Hi all,

I'm sure this has a very simple solution, but I can't seem to resolve it today.

I'm using Ipi Recorder 2 (latest version) with 2 x Kinects. So far all of my mocaps sessions have failed because my Sony Vaio i7 PC laptop can't keep up the buffering for longer than a few seconds.

It can if I turn off the RGB feed, but I need that feed.

Anyway...on setup, my video mode is restricted to 640x480. My only chance of a capture that doesn't stutter, is to drop it to 320x280.

Why are my options restricted? How do I chance the pixel ratio to 320x280?

Pic attached below....




I'd really appreciate your help.

Many thanks all.

QVGA resolution modes (320x240) are not currently supported with PSDRV3 Kinect drivers. If you are on Win7, you should uninstall these drivers and install Kinect SDK 1.6 instead.

Problem solved, you're a legend vmaslov, many thanks :)

Argh, spoke too soon. Capture still hangs up on one of the Kinects. Looks like it's a bandwidth issue. I buy a £800 laptop....and I still have bandwidth issues...!!!

(head in hands).

I have a Sony Viao VPCSB1H7E http://www.laptop-wizard.co.uk/laptop.php?id=LW0000049

...and here are the tech specs...



Would you say it's not powerful enough to sustain a constant 2xKinect buffer for Ipi?

I don't know how much more money I need to throw at this to make Ipi Recorder 2 work :(

I'm a damn Mac user......what do I know!...help

According to specs this laptops seems quite powerful to handle dual Kinect recording. I can think of two reasons for this bandwidth issue:

1. Incompatibility of Kinect with particular USB controller.
2. Defective Kinect.

Test each Kinect individually in each USB port of your laptop. If both Kinects do not work properly when plugged in some of the USB ports - then there's incompatibility with this port's controller. If one Kinects works in any port, and another does not, then second must be defective and should be replaced by the retailer.

HI vmaslov, I managed to buy another Kinect sensor yesterday and tested it.

I tried various combinations, and it looks like there's nothing wrong with the Kinect sensors themselves, so according to your comments it must be a USB compatibility issue. (which is not what I wanted at all).

How would you suggest I solve this?

Have I got to take my laptop along to a store and have new ports fitted? or is there a 'make work' driver out there that I need to install?

Evidentally I've never had to even think about a USB port before. they've always just...well.....worked :(

As always yours (or anyone else's) suggestions would be much appreciated. After having IPi for a year now, I'd like to be able to use it soon.



Regards

Paul

Please test whether a single Kinect is working properly when connected to USB 3.0 port (it's the blue one).
Also, make a screenshot of the Device Manager (Start Menu > Control Panel > Device Manager) with contents of USB Controllers node visible.

Hi Vmaslov,

I'm sorry it's taken me a long time to get back to you about this. I have very, very short periods of time where I can work on my pilot and they are few and far between. So when something doesn't do what it's meant to do, then I've got to wait a long time to try again.

Anyway, below is a screen shot of my framedrop error message in Recorder, and a screenshot of my Devices. I tried only one Kinect in the blue USB port and that appeared to be the one that is responsible for the frame dropping. I gave Recorder plenty of time to get up to speed on frame buffering as well, so I'm not sure what the problem is. You say my laptop's more than powerful enough, so what in your mind could be the problem?

Hi

The error message on the screenshot indicates that the issue is related not to buffer overflow, but to camera operation. It has stopped producing frames. Possible reasons for this include USB incompatibility, or insufficient USB bandwidth. As in your case it was a single connected Kinect, than incompatibility is the most possible reason.

You can try to update the drivers for your USB 3 controller, if there are any updates. It will not likely be very helpful, though. If your laptop has an ExpressCard slot, you can try an external ExpressCard USB 3 controller.

I cannot recall other USB compatibility issues with Kinects, so it is very interesting to know what's your USB 3.0 controller model is. Again, please make a screenshot of Device Manager (not the Devices and Printers) with 'USB Controllers' node expanded.

Hi Vmaslov,

Firstly, I've noticed I already posted my Device Manager screenshot earlier in this post and secondly I'm going to have to abort this thread here because I appear to be completely stuck.

I've right-clicked on all my USB devices and my PC tells me my drivers are all up-to-date.

However, I don't know if I have an Express slot, I don't know which one I would choose .....there's too many types!

Vmaslov, does Ipi have a support team I can call?

I'm not going to bore Ipi forum members any longer with my inadequate knowledge of PC's. Maybe they could recommend one of these Express Cards? All I would need is the model number, and I'd buy it in the UK and pay for someone to fit it.

I simply can't carry on using only one Kinect, it just doesn't perform well enough.