Control Windows PC with Kinect

Controlling Your PC with Kinect: An Introduction to Kinemote

Previously, an exploration of Kinect hacking for PC was presented, detailing the necessary drivers and showcasing a rudimentary zombie survival game demonstration.

While engaging in virtual zombie combat is enjoyable, the focus now shifts towards practical applications of this technology.

This article will introduce the Kinemote application and demonstrate its capabilities for controlling both a standard Windows mouse and Xbox Media Center.

Kinemote: Mouse Control and Beyond

Kinemote provides a method for utilizing the Kinect sensor as a motion-based input device.

It allows users to navigate and interact with their Windows PC using gestures, effectively transforming the Kinect into a hands-free control system.

This functionality extends beyond simple mouse movements, offering potential for accessibility and innovative user experiences.

Integrating with Xbox Media Center

Beyond general Windows control, Kinemote seamlessly integrates with Xbox Media Center, enhancing media consumption.

Users can navigate menus, select content, and control playback using Kinect gestures, creating an immersive and intuitive media center experience.

This integration builds upon the foundation of a well-configured Plex-based media center, as previously discussed.

The combination of Kinemote and Xbox Media Center offers a compelling alternative to traditional remote controls.

It represents a significant step towards a more interactive and engaging home entertainment setup.

Preparing Your System

Assuming you’ve completed the previous tutorial, several drivers may already be present on your system. However, Kinemote operates optimally with specific driver versions. Therefore, it’s recommended to remove any existing OpenNI and PrimeSense drivers through the standard Windows uninstallation process.

Driver Removal Process

Uninstalling previous driver installations ensures compatibility and avoids potential conflicts. This step is crucial for a smooth Kinemote experience.

Begin by accessing the Windows uninstall feature. Locate and remove all instances of OpenNI and PrimeSense drivers listed.

Following the uninstallation, a system restart might be necessary to fully clear any residual files. This ensures a clean slate for the new driver installation.

A visual guide to this process can be found in the accompanying image.

Proper driver management is key to successfully utilizing Kinemote with your Kinect device. Removing older versions prevents unforeseen issues during setup.

Kinemote: Downloading and Installation

Initially, utilizing Kinemote necessitates a brief registration process on the official forum. This is a prerequisite to accessing the download. Proceed with registration using this link.

All necessary software components are available for download from a dedicated thread on the kinemote platform (currently unavailable).

The thread details the specific driver versions required for installation. However, direct links are provided below for convenience. Forum registration remains essential to obtain the Kinemote software itself.

OpenNI (currently inaccessible)
Sensor Kinect drivers
NITE middleware (no longer available) - a community license key for installation is: 0KOIk2JeIBYClPWVnMoRKn5cdY4=
Replacement motor and LED drivers (removed)

The initial three installations are straightforward and do not require manual configuration file editing. The final downloaded file should be extracted to a readily accessible location, such as your desktop.

This extracted content will be used to update the Kinect motor drivers, assuming the first three components have already been installed. To accomplish this, launch Device Manager and navigate to the Primesense category.

Within this section, three devices should be visible. Right-click on the device labeled Kinect Motor and choose the option to update driver software.

Select the option to browse for drivers manually. Then, direct the selection process to the folder where you extracted the "Kinect nui motor and LED driver" files.

Windows will then proceed to replace the existing driver with an updated version, as illustrated below:

Kinemote

First, ensure you've downloaded and installed the Kinemote application from the forum previously referenced. The software is distributed as a zip file containing an executable installer. Access the application through your Start menu after installation.

Begin by opening the options screen to configure several settings for optimal performance. Initially, select "wrist-wave" from the topmost dropdown menu. This gesture-based activation method will be intuitive for those familiar with Kinect technology. Furthermore, choose "virtual mouse" as the control style for ease of use.

Within the general settings, enabling video feedback is recommended. This feature provides visual confirmation of tracking status and ensures accurate user detection. You can disable this feedback once you become comfortable with the system.

After closing the options panel, the setup should be complete. Activate tracking by waving your hand. Clicking is achieved by rapidly moving your hand back and forth. While not flawless – forward motion often precedes cursor movement – this method allows for basic control.

Consider supplementing this with a traditional mouse for precise clicking, or utilize an iPhone remote control. Alternatively, Kinemote can be configured to control games through custom keystroke assignments.

Experiment with this functionality before attempting media center control, as it aids in understanding the control of the back and mid planes. Switch to "custom keys" mode to explore this feature. The video preview will display red for the backplane and green for the midplane, accompanied by an audible beep during transitions.

Familiarize yourself with these planes before switching to XBMC (or Boxee) mode.

Mastering Kinemote requires practice, and initial movements may appear uncoordinated. However, with approximately five minutes of practice, a reasonable level of control can be achieved.

What are your initial impressions? This is arguably the most innovative – and potentially costly – remote control solution available for media centers. An investigation into Mac-compatible alternatives will be conducted, with findings reported in a future update.