Autocue and QTV have been serving the broadcast industry since the mid-1950s
when QTV in New York and Autocue in London supplied the very first prompters
via their rental divisions.
Creating broadcast history. The two companies merged in 1984
under Autocue Group and, with the introduction of the QSeries family of software,
became the only company to offer the television industry a single solution for all
transmission, newsroom, scripting and prompting requirements. QTV forms the
Americas division of Autocue Group’s prompting sales and rental services.
Prompter of choice around the globe. Autocue Group is known
worldwide for its service and dependability, serving such prestigious clients as the
BBC, Bloomberg, NBC and CNN. The Group’s prompting solutions are compatible
with all newsroom systems on the market and are in use worldwide by broadcasters, production professionals, government facilities and corporate producers
MSP20
requiring excellence in prompting and newsroom automation solutions.
For further information, please visit either web site shown at the bottom of this
page.
For the broadcaster, production facility or event organiser requiring greate r viewing
distances and larger display areas, Autocue prompter display and on-camera units
satisfy all your needs.
Autocue on-camera units comprise prompter display, hood, mounting bracket,
tripod plate and accessories.
Designed for the most demanding of broadcast environments, Autocue prompter
display and on-camera units have crisp, ultra-bright picture quality, precision
controls, and rugged construction.
Autocue prompter display and on-camera units are available in a range of configurations to match most camera, lens and mounting combinations.
Designed for use with light-weight tripods and jib arms, the MSP20 combines portability and light weight design with excellent readability. This makes it suitable for
non-traditional broadcast sectors, such as production companies, educational institutions, religious broadcasters, and corporate production facilities.
The MSP20 consists of the following features:
•Medium wide-angle hood designed specifically for the MSP20.
•Super-lightweight construction.
Multiple mounting options including:
•Gold Plate, Pro Plate and Roller Plate for tripods.
•Matte Box bar kit for mounting on jib-arm cameras.
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MSP20
Assembly and Installation
Guide
A variety of counterbalances and adjustable weights are available to ensure safe
and stable operation and movement of mounted equipment.
Where appropriate, Autocue can also provide a range of accessories, such as cue
lights and remote controls, to complement your chosen system.
1.2:About this guide
This document describes how to assemble and mount your chosen Autocue
prompter display or on-camera unit. It is suitable for any broadcaster or news
production crew. This guide is suitable for novices as well as expert users of the
product line from Autocue.
Reference material is also provided that explains how to adjust the various settings
and troubleshoot the prompters to ensure optimum performance.
mitted in any recording or otherwise, without prior permission of Autocue Group
Ltd.
All third-party software or hardware, including logos, referenced within this guide is
copyright of the respective owners.
1.4:Disclaimer
Autocue Group Ltd reserves the right to revise this publication and to make
changes in its content without obligation of Autocue Group Ltd to notify any person
or persons of such revision.
Display size
Brightness
Resolution
Contrast Ratio
Reading range
Input signal
Composite standard
Power input
Power consumption
Display controls
Assembly weight
Monitor options
- Cue light
- Removable PSU
- Remote control
- Cooling fan
Hood options
20.1” (508mm)
1000Nits
800 x 600
500 : 1
7m (23ft)
Composite 1Vp-p 75Ohm (looping 2 x
BNC connectors)
VGA (1 x 15-pin high density-D
connector)
NTSC, PAL, SECAM
110-260V AC, 50-60Hz (looping 2 x
IEC connectors)
12V DC (1 x 4-pin XLR connector)
63W
230mA @ 230V AC; 5A @ 12V DC
Menu based push button controls
Direct contrast and brightness
adjustment
12.1 - 16.3kg (26.7 - 35.9lb) (varies by
mount & hood election)
Specify on purchas e
Integrated card with power output to
cue light and 3-pin DIN sensor
connector
Reduces weight by 500g (1.1lb)
Infra-red remote control unit
Only required when used at full
brightness in hot environments
Standard hood; large wide-angle hood
An Autocue On Camera Unit can be used with almost any industry-standard
camera and tripod combination. On camera units comprise a tripod head
attachment, prompter monitor and hood with integral two-way mirror.
