Mentalab’s mobile EEG amplifiers are designed for seamless integration with powerful neuroscience software. This page outlines the steps and considerations for working with your Mentalab data in BESA, a widely used software suite for MEG and EEG analysis.
Direct Data Read-in with .bdf Format
Mentalab devices record data in the .bdf (BioSemi Data Format) file type, an open and widely supported file format. It is the 24-bit version of the common 16-bit .edf (European Data Format). This significantly streamlines your workflow when using BESA:
- No conversion required: BESA can directly read and import .bdf files generated by Mentalab devices. This eliminates the need for any additional file conversion steps, saving you time and reducing potential data integrity issues.
- Immediate access: Once your Mentalab recording is complete and saved as a .bdf file, you can immediately open and begin analysing your data within BESA.
How to Import Mentalab Data into BESA
- Record your data: Conduct your EEG recording using your Mentalab device and ensure the data is saved in the .bdf format.
- Open BESA: Launch the BESA software on your computer.
- Import file: Navigate to the import function within BESA (typically
File > OpenorImport). - Select your .bdf file: Browse to the location where your Mentalab .bdf recording is saved and select the file. BESA will automatically recognise and import the data.
Considerations for Analysis
- Channel Layout: Familiarise yourself with how your chosen electrode numbering corresponds to BESA’s channel mapping for accurate visualisation and analysis.
- Sampling Rate: Ensure that BESA correctly interprets the sampling rate of your Mentalab recording for precise temporal analysis.
- Events/Triggers: If your Mentalab recording includes event markers or triggers, confirm that they are correctly imported and recognised by BESA for epoching and event-related analysis.
For detailed guidance on specific BESA functionalities, please refer to the BESA user manual or their online resources.