The use of digital video recorders (DVRs) for capturing digital video files for use in both The Observer and Ethovision

Before switching a laboratory from analog to digital, for the recording of video files for use in Noldus software such as Ethovision and The Observer, researchers need to proceed with caution. There are obvious advantages in moving to digital recording for behavioral work, including increased storage capacity; no requirement to purchase video tapes; immediate search by date, time, or event; digital images are of higher quality; ability to view study sites remotely by Internet connection; and “smart” features, such as motion detection. But before you throw away your time-lapse video recorders, time code generators, and video multiplexors, there are some important cautions to take account of. Some research groups have bought digital surveillance systems on the assumption that they work with Ethovision and The Observer, only to be disappointed. The vast majority of systems depend on proprietary compression software that must then be converted to work properly in Ethovision or The Observer.