Multiple Kinects v2 on a Single PC

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Note: Starting from version iv.ii.0

iPi Recorder supports multiple Kinects v2 on a unmarried PC using libfreenect2 instead of Microsoft Kinect SDK v2.

To apply this, first y'all need to enable respective camera blazon in iPi Recorder. Open Camera Types panel and hitting ENABLE next to Microsoft Kinect ii (libfreenect2). Alternatively, open up Add Device dropdown and select Kinect 2 for Windows (multiple sensors per PC).

Adjacent you demand to install a driver for Kinect that makes information technology attainable to libfreenect2. In that location are two options - UsbDk and libusbK.

We recommend to get-go with UsbDk as an easier option. And plough to libusbK if:

  • You have troubles installing UsbDk.
  • It doesn't work every bit expected. E.g. Kinect is not visible in iPi Recorder when libfreenect2 support is on, or works unstable.
  • It causes problems with other USB devices.

Contents

  • 1 UsbDk
  • 2 libusbK
    • 2.1 Install
    • 2.ii Uninstall
  • 3 Connecting to PC

UsbDk

But download and install the latest release (1.0.19 as of the moment of writing) and y'all are done. iPi Recorder can use Kinect v2 devices via libfreenect2. Moreover, considering of the smart fashion UsbDk handles driver replacement you can still use other programs which work with Kinect in a standard way via MS Kinect SDK 2.0.

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Tip: Nosotros recommend to disable Windows Autoplay feature for Kinect devices (set information technology to Take no action) when using UsbDk. Otherwise, an autoplay activeness may trigger once in a while when using Kinects in iPi Recorder.

libusbK

This commuter tin be installed using Zadig tool. At that place are few drawbacks compared to UsbDk:

  • (United nations)installation of the driver is more than complicated (see below).
  • While libusbK driver is installed for Kinect, programs which rely on MS Kinect SDK won't come across the device.

Install

  1. Run Zadig tool (ii.four as of the moment of writing).
  2. Connect Kinect v2 to a PC.
  3. Under Options card, check Listing All Devices and uncheck Ignore Hubs or Composite Parents.
    Device list settings
  4. Then select Xbox NUI Sensor (Blended Parent) from the device combo.
    Select Xbox NUI Sensor
  5. Select libusbK driver and hit Replace Driver button.
    Replace driver
  6. Click Yes in confirmation dialog which appears after a few seconds.
  7. Upon successful installation of the driver close Zadig.

Now Kinect is available to libfreenect2 in iPi Recorder.

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Tip: In that location is no demand to install the commuter for each of Kinect devices you plan to use on that PC. After installing for one, all others will take new commuter when connected.

Uninstall

  1. Connect Kinect v2 to a PC.
  2. Open Windows Device Manager.
  3. Locate Xbox NUI Sensor (Composite Parent) device, right-click and select Uninstall device.
    Uninstall device
  4. In uninstall dialog, check Delete the driver software for this device.
    Delete driver
  5. Scan for hardware changes, and MS Kinect SDK driver will exist restored automatically.

Connecting to PC

We have tested libfreenect2 support with a number of USB 3.0 controllers. Here are some findings:

  • Intel (built-in), 200 serial and in a higher place chipsets
    • Stable work of dual Kinects with occasional frame drops.
  • Intel (built-in) other
    • Stable work of a single Kinect. With 2 connected, in that location are frame drops and depression frame charge per unit issues.
    • Works with 5m active USB 3.0 extension cable.
    • No depth data with 1.8m passive USB 3.0 extension cablevision.
  • NEC μ720202 (PCIe bill of fare)
    • Stable work of a unmarried Kinect. With ii connected, Windows reports insufficient USB bandwidth for one of them.
    • Unstable work with 5m active USB 3.0 extension cable - frame drops.
    • Unstable work with ane.8m passive USB 3.0 extension cable - frame drops, depression frame rate.

    Tip.png

    Tip: PCIe cards with multiple μ720202 fries onboard be that should be capable of connecting 1 Kinect device per chip.

    • StarTech PEXUSB3S42V with 2 fries
    • StarTech PEXUSB3S44V with 4 chips
  • ASMedia ASM1042A (built-in).
    • Stable work of ii Kinects with rare FPS bug.
  • VIA VL800 (PCIe menu). Doesn't work.
  • Etron EJ168 (built-in). Doesn't work.