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Plexon Frequently Asked Questions
[Q]What is the correct word to use when referring to the Multichannel Acquisition Processor? [A] Older customers will often call the big silver acquisition machine a “Harvey Box”, since they associate the data processor with its inventor, Harvey Wiggins. Nowadays we typically call it the MAP box.
[Q]I have a question about NeuroExplorer, can Plexon help me? [A] NeuroExplorer comes from a third party developer, and they prefer that any NeuroExplorer technical support questions go directly to them. See www.NeuroExplorer.com for more information.
[Q]Other than Offline Sorter and NeuroExplorer, how can I analyze my data? [A] Plexon has two software development kits available on our web site available in MATLAB and C++. The first SDK deals with directly accessing the data collected by the Server application, called the Client Development Kit. The second SDK is for reading the Plexon file formats, PLX and DDT. Both kits have sample programs and detailed comments in each source file.
[Q]I use a different product for data collection, and would like to use Offline Sorter for analysis of my spikes. Can OFS read in my acquisition system’s files? [A] Offline Sorter can import many of the widely used file formats from other acquisition systems. However, if another company changes anything in the way they record their data, the file import code will likely not be able to correctly read the data.
[Q]Can I use my Offline Sorter or NeuroExplorer license key at home or on my laptop? [A] Yes, but be careful not to lose them.
[Q]I would like my obscure front end hardware to interface with a Plexon preamp. Can you build an adaptor if I give you the specifications? [A] Plexon is always willing to help interface third party hardware to our own. Our design engineers are able to build custom parts, but the lead time is often long since the man hours involved with prototyping and testing can be extensive. We provide pin diagrams and voltage requirement information on our website if you are looking to do it yourself.
[Q]How do you reinstall the National Instruments drivers and cards? [A] If you have to reinstall the NI cards (on a new computer, or after wiping the hard drive), then there are several important steps to take. Download the Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) Version 7.4.1 here - http://digital.ni.com/softlib.nsf/websearch/3DBF3D343476A28F8625709E006A4937 You will have to register on the NI website to do this, but it’s a quick process. The download is a 400 megabyte .zip file, so make sure you have the space and time. After downloading, unzip the file to a directory you’ll remember. The most important step is that you have to REMOVE the NI cards from the computer BEFORE installing the drivers. Power down the computer and remove the cards. Power on, and then install the drivers. Power down again, replace the cards in their original location, and then power on. Windows will recognize the cards, and locate the drivers automatically.
[Q]What is the difference between the PBX and PBX2 line of preamps? [A] PBX preamps have 1-pole filtering on both the upper and lower bandpass. PBX2 preamps have 2-pole filtering on the low-cutoff (high-pass) side, and 4-pole filtering on the high-cutoff (low-pass) side. Only the PBX preamp has the programmable referencing option, as controlled by the REF2 software. This is identified by the “-r” in the preamp description, such as PBX/32sp-r/16fp. The “-r” at the end of the spike board description means that programmable referencing is available on the spike boards.
[Q]What does the “SPK” BNC plug on the DSP board do? [A] The BNC connector labeled “SPK” outputs the spike signal from the channel selected in SortClient’s multi-channel display. This is useful for viewing the spike channel in an oscilloscope, or hearing the output on a speaker.
[Q]What does the –TR or –GR suffix to my headstage description mean? [A] TR stands for True Reference, and GR stands for Ground Reference. The difference is that a TR headstage uses a dedicated electrode as the signal reference, and a GR uses the common ground from the preamp. Some people use TR to get rid of stimulation or movement artifacts. The reference electrode will pick up the same artifact that the other electrodes will get, and this will be subtracted out in the blue preamp box.
[Q] Can I connect my Cineplex computer to the internet? [A] Cineplex Capture requires full use of the computer’s processor. Because of this, connecting the Cineplex computer to a network, or even running other programs, is not recommended and usually not possible. The Cineplex computer is an appliance solely for the functions of the Cineplex Capture software.
[Q] Will the new Cineplex software run on the shuttle PC? [A] Although designed with the new Dell PC in mind, the latest software will still run on the shuttle. Future releases will possibly have higher processor and memory requirements than a shuttle PC can handle.
[Q] What data acquisition hardware is compatible with Cineplex?
[Q] How can I grab individual frames from an .avi into an image?
[Q] Can I use different cameras with Cineplex?
[Q] My HST/16V has a pin for a reference electrode, but my preamp doesn’t seem to be using it as a reference.
[Q] I want to get a TTL pulse whenever a sorted unit crosses threshold, what are my options?
[Q] I’d like to use a video of SortClient running on my computer for a presentation; how can I do this?
[Q] My Offline Sorter or NeuroExplorer key work fine on one computer, but are not recognized by the program on another. What is wrong?
[Q] What can I do to help your support team solve my MAP system problem faster? Connect the audio cable and the headstage to the tester board, and the headstage to the preamp with headstage cable. The audio file is played from the computer to the headstage tester where is passes through resistors to normal spike levels. Then you’ll be able to see simulated spikes going through the headstage and preamp to the MAP box. Once you have this baseline, we can start solving problems.
[Q]The local video display on the Cineplex Capture Monitor sometimes freezes for a half-second or so. Sometimes the freezing occurs several times in a few seconds, and repeats periodically. Is my data ok and how do I make it stop? |
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