In 2010, Microsoft made their contribution in the world of motion sensors with the Xbox 360 Kinect sensor. This device is made up of cameras and a microphone, allowing you to play Kinect-specific games without having to turn on the regular controller, instead controlling the game by moving your body. Before you can jump into playing your Kinect games, however, you must properly set it up.
Setting up the Kinect Sensor
01. Positioning the Kinect Sensor
The first step to getting your Kinect sensor set up is to figure out how you will use it and to consider your entertainment setup. For example, if you use an entertainment center to house your television, you likely have a little extra space in front of your television where you can place your sensor. The exact place you set your sensor will vary depending on your setup, but the same warnings and requirements apply no matter your situation:
- Locate a stable, flat surface to rest the sensor on. This can be on top of a non-flat screen television or directly in front of it on a desk. Ensure the sensor is between two and six feet (0.6 to 1.8 meters) from the floor for best results.
- Avoid placing the sensor more than six inches (15 centimeters) either below or above your television screen.
- Do not allow the Kinect sensor to sit within a foot (0.3 meters) of your audio speakers.
- Do not allow the Kinect sensor to rest in direct sunlight.
- Do not tilt the sensor in any direction; the device is designed to automatically adjust itself.
- Avoid placing the Kinect sensor anywhere it can fall as falling can damage it.
02. Setting up the Play Area
One of the key points regarding the Kinect sensor is that it needs to see your entire body to accurately depict your motions and utilize its facial recognition software, as well as its other abilities. As you will see, the Kinect does demand quite a bit of free space in order to accurately recognize your motions, you can purchase add-ons that help the sensor recognize you when you are closer than six feet from the sensor. However, these instructions and tips assume you are using the basic, vanilla setup:
- Keep in mind that your play area must allow the Kinect to see your entire body.
- Move all furniture and other potential obstructions from the play area.
- Ensure your play area is between six and twelve feet (1.8 to 3.6 meters) wide.
- Clear all of the flooring between the players and the Kinect sensor.
- Stand six feet (1.8 meters) back if you are playing Kinect by yourself.
- Stand eight feet (2.4 meters) back if you are playing Kinect with a second person.
- Ensure the room with your setup has even and bright lighting with minimal obstructions in the background.
03. Connecting the Cables
Simply placing the Kinect on the table and clearing your furniture will not allow the Kinect sensor to begin working; like any other electronic device, the Kinect needs power in order to run. If you purchased an Xbox 360 console prior to June 2010, you undoubtedly have the original Xbox 360 console — this version is smooth, rounded with an audible push-power button, and it can be either white or black. Additionally, this has the iconic four green lights around the power button when turned on.
If you purchased an Xbox 360 console in June 2010 or later, you may have an Xbox 360 S console — this version is more jagged and sharper, features a pressure power button without lights surrounding it, and it is always black; this console was designed to mimic gaming PC cases. This can also be identified by an absence of ports for a wireless adapter, since this version was designed to have a wireless antenna internally. Again, powering your Kinect will vary a little depending on the console you have:
Original Xbox 360 Console
- Locate the USB port on your original Xbox 360 console. There are two located in the front side of your console and two located on the back side. If you use an Ethernet cable to supply Internet to your console, you can plug the Kinect directly into the back of the console.
- Attach the USB extension cable that came with your Kinect sensor if you use a wireless Internet adapter. This extension cable will lend your Kinect enough length to reach the front side USB ports.
- Move any other USB accessories you have to the ports on the front side of the Xbox 360 console.
- Plug the other end of the Kinect wire into an available wall outlet.
Xbox 360 S Console
- Remove the power plug half of the cable from the Kinect if it came with one. Kinect devices that came bundled with an Xbox 360 S console do not have this, so you can skip this step.
- Attach the other half of the Kinect cable into the port marked “AUX” on the back side of your Xbox 360 console.
04. Updating the Console Software
Before you can use your Kinect sensor for the first time, you may see one of a few possible messages that indicate you are required to update the software of your Xbox 360 console. These possible messages include:
- Update Required: Insert the disc that came with the device.
- Update Required: A system update is required.
You can update your console software in one of two ways:
- Sign in to any profile that is connected to Xbox LIVE. You will automatically receive a message prompting you to update the software on your console if there is one available. Otherwise, you will not receive a message.
- Place any Kinect game disc into your console’s disc tray — most early Kinect sensors come with Kinect Adventures already in the box. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the content.
Setting up Kinect Software
With your software up to date and your Kinect sensor set and powered up, you will be required to undergo a small tutorial in order to familiarize yourself with using the device. After turning on the Xbox 360, the console will detect Kinect for the first time and prompt you to begin using the tutorial immediately. Though the Kinect sensor is designed to replace the controller in some games, you will need to turn on your controller for the duration of the tutorial.
- Press the “A” button while highlighting “Continue” when your console prompts you to begin the tutorial.
- Highlight “Test Background Noise” and press “A” on your controller. Remain quiet as this will prompt the console to test the normal background noise in the room as a part of the speech recognition portion of the setup.
- Press “A” when the console finishes detecting the background noise and prompts you to begin the speaker test.
- Press “A” on “Calibrate” when prompted, running the final test of the speech recognition.
- When prompted, select whether you want to use the microphone embedded in the Kinect device as your means of chatting with your friends during online gameplay.
- At this point, the Kinect will ask you to set aside your controller and stand in front of the sensor. Wait until it recognizes your body and then wave your hand when prompted. You will notice a hand appear on-screen.
- Move your hand so that the on-screen hand hovers on the “Continue” option. Hold the hand until the circle surrounds it, completing the action.
- Select “Done” to complete setup.
