Has anyone successfully extended the Kinect sensor over CAT5/6 yet? I have the 10ft Kinect extension cable pre-ordered. I am going to remove the extension cable ends and attach them to CAT6e cable(s) in the wall for the power and data.

How far are you extending? You'll need 4 conductors for the USB and can use the rest for the power pack but I'd be worried about extending the USB via just a splice since the max range on USB is something like 5 meters. Might want to look into a powered USB balun? We've used one from gefen with good results in the past.

Extending 50-60ft. The Kinect port is not a normal USB jack. I understand the stated limitations of USB but that doesn't mean that I will not attempt to avoid a $500 balun for USB 2.0 if it's not necessary and also may not work because the Kinect cable has additional pins. [Link: gefen.com]

Hmm for some reason I thought it was a usb-A connector...but by all means give it a shot. I'd like to know how it works out as I will be attempting this soon as well.

the xbox slim slim has the proprietary usb+power port and cable. for older xbox users you just use standard usb and a wall wart to power camera. you can also use the second configuration on the xbox slim. just use a usb balun and camera wall wart transformer. also, i dont know where you were shopping for usb baluns, but if you end up paying $500 for one please buy from me!!!

Is the external transformer also 5VDC? What is the current rating?

I'd be happy to see a retail price list of USB 2.0 baluns that you know work. Microsoft said that USB 1.1 will not work, but I'd also like to know if that's true.

Please keep us updated on what you find out. Thanks

The extension cable should arrive in the mail tomorrow. Unfortunately we have the Kinect bundle and do not have the power supply that comes with the stand-alone Kinect accessory. Can someone please provide the specification of the external power supply?

AC adapter model 1429

Input 100-240V~0.3A 47-63 Hz

Output 12V DC @ 1.08A

Edit - It is a split adapter with a male USB and a female proprietary plug that looks similar to USB, but has a larger center guide and one of the corners is truncated. I haven't hooked ours up yet (Christmas Day, and hiding from my 8 year old daughter along with Kinectimals), I opened the box to give you the specs on the adapter.

I can only assume the Kinect plugs directly into newer consoles and the power supply acts as both a booster and USB adapter for older consoles.

I think you would be able to plug the adapter in behind the TV and simply extend the USB if you were using the stand alone Kinect. In your situation, I would order the 10 foot cable, cut that and try extending it with Cat 5e or whatever you like.

Thanks for opening your presents early! That is the port that is on the XBOX and what I meant by saying "The Kinect port is not a normal USB jack."


That is the plan, but it was back-ordered until the 15th. If that doesn't work I'll have to try the USB 2.0 balun.

I see where you are stuck, you could use the power adapter and just plug the kinect in via extended USB if you had to, the console doesnt know the difference (or maybe the new ones would sense you are using USB instead of the dedicated port, I'm not sure).

I did see this post as well..... [Link: forums.xbox.com]

Agreed!
I'm following this as well.

I think that he may have too much resistance and he is not properly supplying the Kinect with enough power. We're going to try a local 5V and 12V supply at the screen where the Kinect sensor is installed and send USB data over the CAT6.

The extension cable just arrived and we're going to chop the ends for testing. I'm not the one installing today, but should have an update tonight.

I'm not sure what happened, but the Kinect sensor is dead. It does not turn on when plugged directly into the XBOX. It sounds like a warranty issue... We'll try again with a USB 2.0 balun and the Kinect standalone kit with external PSU. Hopefully someone else will have solved this riddle before my balun arrives next week.

We have a 360 Kinect install coming up as well.Cant wait to hear workaround