Knowledge Base

Set Up DanioVision

Connections

1. Temp out. Connector for the temperature sensor. Use this in combination with the DanioVision Temperature Control Unit (TCU).
2. TTL A and B. Use those ports to control external devices such as a speaker or an additional light source different from the available add-ons. Each TTL port contains two input lines (Input 1 and Input 2) and two output lines (Output 1 and Output 2). Which line you want to use must be specified in EthoVision XT (Trial Control Settings).
3. Trigger Out 1 and 2. BNC connectors for output TTL signals. Use those connectors to trigger the Prizmatix Pulser or the Prizmatics LED controller in Optogenetics experiments. If you work with three Pulsers or LED controllers, use one of the TTL connectors for the third device. For this you need a special cable from TTL and the BNC connectors of the Pulser/LED controller.
4. Ethernet port for controlling DanioVision from the EthoVision XT computer.
5. Ethernet port for the DanioVision camera.
6. Connector for water inlet.
7. 24 VOLT connector for the power supply.
8. Connector for water outlet.
9. Connector for water overflow.

Connect DanioVision

Video

Use the Ethernet cable with the large round connector to connect the digital video output of the DanioVision Observation Chamber to the Ethernet port labeled DanioVision camera on the EthoVision XT computer.

The DanioVision camera must be connected to a 1-Gb Ethernet interface board. Note that the port on the Ethernet must be given a compatible IP address, for example 192.168.1.51. If you have purchased a PC from Noldus together with DanioVision, this card is already installed and the correct IP is assigned. Contact Noldus if you need a new Ethernet card for the DanioVision camera.

Ethernet

To control the White Bottom Light, the Tapping Device, and other hardware, connect the Ethernet port of the DanioVision Observation Chamber to an Ethernet port on the EthoVision XT computer using the network cable with connectors of type RJ45 that comes with DanioVision.

If you have purchased the computer from Noldus when you purchased DanioVision DVOC-0050, an Ethernet interface board with multiple Ethernet ports is already installed on that computer. In all other cases, we advise installing a dedicated Ethernet interface board with 2+ ports, so you can use the on-board Ethernet port to connect to the internet.

IP Addresses of the Ethernet Ports

The two Ethernet ports on the PC must be given different IP addresses:

• Ethernet port connected to the Ethernet connector in DanioVision (number 4 on the back panel): 192.168.20.1
• Ethernet port connected to the DanioVision camera (number 5 on the back panel): 192.168.1.51

Power

Connect the DanioVision Observation Chamber's 24 VOLT socket to the power supply using the power cable and adapter.

Set Up a Water-Flow System

If you require a temperature-controlled water flow underneath the well plate, the Noldus DVTCU Temperature Control Unit is the preferred method.

The back panel of the DanioVision Observation Chamber contains three connections for controlling the water flow: a water inlet (marked in green), a water outlet (marked in yellow), and a water overflow (marked in red).

Connect the DanioVision Observation Chamber to the DanioVision Temperature Control Unit using the tubes that match the color of the connectors.

Suggested Temperature

For Danio larvae, the temperature of the water flowing through the system is usually 28 degrees Celsius. You can set a different temperature when needed.

Lights and Switches

Main Switch

The main switch is located on the front panel. After you switch on DanioVision, wait at least 15 minutes for it to start up and to avoid condensation in the system.

Working Light

The DanioVision Observation Chamber is equipped with an LED light to illuminate the inside of the chamber while you set up your experiment. This light should not be used during experiments. Operate the light switch at the left of the camera to turn the light on and off.

Button for the White Bottom Light

This button is located on the metal frame at the right side of the camera. Press the button to switch the White Bottom Light on. Press more times to adjust its intensity. Once the maximal intensity is reached, press once to switch the light off. Operate this button for example to have more background light when you check the larvae.

• To have the White Bottom Light switched on by default during your trials, see the Trial Settings section.
• For examples of how to use the White Bottom Light in your experiments, see the Experiments section.

Anti-Moisture Switch

This switch is located on the metal frame, at the left of the camera. Operate this switch to adjust the anti-condensation mechanism.

Install EthoVision XT

Before You Start

• If you have purchased the DanioVision Observation Chamber including a computer from Noldus Information Technology, all software has been installed and tested. You can skip this section and proceed to Set Up EthoVision XT.
• If you use your own computer, or a computer you bought from Noldus IT in the past, make sure it meets the EthoVision XT system requirements. For information about system requirements, press F1 in EthoVision XT.

