Ask Paul: November 6 (Premium)

Happy Friday! Here’s another great set of questions from readers to kick off the weekend and, um, let me keep testing Xbox Series X|S. For science!
Xbox Series X|S audio/video
BeckoningEagle asks:

Since the Xbox Series X does not have optical audio out, can I plug in the HDMI port to the TV and then have audio from the TV return through the ARC to the receiver? There is an issue with some receivers and 4K and I want to bypass the Home Theater's receiver for video, but not for audio.

I don’t have a way to test this, sorry: My 4K TV does support ARC, but I don’t have a receiver. Another reader indicated that this should work, but I’m not sure myself.
Surface and Windows 10
jwpear asks:

Have you heard any update on Microsoft's plans to unlock recent Windows releases for the Surface line of devices? There doesn't seem to be any new news on 2004 since July. It's November. Why is Microsoft so quiet on this? Are they just going to skip 2004 and go straight to 20H2 for the Surface hardware?

I’ve not heard anything about this from Microsoft, but that makes sense: They would not publicly admit to having a problem like this, because it’s so embarrassing and unnecessary. But as another reader pointed out, I don’t think this is about obsoleting hardware, and given how high-profile the problem is, I think they’ll get on top of it. Even Google, for all its hardware ineptitude, ships its own OS (Android) upgrades immediately on its own hardware. This is exactly how it should work with Surface. I just don’t understand it.
X or S?
madthinus asks:

If you had to spend your own money: X or S?

This one is somewhat skewed because I literally just purchased a 4K/HDR gaming display. But if we can pretend that never happened, I’d likely have gone with the Xbox Series S in the short run to save money and because the experience is still an upgrade over Xbox One X.

But ... it’s also not that simple. Microsoft does have the Xbox All Access program, and given how things are going with Xbox Game Pass (which is included with that subscription for two years) and the relative monthly price difference between the two, the Xbox One X---via Xbox All Access---would be my choice.

Put another, if I were buying outright, I’d go Xbox Series S, but I like paying for it over two years and would choose Xbox Series X via Xbox All Access.

Maybe. Probably.
Xbox Series S with external optical drive
zvonimirm asks:

Can you try to connect external USB DVD/BD Drive to Xbox Series X or S to use as a DVD/BD player? This will make Xbox Seriese S ideal choice for living room.

Microsoft says that this won’t work, sorry.
OnePlus 8T + Bluetooth Audio
peterc asks:

Hi Paul, As your reviewing the Oneplus 8T at the moment I’d be interested to know how it’s Bluetooth audio quality is holding up? Does it compare well to the other handsets you’ve been using/reviewing recently?

I’ve been using the OnePlus 8T with the Samsung...