Review: Bat Call Identification Software (BCID) Part 2 Of 2

Bat Call Identification Software Review (BCID) Part 2 Of 2

During my most recent, extensive testing, I've found BCID software to be very accurate when identifying (predicting) bats down to species. It provides a neat / uncluttered result file (.xls format) along with the relevant accuracy (estimate) data. Which is to say, how "sure" BCID is, as to the ID of the bat species.

The software installs easily, directly after downloading. BCID software has no problems handling files/recordings from all major bat detector manufacturers.
BCID was designed to handle large sets of data; and is capable of analyzing approximately 2,600 call files per minute. 

By default, BCID automatically analyzes all of the zero-cross recordings contained in the user specified file folder.

It is compatible with both zero-crossing and full-spectrum recordings of bat sounds. Selecting your detecting location, under the Species tab, is straightforward. Two states are shown, in my example screenshots below:

 

New York

South Carolina

The User Manual for this software program, is accessible from withing the software itself. By clicking the 'Help' tab; the 7th (and last) tab on the right hand side of the main screen.
Clicking the 'View Manual' button brings up the latest User Manual (Ver 2.8a, 4-29-19). It is produced in a very well laid out, and easy to read format.

Points of interest in the BCID User's Manual are:

• Pages 4 -to- 18 clearly describe the functions of each of the program's main tabs.

• Page 19 and 20 provide tables of accuracy rates (examples). Demonstrating the program's ability to accurately discriminate between bat species.
• Pages 21 and 22 cover troubleshooting, suggestions, and the process for reporting any bugs a user might encounter.

I should add, that during my extensive test period, I did not encounter any bugs.

Pros 

• Has a very easy to use, simple interface.
• Uncluttered, clearly readable results report.
• Printing results/reports is 2 clicks away.

Cons

• More expensive than it's closest competitor (Kaleidoscope).
• Customization of ID sensitivity, settings, etc. not as easy as K-Scope.

BCID Software may be ordered directly from The Bat Call Identification Website.

It's very refreshing to use a bat call ID software as uncluttered and easy to use, as BCID. I enjoy printing out the results/report files listing the bat species recorded.

There are still many Professionals, Ecology Firms, and Organizations who prefer to use zero-crossing recordings for their bat surveys, and sometimes even research. In situations where ZC format is the predominant method of recording, BCID software should be given very serious consideration.

Since I am also in the process of reviewing new bat detecting instruments; chief among them being The AnaBat Scout from Titley, as well as optional microphones (designed for The AnaBat Swift) I expect to be adding some more info to this part of The BCID software review.

Until then,

Happy bat detecting! 

Just Ordered A New Bat Detector! - The AudioMoth by Open Acoustic Devices

Just finished placing my order for an AudioMoth - Rather excited to see how it performs!

I suppose it was just a matter of time, before I would actually go ahead and order one. See Links below for more information -

GroupGets Page for AudioMoth.

Open Acoustics Devices' page.

A selection of Great Links regarding Open Acoustic Devices' AudioMoth (Press).
Hopefully, my (upcoming) full review of it, will be among them soon!

Here's something very exciting, which I just came across:

Pettersson Elektronik has announced a brand new detector! It's a USB Ultrasound Microphone; and it comes in two versions (256kHz or 384kHz sample rate). You can have a look at them here. They are accepting pre-orders now.

There's a YouTube video as well:

 

Hopefully, I'll get an opportunity to review one here soon?

BCID Software review is in progress... Updates, and etc., will be posted here on or before October 7th. 

I'm happy to report, that I will (finally!) be able to attend some seminars, conferences, and training courses! I look forward to any upcoming opportunities to attend, and report about the experience(s) here on the blog!

Happy bat detecting!

So, You CAN Afford Auto Bat Call ID Software? Which One To Get?

A few Posts ago, there was one titled 'So, you can't afford Auto Bat Call IDing software?'

Here is my version of a follow-up post. I'll call it:
'So, you CAN afford auto bat call ID software?' ...Which one should you get?

Where shall we begin? I'll give you a cliff notes version: Well, for starters - For those who aren't very familiar with computer software in general - I'd like to point out that bat call identification software is particularly difficult to produce well. There is a lot of work required, to make an effective product. The myriad of special algorithms required alone, can be overwhelming.

That is one reason why it's not easy to find a well-executed, robust, and easy-to-use package. Also, one of the reasons why it's never cheap! Here, we will cover the latest and greatest bat call ID software packages available today.

