CinePlex Studio
The epicenter of Plexon’s CinePlex® Behavioral Research System is CinePlex Studio. CinePlex Studio drives the sophisticated digital recording, tracking and behavioral analysis functionality, and can be enhanced with any of the following application-specific options: CinePlex Tracking, CinePlex Basic Behavior, and CinePlex 3D.
**CinePlex Studio 3.11.0 now offers jitter elimination and more!**
Latest Software Downloads
CinePlex Studio v3.11.0 – Windows 7 and 10
CinePlex v3.5.0 – Windows XP
CinePlex v2.0.0 – Windows XP
CinePlex Studio is the robust data acquisition portion of the CinePlex System providing the ability to capture video to .AVI files for online or later (offline) viewing and analysis. This recording technology is the basic building block for the optional programs.
CinePlex Studio can be operated as a stand-alone system, or for maximum benefit can be operated in synchrony with the OmniPlex® Neural Data Acquisition System or Multichannel Acquisition Processor (MAP) Data Acquisition System (which in turn requires the CinePlex Editor software). The program features triggered video capture for more accurate time stamping of video frames and multi-camera support at up to 200 frames per second. Image quality is selectable by changing nominal bit rate. Researchers also have the flexibility to record in normal light, or via near infrared if the experimental conditions require a dark environment.
When behavioral research requires data capture and manipulation beyond specialized recording capabilities, CinePlex Studio can be unlocked to leverage advanced features through application-specific options:
- CinePlex Tracking offers arena definition and powerful automated tracking of time and positioning data via multiple tracking modes – both online and offline.
- CinePlex Basic Behavior enables the further breakdown of arenas into various logically-interrelated zones, the generation of simple and complex digital events in response to activity within the zones, and the automatic calculation of real-time statistics.
- CinePlex 3D makes possible the recording and tracking of color markers from two or more simultaneous video streams in three dimensions – all with remarkably simple system and camera calibration, freeing the researcher from a fixed recording environment.
CinePlex Studio is designed in a modular fashion for maximum flexibility and cost effectiveness. Researchers can minimize costs, choosing only what options, if any, are valuable to their research.
To observe the CinePlex System integrated with an OmniPlex System in use during a freely behaving rat experiment, we invite you to view the methods section within the publication “Automated Visual Cognitive Tasks for Recording Neural Activity Using a Floor Projection Maze” authored by a team in Rebecca Burwell’s Behavioral Neuroscience of Memory and Attention Lab at Brown University and published in the Journal of Visualized Experimentation (JoVE) on February 20, 2014. The study presented uses CinePlex Studio with the CinePlex Tracking and CinePlex Basic Behavior options, as well as the OmniPlex System for synchronized neural recording.
A Plexon Sales Engineer is available to provide additional information and to assist you in determining how the CinePlex System could improve efficiency, save time and minimize human error.
The table below outlines selected information specific to the CinePlex® Studio.
Features | Specifications and Options | Remarks |
Computer platform | Windows® 7 and 10 | Beginning with CinePlex Studio v3.8.0, only Windows 7 and 10 are supported. The last version to support Windows XP was CinePlex v3.5.0. |
Operational modes | – Online (from cameras) and – Offline (from files) | |
Synchrony with neural data recording (NDAQ) systems | – OmniPlex and OmniPlex Systems – MAP Systems | When synchronized with an NDAQ system, CinePlex Editor software is also required. Also synchronized with Tucker-Davis Technologies data acquisition systems, though with limited functionality. |
Timing clock | 1MHz | Plexon’s OmniPlex, and MAP Systems use the same timing clock as does the CinePlex System. |
Resolution of time stamps | 25µsec | |
Video and neural data file synchrony | Simultaneous starting, stopping, pausing and resuming of both files | |
Files read | .MPEG and .MJPEG files | |
Video file format generated | Standard .AVI files in MPEG format | |
Video file compression | MPEG quality adjustable from 1 to 10 | CinePlex Studio default is 4. |
Number of cameras supported | 1 to 4 | Depends on camera type and application-specific option implemented. |
Advanced functionality options | – CinePlex Tracking – CinePlex Basic Behavior – CinePlex 3D | |
Tracking data saved to | .DVT and .AVI files | |
Export options | Excel®, MATLAB®, or text files | |
Licensing | Requires the purchase of a CinePlex System. Advanced functionality accessible with purchase of appropriate license keys. | Upgrades within a software version are free of charge and do not need a modification to the license key. Upgrades to the next version do require an updated key with expanded privileges. |
Installation | The CinePlex Studio can be loaded onto as many computers as you desire. However, the license key is required for operation. |
Any questions? Ask a Plexon Sales Engineer. We are here to help you explore whether the CinePlex System is the best tool to launch you from experiment to publication the fastest.
Post date December 2015
Post Date September 2018
Post date October 2014. This user guide contains updated functionality for the use of CinePlex integrated with OmniPlex only.
Legacy Manuals/User Guides
Post date February 2010. Comprehensive CinePlex User Guide through version 3.0.
Post date February 2008.
Installation Packages/Upgrades
Post date November 2021
Post date May 2014
Post date August 2014
Guides and How To Papers
- Camera Mounting Guide for CinePlex
- Integrating OmniPlex and CinePlex V3
- CinePlex Studio Windows 10 Migration Guide
Change Log
Technical Specs and Data Sheets
Research Articles with Video
Jacobson, Tara K., Jonathan W. Ho, Brendon W. Kent, Fang-Chi Yang, and Rebecca D. Burwell. “Automated Visual Cognitive Tasks for Recording Neural Activity Using a Floor Projection Maze.” JoVE (Journal of Visualized Experiments) 84 (2014): e51316-e51316.