subject: Xbox Kinect Sensor Explained [print this page] Xbox Kinect Sensor Explained Xbox Kinect Sensor Explained
Kinect uses both video and audio sensing to "see" you, and then translates your movements, gestures, and words into commands for whatever is being displayed on the screen, whether it's a game, a Live Chat session, an exercise simulation, or whichever Kinect software you're running on your Xbox 360.
The Kinect sensor itself appears to be only a horizontal bar that you place either above or below your Xbox display. But, inside, the bar contains an array of microphones, a camera, and an infra-red depth-sensing system, all run by built-in software that literally integrates you into the Xbox 360 -- the software includes such functions as facial recognition, 3-D full-body motion capture, and voice recognition. And don't worry when the Kinect sensor moves -- it's on a motorised pivot to track your movements. There is one restriction, for now, though -- voice recognition is functional now in Kinect products sold in Canada, the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom, but not elsewhere in Europe until spring 2011.
When you find Kinect stock, you can also buy games made especially made for the Kinect sensor -- look for a purple case, with green waves, and the word "Kinect" in white on top. Those games that require Kinect will have a purple sticker that says so; other games that use Kinect as an option will have a label that says "Better with Kinect Sensor" instead.
You can also use the Kinect to run a voice/video chat session via Windows Live Messenger, or with other users of an Xbox 360. The Kinect sensor can track up to six people simultaneously under any ambient light conditions, with two of those people performing the actions to be translated onto the screen. Kinect also runs with Microsoft's Zune media entertainment system. Among the companies creating games for the Xbox Kinect system are Activision, Namco Bandai, Capcom, Square Enix, Electronic Arts, THQ, Disney Interactive, MTV Games, Konami, Ubisoft, and SEGA -- check your Buy Xbox Kinect UK ads for the specific games available in your area.
Released on November 4, 2010 in North America and on November 10, 2010 in Europe, Kinect can be bought as an add-on for your own Xbox 360, or as part of a complete Xbox 360 console purchase. Although so far the Kinect has proved very popular and Kinect stock can be hard to find. Do try Kinect for an experience you'll never forget!
