XboxLiveVisionCamera
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The amazing invisible gamer
Perhaps you spotted this on Joystiq, but we had to post it here. It's been some time since we've seen any Vision Camera shenanigans. This video, however, is special. It's not a video of some jackass on Command & Conquer 3, oh no, this video is not of this world. Gasp as his couch defies the laws of our universe. Feel your mind become one with another dimension as you stare through a man's solid flesh.If you prefer to preserve the illusion, read no further. It turns out that the Vision camera used in this video was suffering from a case of burn in. It seems the camera has captured the couch in the background for so long that it is permanently within the frame. As it stands, the video teaches us two things. One, be careful using your Vision cam for prolonged amounts of time. Two, if you're not worried about your Vision's well-being, this should make for an interesting party trick.
Vision Cam works with PS3
The Xbox 360 only accepts the Xbox Live Vision Camera as a means to utilize its Video Chat, Picture Message and Personal Gamer Picture features. That being said, the Vision Camera, being a USB webcam, can work on a PC. You can add the Playstation 3 to the list, as the PS3 now accepts virtually all USB cameras, thanks to its 1.54 firmware update. While only one of our bloggers had the fiscal irresponsibility to pick up a PS3, does this affect any of you multi-platform readers. And if so, how would you feel using the Vision camera during a video chat on the other console?
2nd chance, Vision Gold pack for $59
It's official, the people at Stootsi.com are nuts about the Xbox 360. We've covered them selling wireless controls and Live headsets, and the Live Vision Gold bundle in the past. Now they're doing it again. The Live Vision Camera deal apparently sold so fast that Stootsi decided to offer it a second time for all the people who missed out. They are currently selling the Xbox Live Vision Camera Gold bundle for $54.99 plus $5 shipping. So, you can grab this for $59.99, $20 off the retail price. Just for a moment, let's peruse the contents of this pack: Vision Camera Live Headset 1 Year of Xbox Live Gold 200 MS Points Two Live Arcade games (Totem Ball and Robotron 2084) That's a lot of stuff for not a lot of scratch. If you've got the cash and you don't have a Vision cam, this is a hell of a deal. Anybody plan on getting it? You've got just over 22 hours to pick one up.[Thanks, get over it]
Xbox Live update: possible pr0n expansion?
So, Xbox Live is down. We all know that. We've been told that it's not going to be the fall dashboard update. Naturally, this has led many to speculate as to what the update actually is. Xbox.com simply states that we should expect some new My Xbox features. The last set of features delivered included things like the ability to check your Live messages from a computer, and send them as well. Considering the release of the Live Vision camera (finally got one myself), many are speculating that the new update will allow Live members to open picture messages from a PC.Let's think about this. Before the PC entered the equation, pictures were bound to the 360, but should they be accessible on a PC, they could be saved, altered, redistributed, you name it. If the word in your mind right now isn't "porn" ... well, you're probably more well adjusted than I am, but I digress. Hell, just playing the Phantasy Star Universe beta last night, I saw several offers to the tune of "I'LL SEND U A PIC FOR $." Sure, technologically, it's nothing new, but you don't even have to leave the couch for crying out loud. Long story short, if the new features turn out to include PC based picture messaging, it will be interesting to say the least. Scary? Titillating? What do you think?
Vision camera? Don't forget your free game
Maybe Uno isn't your thing. Texas Hold 'em just doesn't do it for you. Would you rather control a weird totem pole thing by waving your arms and looking like a jackass? Really? Then TotemBall is for you! TotemBall (see video above) lets players guide their character through levels using gestures in conjunction with the Live Vision camera. It should be noted that our own Ken Weeks had some trouble controlling the game in the bad lighting conditions of E3. Hopefully the final version will provide us with a tighter experience -- and another reason to be excited about the Vision camera. The game should be available for download on September 19th, Vision's official launch date. Also, if you haven't picked one up already, the camera will be available in two packages: Standard Kit ($39.99): - Xbox Live Vision Camera - Xbox Live Headset - Xbox Live Gold 1 Month Trial - UNO (code for download) and TotemBall (on Sept. 19) Gold Kit ($79.99): - Xbox Live Vision Camera - Xbox Live Headset - Xbox Live Gold One Year Subscription - UNO (code for download) and TotemBall (on Sept. 19) and third game (TBD) - 200 MS Points [Thanks, Rivithed]
Leipzeig: Microsoft unveils wireless PC controller, 2 mice, and not much else
Microsoft's Leipzeig Gams Convention 2006 media briefing was underwhelming, but did provide details on a trio of PC peripherals, which could interest Windows gaming folk. The announcement included news of a wireless Xbox 360 controller configured for PC (December; $59.95), which features an integrated jack for PC headsets -- the controller will also be compatible with the Xbox 360 console. Microsoft also unveiled two new mice: a new version of the IntelliMouse, IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0 (October; $39.95), and the Razer Precision powered Habu (October; $69.95), featuring a 2,000 DPI laser engine.Microsoft also finalized Xbox Live Vision camera details, making official two separate bundles: 'Xbox Live Vision' (September 16; $39.99), which includes the camera, UNO & TotemBall, and a 1-month Xbox Live Gold Membership; and 'Xbox Live Video Chat Gold Kit' (September 16; $59.99), featuring everything in the $39.99 edition plus a 1-year Xbox Live Gold Membership, Robotron: 2084, and 200 Microsoft Points.
