[Coral-List] Underwater video surveys and gear

[Kevin Kohler]

   Brad,
   Regarding  the  software  portion  of your question, you might want to
   check  out  Coral  Point  Count  with  Excel extensions (CPCe). It's a
   PC-based  program  offered by the National Coral Reef Institute which,
   using  images  derived  from your video transects, allows you to point
   count  the  images  to  estimate  percent  cover, as well as calculate
   planar  area  of  benthic  features.  Secondly,  it  won't impact your
   budget, as it's offered free of charge.
   More information can be found at [1]http://www.nova.edu/ocean/cpce.
   Best,
   Kevin
   At 18:12 4/30/2008 -0400, you wrote:

     Hi Folks, Apr 30
     Could  those of you with experience doing UW video take a moment to
     give
     some advice?
     I'm  a  newbie at this and have a modest budget to get started with
     (about
     $2-3k). I'm hoping to run benthic surveys (%cover, coral diversity,
     urchin  abundance)  as  well  as  survey  fish  diversity  (perhaps
     abundance).
     I'd  like  to  have  lights  as well.  I don't think I need (or can
     afford) a
     HD  camera  initially.  I'm  also  wondering  about  video analysis
     software
     for a PC or Mac.  I've heard about the Top Dawg
     ([2]http://www.topdawgvideo.com/)  but  assume  many  of  you  have
     experience
     with other systems that I should also consider. If you would, could
     you
     email me to discuss?
     Thanks, Brad
     <><  ><> <><  ><> <>< ><> <><  ><> <><
     Brad Baldwin
     Associate Professor
     Department of Biology/Johnson Hall 123
     St. Lawrence University
     Canton, NY 13617
     315-229-5240 (7429 fax)
     bbaldwin at stlawu.edu
     _______________________________________________

   ----------------------------------------------------
   Kevin E. Kohler <kevin at nova.edu>
   Director of Computing Services
   National Coral Reef Institute ([3]www.nova.edu/ncri)
   Nova       Southeastern      University      Oceanographic      Center
   ([4]www.nova.edu/ocean)
   8000 North Ocean Drive  Dania Beach, Florida  33004
   Ph:  954.262.3641    Fax: 954.262.4158

References

   1. http://www.nova.edu/ocean/cpce
   2. http://www.topdawgvideo.com/
   3. http://www.nova.edu/ncri
   4. http://www.nova.edu/ocean