Each company producing Bat call analysis software has their own priorities, when it comes to which bats will be covered. In other words: Will the application focus primarily on bats from the USA? UK? Europe? There are several software packages that either:

• Handle both (i.e. USA and UK/Europe)

• Have one complete, and are working on adding bat species of the other (side of The Atlantic Ocean) 

In any case, there's really no need to elaborate on any of the other applications. What most Folks want to know, is which one is worth investing in? Which one is the best?

So, I did a lot of reading (of existing documentation, etc.). After extensive, and concentrated study of: Documentation, case studies, research papers, and professional field reports, from all of the currently available Call ID software packages:

Listed below, in no particular order, are the two best software applications available today, for automatic ID of bat species: 

Kaleidoscope from Wildlife Acoustics

-And- 

BCID from Bat Call Identification Inc.

 
It's as simple as that.

In addition, I have personally extensively tested, and reviewed each of these software packages (substantial testing, evaluation, and comparisons were made; before I reached my conclusion). The two-part review of BCID software can be seen here: Part 1, Part 2

My detailed review, of the current version of Kaleidoscope Pro is still in process, but will also be posted here soon. For now, I'll say that:  
1. I've seen it routinely process almost 200 recordings in 12 seconds! 
2. There are all kinds of wonderful features being implemented into the software, even as I type. Features, that I cannot share yet; but will be sure to impress!

Now, there is one more, which happens to be both excellent and free! The only drawback, is that American bat species are not covered (at this time).

It is BatExplorer from Elekon, AG. I am currently testing this package, and I find it to be absolutely wonderful (a review will also be posted here, in the near future).

Honorable Mention:

The following software applications do not offer automatic bat species identification, but they are very good at what they do. Which is to enable a user to view recorded ultrasounds.

BatSound

BatScan

SeaWave

Soundchaser

 

In summary: If you intend on purchasing a software package, to automatically identify bat species from your ultrasound recordings - The only bat call ID packages that you should be considering, are: Kaleidoscope Pro, and BCID. 
If you are using a Batlogger, from Elekon AG - Then, you only need to download and install the free BatExplorer software, and you're done.

The Latest BCID Software! Part 2 Of 2

Review: BCID software (from Bat Call Identification, Inc.) Part 2 Of 2

I'm having a lot of fun with this software! Finally! After many years of simply recording bats...Having the ability to quickly identify them to species...Even though it's not 100% accurate...Is still an awesome thrill.

Here's a quick summary, from Part 1 of this review:
* The software is developed by  Bat Call Identification, Inc.
* By default, it analyzes zero-cross files (such as those produced by AnaBat, SM2BAT, etc.). But, it features a built-in utility that will convert .wav files to .zca (zero-cross) files.
* A single-license copy of the software currently sells for $979.

* The software is robust, fast, easy to install, and use.

A typical work-flow of the software is as follows:

1. After the program is launched, you may start by clicking the 'Add Folders To Project' button, on the lower left of the BCID Dialog box

2. Specifying the path (File Folder location) where the (.zca/zero-cross) files reside. You are given the opportunity to drill down to the drive letter and Folder name.

3. Once the Folder is selected, click on the 'Identify Calls' button, and you will see the script run.

It's basically a Microsoft Windows Script. Which, in layman's terms means: It will appear as though a "ghost" is (quickly) clicking on a few buttons, on the Analook window. Analook will launch, and program options will be automatically selected, etc. The script will finish as quickly as it started. And, the dialog box that pops up, will prompt you to "Click OK" - "When you see "Done" displayed below the box.
*Note: AnaBat software, is not required in order for BCID to work. The reason is that BCID includes AnaLook - In the form of an executable file (Analookw.exe) which resides in the software's default Folder (i.e. C:\Program Files\BCID...)

BCID, is of course, excellent when used with files produced by any zero-crossing detector. This ID software is a powerful application, aimed at bat survey Professionals. For example, it was designed to handle >5000 files at a time! I found it very useful, when handling (what I believed to be) "large quantities" of recordings.
One of the hurdles I faced, in the past, was having large numbers of individual recordings - Without any quick way of analyzing them. It was a manual process, comparing sonograms/bat calls to the characteristics of calls from known (confirmed) species. To do this, you must have access to recordings that were made with a "bat in the hand" as the expression goes. These can be in the form of pages from books, or electronic format, etc.

After leaving some detectors out, doing passive recording for the entire evening - The next day, I was left with many individual recordings. Most of which would turn out to not have recorded any bats. Before having BCID software available, there was no easy way to determine which recordings picked up bats. What I ended up doing, was to open large bunches of files using Audacity. Then, I could at least use the visual representations of the recorded sounds, to see if bat calls were recorded or not. It was fairly tedious and I'm sure that many weak bat calls were missed using this method.

