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VideoMot2 - Video Tracking System
VideoMot2 is a versatile video tracking system for automatically recording and analyzing animal
activity, movement and behavior. Whether you are working with an open field, an elevated plus maze
or a radial maze - VideoMot2 is a flexible tool suitable for a variety of behavioral tests that can
be adapted to meet your individual requirements.
The VideoMot2 system is undergoing continuous development in cooperation with our end-users and new
functions are being added at frequent intervals. A new color-tracking version will soon be finished
that allows up to 8 differently colored animals in one arena to be monitored simultaneously!
Basic Functions:
Animal identification is performed via contrast detection according to user-defined object filters
(including an adjustable contrast threshold) and integrated automatic background correction. Up to 6
cameras feed data to one computer in order to switch between setups in seconds!
Multiple arenas each housing up to two animals can be observed with one camera. The trial design is
featured by a search for objects in experimental regions drawn by the user with tools provided.
Zones of interest with any desired shape and marked with a name and a color can be easily generated
inside these areas to perform spatial analyses. Regions may also act to control data acquisition, e.g.
terminate, pause or restart a trial depending on the experimental paradigm.
Experiments can be started by a remote control at a distance from the computer. In contrast to other
systems the video source is displayed on the screen during the trial - no second monitor is therefore
required! Coordinates are collected with up to 13Hz sampling rate during the "live" experiment or
offline using videotaped material.
Use the built-in keyboard recorder during tracking to record up to 10 different behavioral events that
cannot be identified automatically (e.g. rearing or grooming). Series of experiments may be performed
one after the other and stored in a single file for com-fortable group analysis.
Analysis:
Evaluation is designed to be modular. Choose between a variety of analysis packages calculating specific
results parameters. Count the entries into zones and output visit latency, differentiate between time
resting and time moving, calculate distance traveled or locomotory speed. Quantify contact behavior
between 2 animals moving about in one arena or create partial analysis protocols by calculating results
for selected time windows! The track pattern can be plotted at variable speed for any time interval and
bitmap files are generated by a mouse click.
Track pattern shown for different hardware configurations:
    
Screen showing the track pattern of 2 animals monitored in parallel:
The printouts include all information on the experimental design including descriptive variables entered
in the preparation stage. Export files in ASCII format containing all results parameters are provided
for statistical evaluation.
VideoMot2 gives complete access to the raw data allowing individual calculations to be performed. Raw
data can be reanalyzed as often as is required to evaluate different aspects of animal movement thus
saving valuable time lost in other systems by replaying the video tape.
Copyright © 1995 - 2008 TSE Systems International Group - All rights reserved.
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