yes* |
*Needs adapter if using the HDMI option.
How to Connect X Rocker to HDMI Consoles
I hope this helps you relax and get what you need to get back in that chair and start rockin'!
Have you discovered any new problems or solutions to the compatibility conundrum? Do you know other ways of how to connect X Rocker to newer systems? Put them in the comments below!
Or, if you have a question or need more clarity, please post your question below, and I will respond as soon as I can.
Thanks for reading…
~ Scott
Brilliant post and very helpful. I’m hopeless when it comes to gadgets and wires, so by reading this post, it makes me feel like my hand is being held – perfect guide me thinks.
Thanks, Charlene. I know a number of people expressed frustration in some of the online reviews, so I thought I’d add this post for people looking for a little help. 🙂
~ Scott
Hey Scott!
Great post. You made things look simple. Especially to people like me who’re just not good with all these gadgets. I believe many people will benefit from your website.
Thank you for an awesome sharing.
Norleila
Thanks, Norleila! Nice of you to comment. I tried to keep it to the basics. Gamers really like these chairs!
~ Scott
A qui de droit, j’ai une playStation 4 et il est écrit que je dois me procurer un adaptateur mais ou je pourrais me le procurer SVP dans qu’elle magasin et combien ou bien je dois mettre autre chose avec un adaptateur Merci
Je m’excuse.
Je ne parle pas français.
Vous devez l’un de ces.
Thank you so much! I had no idea what to do when I got this chair, you had all the information listed so clearly. This helped me so much! Your website is the best.
Thanks, Richard!
I’m glad if you found the site helpful. I appreciate you taking the time to tell me so.
I’ll do my best to continue to provide helpful content.
~ Scott
hi i’ve seen the gaming chairs you sell briefly in my country but i have to buy them from the uk . i have to say thanks for this post but there is something i have to say on youtube there are videos saying there is a different way search for them but my question is is the sound coming from these methods the same or does it sound better
You’re right.
I have seen some methods online where people use the headphones jack or audio out jacks on the television to send sound from the TV to the XRocker.
These methods essentially use the TV to convert the sound instead of the adapter I recommend above. This method works just fine, however not all televisions have audio outputs, which is why I wrote this post.
As for which produces the better sound, it will depend on the quality of the television, and whether you use the headphones jack or the RCA “line out” jacks.
The Line Out jacks will send the sound out at what is known as “line level“. This is a standard level of sound that most audio devices consider unadjusted for volume level, and is what your chair is expecting to receive.
The headphones jack, on the other hand, sends out various levels of sound, depending on the volume setting of the television. It’s meant to be connected to a set of headphones, and provides amplification for the speakers in the headset.
This amplification can potentially send a louder-than-necessary level of audio to your chairs that can cause distortion, or in the worst case, damage to your chair’s speakers and audio system. You’ll have to be sure to adjust the sound to the lower “line level” and keep it there.
I hope this information helps. Thanks for checking in!
~ Scott
So do I need the HDMI adapter and the adapter for the chair to hook up to x box one?
The XBox One cables connect to the adapter, then you use the XRocker cables to connect the adapter to the chair. You may need an additional HDMI cable to go from the adapter to the TV.
I have just bought 2 chairs for my boys do need 2 of these adapt its or can u get like a double 1 thanks
Hey, Andrew.
What a great dad you are! 🙂
I’m guessing you’ll be connecting both chairs to the same system. If that’s the case, you will only need one adapter, but you will need to split the RCA audio signal between the two chairs.
There are a few ways to do this:
I hope that helps! Thanks for reading.
~ Scott
The XRocker chair does NOT work with the Xbox 360 out of the box for any HDMI TV. I thought you may wanted to have mentioned that. You need the adapter on any HDMI TV. But thanks. It has been a real help.
If I’m wrong, please email me and tell me how I can hook up my XRocker chair to my Xbox 360 without the extractor.
Hey, Micah.
Thanks for the info. Which version of the XBox 360 do you have? My research indicates there were three different releases, and they have different connectors.
On the XBox Support site, I found these instructions for connecting the various versions of the XBox 360 to a sound system. Your XRocker chair is essentially an external sound system. Look them over and see if it helps.
As for ways to connect without buying the extractor, you might be able to make your TV do it, if it has the right outputs.
See more details in my reply to minorisc, here.
My hdmi adapter has only one outlet for an hdmi cord could this be why my chair still isn’t working with my xbox one?
Hi, Mendy.
When you say it’s not working, do you mean it’s connected but you’re not getting any sound? Or, do you not have enough outputs to connect your chair?