Peripherals Gone Wild, caught on video
Via Robert Summa, posting wonderboy of Joystiq, we bring you this video of the latest 360 peripherals in action. You'll get to see all your favorites, including the wireless racing wheel, Vision camera, wireless headset, and the HD-DVD drive. The bulk of the video covers the soon-to-be-released Vision camera. The camera will bring all sorts of features to the 360, including personal gamer pics and video chat (in 30 FPS no less). And good news for parents -- and players who don't want to be subjected to random dongs -- parental controls are allowed that let you decide whether or not the little ones are allowed to use video chat or even see personal gamer pics at all. The wheel looks like a really nice peripheral for racing fans and the headset looks like everything you would expect. And the HD-DVD drive ... well, the HD-DVD drive looks bigger than my complete hardbound edition of Lord of the Rings.[Via Joystiq]
Vision camera available now at Toys R Us [update 1]
Numerous readers tipped us off over the weekend that many Toys R Us stores have -- probably unknowingly -- broken the street date for the Xbox Live vision camera. Originally set for an September 19th release, Toys R Us has beaten the official street date by an entire month. Wait to go, Toys R Us! Any of you lucky enough to grab one early? Better act now before Microsoft wises up, thus preventing you from contributing to the burgeoning 360 video sex chat boom.[Via Joystiq. Thanks to everyone who sent this in.][Update: Changed date to reflect the realities of the Gregorian calendar system.]
Rumor: 360 wireless gaming receiver $20; wheel $130; headset $60; camera $40; Halo and Forza faceplates $20 [update 1]
Thanks to a reliable source from Microsoft, we've learned some important details about the new peripherals announced for the Xbox 360, including pricing and a few Halo faceplate (non)specifics. Check out the leaked info and prices below: 360 wireless gaming receiver (which enables wireless 360 controllers, headsets, and wheels on your PC): $20 Wireless racing wheel: $130 Wireless headset: $60 Xbox Live Vision Camera (with headset, one month of Live Gold, and one arcade -- presumably Xbox Live Arcade -- game): $40 New faceplates for Halo (with the Master Chief on 'em, but not Halo 3 specific) and Forza (no word on connections to the sequel): $20 each 256 MB portable memory unit (MU): no official price yet, but definitely not four times the cost of the older 64MB MU Besides acknowledging that the PC is "the biggest gaming device of all," MS appears to be setting an agressive price for its most relevant new PC accessory, the wireless gaming receiver (at least in comparison to the outrageously priced 360 wireless networking adapter). Unfortunately, no price was revealed as of yet for the USB-based HD-DVD add-on.We've speculated in our recent podcasts as to what would happen to the various 360 SKUs when price drops inevitably occur. An interesting theory bandied about by prolific Joystiq Contributor epobirs (on our earlier bump-to-256MB-MU post) was that a $20 price drop for the Core system, coupled with a $20 price drop on the 64MB MU, would finally allow folks to pick up a capable non-Premium bundle for the original $300 Core price point. (Not a bad way to undercut PS2 memory card prices, too.) We hope to get official confirmation on this info in the not-too-distant future.[Update: Sorry, had the camera price wrong in the headline; it now matches the price of the bundle listed in the body of the text below.]See also: 360's Mem Unit getting a bump to 256MB? (Comment from epobirs) Use 360 wireless peripherals with a PC Engadget & Joystiq's live coverage of Microsoft's Xbox 360 E3 event Joystiq / Engadget podcasts from Day One and Day Two of E3 2006
