OCS Tools Software Configurations

OCS Tools software is offered in multiple configurations to fit customer requirements as closely as possible. The versions differ according method of time synchronization, AV recording and playback technology requirements, analog or digital tape, magnetic or optical disk media, and AV file format.

Each OCS Tools version enables researchers to define event variables in a completely open manner according to specific application requirements. Event variables may be simply defined as discrete or durational events; while more demanding applications may use conditional events, which are dependent upon the relationships between other variables. Each version includes analysis features to fit the specific configuration, though includes the same report features as all other versions.

Following is a listing of the available OCS Versions and Add-on options.

OCS Tools Versions

OCS-Live Toolset

The OCS-Live software configuration (basic version of OCS) supports live event coding. The Live version associates data with the computer's internal system clock for real-time coding, and save considerable labor when compared to an Industrial Engineer's stopwatch method. This version will not synchronize event data with timecodes from a tape machine.

The Live (OCS-Live) synchronized configuration of the OCS Tools include the following features:

Live Event Coding

File Creation and Editing

Statistics Functions

Full Report Features

OCS-VCR Toolset

The original video-synchronized configuration enables VCR synchronization via analog video timecode technology. The same version offers synchronization of event codes with digital video via the VCR's controller port and video frame addressing. This configuration includes both a VCR Controller and a Timecode Generator/Reader.

The VCR synchronized version allows more accurate coding of taped events, and facilitates coding of events that happen within a short space of time (or concurrently) via slow-motion or paused mode. Accurate coding via multiple passes of the tape is also supported.

Additionally, the "paused coding" feature has been incorporated for media based coding: enabling the tape to be paused automatically by the system, while operators enter keyboard information (entering codes or detailed notes).

The VCR (OCS-VCR) synchronized configuration of OCS Tools software contains all the above features as well as the following:

VITC Timecode Generator/Reader for analog video tape synchronization

Digital Video tape synchronization (sync feature is limited to specific VCRs)

Variable Speed Playback and Frame Based event coding

VCR Control and Configuration

OCS-1394-Control Toolset

The IEEE-1394 communications interface is used to control and synchronize digital video tape machines (DV Camcorders and VCRs), and is further used to supply audio and video information for display on the PC's video monitor and audio system (eliminating a video monitor, required in analog tape solutions). This version enables synchronization of event codes with digital video media via the VCR's controller port and video frame addressing.

The 1394-Control (OCS-1394-Control) synchronized configuration of OCS Tools software contains all the above features as well as the following:

Video Window and Audio presentation via the PC's video graphics and audio interface

OCS-DV-Playback Toolset

The OCS-DV-P version enables synchronization of event codes with digital audio/video media files stored on either magnetic hard disk or optical disks. The DV-P version provides compatibility with a broad range of DV media files, and additional compatibility may be acquired if necessary. This version supports DV recordings made originally onto DVD machines, though an additional issue may exist to optimize the environment (contact TRC's tech support for an overview of DVD media recordings). The DV-P version displays digital audio and video information via the PC's video monitor and audio system (no additional video monitor needed).

The Digital Video-Playback (OCS-DV-P) synchronized configuration of the OCS Tools software contains all the above features as well as the following:

Digital Video Disk File Playback Synchronization

Audio/Video File Decompressor and Resolutions

OCS-DV-Record Toolset

The OCS-DV-R version enables synchronization of event codes with digital audio/video media files during recording onto magnetic hard disk drives. The DV-R version provides compatibility and digital compression for various DV media formats. Additional compression compatibility may be acquired if necessary (contact TRC's technical support with questions if necessary).

The DV-R version works with analog audio/video media via a broad range of PC analog-to-digital recording hardware systems. This software also works with digital audio/video streams supplied via an IEEE-1394 interface (found on compatible Cameras, Camcorders, DV VCRs, DVD players, Digital Special Effects Mixers, and external analog-to-digital IEEE-1394 converter devices).

The Digital Video-Record (OCS-DV-R) synchronized configuration of the OCS Tools software contains all the above features as well as the following:

Digital Video Disk File Recording and Synchronization

Digital Audio/Video Capture of Live Video Streams

Digital Audio/Video Compressor and Resolutions

OCS Add-ons for any above version

Add-on features, such as other user interface components, additional synchronized data lines and data types, may be enabled via any of the configurations as follows:

Dual Keyboard Coding

Remote Keyboard Capture

RS-232 Event Capture from Remote Data Sources

Eye Tracking Synchronization and Capture

Driving Simulator Equipment Synchronization

For additional information/clarification, please review the Solutions section of our website, or Please contact TRC for assistance.

If you begin with the OCS-Live configuration and later decide you need to activate additional options, the Feature Access Control System (FACS) makes it possible to upgrade the features of your software without any additional software installation.