Make your own Kinect stand for free

As product launches go the Kinect was a great success shifting huge numbers in a very short space of time. It hasn't been all plain sailing however as some users have found themselves struggling to install the device due to a lack of space. Shortly after it's initial release Microsoft released a number of tips regarding the best setup for a Kinect device. One of the main points related to the height of the unit and how it performs better when placed above a television. There a plenty of Kinect stands available on the market, these can cradle your Kinect device whilst clamping onto the top of a television. These can help greatly with getting the most out of Kinect but they do come at a cost. If you've only just spent out on a Kinect having to spend more money so you can use it properly can be an unwanted nuisance.
Fortunately it's possible to make your own Kinect stand and the best thing is that all you need is the box that it came in.

The Kinect box includes some chunky foam inserts for holding the device in place. There's a large piece that cradles that Kinect and a smaller piece that can be found inside the lid. With a little work this small piece can be gently removed with the sticky backing intact. This can then be applied to the top of your television to provide a surface that the Kinect can sit on with a solid grip. Of course this method won't work for every television, super-slim LED televisions simply don't have the room to allow the attachment of a foam pad.

We found that having the Kinect perched above the TV did indeed improve the performance of the device. In our experience, even with a slight slope on the back of our television, the Kinect still sits happily with no problems. Unlike standard Kinect stands there is no clamp in place so potentially there is the possibility of the Kinect being knocked off. The question to ask yourself is whether you'll play so close to the tv that you'll knock it over. Is it really something that will realistically happen?
Of course it's possible that it may get knocked off by accident, especially if you have small kids who like to run around. The Kinect picture here has taken a tumble but it hasn't suffered for it. That said, if you're concerned about it falling off we'd suggested taking it down when not in use just to be sure.

In summary it may not be a universal solution as a Kinect stand but as a quick and simple fix this is definitely worth a try.