I have attempted to import segmented Net Station data (extension “.seg”) and averaged data (extensioin “.fsg”). BrainStorm does not recognize the files as EGI. I changed the extension to “_brainstormstudy.mat”. I was then to input data from the “sfp” file; however, my files from the Polehmus Locator program don’t have an extension of “.txt” or “.raw”. I have tried changing the extension to “.txt” but that doesn’t seem to work properly. When I have been able to import data, it is not recognized as EEG data - I can not make any changes to the “specific parameters” for EEG (although occasionally, I have been able to check the MEG box). According to the message box, the download would also take approximately 14 hours. (In desperation, I tried downloading the original .raw file. The program recognized it as “EGI” but not as eeg data.)
By the way, I was unable to run the MEG demo. After I pressed “import”, the Messages window indicated it would take 11 hours to import.
I’m running the program with MATLAB 6.5.2. on a Dell Workstation that has 80GB of memory and 2,096,132 KB of RAM. I have tried reinstalling both MATLAB and BrainStorm but continue to have the same difficulties.
Any assistance/suggestions/help, would be greatly appreciated! I was very excited about the program after attending a session at SPR in October but have not yet had any success in getting up and running.
BrainStorms current data conversion only reads EGI .raw files, which contain average data. The raw trials wont work and will indeed keep your computer busy for an eternity. Most likely, .seg and .fsg file formats are not recognized at the moment. If you change only the file extension and try to load them, BrainStorm is bound to crash. I am not familiar with the EGI software, but there must be some option to export data in .raw format and this should work with BrainStorm. The electode files from polhemus should have extensions of either elp (this is a BESA electrode format), res, dat (both used in curry) or sfp. The polhemus software should be able to export or convert electrode locations to res format, which can be used by BrainStorm.
Try exporting the average EGI-data you have to the EGI-.raw file format and export the electrode locations from polhemus to .res. These formats should work with BrainStorm. If that does not work, send me the files
to darvas@sipi.usc.edu (average EEG data and electrode positions) and I will take a look at these.
I also attempt to import Net Station data. The location files I can get are in either 'elp','sfp' or 'ela' formats. You've said the polhemus software is able to convert electrode locations to res format, but I can't find such a software. Could you tell me the name of the software? And is it a free one?
When I import eeg raw data, several files are required. I don't know where I can get these files, such as channel type file, channel labels file, channel weights file and data time file. Will I need to write them by hand?
I am not sure about the polhemus software, because the system we use is very old. A .res file is however no requirement, as BrainStorm can import SFP files as well. If you have SFP electrode files, try importing those.
Thank you for your reply.
The data I try to import is pre-processed data in AscII format. I choose ‘raw formats’ and import my data. In this case, Bst needs channel location file in ‘.txt’ or ‘.raw’ format, but I only have ‘.sfp’ and ‘elp’ file. I think I have to either convert those ‘.sfp’ or ‘.elp’ files to ‘.txt’ files or find ‘.txt’ channel location file elsewhere. But I don’t know how to convert and where to find.