With almost a month to go until Microsoft launches Kinect for Xbox 360, the company released a video showing how to set up the motion sensing camera, and it’s a doozy.

The rundown is almost four minutes long (watch it at Kotaku) and runs through a list of ideal conditions you must achieve to get the best performance from Kinect. To wit:

• The camera should be in line with the television, and as close to the top or bottom as possible.
• You need at least 6 feet between you and the camera, preferably more, and three to four feet on each side.
• You’ll want to clean up clutter on the floor, so Kinect can get a good reading of the room.
• Try to have even lighting throughout the room, because dark spots can affect how the camera sees you.
• Background noise confuses Kinect’s microphones, so you must keep the camera away from speakers and subwoofers, and don’t put it on the Xbox itself.

I’m definitely feeling disqualified after going through these requirements. The coffee table in my living room would definitely have to go, and even then, space is tight. And with no overhead lights (I have high ceilings and use a tall lamp), achieving even lighting could be a problem. At least my floor is tidy.

That said, I’m glad Microsoft released this video. Being honest ahead of time about what Kinect requires is far better than pretending the camera will work anywhere. (For what it’s worth, Sony says the Playstation Move performs fine in poor lighting, but it reportedly works best when you’re eight feet from the camera. The Wii’s instruction manual says to stay at least three feet away from the TV for safety’s sake.)

 
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Read more: Gaming, Microsoft Kinect, Xbox 360