Autocue qbox user manual

If you need to manage multiple scripts in a runorder or prompt in more challenging environments you should consider either QPro or QMaster. To upgrade to either product, you will need to purchase and install a new licence key. QPro is Autocue's professional software-scroll prompting application. QPro is controlled either via the computer mouse or a number of dedicated scroll control devices.

QMaster is targeted at professionals who want a robust, resilient and fully-featured prompting solution for use in:. The QBox advantages include:. It is supplied with a multi-button control unit, ideal for studio applications. Importantly it can be complemented with a number of value-adding extension modules:.

QBox is a hardware scroll device with a difference. It supersedes the Autocue IMT card and delivers a step change improvement in prompting capability. Its main innovation is that it connects to the control computer via Ethernet and several other connection options including Firewire, providing a range of hitherto unachievable user benefits.

The script and rundown information is stored on the QBox and can be scrolled either remotely from the central control computer or locally by a presenter using a scroll control. The link between the QBox and the control units can either be wired or wireless, thus untethering the prompter and the camera, opening up exciting new scenarios in which a prompter can be employed.

In addition to opening up new usage models the QBox provides an unprecedented level of resilience to produce the most reliable prompting system ever.

The QBox hardware may also be operated as a standalone unit without a connection to a computer. After configuration, script information can be sent to the QBox through a variety of interfaces.

QMaster and QBox can be deployed with a direct physical connection or via a cabled or wireless network connection. Where required, QBox may also be deployed as a standalone unit either with or without operator support. QBox as a standalone device. When QBox is used as a standalone device, a connection exists with the prompt display unit and external devices for loading and controlling scripts.

No permanent connection exists between the QBox and a computer although it is possible to temporarily connect one to make configuration changes or upload script data. It is possible to have a crew limited to just a cameraman and a presenter thus reducing operational costs.

Common studio architecture provides a more static setup where components are often fixed permanently to one camera and are less likely to be moved around or swapped to alternative positions.

An existing LAN network infrastructure is often already established. QMaster and QBox co-located. In a simple studio deployment, the computer running the QMaster software is physically positioned with a QBox, scroll control device and a prompt display unit.

An operator has direct control of the script editing and prompt output. QMaster and QBox in the same building. The ability to network computers and. QBoxes provides resilience ensuring that broadcasts are not interrupted.

QBoxes can be connected to primary and secondary computers so that if one computer fails, control of scrolling is automatically transferred to a backup computer. Scrolling can be controlled either directly by the QMaster operator or remotely by the presenter in the studio. Using an Internet connection allows QMaster, a QBox and prompt display unit to be physically located almost anywhere in the world. Multi-head prompting. Multi-head prompting provides the ability for one presenter to independently review parts of a script while another presenter is live on air reading from the same script.

For example, in a distributed news broadcast the presenters in the main studio, a business journalist situated in a small studio at the stock exchange and a weather presenter at a remote exterior location could each have a separate QBox with the same rundown stored on it. While the newsreader is reading the news items, the sports presenter or weatherperson could scroll ahead to their part of the bulletin to check what is to be read. Either the presenter or the QMaster operator. Multiple scroll controllers.

More than one scroll control can be connected either to the QMaster computer or to a QBox. When multiple scroll controls are connected to the QMaster computer, operators can switch between different controls in order to find out the optimal scrolling capabilities of a controller.

When multiple scroll controls are connected to a single QBox, two presenters handling two different scroll controls, are able to present from the same script. A field scenario does not usually include a network infrastructure with pre-installed computers and cables. A crew would normally deploy QMaster on a wireless network, or set up direct QMaster. Location shoot.

A wireless network can be set up that allows QBox and a laptop computer with QMaster software already installed to be transported from one location to another. It is also possible to create a scalable wireless network with QMaster , which allows multiple QBoxes to. In a small-scale field deployment, a QBox, computer and camera can be used by a news crew in more restrictive locations such as when embedded with a military force or reporting fast-changing emergency situations. The wireless capability supports the use of remote scroll controls and downloading of scripts.

QBox on location. A QBox is usually deployed with a prompt display unit and a connection to a computer running the QMaster software. An operator would control the prompting and make necessary changes to the script or configuration while the presenter and cameraman do their work. QBox has been designed to be independent of a computer when required. In a field scenario without a computer it is possible to use alternative devices to control prompting.

Standalone QBox with an operator. An operator and a presenter can use a laptop computer to control scripting or if deployed without a computer connect a USB memory device direct to a QBox in order to upload scripts. As few or no physical connections are required, the operator can follow a mobile camera and operate scripts remotely, while carrying the QBox and prompt display unit.

The presenter can present without handling equipment in situations such as a walkabout documentary, or a shoot that requires varying angles and human movement. Standalone QBox without an operator. When you have to prompt in inhospitable locations you need to have as few people as practical and equipment that is lightweight and easy to set up. This scenario allows you to have a crew consisting of a single presenter and a cameraman.

Scripts can be uploaded from a mobile phone or a USB memory device in order to upload scripts. As there is no operator, the presenter would use a wireless controller to scroll pre-configured scripts stored on the QBox. QBox is the latest generation of prompting hardware from Autocue. The design of QBox allows the inbuilt prompting intelligence to be distributed away from any control computer allowing more scalable prompting solutions.

Rarely revert to hard copy again. QBox stores a copy of the current rundown or script. This copy remains even if the QBox is disconnected or powered down. If the control computer crashes, or a connection is lost, the QBox continues to scroll the script at the same speed.