We bought our son a WiiU for Christmas, and as his birthday is next week we wanted to get him a gaming chair. You state that it will hook up, does this mean without huying anything else? I’m concerned because he is Autistic and if it doesn’t work properly it could lead to a meltdown and we like to avoid these any time we can…
Hello, Michelle.
Your Wii U should come with an “AV Multi Out connector” which will have the necessary RCA outputs that will send sound to the chair.
Follow the instructions to connect your chair as if it is an external speaker system. This article from Nintendo should provide some guidance.
Happy New Year to you and your family, and Happy Birthday to your son. Please come back and let me know how it all works out!
~ Scott
Hi I just wanted to ask about the vibration function. For use with a ps4, can the chair receive the same vibrations as the controller does? For example if I get shot in a video game and the controller vibrates, will the chair vibrate in unison? Currently the only vibrations coming from the chair seem to be from the audio meaning its vibrating all the time instead of only when the controller vibrates. (I dont know how to use the transmitter so im using the AUX chord) Hope this isn’t a badly worded question, thanks for any help
Hello, Gerard.
Your observations are correct. The vibration in the chair is based on the audio, where the vibration in the controller is based on special signals from the game.
The chair is programmed to interpret certain sounds (combined with volume and bass) to trigger the vibration. However, depending on the game (and even on how you have to audio cables set up), you might get unexpected vibration results.
I’m surprised to hear that the chair is “vibrating all the time.” Is this only with a particular game? Do you have the audio cables coming from a device that boosts the volume?
After I initially left a comment I seem to have clicked the -Notify
me when new comments are added- checkbox and
from now on whenever a comment is added I receive four emails
with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is a way you are able to remove me
from that service? Thanks a lot!
I don’t believe I have that setting turned on here. However, there should be a way to unsubscribe from notifications listed in your emails. Please check the next message carefully for instructions.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
~ Scott
Hey X Rocker Scott –
So thrilled to find your post and greatly appreciated. I am fairly decent at hooking up different types of systems and this one had me stumped. I feel much better now! I will pick up the adapter shortly. Can I also use the wireless TX unit out of the Xbox 1 as well?
You’re welcome, Master Flatz! I’m glad if this was helpful!
Now, I’m not familiar with the wireless unit in the XBox 1, but if it uses the standard audio/video connections I mention above, you should be able to work it into your system.
Good luck! And please come back and let everyone know how it went.
~ Scott
X Rocker Scott
You are a legend – I thought I was pretty tech savvie but couldn’t sort out my sons chair – trawled the web and found your instructions and everything is now spot on
Ordered the below from amazon and it’s done the trick
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01GH4MEYC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Where would be be without people like you sharing their knowledge
Top man
Cheers
Wayne
That’s great, Wayne!
Glad the site was helpful, and that you were able to find what you needed.
I appreciate you stopping by and sharing. Cheers!
~ Scott
Hey Scott
Had our 2 ped x rockers since 2015 and finally going to go get the converter box. We have PS4 and Xbox 1. But both green plugs broke and we can’t even use it for a he sound what can I do.?
Kimberli
Scott I found your article on the rca jacks thanks so much
Hi, Kimberli.
Glad you found what you needed! I hope the site has been helpful. Thanks for stopping by.
~ Scott
You can plug the green headphone connector (3.5mm) directly into the controller and set the ps4 to output all audio to headphones in the device menu of the ps4 and get all stereo audio from the ps4. No need to purchase any extra equipment.
Thanks, Nick!
A great, and simple solution! You just need the right cables.
~ Scott
BLESS YOUR HEART!!! For this post! I have about pulled my hair out trying to figure out how to hook this chair up for my son. Thank you!!
You’re welcome, Heather! I’m really glad if the post was helpful for you!
Thanks for reading and writing,
~ Scott
Hi there,
Guy in Smyths Toys tells me the chair he’s selling is Bluetooth so no need for adapters or no need for connecting to TV Audio output – is he right?
Hi, Peter.
As long as both your X Rocker Gaming Chair AND your gaming console both have Bluetooth, you won’t need any adapters. You’ll just need to follow the instructions on both devices to connect X Rocker to the game machine.
~ Scott
Scott, thanks to this post, we got our X Rocker SE Wireless chair hooked up to our daughter’s X Box One. Here’s a potentially dumb question: Does the sound only work if the chair is plugged into the wall? I thought we could charge the chair, but it only seems to work when it’s plugged in. Otherwise, the power won’t even go on.
Hi, Kevin.
Yes, unfortunately the chair must remain plugged in — It does not have a battery that can remain charged. So, that’s yet another cable running across your floor that you’ll have to account for…
If it’s inconvenient to place the chair closer to the wall, or the cables become unruly, perhaps the solution is to get a cable organizer that will keep all the cables running in a single tube from the chair to the TV.
I hope that helps!
~ Scott