Azure Kinect USB type C power cable

Question

I have a Kinect system that functions normally when connected to a regular outlet and using USB 3.0 for data transmission to my laptop. However I need to use a USB type-C connection for both power and data transmission. When connected this way, the light blinks white and Windows reports that the device malfunctioned and could not be recognized. Any ideas on how to properly connect using a type-c to type-c cable?

Answer 1

Hello @gatelyjm , Thanks for posting this question on this forum,

Please make sure to use an Active USB Cable. Always be careful with USB cables and test your USB cables before you proceed to make use of them.

active USB - A cable that buffers the cable signal to provide signal quality.

Reference: Sensor Power Recommendations
An exciting feature of the Azure Kinect is that it can be powered entirely from USB-C. When paired with a laptop you can take your capture set up on the go without need for wired power. A must-have for on location shooting.

The Azure Kinect can be powered in two ways:

1. The sensor comes with its own USB-C to USB-A cable with power adapter that can used to power the sensor via wall power outlet.
2. For capturing on location, you can power the device with a USB-C to USB-C cable verified to supply both the power as well as the data transfer.

Note:
If you don't have a USB-C to USB-C cable, it is not recommended to power the sensor with the USB-A cable into a computer. The Azure Kinect requires more power than a Type-A cable can provide and may cause low performance if you do not pair it with the external power supply.

An Important Note on USB Cables

Not all USB cables are created equally. If powering the Azure Kinect with a USB-C to USB-C cable, ensure you are using one that can sufficiently power the device. It is recommended to us an active USB
cable, meaning one that can maintain the data transmission with the help of a semiconductor chip to increase cable performance. Cables without this chip are considered passive, and should not be used if the cable is longer than a 1.5 meters, as this may result in a drop in performance or power.

We recommend this cable from B&H.

A Note on USB Extenders
It's often convenient to extend the USB cable long distances between the capture computer and the sensor. Please note that not all USB extenders work well with the Azure Kinect. We recommend the following:

Cable Matters active USB 3.0 Extension for data extension.
Monoprice USB 2.0 A Male to A Female Active Extension for power extension.

How can I determine if my USB cable is performing properly?

1. Connect your sensor to the computer and open the Windows Device Manager.
2. Under Universal Serial Bus devices, you should see that the Azure Kinect listed as the Azure Kinect 4K Camera and the Azure Kinect Depth Camera.
3. If both devices are represented in this way in the Device Manager, your USB-C cable should be supplying enough power.

For example, as a reference check this product as well to know the specifications of USB-C Active Cable for Azure Kinect:

Please let us know if you need further help in this matter.

Thank you,
Satish.