Here is a useful FAQ I came up with for those 3 or 4 people unaware of the latest accessory craze going on with the Xbox 360…the Xbox Live Vision Camera.
What is the Xbox Live Vision Camera?
The Xbox Live Vision Camera is an accessory for the Xbox 360 console that allows you to take full advantage of your Gold membership to Xbox Live with video chat and picture messaging.
When does it release?
September 19th in the US. October 6th in Europe. It will release in 2 packages.
Xbox Live Vision - $39.99 US / $49.99 Euro
Includes the Xbox Live Vision Camera. 1-month subscription Xbox Live Gold. Xbox 360 headset. Arcade games Uno and Totemball (available for free download on the Marketplace)
Xbox Live Video Chat Gold Kit - $79.99 US / $89.99 Euro
Includes the Xbox Live Vision Camera. 12-month subscription Xbox Live Gold. Xbox 360 headset. Arcade games Uno, Totemball and Robotron 2084 (available for download on the Marketplace), and 200 Microsoft Points
No other packages have been announced. You can only obtain the Vision Camera within these packages.
What are its features?
The Xbox Live Vision Camera allows you to video chat with friends. (Gold membership required for video chat). It allows you to send picture messages, change your personal gamerpicture with any picture you take with the camera, and play camera-enabled games such as Uno.
It also allows you to take part in gesture-based games by using your body movements to control the action. Along with gesture-based games, like Totemball, you can participate in games designed with ‘face in game- technology. This allows you to add your own face to your in-game character.
Does everyone see the personal picture I set?
The people on your Xbox Live friend’s list will be the only people able to see your personal picture. Only on the Xbox 360 console itself will personal pictures be viewable.
You will not be able to see personal pictures on Xbox.com.
What resolutions does it support?
With the camera, you can expect crystal-clear images with VGA 640H x 480V video at 30 frames per second and still photos at 1.3 mega pixels.
Which games support the Xbox Live Vision Camera?
Currently and scheduled to support the camera are Uno, Totemball, Texas Hold ‘Em, Rainbow Six Vegas and World Series of Poker. Other games have yet to be announced.
-edit- Bankshot Billiards 2, Hardwood Hearts, Spades and Backgammon are now compatible with the Vision Camera.
How does it connect and turn on?
It connects via any open USB port on your Xbox 360. Simply insert the USB cable and you’re all set. The cable is 9 feet long for convenience in setting it in your desired location.
If the camera is connected, it will automatically power up upon system start and turn off when the system is shut down. It will also power off when no camera support is detected with the game you’re playing.
Can I adjust the settings of the image or video?
Yes. The System Blade has an option for Xbox Live Vision that you can go into and adjust the background and lighting of your camera. The camera itself also has a focus ring on it that you can manually adjust the focus of the image with.
If I don’t have the camera, can I still see people in a game or video chat?
Yes. You can still see a Vision Camera enabled player if they’re using the camera in-game. You can also conduct a video chat and see the person with the camera as well. (must have a Gold membership for video chat)
How many people can connect to a video chat?
2. Both you and the other camera or you and the other user. There can be any # of people/images on the video feed but only 2 connected cameras during a video chat session.
How do I know if a friend has the Vision Camera for video chat?
Outside of simply asking your friend or anyone else, you can identify them with the Vision Camera icon next to their name when attempting to do a video chat. Anyone who has connected the Vision Camera and successfully logged into Xbox Live while the camera is connected will have the icon next to their name to identify them as Vision enabled.
What does it do to my Xbox 360 dashboard?
When the Vision Camera is connected, it will display whatever the camera is focused on within each blade of the dashboard. Each movement in front of the camera will cause a series of waves in the background producing a really cool wave effect. Once movement stops, the waves stop.
There are a number of dashbaord effects you can enable…dotty, watery and edgy.
How do I change the dashboard effects?
Additional effects are available by use of the Guide button. Hit the Guide button > Personal Settings > Themes > Customize. There you will see an option for Camera effects.
Can you add effects to the pictures you take?
Yes. Once you take a picture you can add any of the current 16 effects to it.
Can you add effects to the video chat?
Yes. While in a video chat session, you can press the left or right shoulder buttons for a variety of effects to your video feed.
You can also send vibration feedback to the controller of the other gamer connected by using the left or right trigger.
Can you add effects to the music visualizer?
Yes. But in a very subtle and limited way. The camera simply adds a white outline of the image it sees to the music visualizer.
Is there a limit to the # of pictures I can send?
Currently no.
Can I use the camera on my PC?
Yes. Simply connect the USB cable of the camera to an open USB port and it should recognize the device automatically via Plug/Play. The camera also works with a Mac computer.
See Vision Camera and PC Setup for more details.
Can I use my personal webcam on the Xbox 360?
No. Only the Xbox Live Vision Camera will function and is compatible with your Xbox 360.
Can I file complaints against inappropriate images or video?
Yes and quite frankly it is encouraged for you to do so. If you come across any of these things, use the File Complaint option in the Guide.
See more on the Xbox Live Vision Camera before it releases:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faqHilVUpfQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FH_TMvTb2U
http://www.flickr.com/photos/unscripted360/sets/72157594344645064/
Get an additional look at other Xbox 360 accessories coming soon:
March 26th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
well the vision camera allows video chat with only one person so i’m not sure how successful a conference would be with 2 people. i imagine though that you could implement several consoles to allow for more video chat….but it’s a possibility.