Not to be outdone by either of its major competitors, Microsoft has recently unveiled its version of a motion controlled video game system. Xbox Kinect was released on November 4th of this year and is being marketed under the slogan, “You are the controller,” due to its complete lack of buttons and dependence on body motion and voice controls. At $150 (separate) or $300 (with a 4G Xbox 360) you might be interested to know what exactly you’re getting before you’re willing to open your wallet.

What Comes In the Box?

The product is on par visually with the new Xbox 360, from the packaging to the glossy appearance of the unit itself. The sensor sits on a sturdy motorized stand, which tilts vertically for calibration. Three cameras line the front: RGB in the middle sandwiched between two depth sensors. Four microphones allow the system to not only recognize what is being said but locate the source of sound as well. Included with the sensor are a few user pamphlets, a USB extension cable, and an AC adapter for using Kinect with older Xbox 360 models.

How Well It All Works

Both the motion and voice controls require initial calibration that can be a little time consuming and might make you feel a little silly. For starters, Kinect recommends a distance of six to eight feet between the player and the sensor during gameplay. The recommendation is more of a requirement and the setup might be difficult to accomplish in apartments or smaller living rooms, especially because coffee tables, couches or ottomans cannot be between you and the sensor. After establishing the proper setup, Kinect will walk you through a series of hand and body motions as well as a few steps for voice calibration (this is the silly part—many of the body motion steps seem like some sort of disjointed robot line dance). Full calibration is only required the first time the system is used and is worth enduring. The voice calibration, for example, enables the system to differentiate between your vocal chords and the ambient elements of your particular gaming environment. Motion detection isn’t perfect (and lighting conditions play a factor) but is certainly functional and won’t give you too many problems.

What You Can Do With It

The calibration and setup phase wouldn’t be worth the hassle if Kinect didn’t offer some pretty impressive entertainment features.
• Gaming
The Nintendo Wii introduced motion controlled gaming to consumers on a large scale and the Kinect is now a veritable contender in this regard. Microsoft offers a wide variety of titles including: sports, action/adventure, racing, dance (from the Karaoke Revolution and Rock Band family) and a fitness program that is actually supposed to get you in shape. Regardless of the game you choose, you can be sure Kinect will have you moving around and having a good time.
• Video
The VGA camera and multi-array mic allows for video chat right from your living room. Sound quality is excellent and it is nice to not have to wear a headset. Occasional problems might arise with motion recognition if you are sitting down and lighting is poor. Generally, however, this feature is user friendly and a relative no-brainer.
• Entertainment
Shortly before the release of Kinect in November, Microsoft announced functionality with ESPN, Netflix, and Zune Music. Kinect allows you to navigate these programs by voice command or motion detection. Menu navigation for these programs is simple and fairly intuitive, allowing you to enjoy music, movies and sports with the wave of your hand or by the sound of your voice.

Diane Johnson primarily writes about online education, online classes, and anything else that interests her. She enjoys traveling, reading, and sports.