Install EthoVision XT

1. If you do not have the EthoVision XT installation files, browse to the MyNoldus portal at https://my.noldus.com/download/latest/ethovision-xt. Log in or register (if you are a new user you can use the registration code found on the Welcome letter). Click Versions and download the EthoVision XT Installation Package [version number].zip. Save the zip file on your PC. If you store the zip file on a network drive, copy it to your PC before the next step.
2. Unzip and extract the files on your computer.
3. Double-click EthoVision XT - Setup - [version number].exe.
4. Continue installation choosing the interface language and the type of installation (Standard). Then click Next.
5. Accept the default Application location and Experiments location.
6. Under Drivers and Tools, select the Basler GigE camera driver.
7. Complete installation and click Close.

Upgrading Old Experiments

When you open an experiment from EthoVision XT 12 or earlier, a warning appears informing you that you cannot open upgraded experiments in the old version of the software anymore. Do one of the following:

• If the older EthoVision XT version is still on the PC, make a backup of your DanioVision experiment in that version before opening it in EthoVision XT. To make a backup, choose File > Make Backup.
• If the older version is no longer on the PC, you cannot use the Backup function. Instead, make a copy of your experiment using Windows Explorer before you open it in the newer EthoVision XT version. Always copy the complete experiment folder and not only the *.evxt file, otherwise your experiment will not open. Keep the original experiment as a backup.

For More Information

See the Installation section in the EthoVision XT Help for more details about installing EthoVision XT.

Drivers and Additional Software

Camera Driver Software

If, for any reason, you need to re-install the driver software of the DanioVision camera, do the following:

1. Double-click the file EthoVision XT 18 - Setup [version number].exe and choose Modify.
2. Under Drivers and Tools, select to install the Basler GigE Camera driver and follow the instructions on the screen.

If you do not have the installation files, download the EthoVision XT Installation Package from the MyNoldus portal.

Installing the Camera Driver Software from the Installation File

You can download the single installation file for the Basler camera driver. If you choose this route you must select the custom setup as described below. Follow the instructions carefully.

1. After login, choose Downloads > EthoVision XT > Drivers and Tools and under Drivers for the current version download Basler Pylon Camera Driver - Noldus - [latest version]. Extract its content and copy everything to the local disk.
2. Double-click Basler_pylon_[version number].exe. Accept the Terms and Conditions, then click Next.
3. Under Profiles, select Custom and click Next.
4. Under Features, choose GigE Camera Support. This applies to the DanioVision camera. Make sure to select pylon Viewer and DirectShow Support.
5. Complete the installation.

For more information, open the EthoVision XT Help and browse the Camera Installation chapter.

DanioVision Hardware Interface Software

The hardware interface software for DanioVision DVOC-0050 is installed automatically when you install EthoVision XT.

• To de-install this software, open the Windows Control Panel, select Programs and Features, click Noldus HardwareInterface DanioVision - x64 Package - 1, and select Uninstall.
• To re-install the DanioVision interface software, run installation of EthoVision and select Repair.

Note: Older versions of DanioVision are controlled by the Noldus HardwareInterface IoBox x64 Package 5. You can uninstall that software provided that you are sure you no longer use older versions of DanioVision and any version of the USB-IO box in combination with EthoVision XT.

Install the Network Interface Board

If you ordered a computer from Noldus Information Technology when you purchased DanioVision, it came with the card already installed and tested. You can skip the instructions below and continue with the Check the DanioVision System section. If you bought your computer somewhere else, you have to install the Ethernet card yourself.

Type of Ethernet Interface Board

In order to use DanioVision, you need to have a 1-Gb Ethernet interface board (also named Network Interface Card, NIC) installed on the EthoVision XT computer. For DanioVision DVOC-0050, you need an Ethernet board with at least two ports: one for the DanioVision camera and one for controlling the various devices inside DanioVision.

Step 1: Insert the Ethernet Card in the DanioVision Computer

1. Turn off your computer and all connected peripherals, such as the monitor and printer. Make sure that the computer is unplugged.
2. Remove the PC's casing according to the instructions provided in the PC's user manual.
3. Select a free PCIe expansion slot, and remove the corresponding extension cover.