Linux Machine
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Product Overview
Our VPixx Linux Machine Service offers an out-of-the-box solution for researchers adding a new PC to their lab. It provides a complete system for driving our data acquisition tools and displays. The machine features a dual boot system with Windows and Ubuntu Linux, equipped with a graphics card optimized for use with our displays.
Developed in collaboration with the makers of Psychtoolbox, the Ubuntu Linux partition includes a pre-installed and tested copy of Octave/Psychtoolbox for compatibility with open-source research tools. Researchers can also add a standard 120 Hz monitor for a standalone research setup.
Product Details
The Linux/Windows dual boot machine service is updated regularly. For the most recent specifications for this system, see our product webpage at vpixx.com.
Assembly and Installation
What’s included
This Linux Machine service includes:
Tower PC
Mouse and keyboard
Compatible LCD screens are sold separately.
Product Usage
When you turn on your PC, you will encounter a GRUB (Grand Unified Bootloader) menu, which allows you to choose between loading the Windows or Ubuntu Linux partitions. If no action is taken, the default operating system, Windows, will automatically start after a few seconds. To boot into Ubuntu Linux, use the arrow keys to select "Ubuntu" and press Enter.
Your initial login information is provided on the right. We strongly recommend changing your password after your first login.
| Ubuntu | Windows |
Username: | vpixx | vpixx |
Password: | vpixx | vpixx |
VPixx Software Tools is a package of APIs and high-level software tools for use with VPixx products. It contains everything you need to connect to, configure and operate our devices from your experiment PC. It includes the following:
LabMaestro, a program designed by VPixx Technologies for configuring VPixx hardware and designing/implementing experiments.
Datapixx.mex, a library of commands for use with MATLAB/Psychtoolbox and VPixx products
pypixxlib, a library of Python tools for VPixx products
The latest version of VPixx Software Tools can be downloaded directly from our website at any time. Support documentation, tutorials, and demos for all of our software tools can be found on our support site: Support Home
Your Linux Machine has the most recent version of VPixx Software Tools already installed. The locations of the tools are shown in the table below.
Partition | Location |
|---|---|
Windows | C:\Program Files\VPixx Technologies |
Ubuntu Linux | /usr/share/VPixx Software Tools |
Important notices for the Ubuntu Linux partition
Your Ubuntu Linux partition comes with a copy of GNU Octave installed, as well as Psychtoolbox with our Datapixx.mex file from our most recent software release.
In addition, a VPixx script runs automatically after starting an Ubuntu Linux session to get the graphics card into a state optimized for research. This disables any remapping of the colour values by the graphics card. Should you encounter any problems with modified colour values because another program changed the settings, simply restart the computer to reapply the script.
Finally, if you encounter any issues using multiple displays on the Ubuntu Linux partition, we recommend following the steps in this guide to ensure the correct configuration of your displays: https://docs.vpixx.com/faq/configuring-linux-for-multiple-displays.
Installing other experiment software tools
You may wish to install other popular software tools for vision science, such as MATLAB or Python-based tools like PsychoPy. These are not included by default on either partition.
Once you have installed MATLAB or Python tools, you can integrate our software APIs. These command libraries allow you to connect to and control your VPixx devices within those programs.
The APIs are already installed on your Linux Machine as part of the VPixx Software Tools package. However, you must add them to the right software folders/paths for your newly installed programs in order to use them.
For more details on how to do this, see the following resources:
Compliance, Safety and Warranty Information
For compliance and safety information, see the product manual from the PC manufacturer.