Knowledge Base

Trigger Sound Recording with UltraVox XT

Aim

To record ultrasonic vocalizations with UltraVox XT 3 while tracking the subjects with EthoVision XT. UltraVox XT is triggered by an EthoVision XT external command.

Prerequisites

• We recommend running UltraVox XT and EthoVision XT on separate computers, preferably connected through a network switch. Alternatively, you can use a local network, but that could add delays in communication between the two computers. On both computers, disable the firewall.
• Set the IP addresses of the Ethernet ports on both PCs to match the IP address of the network switch. The following IP addresses have been tested:
  • Network switch (Netgear GS310TP): 192.168.0.239
  • EthoVision XT 19 PC: 192.168.0.201
  • UltraVox XT 3 PC: 192.168.0.202
• Important: If you decide to run EthoVision XT and UltraVox XT on the same machine, make sure that you start EthoVision XT and open the experiment before starting UltraVox XT. Also check that the PC can handle the recording of video, data, and sound simultaneously. Check that there are few or no missing samples in your data before carrying out the actual experiment. For more information, see the UltraVox XT Help.

Procedure

1. When working with two computers, make the folder C:\ProgramData\Noldus\UltraVox\XT 3\Synch shared so it can be accessed by the SUV batch file.
2. In the EthoVision XT Trial Control Settings, define an external command that runs one of the batch files SUV.bat stored on the EthoVision XT computer. You can find the SUV batch files on the EthoVision XT full installation package, under Drivers and Tools > Utilities > UltraVox XT 3 Control. For more information on this file, see the UltraVox XT Help. If you work with two PCs and multiple arenas, use the batch file SUV - 2PC multiple arenas.bat (see below). We recommend not running EthoVision XT and UltraVox XT on the same PC when working with multiple arenas.
3. Place the external command immediately after the Start Track box.
4. Define a second instance of the external command and place it immediately before the Stop Track box.
5. Open your experiment in UltraVox XT and, in the Trial Control Settings under Start Acquisition, select External Program Trigger.
6. Start acquisition by starting the trial in EthoVision XT.
7. After acquisition, import the UltraVox XT data in EthoVision XT using the import profile for UltraVox XT 3. See also Import a Complete External Data File at Once. Note: for this step you need the External Data add-on module. See Modules of EthoVision XT.

Triggering UltraVox XT with Two or More Arenas

If you work with multiple arenas, use the batch file SUV - 2 PCs multiple arenas.bat so that the start command is given only once, for the first arena.

This is the content of the batch file SUV - 2 PCs.bat for working with one arena:

@if exist "\\IP address\Synch\start.txt" del "\\IP address\Synch\start.txt"
@copy "C:\ProgramData\Noldus\Common\Tools\UltraVox XT 3 Control\start.txt" "\\IP address\Synch" > nul

This is the content of the batch file SUV - 2 PCs multiple arenas.bat for working with two or more arenas:

@if exist "\\IP address\Synch\start.txt" del "\\IP address\Synch\start.txt"
@echo off
echo %1
IF %1=="Arena 1" (
@copy "C:\ProgramData\Noldus\Common\Tools\UltraVox XT 3 Control\start.txt" "\\IP address\Synch" > nul
)

Notes

• In the Trial Control Settings, and for both action boxes, add a command line option: "%an%" (including quotes).
• In the batch files, replace IP address with the IP address of the UltraVox XT computer (suggested: 192.168.0.202, or 10.0.0.9 as suggested in the UltraVox XT 3 Help). You can also use the computer name instead, for example DESKTOP-ABC123.
• If the arena has a name different from Arena 1, replace Arena 1 with that name in the batch file.

See Also

• Import Profile for UltraVox XT 3
• Import a Complete External Data File at Once
• External Commands