Kinect For Xbox 360 - A Hands Free New Way To Play Your Xbox Games!
By Nell Rose
Hands Free Sensor For Xbox 360
Now, I don't know about you, but in my household we are slightly gaming mad! Over the years we have bought quite a few different consoles, Playstation, the small PSP, which is a hand held device that comes with loads of great games, and of course the Xbox. The original didn't really interest me that much, it was the rest of the family that used it. Then we bought the Xbox 360, and the graphics were so much better, we are always playing with it. I must admit to not having a great deal of patience with the hand control because I always tend to press the wrong buttons! So this new Kinect sensor that has only just hit the shops is great. I am already saving up to buy it.
What is it?
The Kinect sensor is software developed by Microsoft, using software technology. It has been combined with range camera technology, which can interpret 3D scene information using a continuously projected infrared pattern.
I looks a bit like a small DVD player on a stand. It is a slim bar which is connected to a small base. This is pivotal, which in plain English means that it can move around, up and down, to detect the movement of the person in front of it.
The best place to put it, is directly underneath the TV screen, so it can detect a wide range around the room.
How does it work?
The Kinect has a RGB camera, a depth sensor which is what is used to detect the person playing the game, and a microphone to detect voice commands. This is where the cool starts! Overall it provides a full body 3D motion capture, voice recognition and even more cool, facial recognition! Wow! I wonder how it will interpret my face when I'm screaming at the top of my voice! Which I tend to do when I get carried away playing all the great games!
The other clever thing about it, is it knows how to block out all the other annoying noises in the background, and just centre on your voice! Evidently the voice recognition capabilities will not be available in mainland Europe until 2011, but it will be in the U.S.A, Canada, Britain and Japan, right from the word go! Phew! thank goodness for that!
Kinect Sensor
 | Amazon Price: $134.00 List Price: $149.99 |
Xbox 360 S Console With Kinect
 | Amazon Price: $346.90 List Price: $399.99 |
Cool Gadget!
Without getting too technical, the clever little thing knows whether you have furniture, or anything else in it's way, and adjusts accordingly! Let me tell you, I am so impressed with the technology of today. What is coming next? A holo deck like in Star Trek? Hope so!
The good thing about this little gadget, is that it can detect up to six people, including the two main players at any given time. The best place is to stand approx 6ft away from the Kinetic sensor, but the range is even farther back than that. It can reach up to 11ft easily, and can even manage 20ft. Obviously most people won't stand that far back, so there shouldn't be any problem.
Buy the Package.
Of course, you can buy the Kinect sensor separately, and use your Xbox 360 that you already have. If you do use your old Xbox 360, you will need a special power supply cable. But don't worry, this will be sold with the Kinect. You just have to do a bit of juggling with the wires to make sure everything is fitted neatly into place.
But of course, Microsoft wouldn't just realise a really cool gadget like this without updating the Xbox 360. The new Xbox 360 S model comes with a special AUX port for fitting the connections, and the power is supplied by an adaptor to the mains.
Another good thing about the Kinect sensor is that if you use your Xbox 360 to talk to other gamers, using video, the Kinect will be able to track you, even if you are walking around the room flinging your arms about whilst talking!
The new games that can be played with the Kinect system will be in a box with a purple case, so you don't get them muddled with the normal Xbox 360 games.
Check Out The Video It Looks Fun!
Prices
The Kinect sensor when bought on it's own retails at £164.99 or $267.43. This is from Amazon. Other retailers may vary.
With the new Xbox 360 S it retails at £352.95 or $572.10 Also from Amazon.
So Get Gaming!
You can dance, you can drive a car, and even better you can do your exercises without having to hang onto anything! This gives you so much more freedom to play. It is terrific! I don't think I have been this excited since the invention of the Internet! Ha!
Have Fun!
Xbox 360 S Accessories.
 | Amazon Price: $0.01 List Price: $0.00 |
 | Amazon Price: $9.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $21.40 |
 | Amazon Price: $27.00 List Price: $59.99 |
Kinect Exercise Games.
 | Amazon Price: $22.87 List Price: $39.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $37.95 List Price: $39.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $17.98 List Price: $29.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $43.00 List Price: $49.99 |
Get These Great Accessories!
 | Amazon Price: $12.98 List Price: $19.99 |
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 | Amazon Price: $3.80 List Price: $14.99 |
 | Amazon Price: $16.00 List Price: $29.99 |
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Comments
Hi, Quill, that was quick! thanks so much. I love the Xbox games, but I am useless with the device that you have to keep pressing all the buttons! I get xbox thumb! lol thanks again as always nell
Sounds lik a lot of fun.
