The Observer® XT for animal research
The Observer XT is the ideal tool for many researchers because it saves you time scoring behaviors and it allows you to synchronize and analyze multiple signals (video, audio, physiology, etc) all together.

Why you should use The Observer XT
- Code behavior in a quantitative way and visualize them on a timeline
- Easily integrate video and physiological data
- Calculate statistics and assess reliability
Benefits
- User friendly software package
The Observer XT is an extremely powerful software tool including data integration and analysis and still very user friendly and easy to understand. - Developed to study time relationships
Synchronization is the key to understanding behavior patterns. Perfect sync is what researchers expect from Noldus. - Detailed scoring of behaviors
Designing an ethogram is a crucial step in behavioral research. The ethogram is the actual measuring instrument. Choices made at this stage determine what you can do with your data at later stages. The Observer XT enables you to code behaviors in great detail. - Support the entire workflow
The Observer XT supports the entire workflow of your project. As a result, you will be able to make all the necessary preparations to collect rich and meaningful data. - Simplification of your start/stop actions
Other recording devices can be started and stopped from The Observer XT to simplify your recording process. - Organize all data streams
Data integration platform: The Observer XT organizes all of your data streams in one clear overview. - Add movements patterns into your data mix
You can combine data gathered with TrackLab with other data streams in The Observer XT for enhanced analysis and visualization. Synchronization is straightforward and fast using our new viewer plugin. TrackLab software is a Noldus product for recognition and analysis of spatial behavior and the design of interactive systems. - Complete insight
You get complete insight into the relationships between behavioral data and physiological responses because time information is continuously exchanged between The Observer XT, MediaRecorder, Viso, and various data acquisition systems of your choice. - Share the work with Coder Licenses
Coder Licenses will allow you to work together efficiently on a research project. They limit the use of The Observer XT to coding and visualization only. - Code on the go with Pocket Observer
Code on-the-go using Pocket Observer. It combines the power of The Observer XT with the portability of a handheld computer, Android phone or tablet.
More information on the Observer different modules
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Technical Specifications
| Packages | Essential. Advanced adds 2 coder licenses and MediaRecorder for up to 8 synchronized video sources. Premium adds 1 Observer seat, 1 MediaRecorder seat, 4 coder licenses, external data integration and E-Prime |
| Sampling | Continuous and instantaneous |
| Reliability | Inter-rater reliability with Cohen's Kappa |
| Data integration | EthoVision tracks, UltraVox vocalizations, heart rate, acoustics, environmental data, all on one synchronized timeline |
| In the field | Pocket Observer on a handheld, phone or tablet |
| Citations | Over 15,000 peer-reviewed studies |
| Minimum workstation | Windows 11 Pro 64-bit, Dell Precision T3660 or higher, Intel Core i5 8500, 16 GB memory. A codec package for almost all video formats is included |
Applications
- Behavioral scoring in neuroscience, wildlife, zoo and farm animal studies
- Synchronizing scored behavior with physiology and tracking data
- Team coding projects with shared ethograms and reliability checks
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Social Behavior
Explore All ProductsPublications of The Observer® XT
Academic publications and research studies utilizing The Observer XT behavioral coding and analysis software by Noldus, sourced from Google Scholar.
What is The Observer XT used for in animal research?
Coding behavior on a timeline, from live view or video, then analyzing durations, sequences and reliability. It is the manual scoring counterpart to the automatic tracking of EthoVision.
What research is The Observer XT suited for?
Neuroscience, wildlife, zoo and farm animal studies. Anything scored with an ethogram. Pocket Observer takes the coding into the field on a phone or tablet.
What are the key technical features of The Observer XT?
Continuous and instantaneous sampling, inter-rater reliability with Cohen's Kappa, and import of heart rate, acoustics and environmental data onto one synchronized timeline. It is cited in over 15,000 peer-reviewed studies.
Is The Observer XT available in Israel with local support?
Yes. NBT supplies and supports The Observer XT in Israel, including installation and training.
What does The Observer XT integrate with?
EthoVision tracks and UltraVox vocalization logs load directly and synchronize automatically. The Advanced package adds MediaRecorder for up to 8 synchronized video sources.
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