With BCID software, all of that work is a thing of the past. You simply tell BCID where your (.zca) files are located, and a few seconds later, an MS Excel file is created. By default, the Excel file is placed in the root directory (where the original files reside).

In addition, BCID also has a page on their site, which shows some great Example bat calls: Very informative!
I'm very happy that they have provided these valuable sonograms. They can be used to help you ID bats that you've recorded. Regardless of the software used, in the creation of your sonograms, you'll find these to be a big help. The bats represented, are North American species, in this case.

As far as weaknesses are concerned, the one area that is far from perfect, is the 'WavtoZero' feature. Accessed by clicking on the Tab of the same name. Of course, as the name implies, it is designed to convert .wav files to .zca files. But, during testing/normal use, this feature doesn't work as well as one might like.
However, the end user is made aware of this, clicking on the WavtoZero tab will bring up this embedded text: "BETA Version: This converter is still being refined for optimal performance. There are many types of ".wav" files and all may not work correctly. Please email us an example if you encounter a bat call file that does not work."

As a bat detecting enthusiast, you can imagine how wonderful it is to have such an application, at my disposal. I believe that many bat detecting Professionals will find it indispensable.

Happy bat detecting!

First Look At The Latest BCID Software! Part 1 Of 2

Review: BCID software (from Bat Call Identification, Inc.) Part 1 Of 2

I finally had an opportunity, to install and try BCID software - And, I'm happy to report that it was a success. Everything went very smoothly. The software installation and program execution proceeded flawlessly; and fairly quickly.

A temporary license for the software, was graciously provided to me by Bat Call Identification, Inc. As you may notice, from some of the screen captures; the license will expire on April 1st 2013. Plenty of time for me to test and review it. I have no affiliation with  Bat Call Identification, Inc. I obtained the (temporary) copy of this software, for the sole purpose of sharing my findings with fellow bat detecting enthusiasts.

So, I installed the latest version, 2.4n, from the BCID Website

You may download a Trial Version of BCID software, on this Page (Link is found in the small brown box, at the center of the page).

The software application itself is neither large, nor complicated. It installs via a single executable file, right after download. After installation completes, you have the option of automatically launching BCID.

Here is a screen shot showing the 'Species' Tab - (New York is selected, in my case):

Some key points, that became evident right away, were:

* Affordability - At just under $1000 US, the price of this software is lower than it's main competitor (SonoBat). A factor that will be attractive to both hobbyists and Professionals.
* How small the software file itself is - Very fast download and install process.
* The application is robust: It's able to handle many files, very quickly.
* The software is easy to use - I was able to use it, before even reading the Manual - Although I don't recommend this! It's always best to read the manual first!
* A bat call identifying software, to use with files from zero-crossing bat detectors (AnaBat, SM2Bat, etc.) is very useful.
* The ability to identify bats down to Species, using recorded calls would be a valuable asset to all those doing bat surveys, research, etc.

Alas, nothing is perfect...

- BCID currently doesn't have the ability to ID bats using (raw) .wav files. The .wav files must be converted first. It does have this ability, through a built-in feature.

By default - BCID analyzes all of the (zero cross) files in the specified Folder, and automatically produces a MS Excel file. Here is a small sample of the data produced by BCID - It is just a partial image that I took from the resulting Excel file (Excel lines/cells are not shown in this example):

It was very exciting, to be able to finally ID the bats frequenting the airspace above my back garden :)

Check back, for Part 2 Of 2 of this Review; when I will cover how the software works.
Of course, the next thing that comes to mind is: I wonder just how accurate this IDing software is? The fact is, that at the time of this writing: There isn't any software available that can be depended on, for completely accurate bat call identification. None of them are 100% accurate.
This topic will also be covered in the second part of this review.

Part 2 Of 2

Next Review: Amazing Software From BCID

There will be a few products being reviewed, in the near future... The next product to be reviewed, will be this simply amazing bat call identification software package from BCID

I won't go into too many details now, but I urge you to take a quick look at their Software Page, and see for yourself.
This is something that American Bat Researchers can really use!

An excerpt, from their Website:

BCID East

• Version 2.4m -- Released 5/9/12
• Improved wav to zero crossing converter to allow more file types, including 2 channel files*
• Params files can now be selected from any folder on the users computer.
• Updated a few states where species were missing or unable to be turned off.
• Used by more than a dozen Professional Consulting Companies.
• Compatible with Windows XP, Vista, and 7 both 32 and 64 bit systems.

*One of my favorite features!