Where is your participant?

In-lab, online, or in the field, Ovo's got you covered.

Software for UX Testing
Fixed Labs for: Mobile • Websites & Software • Medical Devices • Play Testing
Portable Labs
Cloud-Based Testing

Labs for Mobile

Real Time Observation Without Peeking Over Shoulders

Mobile UX research is essential to understanding how customers use your products on the go. Building on the foundation of our Software Testing Labs, Ovo Studios has designed research labs for mobile device manufacturers and wireless service providers around the world. Whether you are working with mobile phones or tablets, Ovo understands the constraints involved in this testing and can ensure your research team has the best possible research experience.

Schematic
Sample Recordings

These three sample videos use the Ovo Multiplexer which combines live video inputs into a single recording — no post-processing required.

Apple iPhone iOS

Live inputs from AppleTV, ceiling camera, face camera.

Android OS

Live inputs from Android screen mirroring hardware, ceiling camera, face camera. An app is required to support screen mirroring because Android does not have mirroring built into the OS.

Ovo Studios Device Cam

Live inputs from Ovo Device Camera and face camera.

Details
  • Design
  • Field-tested strategies supporting Android, iOS, and E Ink.
  • Digital conversion labs integrating feeds from computers, set-top boxes, gaming consoles, and Smart TVs.
  • Real-time observation that does not intrude on the user's personal space.
  • Recording
  • Mobile OS recording with users enjoying a natural, "untethered" interaction with devices.
  • Seamless recording through orientation changes.
  • Device mirroring augmentation via camera to capture every pinch and zoom of a gesture-rich App.
  • Technology
  • Multi-input capture of 2nd-screen experiences that pre-mix your mobile devices with other connected media.
  • High-resolution, auto-focusing cameras clearly capture your user's gestures.
  • Automated white balance and iris control help accommodate screen reflectivity.
  • Flexibility and Customization
  • Does your product run on iOS, Android, or both?
  • Ovo supports un-tethered capture of mobile OS. Do you want to capture gestures too?
  • Do you plan on testing desktop versions of your product too? If so, see our Software Testing Labs.
White Papers
Request a Mobile Lab Quote

Labs for Software and Websites

If it runs on a computer screen, you can test it in an Ovo Lab.

Our software usability customers test everything from 3d modeling software to financial analysis platforms to ecommerce systems. They test websites, thick desktop applications, middleware, operating systems. If it happens on screen with a mouse and a keyboard -- regardless of operating system -- the Ovo software usability lab solution is for you.

Schematic
Sample 3-Source Recordings

These three sample videos use Ovo's Independent Recording which records each video input into its own .MP4 file — no post-processing required. Independent Recording lets you decide how to mix videos after the test is complete.

Source 1 of 3: Participant's PC Screen

This recording is from a hard-wired HDMI feed from the participant's PC. Since Ovo records from HDMI (or DVI-D or Display Port) Ovo supports testing on all operating systems.

Ovo Fixed Labs use hard-wired HD cameras with pan/tilt/zoom control.

This recording is from a hard-wired HD camera that is mounted on the ceiling. If this were a mobile test, the ceiling-mounted camera would be effective for observing gestures.

Sample Video Highlight Clips

Using the three Independent Recordings shown above, different highlight clips can be rendered in .MP4 format. The scenarios may be a little contrived, but they serve to illustrate the flexibility and power of Ovo Independent Recording and Ovo's post-process mixing.

Highlight Clip A: Mix All Three Sources

This mix could be for the internal product team.

Highlight Clip B: Mix Two Sources

This mix could be for your deck for a presentation to management.

Highlight Clip C: Mix a Different Two Sources

This mix could be for an external contractor.

