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FaceReader
Set up your system
FaceReader is a user-friendly package which helps automate your research. It offers the possibility to use different input sources and system preferences.
Set up your system
FaceReader achieves the best performance if it gets a good (video) image. Both the placement of the camera and the lighting of the subject’s face are of crucial importance in obtaining reliable classification results.
You might wonder how to set-up your FaceReader system for the best results. Let us guide you through the options with some practical tips and how to’s to help you make the most of your system.
To gain accurate and reliable data about facial expressions, FaceReader is the most robust automated system that will help you out.
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Clear insights into the effect of different stimuli on emotions
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Very easy-to-use: save valuable time and resources
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Easy integration with eye tracking data and physiology data
Video, camera, infrared recording, or image
FaceReader can be used with different input sources. You can upload still images for analysis, or analyze facial expressions from video, using a pre-recorded file. When analyzing from video, you can choose an accurate frame-by-frame mode or skip frames for high-speed analysis. You can also switch to an USB webcam or IP camera where FaceReader enables you to analyze live and record the video and audio simultaneously.
In FaceReader 8, it is now possible to analyze infrared (IR) recordings. This allows use of FaceReader in areas with low light conditions. If you plan to analyze multiple videos, you can analyze them all at one time. Once you have selected the videos, the software does the work for you
Choose your system preferences
The software can quickly detect interesting episodes, even in long series of events. You can choose to analyze the whole video or only parts of it. Moreover, when using the Project Analysis Module, you can add markers to interesting events. The Project Analysis Module allows you to compare groups. For example, compare the results of one group (commercial 1 - female) to another group (commercial 1 - male).
Light and movement are important
The best results are achieved using diffused frontal lighting on the test participant; Noldus offers illumination for optimization of your set-up. You can follow the emotions of your test participants if their orientation, movement, and rotation is within certain limits.
On our Behavioral Research Blog you can find several useful posts about FaceReader: 5 tips to get started, and how to optimize your facial expression analysis.
Automatic calibration
When desired, you can use the automatic calibration to tailor the analysis of facial expressions to a specific person. You can either run the calibration before the analysis or continuously during the observation.
The individual calibration function enables the correction of person specific biases towards a certain emotional expression. A calibration model can be created using live camera input, or images or video of the test participant showing a neutral expression.
Watch the video to learn more about the easy calibration in FaceReader.
Using FaceReader with Site Licenses
The Site License Manager is a program to manage your licenses of FaceReader via your own server. Why use it? The main benefit is that you no longer need a hardware key to use the software. A secured login will give you access to your projects. Furthermore, you can login at any time and on any computer on the network. This enables you to work together with others on a project from a distance. The Site License Manager shows how many licenses you have, how many are in use, and when each license type expires.
Easy integration with other programs
FaceReader data can be exported to other programs. You can export both the detailed and the state log including data about image quality and key point coordinates. There is a FaceReader API to enable a direct link between FaceReader and another program. Also, FaceReader works perfectly with The Observer XT, creating an integrated solution to study behavior, emotions, and physiological responses.
This offers a unique solution for synchronization, integration, and analysis of FaceReader data with other data, including but not limited to physiological data, screen captures, and eye tracking data. This compatibility enables you to perform multimodal measurements: what user interface is the test participant looking at or which image is triggering an emotion?