Multiple Kinects v2 on a Single PC

iPi Recorder supports multiple Kinects v2 on a single PC using libfreenect2 instead of Microsoft Kinect SDK v2.

To use this, first you need to enable corresponding camera type in iPi Recorder. Open Camera Types panel and hit ENABLE next to Microsoft Kinect 2 (libfreenect2). Alternatively, open Add Device dropdown and select Kinect 2 for Windows (multiple sensors per PC).

Next you need to install a driver for Kinect that makes it accessible to libfreenect2. There are two options - UsbDk and libusbK.

We recommend to start with UsbDk as an easier option. And turn to libusbK if you have troubles installing UsbDk, or it doesn't work as expected.

UsbDk

Just download and install the latest release (1.0.19 as of the moment of writing) and you are done. iPi Recorder can use Kinect v2 devices via libfreenect2. Moreover, because of the smart way UsbDk handles driver replacement you can still use other programs which work with Kinect in a standard way via MS Kinect SDK.

Note: In our tests we could not make Kinect v2 work with UsbDk on Windows 8. However, this may be some troubles specific to PC we used. So we recommend to try UsbDk first even on Windows 8.

libusbK

This driver can be installed using Zadig tool. There are few drawbacks compared to UsbDk:

• (Un)installation of the driver is more complicated (see below).
• While libusbK driver is installed for Kinect, programs which rely on MS Kinect SDK won't see the device.

Install

1. Run Zadig tool (2.4 as of the moment of writing).
2. Connect Kinect v2 to a PC.
3. Under Options menu, check List All Devices and uncheck Ignore Hubs or Composite Parents.

   

4. Then select Xbox NUI Sensor (Composite Parent) from the device combo.

   

5. Select libusbK driver and hit Replace Driver button.

   

6. Click Yes in confirmation dialog which appears after a few seconds.
7. Upon successful installation of the driver close Zadig.

Now Kinect is available to libfreenect2 in iPi Recorder.

Tip: There is no need to install the driver for each of Kinect devices you plan to use on that PC. After installing for one, all others will take new driver when connected.

Uninstall

1. Connect Kinect v2 to a PC.
2. Open Windows Device Manager.
3. Locate Xbox NUI Sensor (Composite Parent) device, right-click and select Uninstall device.

   

4. In uninstall dialog, check Delete the driver software for this device.

   

5. Scan for hardware changes, and MS Kinect SDK driver will be restored automatically.