Knowledge Base

Adjust Detection Settings - General Procedure

Subject detection works well if there is good contrast between the subject and the background in the video image, and for the whole duration of the trials. Increasing the contrast (for example, by changing the background so it differs as much as possible in color from the subject) is far more effective than any detection setting.

To Adjust the Detection Settings

1. Select the sample rate and video file. See Video File, Image Quality and Sample Rate.
2. Use the Automated Setup functionality to detect the subject. See Detection Settings: Automated Setup.
3. Optionally use advanced detection settings if Automated Setup does not give satisfying detection. See Detection Settings: Advanced Setup.

Notes

• Important: Make sure you carefully follow the order of steps as described in the next topics. If a particular step does not apply to your setup, proceed to the next step.
• Every time you apply changes in the Detection Settings window, you can see the consequences in the Video window.
• To save the detection settings, click the Save Changes button at the bottom of the pane. If you have made more changes and you want to return to the last saved settings, click the Undo Changes button.
• EthoVision XT offers a number of real-time statistics on the quality of detection that you can check while you adjust detection settings.

Video File, Image Quality and Sample Rate

Learn About

• Video file and image quality
• Sample rate

Video File and Image Quality

What you see under Video depends on whether you track from video files, or live.

Select Video

Available when tracking from video files. By default, the Detection Settings shows the same video file used in the Arena Settings, to obtain a background image. To use another video file, click Select Video.

Image Quality

Available when tracking live, and for some cameras, not others. To adjust, for example, the image contrast or brightness, click the Image Quality button under Video.

Important: Always try adjusting the lighting and camera aperture settings before changing the Image Quality Settings.

In the window that appears, adjust the properties you require.

• Contrast enhances the lighter and darker parts of the image.
• Brightness makes the image lighter.
• Saturation increases the color intensity.

Dependent on the camera, some settings may be grayed out.

Notes

• For some cameras, the Image Settings are not available. In the Experiment Settings, click the camera button and click the Image tab. See Video Source.
• The Image Quality Settings also affect the image that is saved to a video file.
• To return to the defaults of the camera driver, click the Default button.