Did you know two people playing Kinect need to stand 8 feet from the camera? Did you know Kinect needs to be placed 2-6 feet high to work? Did you know that you don’t need a Kinect power pack if you own a 360 Slim?

You do now.

VG247 has received photographs of the entire Kinect manual, revealing final, consumer-facing information on setting up and using the motion camera.

The required play distances are confirmed in the document: “The sensor can see you when you are approximately 6 feet (2 meters) from the sensor. For two people, you should play approximately 8 feet (2.5 meters) from the sensor.”

The manual also provides height information for placing: “For the best play space and sensor performance, place your sensor between 2 and 6 feet (0.6 and 2 meters) high, the closer to the low or high limit the better.”

You’re also warned that you should “not put the sensor on your console.”

The peripheral’s manual confirms that an external power pack needs to be used unless you own a Slim.

“For Xbox 360 S consoles, power is supplied by the console. For original Xbox 360 consoles, you’ll need to connect the sensor to a standard wall outlet.”

If you own a Slim, the camera’s simply plugged into the AUX input.

Kinect comes with a software disc which needs to be installed for it to work. We’re going to assume this is included in the upcoming 360 dashboard update.

“Troubleshooting”

There’s a troubleshooting section at the back of the manual, which tells you how to fix stuff if it all goes wrong.

If the camera can’t see you, you should “turn on lights to brighten the play space,” “try wearing different colored clothing that contrasts with the background of your play space,” and “prevent lights, including sunlight, from shining directly on the sensor.”

You’re also warned to make sure the system is “well-ventilated.”

Check out the images below. There’s a page missing here which detailed how to install the software; the photo was really blurred.

Kinect launches in the US on November 4 and the UK on November 10.

http://www.vg247.com/2010/10/05/entire-kinect-manual-photographed-play-distances-power-details-more/

Pics are in the link. Didn't want to slow down the thread with large pictures.

Anyways, first thing that stands out to me is the distances required to play single and/or multiplayer. These distances are quite large but they are also "optimal distances", meaning you could no doubt play games without being the full 6-8 feet away.

Another thing that stands out is the requirements of clothing colors you should wear in regards to the color of the playing area and that the Kinect requires good lighting.

If I am not mistaken wasn't Kinect supposed to work in any lighting condition including the ability to play in the dark? I guess this means no Kinect in the dark? I know plenty of people like to play games in the dark and this is will no doubt be quite upsetting that this is no longer a feature.

Anyways, what do you all think?

OK, let's just mention the 'troubleshooting' part. The PS3, Wii, XBOX, heck every game has a troubleshooting section. Very few people actually read it because you never need to. As you said, there are optimal distances, and this is designed for people who have a living room. Obviously, if I'm in a 90 degree room, my heat won't stand out, and if I camouflage myself by wearing something very similar to the background in low light, it's going to have a hard time seeing me.

2-6 feet is a huge range, from near the floor to eye level. You should be able to find something in that range, and don't just throw a towel over it and not let the heat escape. Come on, all of this is common sense. I'm just going to hook it up and use it.

You’re also warned to make sure the system is “well-ventilated.”

So kinect produces toxic fumes now?

Also it seems you have to wear the right clothes at certain times, so you have you change your clothes every time the sun comes out?

You guys are reading way too far into it.  That's the troubleshooting section.  Not every game for Kinect works the same.  Some, I'm sure, use the RGB camera for certain aspects.  It is the RGB camera that needs certain lighting/color requirements.  That's why PSEye has to have the glowing balls and optimal lighting to track anything other than the PS Move controllers.

If a game just uses the depth sensor then yes, you will be able to play in the dark, in any color, and be perfectly fine.

As to the "well ventilated" comment, it says that in every single console manual and pretty much all new consumer entertainment devices.  It's just saying that these devices need airflow to keep cool so don't close it in a cabinet or surround it with books or cover it in clothes.

Also, I find it very hard to believe people can't find 6-8' of space from their TV in most living rooms/entertainment centers.  I live in an apartment and my living room space from the TV to the front of my couch is 8' so I should be fine and people with houses should have much more space than me.

Nothing to worry about here.

Microsoft's mistakes equals selling a lot of consoles. Now the old x360 models would require an aditional power pack whiles the slim wouldn't. Besides, too much trouble shooting and i'm wondering whether this device is riped for this time.

Did we actually learn anything new? Oh yeah its got a manual that has never been officially made public knowledge before, glad we cleared that up.

the play distance is a bit limiting.  i have 5'10" from my wall to the edge of my couch.  i can open up another foot-ish if i move my couch but i don't really want to be moving it back and forth all the time.

also curious about the install.  i wonder how big that is?

..but whatever, from what i've seen on the games front so far i wasn't planning on getting it anyways.

Are you saying your TV is closer than 5 ft from you?  I do hope you are talking about a bedroom or dorm as that is the smallest living room space I have ever heard of, and if you have a TV over the size of 32" that is wayyy to close to be sitting to your TV in the first place.

the fiancee owns the living room in which video games are banned because she doesn't like them.  but that's how much room i have in my man-cave and yes,..it is a pretty tight fit with my tv (40").  i'd have a bit more room (distance) if i shifted everything 90 degrees but then my love seat wouldn't fit in (the room is 5 sided so it's a bit of an akward setup no matter what i do).

From the sounds of it there are a lot of people that play their games in cardboard boxes, closets, and tight hallways (at least with the tight hallway people we can recommend that they turn the tv/chair 90 degrees...).