More specifically, what is the highest density of IR grid in use and could it be used to generate a 3D model of the animal which could then be used to look at more complex behaviours?
I currently use Ethovision and think it's great - have previously dismissed IR beam break as not being able to generate data beyond number of squares entered etc - does anyone have experience of getting more detailed information using beam break systems?
Great - thank-you very much! I was actually wondering about the frame dropping - tracking can be variable and I've been looking form some time for a way to validate Ethovision tracks, or at least highlight those which need a closer look
Good question. My only experience in open field tracking is with the Promethion system, which has 1 cm beam spacing and internally calculates the animal's centroid to 2.5 mm while also recording beam breaks. Raw data from the XYZ array are recorded every second in all axes, on the basis of 400 Hz scanning. It allows distinction between coarse movement (directed locomotion) and fine movement (grooming etc.) and monitors rearing, but does not allow sub-discrimination of fine movement into, for example, scratching and grooming. So it is useful for position preferences and basic coarse/fine activity monitoring plus rearing and overall activity levels, but doesn't yield the level of fine detail that video analysis can provide. Then again, in the context of a whole system including food and water intake etc., it gives quantitative data (food and water intake and body mass in grams, etc.) that a video analysis system can't deliver. Which system is best depends on the research questions you are asking.