Knowledge Base

Problem

A user accidentally uses the 'Clear Video' option on a trial in EthoVision, and the associated video file is permanently deleted. The user wants to know if the video can be restored.

Details

Affects all EthoVision XT versions. When the Clear Video option is selected for a trial, EthoVision permanently deletes the associated video file. Unlike deleted trials (where the video file may remain on disk), cleared videos cannot be recovered through EthoVision or standard file-system methods. There is no recycle bin or undo for this operation.

Solution

1. Unfortunately, once a video is cleared from the trial list using the Clear Video option, the video file is permanently deleted and cannot be restored within EthoVision.
2. Check whether your operating system or institution backup system (e.g., Windows Previous Versions, network backup, cloud sync) has a copy of the deleted file. This is the only possible recovery path.
3. To prevent future accidental loss: before clearing any video, verify you have an external backup copy. Be aware that 'Clear Video' is a destructive, irreversible action — it is distinct from simply deleting a trial.
4. If tracking data was already acquired before the video was cleared, the tracking results may still be present in the experiment file and can be used for analysis even without the original video.