Skype Using the Kinect

Before the new year, I had the pleasure of working with Dan Roberts @chickensaltash and presenting at the SSAT conference on Games Based Learning. During our presentation we spoke to Jimmy Edwards on Skype, he was at Saltash.Net. At the time we had to use the camera on my laptop which was not the most convenient. The problem with this was that it wasn’t facing the audience, we were having to feed the questions to Jimmy. It would have been much better if we could flip the camera camera source. At this time it wasn’t possible… but now it is!

Over the last few month I have been taking part in forums and making tutorials and I was lucky enough to find this forum: – Click here. It is a really useful place with lots of people who are trying different things out. Make sure you give it a visit and thank this guy 🙂 if it’s helpful.

This for me has just extended the uses for my Kinect even more! I can now collaborate without having to keep unplugging devices. My Kinect works as my Interactive Whiteboard (Only better :P), Webcam and ITS PORTABLE! LOVE IT! I’m so excited about collaborating with another class using the Kinect Smile .

In this thread, a member called – ScottOrange – Talks about connecting up your Kinect device to Skype. He has successfully made a simple file which runs on command prompt. It then adds the device into your directory of devices.

Here are the instructions to follow: –

Download this file: – Click Here – This source may break at any time so please make sure you check out the forum and thank this guy.

After downloading KinectCam.ax place it somewhere like under My Documents and then register it by running a Command Prompt (make sure you right click and Run as Administrator) then type (I found it easier saving it in C:\):

cd “<directory where you placed the file>”

c:\windows\system32\regsvr32.exe KinectCam.ax

Now run Skype and go to Tools -> Options -> Video Settings.

You should now be able to select a webcam called Kinect Cam. The webcam outputs white noise if it fails to initialise Kinect so if you see this check your Kinect has power and is connected via USB.

Go to Skype’s audio settings and select Microphone Array (Kinect USB Audio).

About Raymond David James Chambers

I am the Lead teacher of computing at Brooke Weston Academy in Corby Northamptonshire. Previously I was the head of IT/Computing at Uppingham Community College. In 2015 I won the Gold National Teaching award for Innovative use of technology. I also won the 2015 Young Game Bafta - Mentor award. I'm keen to help students achieve their best and like to give them opportunities to do this. I have a passion for teaching and I enjoy meeting other people and sharing their ideas. I have a keen interest in games development as well as developing the use of ICT in classrooms across the curriculum. In my spare time I teach Irish dancing. I have been Irish dancing since I was 11. My highest position was 14th at the world championships 3 years running and 2nd at the Great Britain Championships in 2006.

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5 Responses to Skype Using the Kinect

Pingback: KinectShare - Skype Using the Kinect | Ray Chambers
phil says:

January 12, 2012 at 3:40 am

i followed this tutorial but my kinect still outputs white noise

Max Murphy says:

February 19, 2012 at 7:42 pm

Likewise, Tried different usb plugs and no change, it works fine in sdk skeleton tracker etc but shows white noise in amcamp, skype and Msn. What do?

Windows 32 bit

Piotr Sowa says:

March 17, 2013 at 4:01 pm

I create solution in C#/.NET 2.0, binary files you can find at Kinect for PC and Skype means KinectCam @ .NET Rulez! Blog it works on Kinect SDK 1.6 and on new Skype :). Do you think it is usefull?

Piotr Sowa says:

August 16, 2014 at 4:19 pm

I created solution in C#/.NET 2.0, binary files you can find at http://codingbytodesign.net/2013/03/17/kinect-for-pc-and-skype-means-kinectcam/ it works on Kinect SDK 1.6, 1.7, 1.8 and on new Skype and Skype for Desktop as well .