"Natal" is now "Kinect"!

[SevenInchScrew]

I more mean that you can pick and chose with Move.... The system scales, based on what you already have, and what you want to have.

I agree I mean look at the Move you can get everything you need for $99 and the same price and extra controller. Its just MS typical Nickle and dime scheme.

These comments are hilarious.

When the 360 and PS3 were both still new, one of the big things that Sony fans always argued was that, even though the PS3 was more expensive, it came with more stuff standard. With the 360, you had to choose if you wanted a HDD, wifi, HDMI, high-def disc playback, etc, all of which came standard on the more expensive PS3. Now, when the situation is reversed, and it is the Sony product in which you have to pick and choose parts for, and the MS product is a single, standard unit, it is seen as a good thing. That is laughable, at best.

 

[peskaa]

Pft, I always thought the PS3 price was insane, despite having all the features. MS's tactic of overcharging for everything was also annoying - £55 for a WiFi adapter, seriously? Sony only started getting the right idea when they began cutting things like the card readers etc. down.

I'd also say that the core hardware is the important part, being able to pick accessories is more important. MS even agree, as they now bundle WiFi in to the new 360s.

 

[rasmasyean]

Microsoft says sells 1 million Kinect devices

Microsoft Corp said on Monday it has sold more than 1 million of its new hands-free Kinect gaming systems in the first 10 days since launch, putting it on track to beat its target of 5 million sales by the end of the year.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE6AE4EQ20101115

 

[jaw04005]

Space is the biggest problem...

Damn this Kinect is one greedy mofo in regards to space. I could not use it in my own room due to lack of space, the same room where Move & Wii both have no issues what so ever. This is going to be its biggest problem by far.

Were talking 10-12 feet for best results. That's quite some distance from your TV and if you have to factor in a room having sofa's & chairs - it soon is evident your going to need a bigger home. Kids can forget this in their bedrooms anyway.

Once I was able to give it the room it demands it worked great, but as I say without that room - forget it.

I thought you were just exaggerating, but after buying Kinect this weekend I found out it requires you to place the sensor:

- within 2 to 6 feet of the floor
- where the floor is visible to the sensor
- in a position where there is 6 to 8 feet of "free" space for single player or 8 feet of "free" space for two players
- centered below or on top of your TV (no angles, TV mount not included)
- within clear sight (given)
- well lit area with minimal ambient noise

Ridiculous. You would need at minimum a 42" HDTV and a radius of 8 feet around the Kinect sensor to play adequately.

I refuse to complicate my living room setup by putting the 360 in there. So, I guess I"ll just send the damn thing back as there is no possible furniture configuration in my game room to meet those requirements.

Too bad.

 

[macfan881]

Even though I dont have a 360 any more I'm tempted to get it just for all the pc hacks that are coming out for it I really dint think it would be so big mod wise as its has been here's a few hacks.

Kinect recognizing objects
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQ59dXOo63o

Kinect letting you use hand gestures on Windows 7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF3CEbSNHMQ&feature=related

Kinect 3D drawing on OSX
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Brpu30vjCa4

 

[alent1234]

i bought it and loving it

 

[MRU]

I thought you were just exaggerating,.

Sadly no.....

 

[bruinsrme]

I thought you were just exaggerating, but after buying Kinect this weekend I found out it requires you to place the sensor:

- within 2 to 6 feet of the floor
- where the floor is visible to the sensor
- in a position where there is 6 to 8 feet of "free" space for single player or 8 feet of "free" space for two players
- centered below or on top of your TV (no angles, TV mount not included)
- within clear sight (given)
- well lit area with minimal ambient noise

Ridiculous. You would need at minimum a 42" HDTV and a radius of 8 feet around the Kinect sensor to play adequately.

I refuse to complicate my living room setup by putting the 360 in there. So, I guess I"ll just send the damn thing back as there is no possible furniture configuration in my game room to meet those requirements.

Too bad.

I can understand the requirements can be taxing on many rooms.

You mentioned a 42" TV. Not sure why that is ridiculous, as many users sit under 30" away from 27 and 20 inch monitors.

