openyou / emokit

Open source driver for accessing raw data from the Emotiv EPOC EEG headset
http://www.openyou.org
Other
526 stars 236 forks source link

Epoc+ and horrific terms #280

Open coristus opened 7 years ago

coristus commented 7 years ago

Hi all, I bought an emotiv epoc+ after a chat with an employee months ago, telling me it would work on linux. Saved money for months and finally bought one. Omly to find oit that they encrypt their datastreams. Through the sdk you can login in (online) and get a session key. I advice everybody NOT TO BUT EMOTIV. Just read the terms of service and you'll understand. According to the tech support there is quite some IP involved in how they present raw data????? That is one bs argument if I ever heard one. Is there anyone with similar experience... or someone interest in a brand new epoc+? STAY AWAY FROM EMOTIV.

warrenarea commented 7 years ago

If it was a recent purchase, you might see if you can return it. Might contact their help-desk and get more information.

I am sorry to hear you are having an unpleasant experience.

It is quite a large purchase to make... your co-worker was likely speaking of the Epoc version that has been decrypted for the raw data.

You can also get the raw data by using their EDK.dll but like you said, you have to purchase a session key.

i do agree, i don't like their "pay as a service" procedure regarding raw data.... i mean, it is "your" data, and i think that whole procedure limits the user from actually "working" with the data and performing actual research.

I was told recently they are working to set up an "unlimited" access to raw data.

For $30/month they offer 30 accesses to the data via a session key... i think "that" is ridiculous, because each session is supposed to last 30 minutes.... but if you have an error in your program.... that 1 run failed run, counts as an access/session. Hell, i can have 30 errors in one programming session alone.

For $79/mo you can use their "Free Trial" of EmotivPRO for 14 days.... what you can do is... find the Ecvn.bin file, and get your license key (or acquire the license key from the website) and you can plug that into the Python Community-SDK.

That will give you "unlimited" data access, for those 14 days.

You can then cancel your subscription, or purchase it for a month.... at least then, you can have access to the raw data for a while... and decide if you can do something cool with it.

coristus commented 7 years ago

Hi warren, Thanks for your reply. The thing is I don't have windows anywhere. So.. it won't be resolved unfortunately. And even if I were to install .. I couldn't return it anymore I think. I'm Now working on a refund. But I will have spent 250 dollars on shipping and taxes, AND have a 25% restocking fee. I'd be happy to sell you mine :) brand new. Worn once, nice extra 100 felts. Haha. I know exactly what to do with raw data. I use neural nets to classify them :). That's it's sole purpose. For a thesis. I am going to switch to a device that doesn't extort me. OpenBCI . Once I get my money back that is. But I'll still have lost 450$ on shipping and restocking. Would they have notified me of this detail I woukd never have bought one. The friendly chat agent months ago told me it would work on Linux. I thought that meant exactly that.. So if you want to do something cool with it pm me.

warrenarea commented 7 years ago

coristus, you should still be able to get it to work on Linux...

the community-sdk has a few different languages you can use.... Python in particular, which... you should be able to use with Linux.

Eventually we might come up with a Linux solution in Python as well for raw data... so you can't give up hope on that either.

Perhaps it won't be ready for you by thesis time, but... you should still be able to use a linux setup with their Python Community-SDK (on github) https://github.com/Emotiv/community-sdk

and just sign up for the free trial of EmotivPRO to get that license key i was talking about.

warrenarea commented 7 years ago

also consider.... that with OpenBCI, you will be paying a bit more, and won't get as many sensor contacts to use.

also.... Epoc+ is special, in that, you are getting .13uf (micro volts) which is a bit higher sensitivity.

I really think you should keep your Epoc+, yes, it might not be exactly what you had in mind, but at least this way, you won't take any loss by keeping it...

coristus commented 7 years ago

Hi warren, Thanks again for replying. The sensitivity issue is a very good argument... 8 sensors on the openbci is enough for my purpose.. but sensitivity is ... probably more important. I still have a few month before I start working on my thesis, I decided to buy one now to familiarize myself with it and to prevent any (nasty) surprises from killing my project. This seems to be one of those..

Will it then be possible to access raw data without a subscription, or am i reading it wrong?

Also, python is my preferred language, I build my models in python/keras/tensor/theano. So anything python I can do.

So keep my epoc+ ... i'll give that some serious thought... Your argument is good. regards, Cory

warrenarea commented 7 years ago

If you subscribe to the Free Trial, you will have 14 days of unlimited raw access to the data.

Then you can always cancel before its due.

In theory, the Python version should work for you, I have tested it myself this past month.

I think its hardest just making use of the data... unless you have an algorithm that you can run it through, like they do for cognitive detections. I haven't got to experiment much with that. Been so hung up on decrypting, haven't got to enjoy the raw data.

If you know it can be decrypted though.... I think you should find comfort in the long-term, that you will be able to use your device later on (down the road). and you obviously bought it with some intention in mind, and intention to keep it.

I think you have buyers remorse right now, lol it will pass, it often happens on large purchases, when i bought my devices i had it a little bit, kind of questioning... did i make the right choice? so far, i am happy with my purchases.... as I have much to do with them... so just push your doubts to the side, and focus on your projects, and at very least discover what it is capable of, before you try finding it a new home.

tafaust commented 7 years ago

Hi, I was trapped too. Though I want to spend my free time to ultimately get the raw data from the Emotiv EPOC+. Before I'll start from scratch, are there links that point me in the right direction? I'll check the resources of this repository to start. :-)

I initially bought the Emotiv EPOC+ in order to follow along my BCI journey as I just have little experience (roughly one year). Sadly, I was stupid enough not to see their retarded licensing. :1st_place_medal:

warrenarea commented 7 years ago

https://discordapp.com/invite/gTYNWc7 If anyone would like to assist me in the Epoc+ data I have a Discord chat server setup here.

I have pinned a few files on the chat there, you will find useful.

You can either download the discord chat messenger, or just click the link to use the browser interface.

coristus commented 7 years ago

I will this weekend. Bit busy with research deadlines and exams atm

sidharthramesh commented 6 years ago

@coristus have you tried the CyKITv2?