Knowledge Base

Upgraded from EthoVision XT 16 to EthoVision XT 17. After the upgrade, the software could no longer grab a frame from the video capture device. They attempted to reinstall the software, but the frame grabber error persisted. The following FAQ offers general troubleshooting steps for frame‑grabber problems.

FAQ and step‑by‑step instructions

Q1: Why can’t EthoVision XT 17 grab frames after the upgrade?

Upgrading EthoVision might expose compatibility issues between the new software version and your camera or frame‑grabber hardware. Drivers that worked with XT 16 may not be supported or may need updates for XT 17.

Q2: How do I troubleshoot a frame‑grabber error in EthoVision XT?

Follow these steps to identify and resolve frame‑capture issues:

1. Verify hardware support
   • Check that your camera or frame‑grabber board is supported by EthoVision XT 17. Consult the hardware compatibility list from the manufacturer and update firmware if necessary.
   • If you use a third‑party capture card, ensure it is compatible with the newer version of EthoVision.
2. Update drivers
   • Visit the camera or frame‑grabber manufacturer’s website to download the latest Windows drivers.
   • Install drivers as an administrator and reboot your computer to ensure they load correctly.
3. Check Windows device manager
   • Open Device Manager and verify that the camera/capture card appears without warning icons.
   • If the device has a yellow or red icon, uninstall and reinstall its driver.
4. Reinstall EthoVision
   • Uninstall EthoVision completely using Add/Remove Programs.
   • Delete leftover folders in C:\ProgramData\Noldus and C:\Users\<your user name>\AppData\Local\Noldus to remove old configuration files.
   • Reboot and reinstall EthoVision XT 17 using administrator privileges.
5. Configure the camera in EthoVision
   • Launch EthoVision and create a new experiment.
   • In the Detection step, select your camera or capture card from the list of available video sources.
   • Adjust resolution and frame rate settings to match your camera’s capabilities.
6. Test with another video source
   • If possible, connect a different camera or use a sample video to see whether EthoVision can grab frames. This helps determine if the problem lies with the camera or with EthoVision itself.
7. Check system resources
   • Ensure your PC meets the minimum hardware requirements for EthoVision XT 17 (e.g., sufficient RAM, CPU and GPU capabilities).
   • Close other programs that might compete for the camera or processing resources.
8. Contact support
   • If the issue persists, gather information about your camera model, frame‑grabber board, operating system, and any error messages.
   • Provide this data to Noldus support for further troubleshooting. They may have firmware or driver updates specific to your hardware.

By following these steps, users can systematically identify hardware or software issues that might prevent EthoVision from capturing frames after an upgrade.