If you use INTERACT during real life coding sessions and simultaneously record the observed scene (for detailed analysis afterwards) synchronization is a critical issue.
This section describes different solutions, on how to sync your live codings with your video, either upfront -by taking precautions during the recording and observation session- or afterwards.
What suits your situation, largely depends on the local situation, hardware equipment, number of cameras and the accuracy needed.
For any of the methods described in this section, the following steps need to be taken first:
▪Start INTERACT and create a new document.
▪Make sure you have an appropriate Code definition file loaded for your coding session.
▪Click Start - Observation - Observation settings 
▪Select Live Observation as you Observation source (select Multimedia Codingto return to multimedia-based sources).
▪Confirm your settings with OK.
Open your multimedia file(s).
▪Click 
, to activate the Observation Mode.
Now you are able to start coding as soon as the test starts.
Stationary Mangold Labs
Our MangoldLab solutions offer an integrated recording procedure that saves you the trouble of syncing the videos manually:
 | VideoSyncPro - VideoSyncPro is a unique video capture solution that captures and digitizes up to 9 video streams simultaneously, per recording station. Multiple stations can be linked if more cameras are required. This system synchronizes the start of all recordings and can send synchronization signals to other equipment. |
▪Contact us for further details. Write an email to sales@mangold-international.com or give us a call!
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IMPORTANT: Decide what synchronization strategy you plan to use, before you start coding.
Other labs for live observation
| In combination with one video camera - This rather simple lab, allows you to gather valuable information on the fly, as well as performing in-dept analysis on the simultaneous recorded video. |
▪Read Live Observation & One Camera.
| In combination with multiple cameras - Syncing multiple cameras in the field, does require some planning and post-recording adjustments |
▪Read Live Observation & Multiple Cameras.
Stand-alone recordings
| Synchronize a video with live data - If you have recorded a scene (during which INTERACT was used to log live observations) without having taken any of the precautions mentioned in the One video camera setup, it is still possible to sync your codings with the video - as long as a specific enough Event has been coded, to which both the data and the video can be synced. |
▪Read Synchronize live data to a video for more details.
| Synchronize multiple videos - If you have received multiple videos or if you have recorded a session with multiple cameras, without doing any live codings, nor with any special recording equipment for syncing the videos right from the start, you are able to sync your videos manually within INTERACT. It is of course best to think of a special activity, movement, clapboard or flash light before starting any multi view recording, that can be used for syncing the videos after recording. For further information, |
▪Read Synchronize multiple multimedia files for fuhrer information.