OFFICIAL Kinect thread.

[BHetrick]

Just jumping on one and trying it out at Best Buy could give you a bad impression as you didn't get a chance to go through the set up process with it. It's quite easy to get outside of the "square" and not know it, leading to lag and non-detection.

I picked one up also. Just the Kinect itself as I already have a 360.

My step mom was thinking about a Wii. She has a form of Parkinson's which affects her walking and her doctor said a Wii may help a bit. Knowing nothing about consoles, they came over to try out my wife's Wii. But then I mentioned the Kinect and thought it'd be much better as she would use her whole body instead of just swinging her arms around.

Trying to get a Kinect was a bit of a hassle. I went around town last Monday and couldn't find a single Kinect. Plenty of 4g bundles, though. All the sales people said the same thing; once on the shelf they go quick.

Went back on Thursday morning and Best Buy had just restocked the shelf so I snagged one. So the parents came over Saturday and we all tried it out. We all enjoyed it and had fun so they decided to get one.

They just called tonight, Sunday, and said they grabbed the last 4g bundle at the last store they stopped at, Target.

So I can imagine that some people actually may have problem getting the Kinect or cheap bundle this holiday season. Stores are getting stock in, but it's going quickly. And the busy shopping season doesn't even start until this coming Friday.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Here's one of many neat hacks that have come out for Kinect. Star Wars Lightsaber - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EeJCln5KYg

looks cool and all, but why isn't he swinging it faster?
does it have tracking problems?

 

[gorcorps]

looks cool and all, but why isn't he swinging it faster?
does it have tracking problems?

Well you can kind of see him moving in the mirror, and then see how delayed the computer is in comparison already. My guess is he didn't want to show just how delayed it really is.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Flatmate bought one in the weekend. We played it all weekend, and it's an absurd amount of fun. Few friends + few beers and Kinect, crazy fun times. I love it. Mostly played Kinect Sports (volleyball FTW).

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

lolz.
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=277036

 

[blurredvision]

Well, the wife asked for a Kinect for Christmas a couple of weeks ago after seeing/hearing about Dance Central, so I was able to snag one at Walmart earlier this week. I had originally told her we didn't have enough room for the sensor, but I've since been able to figure out a way to where I can get a reliable 7-8' from the sensor and still have room to jump around a bit, so hopefully it comes as a complete shock when she opens it. I think we'll be stressed playing 2-player due to space constraints, but I'm not concerned about that at all.

I'm definitely going to pick up Dance Central to accompany the main present. She also expressed interest in getting a fitness game. It appears that Ubisoft's game has been received much better than EA's, plus it's a LOT cheaper at $40 versus $90 (Amazon prices). I don't think the extra stuff EA's offering comes with is worth the $50 premium. Any impressions on the fitness games? I saw it briefly mentioned above by one person, but that's it.

A friend at work got the Kinect as a gift this past weekend, so I'm going to head up his house tomorrow and try it out to make sure it works well enough to keep.

 

[blurredvision]

I was finally able to get some hands-on time with a Kinect at my friend's house this past Friday. In the months leading up to the Kinect launch, everything I saw and read about it made me think that the tech just didn't work all that well. I was definitely down on the Kinect leading up to launch and wasn't expecting anything from it.

After 2+ hours of playing different stuff, I can now say that I'm........somewhat impressed. Put simply, it works (for the most part). The obvious limitations are there in the form of input lag and the lack of ultra-precise input, but from what I saw, that's pretty much it. Hell, given what I've read, both of those can be immensely improved via software and development time. My biggest issue is obviously the input lag, but if developers can create game experiences that reduce it or mask it, then I think Kinect is something special.

All in all, it really reminded me of the Wii in its early days, just without the controller and with better graphics. Plus the Kinect is very physical, more-so than I had anticipated. It really expects you to move around a LOT, something I had trouble adjusting to time and time again.

As for the games I played, I sampled each sport in Kinect Sports, a few modes of Kinect Adventures, the demo of Joy Ride, and tested just a few moves in Dance Central. Kinect Sports really impressed me and IMO, blows Wii Sports and Sports Champions out of the water in terms of stuff to do. It's a really polished title and the multitude of mini-games are awesome. There's so much to do that I honestly can't see it getting old in just a few nights like the two previously mentioned sports games have (at least they have to me). The input lag was unfortunate on certain activites and lessened the experience, but overall, I had a lot of fun. I adjusted and had fun with it.

So to wrap this up, I think the hardware and software greatly exceeded my expectations. To me, it feels like the XBOX 360 + Kinect bundle is basically the ultimate gaming machine right now. Core adult gamers can easily be satisfied while their young children can have tons of fun, too.

 

[Homerboy]

Ummm maybe a dumb question, but does the Kinect work with old, non-S models?
Or do I need some adapter or something?
Thanks in advance.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Ummm maybe a dumb question, but does the Kinect work with old, non-S models?
Or do I need some adapter or something?
Thanks in advance.

The only difference is that it has to be plugged into a power outlet as well. S models have a Kinect power port that negates the need to use a power outlet.

 

[Homerboy]

The only difference is that it has to be plugged into a power outlet as well. S models have a Kinect power port that negates the need to use a power outlet.

Yeah did some googling after my post here. Though I'm getting mixed signals. The power adapter comes WITH the Kinect right? Not an additional purchase is it?

 

[blurredvision]

Yeah did some googling after my post here. Though I'm getting mixed signals. The power adapter comes WITH the Kinect right? Not an additional purchase is it?

