Projector Peeps.... Does Microsoft Kinect or Sony Move work in a pitch black room?

I play my PS Move in front of my projector (w1000) in complete darkness with no problems. The glowing balls on the end if the motion controller give the camera an easy target to track in the dark. On the calibration screen I cannot see myself, just the glowing spheres and the games work perfectly.


I'd imagine any game with augmented camera visuals eg, "start the party" would be pointless though in the dark, but let me tell you playing table tennis with a life sized virtual opponent is awesome.


Can't comment with authority on the Kinect but I hear it has trouble in low light conditions.

I can also verify the Move works well in a completely dark room. But, you will probably need an active USB extension cable for the camera unless your system is very close to the screen. A typical projector setup (screen size more than darkness) creates logistical problems for setting up one of these systems.



Quote:
Originally Posted by tsaksa /forum/post/19445231


you will probably need an active USB extension cable

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What is an "active" USB extension cable?



My PS3 is located at the very back of the room, with the other audio/video equipment. When I use the Nintendo Wii in the projector room, I use a wireless sensor bar, so there aren't any issues with that. I figured that Kinect and Move would both be problematic from a wiring standpoint. I'd say that the back of my room ( where the PS3 is located ) , is about 28 feet away from where the camera would be. Of course, that is if the usb cord was going directly to the PS3 from the camera, but I'd want to run it along the side wall of my room so that nobody would accidentally trip over it. This means I'd need a much longer cable than 28 feet. I'm guessing that I'd need a 40 foot USB cable, and I was under the impression that they didn't work in lengths that long, but I know they have those Cat5e cables that have USB converters on the ends of them. Maybe I can use one of those. Not sure if there would be a delay in the signal though.

He is referring to a signal repeating USB...I use them myself for extending my calibration gear in larger rooms. They pull power off the PC, and then repeat the signal (effectively amplify)...works quite well if there are distance to combat.



Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason Turk /forum/post/19445638


He is referring to a signal repeating USB...I use them myself for extending my calibration gear in larger rooms. They pull power off the PC, and then repeat the signal (effectively amplify)...works quite well if there are distance to combat.

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That is exactly what I meant. I think Monoprice caries some of these out to a length of 33 feet. The other advantage of refreshing the signal, is that you should be able to chain a few together for even longer connections. I have not tried multiple active cables hooked together, but it is supposed to work, since the cable actually looks like a hub electrically. There is a limit of 5 hub connections at most under the USB spec, but you may not get that many to work depending on other specifics in the configuration.



Quote:
Originally Posted by Anthony1 /forum/post/19443694


I just wonder if in a totally dark room (other than light from the projector), it would work.

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I believe (and I have googled this issue myself) the Kinect will work just fine in darkness since it uses the IR camera to track movements. It does also have an RGB camera for things like in-game snapshots and whatnot. It naturally needs some light to function.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Anthony1 /forum/post/19443694


My other issue is that my carpet is a very dark grey, and my sofa's are black.

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Grey carpet and black sofa! My god, you DO have an issue - with fashion! Just kidding, shouldn't make any difference.

Off topic, but how does gaming like this in front of the projector work? With the PJ being behind you, unless it's really high up doesn't it cast your shadow on to the screen? This is assuming you are using a front projection setup.



Quote:
Originally Posted by habakoski /forum/post/19446418


That's a possible problem playing Kinect with a projector. Either the screen or the projector has to be high up. I'm currently measuring the optimal distance height ratio for my room.


This guy has done a really great job with a short-throw projector (just above his head!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8Uhu46Ibys

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Yeah, it definitely won't work for me (6'6" ceiling on the screen wall, 7' where the PJ is)... so I'd be in front of the light. I was just curious about other's applications.


I'm at work and we block youtube videos, but I'll check that out when I get home.

Kinect will definitely not work in pitch black room.


It uses a camera to capture your body position. There are no shiny component like in PS3 Move or Wiimote. You'll need some kind of light on your body to be able to play kinect.

Please see the recent article below for information on using the Kinect in low light situations:

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/...n-xbox-kinect/

My kinect works great in my HT. Low light from wall sconces and PJ. Using a Sony VPLHS51a an Carada 110. I do have some shadow images, but moving PJ up some should fix it, or a newer 1080p with a shorter throw.



Quote:
Originally Posted by bpassman /forum/post/19448598


My kinect works great in my HT. Low light from wall sconces and PJ. Using a Sony VPLHS51a an Carada 110. I do have some shadow images, but moving PJ up some should fix it, or a newer 1080p with a shorter throw.

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Have you tried it with no lights at all, just the projector?



Quote:
Originally Posted by habakoski /forum/post/19448433


You could easily eliminate this problem by aligning a highly focusing spotlight towards the player (desk lamp etc.)

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Ya, that would be awesome, shining a light in your face lol....

what about the location of the kinect sensor. I need to be about 10 feet from the screen do you just move the sensor up so its 4 feet from the screen?



Quote:
Originally Posted by Verge2 /forum/post/19470899


Ya, that would be awesome, shining a light in your face lol....

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Basic desklamp is not very powerful, mind you. In a Kinect setup the screen would usually be maybe just below the eye level. Light source would be even lower. It doesn't make very flattering light I must admit, but passable enough. I would also like to add that one should probably use some kind of a softener (I've got bunch of studio gear myself). DIY umbrella softbox is very easy to do. Better than ceiling lamp bouncing light everywhere, eliminating those precious projector lumens.



Quote:
Originally Posted by xKRUZx /forum/post/19503081


Maybe just wear one of the headlamps pointed down towards your nose?

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Can't wait to see the YouTube video of that one.