XBox Solution

The first major add-on for the Xbox 360 recently hit the store shelves. Of course by now everyone knows about the Xbox 360 Live Vision Camera. It’s a camera for video chats and can also be used in certain games to enhance the titles it supports. Packaged in two different versions one at 39.99 and the other at 79.99, we wanted to give you our thoughts about the latest accessory.

What is in each bundle?

The $39.99 bundle includes the camera, a spare headset, and a redemption code for the full version of UNO and a one month Gold membership to Xbox live. The second bundle priced at $79.99 includes everything in the first and also has a one year gold membership to Xbox Live. Now in both packages the instructions show that the camera will work with several games and it does for the exception of one. Texas Hold “Em” was supposed to be supported for the camera, but due to World Series of Poker arriving at the same time it will not work on Texas Hold Em.

Video Chats are cool but what other games work?

Right out of the box the camera supports the following games:

• UNO
• Hardwood Spades
• Hardwood Hearts
• Hardwood Backgammon
• Bankshot Billiards 2
• World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions (Activision)

The game most were looking forward to for the Arcade Totemball was pushed back. It would have been great if it was included at launch of the Xbox 360 Live Vision. Totemball will be an interactive game where you use your hands instead of a controller and the camera will react to player’s movements. We will have a review on Totemball since it is the first Arcade game of its kind to hit the Arcade. Additionally, other upcoming games will support the use of the camera by adding customization elements to the game that could not be possible without the camera and the technology. Such as Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Vegas’ use of the camera to map your face to the character in the game.

The Camera is so small how is the picture quality and does it work Hassle free?

Setting up the camera is very simple. In the last blade of the Xbox 360 you will see “Vision set up”. Here you can adjust the lighting and effects as well as focus the camera. Depending on the lighting of the room and the time of day, the camera may need adjusted again when you go into a chat or game. It seems that the camera is sensitive to light and really works best if the lighting is near the back of the camera overhead lights (like ceiling fans etc work but need adjusted a bit). It takes about 5 minutes to set it up and have it working. The hardest part is adjusting the ring to focus and it will be easier if you have someone else adjust that while you’re setting it up. Please keep in mind if you change where you’re sitting or the lighting, like any camera you will need to tweak the settings. Everything can be done in chat simply by choosing options. In games most of the settings need to be set first and the camera needs to be enabled. Then hit the A button to save, Once again you can pause the game, go into Vision settings and adjust it.

It seems Bankshot Billiards 2 was added at the last minute and for some this is the hardest game to get the camera working. All the Hardwood games are a breeze and even allow for the right stick to adjust and center your view in the little window. All the games except for World Series of poker will prompt you to do an update before you can use the camera in them. While it was not announced, we knew that the camera would also work on your PC as a webcam. It is a simple plug and play device. Just pick allow windows XP to find the driver and it takes about a minute. The quality using it as a webcam surprised us and looks a bit better overall. We tested it using MSN and the only problem I had when talking with Jason was the fact I installed the camera while MSN was running. Some computers can do this without a problem while others may need you to exit the program and then install it. Simple to use and if you do not have a webcam, it is handy to have a way to use the Vision instead of buying another one.

So Bottom line — is it worth it?

One of the reasons the review is only being posted now is because when the Vision was released, it was also the week of the Tokyo Toy show and Xbox Live was having major problems. We tried to connect in a chat only to watch the icon spin saying “trying to establish video connection”. We also found that Billiards had a bad update and would freeze after accepting an invite. Now everything has been fixed and we had enough time with the camera to know if it has any issues. Both bundles are priced decently for what you get. My only question is why give another headset when the wireless one is due out later this month. Perhaps Xbox wanted players to have a spare one around for when friends come over? I think including another game or Microsoft points would have made more sense.

At $39.99 the basic bundle is certainly worth it and while most of us already had UNO, the code can be given to a friend who may not have the game or the Vision yet. You do not need a camera to see someone who does and that is a cool feature. The $79.99 bundle is certainly geared to those who just bought a 360 or do not already have Xbox Live. While I never understood why anyone would buy an Xbox 360 and then not have an Xbox Live account, there are many out there who are missing out. The extra long cord comes in handy if you want to move the camera or have your Xbox 360 set far from where you are sitting. The camera was meant to have fun and it is cool to chat and see that gamer you may never meet any other way.

Overall Score: 9.6 /10 [not an average]

Microsoft had to handle the launch of a new device that uses more bandwidth the same week as a major event while also dealing with some server issues. Despite a few hiccups, Microsoft pulled this off rather well. The Xbox 360 Vision has proved to be exactly as Microsoft promised. It needs more games to use it with and it would be great if they adjusted the dashboard to allow 4 friends instead of just a one-on-one chat. Microsoft has not confirmed any new updates but at the Tokyo Toy Show, it was stated they have plans for the Xbox 360 Vision.

For parents there is an option that supports family settings and I would strongly urge that parents take advantage of this. Adults know their friends for the most part, but this is more than a gamer picture and a Gamer Tag. Some will try to take advantage of this. I would have liked to see something a little bigger, but it works fine and is simple to set up. Looking at the other games and the promise of new ways to use the camera, I think the Xbox 360 Vision is a step in the right direction. It should be interesting to see what else MS comes up with for the Vision!

Review by XBS Head Writer Rich Reed

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