Knowledge Base

Set Up EthoVision XT (Continued)

To track whether subjects have been active vs. inactive, under Analysis Options select Activity analysis. Make sure you also adjust the Activity settings in the Detection Settings. For more information about setting up an experiment, see Set Up an Experiment in the EthoVision XT Help.

Use of Trial Control Hardware

Follow this section if you use stimulus devices like the white/color lights and the tapping stimulus device.

1. In the Experiment Settings, under Trial Control Hardware, make sure that Use of Trial Control hardware is selected and click the Settings button.
2. In the Hardware Interface window that opens, choose the type of system you have.

   If you have DanioVision DVOC-0041:

   • Choose DanioVision DVOC-004x/T if you use the Tapping Device in this experiment.
   • In all other cases choose DanioVision DVOC-004x.

   The other options DanioVision DVOC-001x - 003x are meant for older versions of the DanioVision Observation Chamber.

   Note: The option Mini USB-IO Box only applies when you use a Mini USB-IO box instead of DanioVision DVOC.

3. In the Device Configuration window, under Device features, the hardware devices activated for this experiment are listed.
4. Optional: The default status of the DanioVision White Light Stimulus is Light off. This means that when you start a trial, the white light is switched off. To use the white light as a stimulus, program its activation with Trial Control. If, however, you want to use the white light as a default lighting condition and use the darkness as a stimulus, do the following:
   1. Click the White Light Default button.
   2. Under Default device state, select Light on.
   3. Choose a percentage of intensity (0–100) and click OK.

   Then in the Trial Control procedure you can program when to switch the light off. See Trial Control Settings for more information.

5. Optional: If you connect additional hardware, under Plug-in devices, select the devices in the corresponding rows for TTL Port 1–4, or Expansion 1 / Port 1–4 depending on which port on the DanioVision back panel you use.
6. Click OK.
7. Optional: If you set the default state of the White Light Stimulus to Light on, open the Trial Control Settings. This will confirm your selection.

Notes

• The Tapping Stimulus is listed under Device features when you select DanioVision DVOC-004x/T in step 2.
• If you upgraded from an older version of EthoVision XT and you use an experiment created in the older version as a template for a new one, the DanioVision detection method is not available. Therefore, it is recommended to create a new experiment with the newest version and use this as a template (File > New From Template > Use a custom template).
• If you upgraded an experiment from an older EthoVision XT version, do not change the Trial Control Hardware Settings in the Experiment Settings. Leave Noldus Mini USB-IO Box selected in the Hardware Interface window. Otherwise the Trial Control rules, for example to control the white light, may not work.
• When you change the default state of the White Light Stimulus to Light on, note that the white light is only switched on in one of the following cases:
  • When you open the Trial Control screen.
  • When you open the Arena - Hardware Mapping window.
  • When you start a trial.

For more information on Trial and Hardware Control, see the Reference Manual - Trial and Hardware Control in EthoVision XT.

Source: DanioVision DVOC-0041 Reference Manual, Noldus Information Technology