How to Connect a Kinect

Microsoft's Kinect is a versatile multimedia input device that can be used as a 3D scanner. Originally it was launched as an extension to the Xbox game console. We describe how to connect a Kinect to your Windows PC.

Nintendo's Wii game console introduced motion control to games via wireless remote controls. Later Microsoft added motion control to its XBox360 game console as well. They even did not need remote controls. Instead they used a dedicated camera system, called Kinect, that could do the job without remotes ... and much more.

The Kinect happened to be a versatile device that, connected to your Windows computer, offers an array of new functions. The most striking one is 3D scanning in a user friendly way. That is very interesting for a device with a second hand street price of USD 25!

The plethora of new functions requires a lot of exploring and experimenting which can start as soon as your Kinect has been connected to your Windows computer. And that, surprisingly, is sometimes a frustrating exercise. We will try to help you out.

Step 1: Identify Your Kinect

AFAIK there are four types of Kinect now:

1. Kinect for XBox 360, the original device launched as an extension to the XBox 360 game console.
2. Kinect for Windows, i.e. Windows 7, the same as the previous one, only the firmware is more advanced, i.e. allows closer distances to the object.
3. Kinect for XBox One, the successor of the earlier Kinect for XBox 360.
4. Kinect for Windows v2, i.e Windows 8, the same as the previous one, but now for connection to your PC.

So be sure, you know which Kinect edition you are using.

If you do not have one yet, we recommend the Kinect for Xbox 360 for the moment. It is cheap, the software runs on Windows 7 and you will find many free resources on the internet.

Step 2: Check Your Hardware

Your Kinect needs the right cable and enough power to operate.

This implies:

1. Kinect for XBox 360: You need to buy a dedicated power supply unit / USB cable combination (about USD 10).
2. Kinect for Windows: You will have a power supply unit / USB cable combination as part of your Kinect package.
3. Kinect for XBox One: You need to buy a dedicated power supply unit/ USB 3 cable combination (about USD 10).
4. Kinect for Windows v2: You will have a power supply unit / USB cable combination as part of your Kinect package.

Step 3: Remove Kinect Software

When you tried already to install Kinect drivers and/or applications without success, it is wise to un-install them before you proceed.

So, go to the configuration panel in Windows and select "Add / remove programs". Uninstall anything that starts with the word "Kinect". Have a fresh restart of your system afterwards.

Step 4: Install Kinect Software

Installing the Kinect driver became a mess in our case. However, by trial and error, we found a way out.

Issues are:

• You need both a Software Development Kit (SDK) for the drivers and a Developers Tool Kit for the examples and tools. Always install the SDK first and the Developers Tool Kit next.
• You can download the software from http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/ where you find two versions (v1.7 and v1.8) for both products.
• Apparently in case you have a Kinect for Xbox 360 or a Kinect for Windows you should use v1.7 which runs on Windows7 (maybe Windows8 as well).
• Apparently, in case you have a Kinect for Xbox One or a Kinect for Windows v2 you have to use v1.8 which runs on Windows8 (maybe Windows7 as well).

Afterwards you will find the Kinect Studio program and a Developer Toolkit Browser plus some documents in your Windows task menu.

Step 5: Connect Your Kinect

Now, first Power On your Kinect and then connect it to your computer via a USB-port.

Wait for at least five minutes. In the meantime you could look at Device management on your Windows machine to see what is happening. After a while, you will receive a Device Ready message.

In the Device manager you will see that four new devices have been installed:

1. Kinect for Windows Audio Array Control,
2. Kinect for Windows Camera,
3. Kinect for Windows Device,
4. Kinect for Windows Security Control.

Step 6: Browse Your Kinect Toolkit

Now start the Developer Toolkit Browser for exploring a bunch of ready-to-run demo's and corresponding documentation.

Step 7: Explore Kinect Studio

One of the applications is Kinect Studio that supports other programs in working with the Kinect.

Step 8: SUMMARY

To conclude, a table with a summary of the options.

Comments

[razametaza]

What should I do if it only installs one out of the four devices (Kinect for Windows Device)? This is for a Kinect for Xbox 360 (v1414) on Windows 10 with Kinect for Windown SDK v1.7 and Developer Toolkit v1.7

[Pieter van der Hijden]

A well known issue is that you FIRST have to install the drivers and NEXT have to plugin the device. In your situation: to check whether this issue is the case, go to another Windows machine, DONOT plug in the device and install the drivers first. If this works and you still wants to use the earlier windows machine, find ways to remove the earlier installed drivers.

Does this help?

[razametaza]

I have attempted this several times before so I've been sure to uninstall the drivers and clean the registry before attempting again. The first time I tried it only installed the Audio Array device and stopped there. It only ever seems to be able to install just one device and never multiple, even after waiting several minutes like suggested.

On all attempts Kinect Studio does not recognize any Kinect hardware.

I also tried installing it on a Windows 7 virtual machine to no luck as well, but I only tried that once.

Could it be that I have a faulty Kinect 1414? Would that have anything to do with the additional devices not installing?

[Pieter van der Hijden]

Stopping after one device could imply that your Kinect is asking to much power via its USB. Are you sure you use a separate power adapter for the Kinect?