Details
  • Design
  • Ovo Studios designs usable usability labs. You don't have to be an AV expert to run a study.
  • Robust, yet compact. All of our fixed lab hardware fits into a half-height under-counter rack.
  • Ovo Studios Design Staff works with your facilities team, IT department, and UX team to design the perfect lab for YOU.
  • Recording
  • Record any OS at full-resolution, without software on the User Machine.
  • Recording your way: pre-mix sources on a customizable palette, or record all sources independently and mix together later.
  • Streaming out of the box for remote observers.
  • Technology
  • Control all your lab hardware from point-and-click controls built in to the Ovo Logger software suite.
  • All HD quality, real-time feeds distributed to your observation spaces.
  • Ovo Logger Freeware allows multi-practitioner teams to do all pre-test prep and post-test analysis on their daily driver machines.
  • Flexibility and Customization
  • Do you moderate from behind the glass or seated next to the user?
  • Do you test with remote users?
  • Do remote team members need to view your test?
  • Does your product run on multiple monitors?
  • Is there a mobile version of your product? If so, see our Mobile UX Labs.
White Papers
Request a Software Testing Lab Quote

Labs for Medical Devices

An Ovo medical device lab features tethered equipment to deploy into a surgical suite for medical device and surgical tool testing.

Ovo's Medical Device labs are created to have a compact, unobtrusive design for use in any medical or clinical environment. We can employ small form-factor cameras, rollable hardware racks, and shielded cabling to meet your test team's rigorous standards.

Schematic
Sample Recording

Three Live Cameras - Pediatric Laparoscopy Simulation

You might not be testing a home-built laparoscope, but Ovo hopes this video evokes a multi-perspective recording of a medical professional working with a device.

Details
  • Design
  • We can design a "rollable lab" that can be easily deployed in a surgical suite without any fixed hardware.
  • Easy to set up so that it doesn't intrude or interfere with the clinical environment.
  • Recording
  • Native device capture from any medical device with a video out on it, e.g., fluoroscopes, CT scans, ultrasound.
  • Mix feeds from the device with a camera feed of the physical environment or the clinician's workspace.
  • Real-time observation can be set up in a separate environment so as not to distract the patient or provider.
  • Technology
  • Combine video recording and researcher logs with biometric data.
  • Call up video recordings based on key points in the biometric log.
  • Ovo Logger's automated analysis of quantitative metrics provides key insights fast.
  • Intuitive charts and graphs show results visually for maximum impact with stakeholders.
  • Flexible and Customized
  • Do you plan on having observers? If so, will they be local or remote?
  • What video format(s) do the devices and monitors in your suite output?
  • Do you think your doctors will agree to wear a microphone or will we need some other strategy?
  • How many cameras would you like around the sterile field?
White Papers
Request a Medical Device Lab Quote

Labs for Play Testing

Multi-player, collaborative, 2nd screen, PC or console, Ovo Studios can build a state-of-the-art playtesting facility for you.

With distributed, enterprise-level capture and analysis systems, Ovo can meet your playtest facility needs. Ovo has perfected the playtesting facility in collaboration with some of the top gaming studios in the world. Our solutions allow for testing console, PC, mobile, online, and 2nd-screen gaming experiences. We can handle multiplayer environments, either solo or collaborative. We understand the gaming space and how testing methodologies are different than for traditional software testing.

Schematic
Details
  • Design
  • Our playtesting labs are typically designed to be social, informal spaces. Living rooms, Man-Caves, playrooms. Bring out the Mountain Dew and get to gaming!
  • We can design multiple "pods" into your playtesting lab to support individual or collaborative gaming.
  • Recording
  • Capture the complete player experience with multiple views of the action.
  • Mix gameplay video and audio, a camera of the user's face, or a camera view of the user's controller.
  • Capture and stream gameplay video in high-definition for maximum impact.
  • Support for recording HDCP-protected content.
  • Technology
  • Our Ovo Logger logging and analysis software lets one researcher effectively cover multiple playtesters.
  • Log from anywhere: behind the glass, on a laptop, on a tablet or phone.
  • Log and track study metrics by single player or across a group of players.
  • Flexibility and Customization
  • How many concurrent players are you planning on?
  • Do you want to capture collaborative play?
  • Is any of your content HDCP protected?
  • How many team members are going to be logging game play?
  • Do you plan on testing desktop software? If so, see our Software Testing Labs.
White Papers
Request a Play Testing Lab Quote

Testing on the Road — Portable Labs

Lightweight. Flexible. Simple.

"Portable" can mean different things to different people. Ovo believes portability means you can carry it with you wherever you travel, whether by car or plane. Set takes less than 15 minutes.

Schematic
Sample 2-Source Recordings

Ovo Portable Labs use the same video processing technologies as Ovo Fixed Labs, so this example reuses sample video from above. Ovo Portable Labs are limited to 2-source recording (with conservative settings and a capable laptop 3-source recording is possible.) Video samples reflect 2-source Ovo's Independent Recording where each input is recorded input into its own .MP4 file — no post-processing required. Independent Recording lets you decide whether or not to mix videos after the test is complete.

