Not exactly a question or bug, nor exactly only vvvv gamma related, but to document my fix as also other users may probably run into it with Kinect2 devices:
As I recenctly experienced a constant and annoying disconnect/reconnect or on/off loop with all our different Kinect2 devices across multiple PCs (not all of them though), which before always were running in similar setups and quite some time spend trying different cables, power devices and hardware-setups, I finally managed to stabilize it completely through a combination of Windows setup changes and tweaks instead.
I’ve documented the steps below (Audio conflicts, USB power, Task Priority, Bandwidth hints). In other setups only one/some of them might already fix the issue. Have vvvvun!
===================================================================
KINECT V2 - FIX FOR DISCONNECT/RECONNECT LOOP (WINDOWS 11)
SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS
Model: Razer Blade 15" | RAM: 16.0 GB
Processor: i7-13800H (2.50 GHz) | OS: Windows 11 Home (25H2)
Graphics: RTX 4070 Laptop GPU | Build: 26200.8524
Power: External 230W power supply connected
===================================================================
Fix Windows Audio Error (possibly the main cause?)
→ Driver conflicts in Windows will otherwise crash the device.
Open “mmsys.cpl”: Press Windows Key + R, type the command,
and confirm with Enter.
Turn off enhancements: Under “Properties > Advanced” (or
“Enhancements”), uncheck “Enable audio enhancements”.
→ (possibly the main cause?)
Enable Kinect: Switch to the “Recording” tab; the Kinect
microphone must NOT be disabled or muted here.
Allow microphone access: Under "Settings > Privacy & security
Microphone", set app access to “On”.
===================================================================
2. Set Task Manager Priority to Realtime
→ Secures processing priority so Windows doesn’t drop the
connection for milliseconds to favor other tasks. (Fixed
isolated, rare on-off moments every few minutes in my setup).
Open Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
Open Details: Click the “Details” icon on the left.
Adjust processes: Look for “KinectManagementService.exe” and
“KinectService.exe”.
Change priority: Right-click each, go to “Set priority”,
and select “Realtime”.
===================================================================
3. Secure USB Bandwidth
Suitable port: Connect the Kinect v2 to a USB 3.x (or
higher) port.
No Video-Out via USB3.x: Especially do not run a video output
through it. (Experience: Does not cause crashes, but leads to
point cloud dropouts and latency).
No hubs: Do not use USB hubs or extension cables (or test
without first, then see which ones work).
No shared ports: Do not connect other high-bandwidth devices
to the remaining USB 3.0 ports, or try using the other side/
different ports. (Mice/keyboards/etc., if present, are best
connected to USB 2.0 ports).
Hardware troubleshooting: Test different ports if necessary.
Cable troubleshooting: Test different USB cables if necessary.
===================================================================
4. Disable USB Power Saving Mode - in my case this was not relevant, but might be also an option
→ Prevents Windows from cutting power to the Kinect.
Open Device Manager: Right-click the Windows Start button
and select “Device Manager”.
Adjust USB entries: Right-click and open “Properties” for
each of the following devices:
Intel(R) USB 3.10 eXtensible Host Controller or similar
Intel(R) USB 3.20 eXtensible Host Controller or similar
All “USB Root Hub (USB 3.0)” entries
Disable power saving: In the “Power Management” tab, uncheck
“Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”.
Note: this guide was created by the user with the assistance of AI (Gemini).