I have used kinect on 32inch, 42 inch and a 54 inch sets.
Of course the 54" is optimum, but the 32 inch is still enjoyable.

For a first generation device I am very pleased with the new toy.

 

[rasmasyean]

Well... since this thread is still alive...

2.5 mill...
http://gameinformer.com/b/news/arch...spx?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

If you're still debating on getting one for the holidays or whatever, better make the decision, because it looks like your chances of getting one...the one you want...will be going downhill as the blind consumerism reaches peak towards Christmas.


BTW, gamestop sells a wall mount kit for like $15 or something if that helps with space.

 

[jaw04005]

You mentioned a 42" TV. Not sure why that is ridiculous, as many users sit under 30" away from 27 and 20 inch monitors.

I have used kinect on 32inch, 42 inch and a 54 inch sets.
Of course the 54" is optimum, but the 32 inch is still enjoyable.

For a first generation device I am very pleased with the new toy.

My point was you have to stand so far back from the sensor that it can be difficult to read a 32" HDTV as your pushing into 40"+ recommended minimum screen size.

 

[Liquorpuki]

My point was you have to stand so far back from the sensor that it can be difficult to read a 32" HDTV as your pushing into 40"+ recommended minimum screen size.

I'm using a Kinect with a 30 inch Standard Def Tube TV and it's fine. So far the Kinect games are all party games and barely require any reading. All the 2 to 6 foot height does is eliminates you from sticking the sensor on the floor or the ceiling. And the ambient light / sound sensors can be calibrated to your room.

The 6-8 foot distance is the one big drawback but it's not a radius. You just need about 6 feet in front of the TV, which makes it ideal for living rooms only. But chances are, if you have a coffee table in front of your couch, all you need to do is move it and you'll have enough space to use the thing

 

[AppleMacFinder]

@jaw04005: Totally agree with you.

The first-gen devices are always "not-so-perfect";
in fact, they are for the rich people who are impatient.

For example, this Kinect is for those who can afford the 42" HDTV and
has a lot of rooms in their private house (so they can afford to turn one room into "gaming room")

As for me, I don't like M$ and their crappy products;
that's because the quality of their products is usually poor.
Just look at the ridiculously huge amount of xbox returns
(because of hardware problems)

I will wait for competitors (Sony, Nintendo) to come up with something revolutional.
And then for the second or even third gen of this "tech miracle".

 

[rasmasyean]

@jaw04005: Totally agree with you.

The first-gen devices are always "not-so-perfect";
in fact, they are for the rich people who are impatient.

For example, this Kinect is for those who can afford the 42" HDTV and
has a lot of rooms in their private house (so they can afford to turn one room into "gaming room")

As for me, I don't like M$ and their crappy products;
that's because the quality of their products is usually poor.
Just look at the ridiculously huge amount of xbox returns
(because of hardware problems)

I will wait for competitors (Sony, Nintendo) to come up with something revolutional.
And then for the second or even third gen of this "tech miracle".

I actually think the required room is a good thing. I think perhaps they "could have" made it a bit shorter, but they didn't want ppl tripping into the TV and kicking it and such. Personally, I wouldn't want kids flailing arround right next to my brand new 40+ inch LED TV and such.

You don't need a "game room" or even a "large living room". That's just the commercial. Sometimes ppl can set this up in the basement, or empty garage, or even backyard at night...not sure about overcast. Granted many ppl clutter their available spaces with "coffee tables" and such, but unless you are like really shortsighted and have an immense lack of imagination, or just live in a cramped apartment, you should be able to move things arround to make room, if even temporary. Nothing wrong with being "poor" or simply liking small residences. But as with anything, it suits certain ppl's environment, and not so much others. No need to knock a product that other's are able to get enjoyment out of it (along with the global organization that created it) just because it doesn't work for your environment.

And just an FYI, despite "returns" (which are prolly most due to blocked vents) the XBox has the highest "attach rate" (i.e. games per console sold) out of all of them. So add that to your expert knowledge about product comparisons!

 

[danny_w]

My brother just called and said they were getting a Kinect system for their Christmas. He said their daughter just bought one and had them over to look at it, and the mom (now 62?) was sold on the spot. I have not been "into" gaming for quite a few years but may have to go try it out!