Source 1 of 2: User PC Screen

This recording is from a hard-wired HDMI feed from the participant's PC. Since Ovo records from HDMI (or DVI-D or Display Port) Ovo supports testing on all operating systems.

Source #2 of 2: Camera Shot of User's Face

Ovo Portable Labs rely on HD USB cameras for maximum portability.

Sample Video Highlight Clip

Screen + Face

The two sources can be combined using a picture-in-picture layout without affecting your source files.

Details

Fixed Lab Power in Carry-on Luggage: Ovo Portable Labs have all the capabilities of Ovo Fixed Usability Labs, but optimized for travel and with A/V capabilities limited by the hardware capabilities of a notebook computer. An Ovo Portable Lab fits into a rolling briefcase which stows in most airplane overhead bins.

Flexible Recording: Ovo Portable Labs give you recording flexibility, so you can test software, websites, and hardware. You can also conduct focus groups or seated interviews.

  • Record desktop video from any operating system by tapping video output from the user computer -- the same video output that would be used to feed a projector.
  • Use your recorded video immediately -- no post-processing required.
  • Share video without needing a proprietary video player.
  • Install Ovo Logger ADC Freeware on your personal work computer to work with video and data after your research activity is complete.
  • Rely on Ovo's active development and support of all our software products.

Easy Setup and Teardown: Ovo Portable Labs can be set up in under 15 minutes. Ovo provides detailed instructions on setup that you'll ignore after 2 setups. It's that easy and intuitive.

Bring-your-own User Computer : Ovo Portable Labs do not require anything to be loaded onto the user computer. As a result, there is no performance degradation of your to-be-tested software, there are no conflicts in drivers or resources, and the user computer can run any OS you want.

Full Support: Ovo Tech Support is committed to keeping supporting our clients who are in the fielld. There's virtually nothing our staff cannot diagnose and fix remotely, meaning that you don't have to be a certified AV technician to keep your lab operating smoothly.

What's Included

An Ovo Portable Lab includes the following kit of equipment, but almost any item listed below can be modified to meet your specific needs.

  • Ovo Logger ADC on a notebook computer running Windows. This is the core of the portable lab and enables the following functions:
    • Logging your usability test.
    • Recording camera output.
    • Recording the user's computer screen.
    • Making video highlights.
    • Generating descriptive statistics and collating data.
    • Writing your report.
    • Exporting your report in HTML format.
  • Capture hardware to record the user computer's screen output in DVI-D or HDMI.
  • Ancillary hardware and accessories including two webcam, DVID splitter, power strip, patch cables, and rolling case (small enough to be carry-on luggage for most airlines.)
Request a Portable Lab Quote

PC-Based Software for UX Testing

For all kinds of in-person testing including mobile, software, websites, and hardware.

CaptureUX is a right-sized, PC-based tool for UX research and usability testing. With CaptureUX, you can:

  • Record participants in MP4 format.
  • Annotate recordings in real time or post-test.
  • Create stand-alone video highlights for use in websites and presentations.
  • Generate lists of research findings/results (Version 2.0.)
  • Publish HTML-based reports with annotations, findings, and links to MP4 video.
Use Case #1: Participant Working on Their Own Computer
  1. You will need two laptops: one for the participant and one for CaptureUX.
  2. To record the participant's computer screen:
    • Connect an HDMI capture device to the CaptureUX PC. Ovo recommends the Magewell USB Capture HDMI Plus.
    • If the participant is working on a laptop, simply connect the HDMI output from the participant’s computer (PC or Mac) to the HDMI capture device, just like you would connect a projector.
  3. To record the participant's facial expressions:
    • Connect an external USB webcam to the CaptureUX PC. Ovo recommends the Logitech C920.
  4. Open CaptureUX.
  5. Configure CaptureUX to record in Two Mixed Sources mode using the HDMI capture device for the user’s PC screen, the external webcam for the user’s face, and the external webcam microphone as the audio device.
  6. Verify setup and start recording.
  7. Have the user begin scenario 1 on their PC. Their screen will be recorded via the HDMI capture device, their face will be recorded via the webcam, and their voice will be captured by the webcam’s microphone.
  8. You can take notes in real time using your CaptureUX PC.
  9. When the user is done, click Stop Recording in CaptureUX.
  10. When your research is complete, you can edit notes you made in real time, add additional notes, create video highlights, compile a list of findings, and export an HTML report.
Use Case #2: Using Two Cameras
  1. You will only need the CaptureUX PC.
  2. Connect two USB webcams to the CaptureUX PC. Ovo recommends the Logitech C920
  3. Open CaptureUX.
  4. Configure CaptureUX to record using the two USB cameras in Two Mixed Sources mode and use the microphone of one of the USB cameras as the audio source.
  5. Verify setup and start recording
  6. Have the user begin scenario 1. Their actions will be recorded via the two USB cameras and their voice will be captured by the microphone on one of the cameras.
  7. You can take notes in real time using the CaptureUX PC.
  8. When the user is done, click Stop Recording in CaptureUX.
  9. When your research is complete, you can edit notes you made in real time, add additional notes, create video highlights, compile a list of findings, and export an HTML report.
Use Case #3: Participant is Remote via Meeting Service Like Zoom or Webex
  1. You will need two computers: one for the meeting and one for CaptureUX.
  2. Set up the CaptureUX PC to record the meeting computer's video:
    • Connect an HDMI capture device to the CaptureUX PC. Ovo recommends the Magewell USB Capture HDMI Plus.
    • If the meeting computer is a laptop, simply connect the HDMI output from the meeting computer (PC or Mac) to the HDMI capture device, just like you would connect a projector.
  3. To record the meeting audio:
    • Connect an external USB webcam to the CaptureUX PC. This webcam will be used only for its microphone. Ovo recommends the Logitech C920
    • Place the webcam near the meeting computer's speakers.
  4. Configure CaptureUX to record in Single Source mode using the HDMI capture device for the user’s PC screen and the external webcam microphone as the audio device.
  5. Set up the meeting computer to display the meeting and play meeting audio using its speakers.
  6. Verify setup and start recording.
  7. The screen of the meeting computer will be recorded via the HDMI capture device and meeting audio will be recorded using the webcam microphone.
  8. You can take notes in real time using your CaptureUX PC.
  9. When the session is done, click Stop Recording in CaptureUX.
  10. When your research is complete, you can edit notes you made in real time, add additional notes, create video highlights, compile a list of findings, and export an HTML report.
Costs, Licensing, and Tech Support

Single-Seat License is $900.00 per year plus tax where applicable. License is required to enable CaptureUX functionality.

Optional Technical Support is $300.00 per year per seat plus tax where applicable. If engaged during a license period, the technical support term expires with the single-seat license.

System Requirements

For best results, the following minimum system requirements are recommended. Ovo Studios makes no claims about performance of systems that do not meet these minimum specifications.

  • Microsoft Windows 10
  • Intel Core i7 or Core i5 with integrated graphics and Intel QuickSync Technology. Intel QuickSync Technology is vitally important. To see if your PC's Intel CPU has QuickSync, you can search by processor type on Intel's Product Specifications site.
  • 6 GB RAM
  • 32 GB hard drive space per 8-hour study, 7600 RPM drive.

In real-world testing, systems with lesser capabilities have been shown to work. You can test your system by requesting a CaptureUX trial and seeing if it works.

Request CaptureUX Trial Software

Ovo Solo

An Application for Recording User Interactions.

The latest version of Ovo Solo allows you to record video and make highlight clips in one of four configurations: screen only, screen and single webcam, single webcam only, or two web cams. A free version of Ovo Solo can be installed on a second PC to view video on a lag and to log in real time. The second PC must be on the same network* as the licensed Ovo Solo PC.

Sample Recordings

Ovo Solo has four different options for recording.

One Webcam

Two Webcams

User PC

User PC & Webcam

Live UX Testing in the Cloud

Users anywhere. Observers anywhere. You, wherever you need to be.

UXCloud is a cloud-based platform for moderated user testing. With cloud-based recording, highlight creation, note taking, and pay-as-you-go pricing, it should be your first choice for your next moderated test.

Sample Recordings

Sample Output from UXCloud

UXCloud is configured to show the webcam feed for the person who is speaking. The clip begins with the moderator speaking.

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