Edit the StartUV/StopUV batch files

Aim

To make sure that the batch file triggers UltraVox XT when activated by Noldus software.

Background information

Once activated by Noldus software, a batch file StartUV*.bat or StopUV*.bat does the following:

1.It connects with the UltraVox XT computer, and deletes any file named start.txt from the folder C:\Program Data\Noldus\UltraVox\XT 4\Synch (if present).

2.It copies the file start.txt (or stop.txt) to the folder C:\Program Data\Noldus\UltraVox\XT 4\Synch on the UltraVox XT computer.

The files start.txt and stop.txt are empty text files. Their function is to trigger UltraVox XT, provided that this is set to “external program trigger” in the Trial Control Settings. See Trigger start/stop recording 

Procedure

1.Browse to C:\ProgramData\Noldus\Common\Tools\UltraVox XT 4 Control.

If this folder does not exist, see Copy the UltraVox XT Control folder to the EthoVision XT/The Observer XT PC.

2.Locate one of the *.bat batch files:

For EthoVision XT with one arena, or The Observer XT: choose StartUV - 2 PCs or StopUV - 2 PCs.bat depending on which you want to use.

For EthoVision XT with two or more arenas, choose StartUV - 2 PCs multiple arenas.bat or StopUV - 2 PCs multiple arenas.bat

3.Right-click the batch file and select Edit with Notepad.

4.Insert the IP address that you assigned in step Specify the IP address of the UltraVox XT PC. See the instructions below depending on what file you are editing.

5.In all cases, make sure that the path of the file start.txt / stop.txt is

C:\ProgramData\Noldus\Common\Tools\UltraVox XT 4 Control.

6.Save and close the file.

StartUV - 2 PCs.bat

Use this file in the external command for starting recording in UltraVox XT.

@if exist "\\IP address of UltraVox XT PC\Synch\start.txt" del "\\IP address of UltraVox XT PC\Synch\start.txt"

@copy "C:\ProgramData\Noldus\Common\Tools\UltraVox XT 4 Control\start.txt" "\\IP address of UltraVox XT PC\Synch" > nul

Replace “IP address...” with the actual IP address of the UltraVox XT PC. Alternatively, enter the name of the PC that you find in Windows (e.g. DESKTOP-123ABC) instead of the IP address.

The batch file copies the file start.txt to the trigger folder of UltraVox XT. This starts recording in UltraVox XT.

StopUV - 2 PCs.bat

Use this file in the external command for stopping recording in UltraVox XT.

@if exist "\\IP address of UltraVox XT PC\Synch\stop.txt" del "\\IP address of UltraVox XT PC\Synch\stop.txt"

@copy "C:\ProgramData\Noldus\Common\Tools\UltraVox XT 4 Control\stop.txt" "\\IP address of UltraVox XT PC\Synch" > nul

Replace “IP address...” with the actual IP address of the UltraVox XT PC. Alternatively, enter the name of the PC that you find in Windows (e.g. DESKTOP-123ABC) instead of the IP address.

The batch file copies the file stop.txt to the trigger folder of UltraVox XT. This stops recording in UltraVox XT.

StartUV - 2 PCs multiple arenas.bat

If you work with multiple arenas, use the batch file StartUV - 2 PC multiple arenas.bat to start recording in UltraVox XT. This way the file start.txt is sent out just one time, for Arena 1. If the arena has a different name, open the file with the Notepad and edit the name between the quotes.

@if exist "\\IP address of UltraVox XT PC\Synch\start.txt" del "\\IP address of UltraVox XT PC\Synch\start.txt"

@echo off

echo %1

IF %1=="Arena 1" (

@copy "C:\ProgramData\Noldus\Common\Tools\UltraVox XT 4 Control\start.txt" "\\IP address of UltraVox XT PC\Synch" > nul

)

Replace “IP address...” with the actual IP address of the UltraVox XT PC. Alternatively, enter the name of the PC that you find in Windows (e.g. DESKTOP-123ABC) instead of the IP address.

StopUV - 2 PCs multiple arenas.bat

If you work with multiple arenas, use the batch file StopUV - 2 PC multiple arenas.bat to stop recording in UltraVox XT. This way the file stop.txt is sent out just one time, for Arena 1. If the arena has a different name, open the file with the Notepad and edit the name between the quotes.

@if exist "\\IP address of UltraVox XT PC\Synch\stop.txt" del "\\IP address of UltraVox XT PC\Synch\stop.txt"

@echo off

echo %1

IF %1=="Arena 1" (

@copy "C:\ProgramData\Noldus\Common\Tools\UltraVox XT 4 Control\stop.txt" "\\IP address of UltraVox XT PC\Synch" > nul

)

Replace “IP address...” with the actual IP address of the UltraVox XT PC. Alternatively, enter the name of the PC that you find in Windows (e.g. DESKTOP-123ABC) instead of the IP address.

Command line options

An important point when working with multiple arenas: in the Action boxes in the Trial Control Settings of EthoVision XT, specify the Command line options: “%an%”, quotes included. For more information, see the EthoVision XT 18 - Trial and Hardware Control - Reference Manual.

inset_000606.jpg 

Working with one PC

It is also possible to run EthoVision XT and UltraVox XT on the same PC. In this case use the batch files StartUV - 1 PC.bat and StopUV - 1 PC.bat. However, this solution is not supported as it may cause high workload on the memory and the processor, depending on your setup, the number of arenas and the method use for tracking. For example, Deep learning-based tracking is more demanding than Contour-based tracking. If you need install both applications on one PC, test your setup thoroughly and make sure that the proportion of missing samples in your tracks is acceptable.

 

Next: Make UltraVox XT data import easier