Kinect camera downgraded-- can't read sign language, 320x240 resolution

Come on... Even the original Eyetoy had 640x480 resolution! I understand that this pertains to the infrared camera on the unit, but even so that's a pretty crappy downgrade. It's bad enough that they took out Kinect's dedicated processor to save money, but now they've cut the IR camera's resolution in half. I can't help but wonder what else Microsoft has ended up downgrading in order to keep the cost down.

http://kotaku.com/5609840/kinect-dumbed-down-to-save-money-cant-read-sign-language

This folks, is why Sony decided to pass on it. Yeah, the tech could be pretty keen if customers were willing to spend $400 on it, but the fact of the matter is that you're stuck with what's basically a glorified Eyetoy, and even in its most dumbed down state it still costs $120 more than the original Eyetoy. When Microsoft considers buying stuff in the future, I think they need to ask themselves "why didn't our competitors want this?" before they commit.

When Microsoft considers buying stuff in the future, I think they need to ask themselves "why didn't our competitors want this?" before they commit.Timstuff

[QUOTE="Timstuff"]When Microsoft considers buying stuff in the future, I think they need to ask themselves "why didn't our competitors want this?" before they commit.Anjunaddict

320x240? really? Well the sign language thing is a bad thing for deaf people.

Thats pretty poor.

Even my trackir5 is 640 x 480.

Indeed you can buy a cheap $10 webcam with that resolution. This glorified eye toy or should I say downgraded isn't worth it at all. Not to mention it sucks as a game controller. Can't believe people are hyping it tbh.

doing a kinect critical thread in sw is like doing an i love ice creme topic at a weight watchers meeting. you just are not going to find lots of people arguing with you.

Was'nt there an article on GS recently about how Kinect was able to do just this?

Where are you ProjectNatalFan?

Actually, losing sign language I would say is not that big a deal, sucks, but we only recently learned of it and it is quite niche. Losing ability to read finger position is more important in general. This means games can only use limb positioning, which pretty much kills it's usefulness for anything complex. Even the good old pointy finger gun can't work anymore.DerekLoffin

wow, really? when i was still in Asia, my school taught us sign language. i was 3rd grade back then. that was more than a decade ago. @_@

It seems as though we've only been hearing about downgrades to Kinect during the last couple months while the price remains at $150. I believe majority of the sales will stem from the fact that consumers may view it as new and "innovative" similar to how the Wii was viewed. Although I don't expect Kinect do nearly as well as Wii did in regards to long term sales.

see never buy first gen things, but amazing that microsoft is still losing money at $150, so the next kinect will be amazing for sure

but its not MS fault, new tech isnt cheap

[QUOTE="Anjunaddict"][QUOTE="Timstuff"]When Microsoft considers buying stuff in the future, I think they need to ask themselves "why didn't our competitors want this?" before they commit.Timstuff

[QUOTE="DerekLoffin"]Actually, losing sign language I would say is not that big a deal, sucks, but we only recently learned of it and it is quite niche. Losing ability to read finger position is more important in general. This means games can only use limb positioning, which pretty much kills it's usefulness for anything complex. Even the good old pointy finger gun can't work anymore.rawr89

wow, really? when i was still in Asia, my school taught us sign language. i was 3rd grade back then. that was more than a decade ago. @_@

Interesting. I wonder how this'll affect upcoming games in terms of precision.

Either way, tech will improve, but I doubt they'll bring out an "updated" Kinect for 360 due to risk of segregating the market.

motion controls are meh, even the best wii games barely use it for anything.

[QUOTE="Timstuff"][QUOTE="Anjunaddict"] Why don't you wait and see how Kinect performs. You could well be eating your own words.BodyElite

didnt you know that games don't get better after launch?

We're burying the lede here. Sure not being able to read ASL is a bit of a downer and it would have been nice to have the better hardware (although your title and post read as though MS just decided to use the lower-res sensor, whereas it would seem they've been using the lower-res model since E3, at the very least), but how about the part where virtually every single gaming site that reported on Kinect being able to read ASL failed to so much as call MS for confirmation on the story? That's mind-numbing incompetence.

the comments are freaking hilarious:lol: especially the one with the middle finger

I learned two things from this thread. 1) I didn't know that they threw out the dedicated chip! How stupid of MS. They could take a loss for just a little bit. This would have made it worth while. No wonder we've been seeing the lag and glitching. This only confirms that Kinect will never be used with Hardcore games. Too much work needs to be done on the 360.

2) That resoultion will make reading the body more difficult if I understand Kinect correctly. I guess reading fingers is not possible with such a small size. I can see why they dumped it but it would have been nice to have.

The more I look at Kinect the more I see wasted opportunity. It's an obvious cash grab that, unfortunately, many people will fall for.

[QUOTE="BodyElite"][QUOTE="Timstuff"] I don't care if it sells well if the only games availible are Kinect Sports, Kinect Dancing, Kinexercise, Kinect Music, and Kinect Party and the like. We've seen all this stuff before on Wii and Eyetoy.gamer-adam1

didnt you know that games don't get better after launch?

[QUOTE="Timstuff"][QUOTE="Anjunaddict"] Why don't you wait and see how Kinect performs. You could well be eating your own words.BodyElite

That's what the line-up looks like kid. Will you base your purchase on baseless hope?

Kotaku are anti-Microsoft. ;)

see never buy first gen things, but amazing that microsoft is still losing money at $150, so the next kinect will be amazing for sure

but its not MS fault, new tech isnt cheap

gamer-adam1

[QUOTE="gamer-adam1"]

see never buy first gen things, but amazing that microsoft is still losing money at $150, so the next kinect will be amazing for sure

but its not MS fault, new tech isnt cheap

Dahaka-UK

well new tech for consumers, and NO this isnt the same thing as what webcams can do...and people need to stop thinking that

[QUOTE="Dahaka-UK"][QUOTE="gamer-adam1"]

see never buy first gen things, but amazing that microsoft is still losing money at $150, so the next kinect will be amazing for sure

but its not MS fault, new tech isnt cheap

gamer-adam1

well new tech for consumers, and NO this isnt the same thing as what webcams can do...and people need to stop thinking that

[QUOTE="gamer-adam1"]

[QUOTE="Dahaka-UK"] This isn't new tech and neither is it next gen hardware. Dahaka-UK

well new tech for consumers, and NO this isnt the same thing as what webcams can do...and people need to stop thinking that

http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/11/microsoft-says-kinect-wont-support-sign-language-downgraded-ca/

look at kinect than look at your webcam....sure looks the same infact I cant even tell the difference

Kotaku are anti-Microsoft. ;)

gago-gago

lets see rumor...rumor...rumor.

and wait? it was rumored it could read signlanguage now that it cant...its all of a sudden a downgrade...can eyetoy read sign language? can eyetoy ps3 read it? yeah thought not.

you seem to be looking for anything and every thing to bash kinect...it was never announced to be capable of sign language recog...it was rumored it could...now that it cant...OH GOD the downgrade kinect=suck!

Kinect keeps getting better the more we hear about it.FIipMode

You all are not thinking interactively because KINECT IS NOT A TV... it is motion tech that brings you into the game. Imagine RPGS... being able to name your character via voice command, Equiping your Armor, Casting spells etc.. Imagine being able to actually throw a plasma grenade in Halo. Kinect is much better then motion on a stick ala move and the wiimote imo.Banjo_Kongfooie

You're thinking a few gens ahead of where we are and I'm not sure I ever want to control my game by shouting and flailing at the tv.

Actually I'm sure that I never want to do that.