Download 1 Introduction

Stimulus Systems
The virtual memory of the computer should always be off! If the computer
loads stimuli from the virtual memory during an experiment, it causes delays of
several hundred milliseconds. If the PC gives error messages and does not
function properly you can reset the computer. First, try to restart the computer
from the Start-menu or by pressing control-alt-del. If that does not work boot your
computer from the front panel. Note that you have to remove the PCMCIA card
located on the back panel of the PC when booting!
Appendix A.1 illustrates the back panel of the stimulus PC together with the most
important connections.
2.2 Stimulus Mac
There is also a possibility of using a Macintosh Quadra 800 in stimulation instead
of the PC. Mac’s IP address is 130.233.172.141 and its name in the network is
“brain.hut.fi”. Nevertheless, it is strongly recommended to use the PC because the
Mac is going out of use in the near future. This manual describes only the use of
the stimulus PC. If you want to use the Mac, look for further information in the
previous manual (Kimmo Uutela, 1995).
2.3 Mac/ PC AV switcher and distribution amplifier a.k.a.
Mac/PC switch box
The audio video switcher and distribution amplifier (Extron, SW VGA DA2 A)
selects the source of image and sound as well as divides the video signal to both
monitor and projector. The switch box is the flat box next to the monitor. Select
the stimulus computer by pressing the corresponding button (Appendix A.2).
3 Software
Presentation is the commonly used software with the stimulus PC. If you are using
the stimulus Mac, use AVProbe which is based on MacProbe by Steven Hunt (see
the previous manual by Kimmo Uutela, 1995).
3.1 Presentation
Presentation (Neurobehavioral Systems, Inc.; http://nbs.neuro-bs.com) is a
software system for stimulus delivery and experimental control. The operating
system of the stimulus PC is Windows 98 because it enables Presentation to run
with real-time priority during the experiments. With the 2000 or XP platforms this
is not possible and problems could then appear in stimulus timing. Note that there
are timing issues involved also with the hardware (see sections 4.3, 5.4, 6.5, and
7.4).
In Presentation, experiments include all the information needed in stimulation (see
section 3.1.2). An experiment consists of the settings made on the main control
screen (Figure 1). On Experiment tab you can include scenarios in your
experiment (sections 3.1.1 and 3.1.3). Scenario files are text descriptions of
sequences of actions that are performed without interruption. Scenarios describe
how the stimuli are presented (duration, order, interstimulus interval etc.). You
can use templates and PCL files in your scenarios (sections 3.1.3 and 3.1.4).
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