CinePlex is a digital video recording, position tracking, and file editing tool that synchronizes video capture with Plexon neural data files. The synchronized video, tracking coordinates, and neural data can then be viewed offline, where behavioral event markers and time-interval variables can be inserted. The modified data file can be exported for further analysis.

CinePlex consists of CinePlex Studio and CinePlex Editor.

CinePlex Studio

CinePlex Studio is a combination of hardware and software that records video in synchrony with neural data collection and generates real-time tracking coordinates and events. Video files can be imported into CinePlex Studio for offline position tracking and behavioral analyses. Up to 5 colors may be tracked (either different colors or the same color). CinePlex Studio can also track objects in pre-recorded files off-line.

CinePlex Editor

CinePlex Editor is an integrated video and neural data file playback program with editing functionality.

Operation with MAP and OmniPlex Systems

CinePlex Studio can be synchronized with either the Plexon MAP system or the Plexon OmniPlex system. CinePlex Studio processes and compresses video from up to two Firewire cameras, and stores them as an .AVI file. The MAP and OmniPlex systems send clock signals to CinePlex Studio for timestamping each video frame, as well as control signals to start, stop, pause, and resume video recording.

Tracking Option

The available tracking option enables CinePlex Studio to analyze each frame of video data to determine the positions of objects based on their color or image contraxt. Tracking can be performed live, during acquisition of the video, or off-line. On-line tracking position data is also available to online user-written programs via C/C++ and Matlab client developmnet kits.

The video, tracking, and neural data can then be imported into the CinePlex Editor program for visualization and defining new event markers and time intervals.

Behavior Option with Programmable Digital Output

The CinePlex Behavior option creates events with a tracked object enters or leaves a user-defined zone in the image, or when a threshold level is reached for an object's speed or the angle between two objects (head direction). Zones may be centered around tracked objects - dynamic zones for use in social interaction studies, behavioral training, etc. The Behavior option comes with 24 programmable digital output lines. Logical AND/OR and Sequence operations on behavioral event variables may be performed to create complex events - e.g., create an event and generate a digital output when an object enters a certain combination of zones in a particular sequence, or enters a zone at a certain speed. Real-time statistics are calculated including object speed, time spent in each zone, angle between two events (head direction).