With a local hand control a presenter or operator, with a preview screen can control the script until the control computer reboots at which point the control of the scrolling script is automatically returned to the computer. In the event of a total power failure, QBox takes less than 30 seconds to reboot and return to the same point in the script at which the power failed.

QBox can be co-located with a prompter display unit and a local control device. Alternatively, Ethernet connections allow images from one QBox to be sent to many prompting monitors over greater distances than a composite video connection. An Internet connection allows a QBox to be controlled from almost anywhere in the world.

No need for back-up computer and fewer delays to production. Fewer resources needed enabling crew sizes to be reduced. A QBox installation or deployment comprises a range of equipment and connections depending on the situation in which it is to be used.

Prompt monitor. A prompt monitor displays output from QBox allowing presenters to read their prepared scripts. A QBox is usually connected directly to a prompt monitor. Alternatively, a distribution amplifier DA can be installed between the prompt monitor and QBox to allow QBox output to be displayed on multiple prompters.

QMaster software installed on a computer allows scripts to be edited and managed by an operator. QMaster can be installed on a laptop or desktop computer, which is then connected to QBox. Scroll control device. QBox can control the script on a prompter display unit using a variety of devices. For details about supported equipment, refer to the Scroll Controls chapter of the user manual for the software you purchased to use with your QBox for detailed information about types of controllers, Autocue supported scroll controls, their respective features and how to configure them for use with the QBox.

The following cables are used for connecting QBox to other hardware. You will require the appropriate cable for the chosen output signal to connect your QBox to a prompt monitor or other display screen. N OTE : Where crossover cables are used, performance is dependent on the configuration of the network card in the computer. FireWire connectors are only available on certain models of QBox. USB Drive. A USB drive can be used to store and transfer scripts to be loaded for prompting.

N OTE : If requested, Autocue can provide all of the above items but details of required cable lengths and the specifications of other equipment must be provided. Use appropriate ESD precautions, especially if you have removed the cover from the device.

Several variants of the QBox have been developed by Autocue. Depending on the model you have been supplied, the appearance of your QBox and the layout of the connectors are shown on the reference card supplied with the device. A composite monitor or prompter should be connected using a composite cable with BNC connectors.

N OTE : Refer to Autocue's prompter documentation for information on the prompter port configuration. A keyboard is used to configure a QBox. After initial setup, you should only need to connect a keyboard if you need to make fundamental configuration changes. Autocue recommends using a USB keyboard as this type can be plugged in and used without having to reboot the QBox unit. In addition, with certain hardware configurations, a PS2 keyboard must be connected in order for the QBox to be recognised.

Scroll Control. Connect any scroll control device to the QBox if required. QBox includes onscreen menus for checking and updating configurations. The onscreen menus are also used for key functions including loading scripts and rundowns from a source. Accessing menus. Onscreen menus are displayed in prompt mode by pressing the F 1 to F 5 function keys on the keyboard connected to the QBox.

When the unit is not in prompt mode, press the F 8 function key. Refer to 4. Supply power. QPro can be used to create simple or multiple scripts, multiple scripts can be combined into rundowns. Rundowns are useful where more than one presenter will be reading the scripts or if you are preparing a broadcast with several stories.

You can immediately start to type your script into this window or you can open an existing file. When you have prepared and saved your script, you can display it on a monitor for a speaker or presenter to read. When you enter prompt mode for the first time your computer screen will need to be calibrated.

After calibration has ended the Script Editor window will be displayed again. Press the ESC key on the computer keyboard to stop prompting and return to the script editor window. QPro allows you to quickly and simply create, edit, format and prompt the scripts you write.

If you are planning to use multiple scripts as part of a broadcast program or for a conference, refer to the section Managing rundowns later in this manual. Using a single script is better for solo presenters. Also it allows whoever is editing the script to focus on the words that go into the script rather than the script itself, allowing for more accurate script writing.

QPro includes windows for editing and viewing scripts. An example of the QPro Script Editor interface is below. Options can be set using toolbar buttons and menus. QPro also includes fields that tell the user key information about the scripts such as the number of words and the estimated time a script will take to be read.

The header fields of the Script Editor are used to display the details of the script that you are editing or writing. Follow the steps outlined below to create a new QPro script. Note: For detailed information about working with multiple scripts refer to the managing rundowns section in this manual.

To insert a new, blank script file into a runorder you can use any of the following commands. When amending, updating or correcting a script, you can either enter new text directly or insert text from other sources. You can also edit scripts using the search and replace function. You can also copy text from an existing script or other source such as a Word document or web page;. Select the text in the source file by dragging the cursor to highlight the required text.

Ensure the cursor is at the point at which the new text is to be inserted in the script you are editing. You can also perform these actions by using the cut, copy and paste buttons on the standard toolbar. You can locate text to be changed in a script using the search and replace method. Press [Ctrl] and [H] to open the Replace dialog.

Enter the text you are searching for and the text it is to be replaced with in the appropriate fields. Click Find Next to highlight the next occurrence of the search string and then click Replace. Each time you click Replace, QPro automatically highlights the next occurrence of the search string.

Click Replace All to automatically replace every occurrence of the search string. You can also search for special QPro characters that appear in script files such as Marker and Block identifiers. Position the cursor where you want the imported text to be placed in the script.

Navigate to locate the name of the file you wish to import. When you have highlighted the name of the file, click Open. You will be asked to nominate the file format type from the list supported by QPro. Welcome to ManualMachine. We have sent a verification link to to complete your registration. Log In Sign Up. Forgot password? Enter your email address and check your inbox. Please check your email for further instructions. Enter a new password.

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