While this week’s console news will most likely revolve around PS4, new information leaked from Microsoft reveals the specifications of XBox 720’s Kinect 2.0.
The leak shows that the motion capture device will receive considerable upgrades, but nothing too exciting or innovative.
This new information seems to confirm earlier rumors that each 720 console, codenamed Durango, will come with Kinect, a functionality that will probably both excite and disappoint. The leak comes from VGleaks, and is remarkably specific about the specifications.
The increased field of view is probably the most significant upgrade on the new Kinect. While the original Kinect had a field of view of 57.5 degrees horizontally and 43.5 degrees vertically, Kinect 2.0 will feature 70 degrees horizontally and 60 degrees vertically. This expanded field of view means players can move back from the screen a bit. At 12 feet, the sensor picks up motion in an area of 18 feet by 15 feet, meaning that four players can fit comfortably, and six should fit as well. This also means that the new Kinect will be more accommodating for short and tall people, and the VGleaks report even mentions that the sensor can track seated and standing players at the same time.
Kinect 2.0 will not include a tilt motor, which was probably deemed unnecessary by the increased field of view.
The new device will also have an upgraded camera. While the first Kinect had a 640 x 480 pixel camera, Kinect 2.0’s camera resolution will be a hi-def 1920 x 1080, and will stream video at 30 fps. The color on the new Kinect will also be upgraded, from 24-bit RGB to 16-bit YUV.
Depth resolution on the new device is also improved, with a 512 x 424 16-bit depth stream (up from 320 x 240). This new depth resolution means Kinect 2.0 can resolve an image two to three times smaller than the former Kinect at 11.5 feet. This depth stream will also use an IR stream at the same dimensions, to help the Kinect see in low-light environments.
The new Kinect device will also see an upgrade from USB 2.0 to USB 3.0 and a reduced end-to-end latency of 60 ms (from 90 ms on the original Kinect).
While these are impressive upgrades, they may not offset the potentially-deal breaking rumor that Kinect 2.0 will be integral to the 720 system, requiring the motion sensor be constantly running.