The power cord only comes with the stand-alone Kinect units. If you buy the $299/$399 Kinect bundled with the console, they don't include the power cable since you don't need one because of the Kinect-specific connector on the back of the new consoles (which is designed to carry power to the unit). If you buy the stand-alone $149 Kinect, then they include the power cable (and a Kinect connector to USB adapter I think, since the older consoles don't have that specially keyed Kinect port) since they don't know if you're using it on a newer or older console. The older consoles don't have that special Kinect port which will power the unit for you, so you need to plug it into the wall.

I have the newer 360 design, so when my wife opens her Kinect, I'll have a power cable that I won't have any need for.

 

[Homerboy]

The power cord only comes with the stand-alone Kinect units. If you buy the $299/$399 Kinect bundled with the console, they don't include the power cable since you don't need one because of the Kinect-specific connector on the back of the new consoles (which is designed to carry power to the unit). If you buy the stand-alone $149 Kinect, then they include the power cable (and a Kinect connector to USB adapter I think, since the older consoles don't have that specially keyed Kinect port) since they don't know if you're using it on a newer or older console. The older consoles don't have that special Kinect port which will power the unit for you, so you need to plug it into the wall.

I have the newer 360 design, so when my wife opens her Kinect, I'll have a power cable that I won't have any need for.

Perfect. $150 add-on, here I come!

 

[GCS]

Kinect users ... the kids are getting one for christmas and I need to clarify something. They are getting the sensor with the "power adapter" in it - I have an older Elite not the S model.

I need to place the sensor a fair bit from the actual xbox and thus need to extend the cable for it. As I understand it since I have the "powered" version I am good to go with just adding a regular USB extension cable in the length I need. Is this correct?

Thanks

Greg

 

[Kromis]

Kinect users ... the kids are getting one for christmas and I need to clarify something. They are getting the sensor with the "power adapter" in it - I have an older Elite not the S model.

I need to place the sensor a fair bit from the actual xbox and thus need to extend the cable for it. As I understand it since I have the "powered" version I am good to go with just adding a regular USB extension cable in the length I need. Is this correct?

Thanks

Greg

Correctamundo!

 

[Rage187]

Kinect users ... the kids are getting one for christmas and I need to clarify something. They are getting the sensor with the "power adapter" in it - I have an older Elite not the S model.

I need to place the sensor a fair bit from the actual xbox and thus need to extend the cable for it. As I understand it since I have the "powered" version I am good to go with just adding a regular USB extension cable in the length I need. Is this correct?

Thanks

Greg

This will be fine. My kinect is 20' from my elite 360 using a powered USB extension.

 

[jtvang125]

The family has a ps3 and xbox. Was thinking of picking up one or the other. I don't mind getting both as this will be my only gift for the whole family. So should I just get the kinect and more games (sports, dance central and kinectimals)? Or both setups, extra controller for the move but only one kinect game?

 

[Tristicus]

The family has a ps3 and xbox. Was thinking of picking up one or the other. I don't mind getting both as this will be my only gift for the whole family. So should I just get the kinect and more games (sports, dance central and kinectimals)? Or both setups, extra controller for the move but only one kinect game?

Both = Best of both worlds, plus Kinect already comes with a game, so you'll technically have tow.

 

[Tom]

looking for Kinect games you may want to go to toysrus today. Buy 2 games 49.99 or more and get a $40 gift card, so it's a good deal for Kinect games. essentially like a $20 discount each if you have a use for a Toysrus gift card.

I was one who thought the Kinect would be a sales flop, ha ha !! Now I'm scrambling to get one for my granddaughter and her friends to play.

I'm getting one bundled with a slim so i won't have the power adapter; which kind of sucks because I plan to take the Kinect to relative's houses that don't have slims. So if anyone wants to sell one fairly cheap send me a pm. Or I'll wait til the Chinese ebayers start selling em cheap.

 

[Boobs McGee]

Anybody buy a Kinect that also has a wall mounted TV? I bought 4GB/Kinect bundle so I don't have the power adapter. My A/V components are on a small bookshelf about 10 feet to the side of the TV with HDMI running in the wall over to the TV. That is where the Xbox would go too. I am guessing my only real option for this room would be to buy one of the power adapters and then go the usb route with a long usb extension cable run through the wall.

 

[Soccerman06]

Mom bought the xbox and kinect for family fun this year and for her "exercise". I'll probably get dance central and the sport game for us. So my question is, which exercise games are something that will keep her attention? She's interested in the zomba game but all the reviews say its terrible, and I was looking at the ea exercise game.

 

[Kromis]

Mom bought the xbox and kinect for family fun this year and for her "exercise". I'll probably get dance central and the sport game for us. So my question is, which exercise games are something that will keep her attention? She's interested in the zomba game but all the reviews say its terrible, and I was looking at the ea exercise game.

Your Shape: Fitness Evolved from Ubisoft?

 

[Queasy]

Your Shape: Fitness Evolved from Ubisoft?

Yeah, that's apparently the best of the bunch. EA Sport Active 2 looks like it had Kinect support thrown in late.

 

[blurredvision]

From everything I've read, Your Shape is possibly the best all-around exercise game, although Biggest Loser supposedly provides a really good workout once you get past the poorly done menus. Avoid Zumba and EA Active.

 

[JoPh]

so i just got my wife the kinect for xmas.. are we saying sports and dance central are the two must haves?

 

[Boobs McGee]

I have only played the xbox live demo for sports. It only lets you play one 100 yard dash and 2 frames of bowling. Even with a pretty small sample it seems like one of the better games for the kinect. Dance Central is pretty awesome. We have had everybody in the house playing it. The battles are pretty funny too.