Knowledge Base

Video in EthoVision XT

EthoVision XT can work with different types of cameras:

Analog Cameras

To use analog CCD cameras, you need an encoder board, which converts the analog signal to digital. With this board you can also save the video image to a video file directly with EthoVision XT. See Install Analog Cameras.

Digital Cameras

You can plug a digital camera (GigE Vision or USB 3.0) directly into your computer. The video signal is used directly in EthoVision XT to track live and save video. However, for acquisition the quality of the input signal is crucial, therefore not all digital cameras can be used. See Cameras Supported by EthoVision XT.

Mixing Camera Images

You can feed multiple cameras to the EthoVision XT computer. EthoVision XT mixes the images of up to sixteen cameras. Video is saved with all camera images merged into one. For example, when you use two cameras, the resulting video file contains the two camera views next to each other.

For information on the supported cameras, frame rates, and resolutions, and the maximum number of cameras supported, see Camera Installation.

Recording Video with MediaRecorder

With the Noldus MediaRecorder software you can record video to be used in EthoVision XT for offline tracking. An advantage of using MediaRecorder is that you can create separate, full resolution video files from multiple cameras. With EthoVision XT, the images from multiple cameras are merged in one video file.

Modules of EthoVision XT

To know which add-on module you have, choose Help > About EthoVision XT then click the License Info button. The modules enabled in your license are marked with a check symbol.

What module is enabled depends on the EthoVision XT license currently active on that computer. You cannot select and deselect those modules from the software. See also Types of EthoVision XT License.

Base Module

The Base module of EthoVision XT allows tracking of the center-point, the nose-point and tail-base point and other relevant features of one subject in one arena.

• Tracking the nose-point is, for instance, relevant in the Elevated Plus Maze test to determine the number of times the subject puts its head in one of the open arms of the maze without actually entering the arm. Tracking the center-point is then not so useful.
• You can also record your subjects' behavior manually using the Manual Scoring function.
• You can also measure body elongation on the basis of thresholds that you set yourself.

Note: The Multiple Body Points module is included in the Base module. You can extend the base functionality with the add-on modules listed below.

Multiple Arenas Module

Allows tracking in more than one arena at the same time. You can track one subject per arena.

Rat Behavior Recognition Module

With this module you can have EthoVision XT detect various behaviors automatically: drinking, eating, jumping, grooming, rearing (supported and unsupported), resting, sniffing, twitching and walking.

Mouse Behavior Recognition Module

With this module you can have EthoVision XT detect various behaviors of mice automatically: digging, drinking, eating, grooming, hopping, rearing (supported and unsupported), resting, sniffing and walking.

Important: The Mouse Behavior Recognition and the Rat Behavior Recognition modules are not interchangeable. For example, you cannot use the Mouse Behavior Recognition to detect digging in rats.

External Data Module

With this module, you can import any external data in ASCII format. External data may include physiological data (e.g. EEG, blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, etc.) or environmental data (e.g. room temperature, humidity, etc.). You can synchronize track data and associated external data and subsequently visualize, select and export these data. See External Data.

Quality Assurance Module

This module supports you in making experiments which fulfill quality requirements. It helps you protect your data and creates log files so you can easily keep track of everything that happens during a project. See EthoVision XT and Quality Assurance.

Social Interaction Module

This module allows you to track more than one animal per arena and study social interactions. For the statistical analysis a number of variables are available like the distance between the animals, and the relative movement. See also Advanced Detection Settings for Tracking Color-Marked Subjects.

Trial & Hardware Control Module

With this module, you can make advanced rules to start and stop the trial. You can also control hardware, like a pellet feeder, and make settings in such a way that the pellet feeder drops a pellet when the animal is in the trigger zone for 30 seconds. See Trial Control Settings and the EthoVision XT 19 - Trial and Hardware Control - Reference Manual.

Track3D Module

Track3D is a solution for tracking animals in a 3D space. This add-on includes a MATLAB application that converts 2D tracks obtained from two cameras to a three-dimensional track, and calculates a wealth of movement parameters in 3D. Note that Track3D only works with one tracked individual at a time.