[jcom4179]

I have the Xbox 360 Kinect camera, a windows 10 Nuvision tablet and a 12v rechargeable power system. These items are set up on pistol grip tablet holder I customized for an SLS Microsoft Kinect stickman camera for Ghost hunting. I have downloaded the Kinect 1.8 SDK and the Kinect tool kit . Once the Kinect software is downloaded I am unable be to open it or have the software recognize the Kinect camera. I've watched every video on YouTube , factory reset my windows in 10 tablet PC as well as purchased a new Xbox 360 Kinect camera with still no results. I desperately need help.
Thank you.Jeff C.

[langdoncobbb]

Hey Jeff, did you ever figure out this problem? I have built numerous SLS cams, working on the new XLS with the V2 sensors.. lmk if I can help

[Viruzoris]

Hello, I just bought a Kinect 360 (1414) and after some research because of the no compatibilty with my système ( W10 / USB 3 ) i just found that my USB port was not compatible with the Kinect v1
The symptoms on USB 3 : green light blinking and in the Device management "Kinect for Windows Camera" was disconect / reconnect continuously... try SDK 1.7 and 1.8 , change the driver with Zadig (different version) without resolution of th problem.
The micro was functional
I have read a reddit post : https://www.reddit.com/r/kinect/comments/7h30os/ge...
that solved my problem => i connect an adaptor USB 2.0 on my motherboard (who have 2 connector in 2.0) ....
and YES ! it's functional cam + micro
i haven't test yet the motor

So you need to use a USB 2.0 port for the Kinect 360.

J'espère que cela va en aider certains :)

[Nfa59]

Hi, i have a xbox one kinect and a hp laptop with window 10. I already done downloaded the software and when I connect with the kinect the 4 devices that u show should be downloaded is not there in the device manager. So what should I do?

[baileyscream]

plug in your kinect and they will install as per the above instructions

[Nfa59]

Is the plug in mean connect the kinect using usb to the computer? If you mean like that then I already connected the kinect to my laptop. Just incase my laptop is the one with problem and cannot support the kinect. I even borrow my friend laptop to try it but they never install as the instructions.

Ps:/Sorry.. My first language is not English so my understanding my be a little bit less.

[FilipeS20]

Hi there, I'm looking for the cable to conect the Kinect for XBox One to computer, but i cant find. Could someone give me a clue (or a link to a ebay seller) to where I can get it?

[ifawcett2017]

I found one on amazon https://www.amazon.com/Kinect-Adapter-Xbox-One-Windows/dp/B07GRXJ69H/ref=asc_df_B07GRXJ69H/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312191966296&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2778442700098356075&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9022896&hvtargid=pla-570160490563&psc=1

[Pieter van der Hijden]

There are two types, one for the Xbox 360 Kinect, one for the Xbox One Kinect. You find both on http://amazon.com; look for kinect windows.

[ifawcett2017]

I have my Xbox One Kinect connected to PC and the camera runs when I use the 3D viewer app, but for anything else it is not picking up that the Kinect is connected and it is not even turning on unless I run that app. What could be the issue here?

[IRMacGuyver]

What's the difference between SDK 1.7 and 1.8? I looked this up years ago when first starting but now can't remember and I'm starting fresh with a new computer. I think it had to do with which version of windows you had as to which worked better. Either that or it was based on the kinect unit. I'm using Windows 10 pro and have the 360 Kinect with the adapter connection.

[Katyhebbache]

I can use Kinect to do motion and voice recognition through image processing.?

[Darrell 1978]

Looking for help after installing Kinect SDK v1.8 & KinectDeveloperToolkit-v1.8.0 to install XBox 360 kinect to windows 10. After using command prompt with admin rights to use regsvr32 Kinectcam.ax, then rebooting PC. I appear to be missing config.ini that's to be found in C:\Users\Darrell\AppData\Local\Kinect folder, which wasn't created. Unable to adjust camera angle. Device manager shows all Kinect devices. The kinect cam is not enabled with Skype. Either there is a problem with the adapter or there is something I've missed.

[christiankrupa]

Would a cable for the 360 version work with a kinect for Xbox one?

[reddragonzz]

No, they are different

[TechnoStuck]

Hi Pieter
I have a Win 10 64 bit O/S, 16 Gb Memory, Gigabyte Aorus Geforce GTX 1080 ti Xtreme edition 11gb and a Kinect Xbox 360 sensor model # 1414. I have followed your instructions for SDK v 1.7 and v 1.8 using the correct drivers. I connect the Kinect as directed. And that is where the problems start.
1. The Green light is flashing
2. When I start Kinect Studio v 1.8, I am told that I need to be connected to a Kinect-enabled app. I start Skanect 1.10 (win 10). Firstly I get a message from Kinect saying failed to initialise the sensor. Skanect says it is detecting sensor, but when I close the message from Kinect, Skanect that the sensor is unavailable.
3. In Device Manager, there is a yellow warning triangle against Kinect for Windows Camera. (R) click and then clicking Properties gives me the following message "Windows cannot load the device driver for this hardware. The driver may be corrupted or missing. (Code 39)
{Bad Image}
%hs is either not designed to run on Windows or it contains an error. Try installing the program again using the original installation media or contact your system administrator or the software vendor for support. Error status 0x"
Is there anything I am missing?
Peter