Hacker News Reader

Probably because it isn't just a webcam. It projects hundreds of IR dots all over its field of vision to help calculate depth.

http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/11/04/what-kinect-looks-like-...

View on HN

I didn't say it was just a webcam. I said it should cost in the ballpark of 2x of them. Adding a $1 LED with hundreds of little holes in front of it doesn't change that.

Note: I'm not making any statement about the possible awesomeness or lameness of the system. All I'm saying is the parts aren't expensive.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com