 

[peskaa]

You don't need a "game room" or even a "large living room". That's just the commercial. Sometimes ppl can set this up in the basement, or empty garage, or even backyard at night...not sure about overcast. Granted many ppl clutter their available spaces with "coffee tables" and such, but unless you are like really shortsighted and have an immense lack of imagination, or just live in a cramped apartment, you should be able to move things arround to make room, if even temporary. Nothing wrong with being "poor" or simply liking small residences. But as with anything, it suits certain ppl's environment, and not so much others. No need to knock a product that other's are able to get enjoyment out of it (along with the global organization that created it) just because it doesn't work for your environment.

I'm assuming you're American.

Large parts of the world don't have huge houses, simply due to the fact there is much less land available. Houses are far more expensive, and smaller, in Europe and parts of Aisa (such as Japan), and as such in these environments Kinect simply struggles. People don't live in small houses because they're poor, thank you very much.

It's not a matter of "moving a coffee table" - even when one isn't there, you probably have to move a sofa to try and get the minimum playing space. In the UK, Victorian-era terrace houses are long and narrow which simply doesn't allow for Kinect to fit, ditto for city apartments. Houses here don't have basements, and funnily enough, garages are for cars if you're lucky enough to have one.

I know six people who have bought Kinect. Five of them have had to return the units as they simply cannot find the space, no matter the tricks they try. The sixth is lucky to have a larger than normal living room, and never bought a coffee table. When a product is hitting that level of returns due to what is inherently a design flaw, it's not a good thing. Microsoft should have realised that not everybody is living in a huge house, and that outside of the US smaller houses are the norm, and that Kinect would struggle in these territories.

 

[[DL]]

Ehhhh, no thanks. I'll stick with my Wii. By the way, Kinect HAZ NO GAEMZ.

 

[Liquorpuki]

I'm assuming you're American.

Large parts of the world don't have huge houses, simply due to the fact there is much less land available. Houses are far more expensive, and smaller, in Europe and parts of Aisa (such as Japan), and as such in these environments Kinect simply struggles. People don't live in small houses because they're poor, thank you very much.

It's not a matter of "moving a coffee table" - even when one isn't there, you probably have to move a sofa to try and get the minimum playing space. In the UK, Victorian-era terrace houses are long and narrow which simply doesn't allow for Kinect to fit, ditto for city apartments. Houses here don't have basements, and funnily enough, garages are for cars if you're lucky enough to have one.

I know six people who have bought Kinect. Five of them have had to return the units as they simply cannot find the space, no matter the tricks they try. The sixth is lucky to have a larger than normal living room, and never bought a coffee table. When a product is hitting that level of returns due to what is inherently a design flaw, it's not a good thing. Microsoft should have realised that not everybody is living in a huge house, and that outside of the US smaller houses are the norm, and that Kinect would struggle in these territories.

If a Victorian era house is long and narrow, then you can set it up the long way if you want to play. You're being very funny with the 6 foot space requirements, acting like your house was built for hobbits. If someone who is 6 feet tall can lay down (AKA if you can fit a bed in your house, then you have the space to play.

 

[peskaa]

If a Victorian era house is long and narrow, then you can set it up the long way if you want to play. You're being very funny with the 6 foot space requirements, acting like your house was built for hobbits. If someone who is 6 feet tall can lay down (AKA if you can fit a bed in your house, then you have the space to play.

Long and narrow with a window at one end, and the door down the other. Unless you put your TV in the window bay, then no, you can't play lengthways.

You're also not using maths properly. Yes, if somebody can lie down, you have 6', but then you need to factor in the width of a sofa, and then usually a TV cabinet/bench, unless you are using a wall mount. Those two will easily use up another 2-3', meaning you need a 9' room to get the absolute minimum of Kinect space, and a 12' room to get the ideal (MS say 8-9'). Even then you'll be right up against your sofa with your knees.

Simply put, Kinect is a space hog. It needs lots of empty space, and not everybody has that, nor can re-arrange their house for a £129 gaming accessory...