Nell great hub! I also did one about the Xbox 360 with kinect and how it can help fight the epedemic on obesity
Get families off our butts and moving
Great hub.
This is so kewl. I have a wii which I love because it gets me up and moving but the xbox sounds so much better now in that one does not have to hang on to a controller for dear life. Great hub!
I had no idea that this can detect up to six people. I definitely have this on MY personal list for after the holidays. One can never have too many games and gadgets in the house! Thanks for the great information!
Hi, christopher, it certainly does, I am looking forward to hitting the floor! ha ha thanks again nell
Hi, Tina, really? I didn't realise that anybody else had written about it, Oh well never mind, back to school I go with a dragging of feet! ha ha ha thanks again nell
Hi, poet, my friend just bought a wii and I said to her, why not wait and get this? she was so mad that she had spent all that money! hee hee thanks again nell
Hi, TVL, I had to read it a few times just to make sure, and then I though wow! now my living room is going to be crowded! lol thanks so much nell
So cool!
I've been thinking of getting some kind of gadget like this to have fun and maybe play soccer - however, Bob thinks this is not a good idea because he's worried he will come downstairs and find me passed out on the floor after I've attempted to do a bicycle kick and hit my bloody head on the coffee table and knocked myself out. I kinda sorta can see it happening - but I'm still thinking about it!
That looks like good exercise. Great job with this "heads up" Nell!
D4rn! I already bought Wii, it seems Xbox gives wider options and games with this kinect.
Additional wish list for Christmas :)
Sounds great and thank you for your comprehensive hub.
Hi another great hub from you.
My question was answered.
I as i read your info-, I was wondering if it was thee wi-, or was it like it.
This sounds fantastic, and I am deffinatly up for bying it.
Like you say it's come out at a great time of year, so all the family can get together and have a lot of fun, not to mention the great excersise,.
That's me on the way to order mine.
Thank you great info.
Hi, daydreamer, Audrey, Micky Andy Hello Hello and debbie, sorry for writing like this, but I keep getting kicked out of my comment box! thanks all for reading it, I really appreciate it, now I can come over and read yours! hopefully it won't kick me out of that! lol cheers nell
Hey Nell, great news huh? They just look so in love too! Its like they are trying to keep from exploding with happiness!
I don't get any of that stuff above but I will give credit where credit is due.
V peace
Another great hub from you, Nell. You always come up with guidance and useful tips and great review of product. That's make you so special. You always be my favorite, this is about your dedication in writing something useful for us. Rating up as usual. Take care!
Blessing and hugs,
Prasetio
Hi, Polly, I wondered if they showed it in America, I thought that the engagement would be soon, that will be a great party day! hope I get to meet her like I did Diana! and thanks for reading, I always appreciate it, cheers nell
Hi, prasetio, thank you so much, I am glad you liked it, hugs back, cheers nell
Oh yeah I wrote a hub on it about two days before it was official so just had to go back and officiate it lol(I have friends in high places or is that friends getting high in places?) anyway... I can just see the love in their faces. I really don't see why the public has to help pay for the wedding though...sheeeee
Hi, Polly, ha ha I like the friends getting high in places! my brother said, as always the cynic, 'Oh another one going to leach all of our money off the government in taxes'! ha ha he's got that right! thanks again nell
I had to add just a little to the William and Kate story this morning at the end, hope you get time to look at and tell me your thoughts, it was the first thing I woke up to and a little upsetting. Thx-Polly
we have a Wii system in our home, but this looks so much easier. Looks like a good thing to get these old bones moving again. Thanks for sharing this usful information. First time i heard of it.
Hi, Polly, I just came over to read it, and was so mad! all the royals are beginning to get on my nerves! lol thanks again nell
Hi, vietnamvet, I am not one for these sort of games all the time, I love playing them but get the buttons muddled up! so this is great, I can jump around and play without any xbox thumb going numb! ha ha thanks again nell
Looking for a Christmas gift for my adult son who loves xbox. Thanks for the info!
Hi, Troy, I am glad you found it helpful, my son wants one now too! lol cheers nell
Hey, I just bought bundle box the other day. It is for the family for Christmas. We wanted (not needed) a new x-box. I will have to let you know how they like it. I hate controllers.
Hi, BJB, I want one too now! mind you, it will probably drive the neighbours mad, as I am above a flat! ha ha but still, it is great for the exercise, I think! lol thanks again nell
Great Info.! and easy to understand. very well written. two thumbs up!
Hi, kim, thanks for reading it, cheers nell
"Quill" 18 months ago
What a wealth of information you are girl... been playing have you... smiles
Blessings and Hugs