directrt 2010 manual pdf

DirectRT 2010 is a precision timing software for stimulus presentation and response collection in psychological experiments. This comprehensive manual covers installation, configuration, stimulus design, timing controls, data collection, and troubleshooting for researchers and psychologists conducting reaction time studies and behavioral experiments.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Installation 3. First-Time Setup 4. Specifications 5. Controls and Settings 6. Connecting Devices 7. Running Experiments 8. Data Collection 9. Maintenance 10. Regulatory Information 11. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: Precision timing engine, Stimulus presentation module, Response collection system, Data logging, Compatibility with various input devices.

Feature	Description
Precision Timing	Millisecond-accurate stimulus presentation and response timing
Stimulus Support	Text, images, audio, and video presentation capabilities
Response Collection	Keyboard, mouse, and specialized response box input
Data Export	CSV and text format output for analysis
Scripting	Custom experiment design through script files
Compatibility	Windows XP/Vista/7 compatibility
Calibration Tools	Timing verification and system performance testing
Batch Processing	Run multiple participants automatically
Real-time Monitoring	Live data viewing during experiment execution
Error Handling	Comprehensive error reporting and recovery

Installation

System requirements and installation procedure for DirectRT 2010.

Check system requirements: Windows XP/Vista/7, 512MB RAM, 100MB free space.
Run installation file: Execute DirectRT2010_Setup.exe as administrator.
Follow installation wizard: Accept license agreement, choose installation directory.
Install required components: .NET Framework if not present.
Complete installation: Restart computer if prompted.

WARNING! Ensure adequate system resources and close other applications during installation.

First-Time Setup

Initial configuration and calibration for optimal performance.

Launch DirectRT: Start from desktop shortcut or Start menu.
Configure display settings: Set screen resolution and refresh rate.
Calibrate timing: Run timing tests to verify millisecond accuracy.
Set up input devices: Configure keyboard, mouse, or response boxes.
Test stimulus presentation: Verify text, image, and audio presentation.
Create sample experiment: Run tutorial to confirm proper operation.

CAUTION! Complete timing calibration before running experiments to ensure data accuracy.

Specifications

Operating System: Windows XP, Vista, 7
Timing Precision: ±1 millisecond accuracy
Stimulus Types: Text, BMP, JPG, WAV, AVI formats
Response Devices: Keyboard, mouse, serial response boxes
Data Output: CSV, text files with trial-by-trial data
Display Support: Multiple monitor configurations
Script Language: Simple text-based scripting
Memory Usage: Optimized for low memory footprint
File Compatibility: Backward compatible with previous versions

Controls and Settings

Main interface controls and configuration settings.

Main Window: Experiment selection, participant setup, run controls, monitoring display.

Settings: Display configuration (resolution, color depth), Timing parameters (stimulus duration, ISI), Response options (allowed keys, timeouts), Data logging (file location, format), Audio settings (volume, latency), Input device configuration.

Connecting Devices

Connecting and configuring input devices for response collection.

Keyboard: Standard USB or PS/2 keyboard for basic response collection.
Mouse: USB mouse for pointing tasks and click responses.
Response boxes: Serial port connection for specialized response devices.
Audio devices: Speakers or headphones for auditory stimuli.
Multiple monitors: Extended desktop for dual-display experiments.

Tip: Test all input devices before running experiments with participants.

Running Experiments

Procedure for creating and executing experiments.

Create script file: Use text editor to define trial sequence and timing.
Prepare stimuli: Organize images, sounds, and text files in project folder.
Load experiment: Open script file in DirectRT interface.
Set participant info: Enter subject ID and session parameters.
Run experiment: Click Run button to begin data collection.
Monitor progress: Watch real-time data display during execution.
Save data: Automatic saving upon completion or manual save during pause.
Review results: Check data file for accuracy and completeness.

WARNING! Always run practice trials before actual data collection.

Data Collection

Data output format and collection procedures.

Data Files: Trial number, Stimulus information, Response time, Response accuracy, Condition codes, Timestamp. Export Options: CSV format for Excel/SPSS, Text format for custom analysis, Batch processing for multiple files.

Maintenance

Software maintenance and performance optimization.

Regular updates: Check for software patches and updates. Performance monitoring: Run timing calibration periodically. Backup procedures: Regular backup of experiment files and data.

CAUTION! Maintain current backups of all experiment scripts and data files.

Regulatory Information

Copyright © 2010 Empirisoft Corporation. All rights reserved. DirectRT is a trademark of Empirisoft Corporation. For technical support, visit www.empirisoft.com/support or contact [email protected]. Patent pending timing technology.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Timing inaccuracies	System load/display settings	Close background applications; verify display refresh rate; run timing calibration.
Stimulus not displaying	File path/format issues	Check file locations; verify supported formats; ensure correct file naming.
No response recorded	Input device configuration	Verify device connections; check allowed keys setting; test input detection.
Script errors	Syntax/formatting issues	Review script syntax; check trial structure; validate stimulus references.
Performance issues	System resources	Close unnecessary programs; check available memory; update graphics drivers.

Reset: Restart application and recalibrate timing if persistent issues occur.

Support: www.empirisoft.com/support; [email protected]