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Motif Modes of Operation

Depending on the requirements, each Motif recording unit can be configured to operate in a number of different modes.

The mode of operation changes how the user interface (the page in the web browser for controlling the system) looks - both the 'main' user interface, and any additional camera user interfaces. In all multiple camera systems Motif has a user interface for the recording unit - and additional user interfaces for every camera. This is explained in the following image

Single Camera System

If you only have one camera observing one arena/assay, then you will be operating Motif in single camera mode. Motif will start and connect to the first detected and configured camera automatically.

To use Motif in this mode see

The user interface for a single camera Motif looks as the following image

Multiple Camera System

Multiple camera systems can be configured into two basic architectures - an independent mode and a coupled mode.

In 'independent mode' all cameras are independently controlled (starting and stopping or recording).

In 'coupled mode', all cameras start and stop recording at once and very often share the same trigger configuration and thus framerate - either using hardware or network synchronized triggering. If not all cameras can be connected to one computer due to processing limitations, the multiple camera system is further split into one master and possibly several slave 'recording units' (PCs). Recording control (starting and stopping) is always performed only from the master recording unit.

Index

In index mode, Motif shows by default a list of all connected cameras and IO devices. Cameras may be started and stopped ('connected' and 'disconnected'). Once a camera is connected then you can click on its serial number, where you will be redirected to the single camera user interface for that once camera - independent of other cameras.

To use Motif in this mode see

The user interface for a multiple camera Motif system in index mode looks as the following image

Master Recording Unit

In master modes, Motif again shows a list of all connected cameras and IO devices. However, once a camera is started then it is immediately shown on the same page.

Notably, to start recording you should use fill out the recording information, and click recording, on the main page. Clicking on the camera serial number also takes you to the individual page of the respective camera, however it is recommended to only start recording in a coupled system from the main Motif page.

To use Motif in this mode see

The user interface for a single recording unit multiple camera Motif system in master mode, or the master recording unit of a multiple recording unit multiple camera Motif system looks as the following image

Slave Recording Unit

Slave mode is only required when you have a coupled multiple camera system where not all cameras can be connected to one PC and must be connected to a second slave recording unit. However conceptually, all cameras are to be operated and controlled identically to those cameras which are connected to the master recording unit.

In slave mode the Motif user interface on the slave recording unit is only used to start and stop connected cameras.

All further control of cameras connected to the slave recording unit will be done from the master recording unit and thus actual control of the system is done as per Master Mode as described above.

The user interface for the slave recording unit of a multiple recording unit multiple camera Motif system looks as the following image