This is my little contribution for those of you that do not fancy diving into compiling code and figuring out how to integrate and use the Xbox Kinect in some VJ apps! Note though: :It is not a sureshot working solution for all, but see the steps further down the article:

 

I've played around more with the Xbox Kinect and FreeFrame plugins: free download

These are PC ONLY, and only an FF1.0 CPU version of this newly attached one for now, I'll see what I can do later with FFGL version, and if anyone want to *give* me a Mac I might make a Mac version, otherwise it will have to wait till I get a new Mac I'm afraid :S

The plugins use the OpenNI library internally to get the depth image in real time from (in theory any PrimeSense/OpenNI module) the Kinect controller, on PC. The FFGL Plugin loads as a source plugin in Resolume Avenue and other software that has FFGL support. Here is a tutorial how to (try, no 100% promises it will work for you) get it up and running and there is a FFCPU version too (FF1.0), and at the bottom is a link to the actual plugin attached .zip file.

This is a free download (attachment/link at the bottom of the article), as a little contribution to the community :)

The Updated Tutorial (2011.12.21)

For PC Only, for now! Tested on WinXP and Win7 64bit, BUT it still only works with 32bit drivers (hence should also work fine if you got Win7 32bit). So please use the 32bit downloads underneath, since FreeFrames are, for now, limited to 32bit internally. Note: Absolutely no guarantee given here for it to work on your system though, sorry! But you can contact me if you have anything to contribute or say what fails if anything, it is not for support though; I don't have the capacity to help much for individual users of this, except if I get some feedback I might get this article and these downloads improved and it might help you in the end :)

1. Install OpenNI Unstable Build for Windows x86 (32-bit)

http://www.openni.org/Downloads/OpenNIModules.aspx

1.1. click and choose "OpenNI Binaries" from first dropdown
1.2. Click and select "unstable" on next dropdown
1.3. Clic and choose "OpenNI Unstable Build for Windows x86 (32-bit) v1.5.27 Development"
1.4. Run the downloaded installer openni-win32-1.5.2.7-dev.msi

2. Install avin2 modded PrimeSense drivers:

https://github.com/avin2/SensorKinect

2.1. click "ZIP" on the upper left to download the .zip file and extract it
2.2. Unzip and go to the "Bin" folder inside the extracted
2.3. Run the installer SensorKinect-Win-OpenSource32-5.0.5.1.msi

3. Install NITE:

http://www.openni.org/Downloads/OpenNIModules.aspx

3.1. click and choose "OpenNI Compliant Middleware Binaries" from first dropdown
3.2. click and select "unstable" on next dropdown
3.3. Click and choose "Primesense NITE Unstable Build for Windows x86 (32-bit) v1.5.2.7 Development Edition"
3.4. Run the downloaded installer nite-win32-1.5.2.7-dev.msi

You can use the driver folder /avin2-SensorKinect-xxxxxxxx/Platform/Win32/Driver/ for installing the following:

"Prime Sensor\Kinect Camera"
"Prime Sensor\Kinect Motor"

Note: "Xbox NUI Audio device" won't install since OpenNI currently do not support the audio input.

If you can't seem to get the Kinect detected, after installing OpenNI, reinstall the avin2 drivers, and then re-plugin your kinect.

Note: Make 100% sure the Kinect external power IS connected FIRMLY in the socket, only USB power is (in most cases) not enough to drive the device and get the depth image input! I thought I had put it in, but it didn't sit firmly, this someone said in a forum and it solved my issues too.

Use this key (free) when installing, and in the OpenNI.xml): 0KOIk2JeIBYClPWVnMoRKn5cdY4= ...not even sure if one need this one anymore, I had no issues reinstalling here, but that said it mightve been already in the registry not completely removed (fyi)

4. Copy ONE of the FFGL or FFCPU plugin & the config .xml file:
In Resolume Avenue on PC (for the older FFGL iDepthCam1):

1. Copy the iDepthCam1.dll into the video plugins folder: C:\Program Files\Resolume Avenue 3-4.x.x\plugins\vfx\
2. Then copy the OpenNI.xml(config file) into the main app folder: C:\Program Files\Resolume Avenue 3-4.x.x\
3. Then fire up Resolume Avenue, go to "sources" and the FFGL plugin should appear there, drag it into a clip-slot, since it is a _source_ and then you can use the depth image in any way you wish.

New plugin in other apps: same as below, but the file NIUserLey1.dll:

NOTE: Load only ONE plugin at a time (I've got issues running several instances here, looking into that too for later..)

In other apps: copy the (FFGL or FFCPU depending on support) plugin into the app's freeframe/plugin folder, and the .xml into the app's main folder where the .exe is located.

See attachment at the bottom of the article for link to the free downloadable .zip files!

Disclaimer: Absolutely NO 100% GUARANTEES that it will work for you, NO WARRANTIES, just presented AS-IS, and proven to work for me at least, if there are issues I might look more at it to fix, let me know here (use "Feedback").

Cheers,
Thomas / Intrinsic