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by JanetGayeWalker

One of the most popular types of games now is motion video games. The Nintendo Wii and the Kinect for the Xbox 360 have sold millions. Now, there are tons of questions from gaming enthusiasts about how the games consoles are able to work.

These games are not perfect and it is due to the use of motion sensors. Sometimes the sensors will not pick up some movements and it can all be dependent on the pacing of the sensors on the screen for the video console. These sensors are able to cause a response travel into the game so that it knows show the movement that you have done.

Motion sensors use infrared detectors though infrared waves. These are not visible to the naked eye and they work on heat. Everything is able to generate heat, especially the human body. The sensors are able to pick up on the changes in the heat and then send the response to the motion video games. It is very similar to the way that burglar alarms set off an alarm when someone has entered. There are also sound wave detectors, which use microwaves rather than infrared motion detectors. The waves are constantly let out and nothing will move if the return pattern is just what was expected. However, once the pattern changes, an action will be triggered. Automatic doors operate to this very similar way.

Video games use a completely different style of motion sensor. This new technology is called an accelerometer and is a computer chip which is placed within the controller of the device - whether a Wii remote or the Kinect. The chip is able to consider all movement and then convert it into the movement on the screen. There are still problems with this technology because it is still unable to consider the smallest of movements.

Originally, the accelerometer was designed for the military and not for kinect for the xbox360. They were created to help with the control of missiles so that they could be guided remotely. When they were first invented, these computer chips cost thousands and were very large. They were scaled down for the use in kinect xbox360 games and are now much more affordable.

About the Author:

Want to find out more about motion video games, then visit Janet Gaye Walker's site on how to choose the best kinect for the xbox360 for your needs.