How to Set Up the Kinect Sensor

By Pittsburgh Steelers Fan

Feb 9, 2011 07:55 PM

Position The Sensor

Kinect sensor needs to see your entire body.

Place the sensor near the edge on a flat, stable surface.
Position the sensor between 2 feet (0.6m) and 6 feet (1.8m) from the floor. Ideally, the sensor should be within 6 inches (15 cm) above or below your TV.
Avoid positioning the sensor in direct sunlight or within 1 foot (.3m) of audio speakers.
Do not manually tilt the sensor, it adjusts automatically.
Be careful not to drop the sensor.

Setup Play Space

Kinect needs to be able to see your entire body.

Clear the area between the sensor and the players.
One player: Stand back 6 feet (1.8 m).
Two players: Stand back 8 feet (2.4 m).
Make sure that the play space is at least 6 feet (1.8 m) wide, and not wider or longer than 12 feet (3.6 m).
Make sure the room has bright, even lighting.

Connect Cables

Original Xbox 360 console

Plug one end of the cable into the USB port on the back of the console and the other end into an electrical outlet.
If you have a wireless networking adapter, plug it into the USB port on the front of the console by using the supplied USB extension cable.
Move all other USB accessories to USB ports on the front of the console.

Note Order a Kinect Extension cable

Xbox 360 S console

If the Kinect sensor is attached to a cable with a power plug, disconnect the power plug portion of the cable. A power cable is not needed with the Xbox 360 S console.
Plug the sensor cable into the AUX port on the back of the console.

Update Console Software

If you are asked to update your console software, choose Yes.

If you are not prompted to update the software, do one of the following:

Sign in by using an Xbox LIVE gamertag. If a console update is available, select Yes to update your console software. Learn how to join Xbox LIVE.
Insert a Xbox Kinect games disc, and follow the on-screen instructions to update the console software.

Need more help?

Using Connect for First Time

Once your console software is updated, step through the on-screen tutorial to help you become familiar with Kinect.

How Kinect appears on your Xbox 360 console

When the Kinect sensor is active, a window appears in the lower-right corner of the Dashboard. If you can see yourself in this window, then you can interact with Kinect.

Now wave to Kinect and have fun!

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