Assembling and mounting your on camera unit involves:
•preparing the mounting plates and brackets
•attaching the prompter monitor
•attaching the hood and glass components
•connecting required cables
•ensuring all connections and fixings are secure.
4.1:Tripod head preparation
Autocue on camera units are designed to work with most standard tripods. The
first step is to remove the camera mounting plate from the tripod head.
4.2:Autocue Wide Angle Bracket
The Wide Angle bracket consists of a square grooved length of aluminium
extrusion, horizontal prompter display unit mounting bars, vertical hood mounting
bars and one or two keyhole plates.
The Autocue Pro Plate is provided disassembled as illustrated below.
The Pro Plate consists of a combined tripod slide and camera carriage, adjustable
mounting rods for attaching an on-camera unit and optional pan-tilt arm.
A Pro Plate can be attached to either a tripod or to a hand-held shoulder grip.
10.Adjust the length of the mounting rods.
Section 4: Assembly Procedures
Pro Plate preparation
Adjust spacing and location of the mounting bars
This length will vary depending on the type of camera you are using, the
size of on-camera unit and whether the Pro Plate will be attached to a
tripod or shoulder mount.
11.Loosen the locking levers on the camera carriage.
12.Adjust the position of the mounting rod and then use the locking lever to
secure the rod in position.
1. Place the Pro Plate on a flat surface with the mounting slide uppermost.
2. Place the tripod camera mounting plate on to the Pro Plate mounting
slide.
Section 4: Assembly Procedures
Pro Plate preparation
Attach Pro Plate to a tripod
3. Fix the camera mounting plate in place by screwing it to the Pro Plate
mounting slide.
NOTE:Camera mounts vary, but must be only attached using the
large or small threaded holes in the Pro Plate mounting slide.
4. Fix the combined Pro Plate and camera mounting plate to your tripod.
5. With you camera attached to the Pro Plate camera carriage, you can
adjust the position by loosening the camera carriage locking lever and
moving the camera carriage forwards or backwards to find the balance
point.
When an on-camera unit is used, the hood can sometimes obscure the cue light on
the camera. To overcome this, Autocue has developed an extension light that is
attached to the hood.
1. Attach the sensor to the light on the camera.
2. Plug the sensor into the Sensor socket on the prompter display unit.
Section 5: MSP20 Connections
Physical characteristics
Autocue cue light
3. Attach the cue light to the top of the hood.
4. Insert the plug from the light in to the CueLight socket.
5. The Autocue cue will illuminate whenever your camera is “live”.
NOTE:
The cue light sensitivity can be adjusted using the preset
marked Trim on the control panel.
The Menu button on the side of the MSP20 opens the OSD controls. An example
OSD menu screen is shown below.
Section 6: MSP20 Operation
OSD controls
Accessing the OSD controls
NOTE:If no adjustment is made to a control, the OSD will switch off
after approximately ten seconds
There are six main OSD menus that are used to set up a MSP20 prompter display
unit:
•Input Select
•VGA Adjustments
•Color adjustments
•Video settings
•Scaling adjustments
•System Settings
The tables in the following sections list the various sub-menu selections and the
options that can be set for them.
Press the Up and Down arrows to highlight a heading and press the Menu button
to select it. The sub-menus within the six main categories are selected with the Up
& Down buttons.
Press Menu again to select a sub-menu from a category and then the Up and Down
arrows to adjust or change the parameters. Press Menu once more to save the
setting.
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Assembly and Installation
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6.3:Menu options
6.3.1:Input Select
The first option allows you to select a video signal source for your prompter display
unit.
Sub-menuOptions
Main Picture channelVGA
Scan inputsOff
PIP ModeOff
Section 6: MSP20 Operation
Menu options
Input Select
Component Video
On
Picture in Picture
Side by Side
6.3.2:VGA Adjustments
The following are only usable if the VGA Channel is active.
Sub-menuOptions
Auto AdjustUse for automatic image adjustment
ClockSet clocks manually
PhaseAdjust the focus and clarity of the display
SharpnessIncrease image sharpness
Hor.-PositionMove the image position horizontally
Ver.-PositionMove the image position vertically
6.3.3:Color Adjustment
The various colour settings for the image can be adjusted using this option.
Sub-menuOptions
Brightnessuse UP DOWN keys for setting brightness.
Contrastuse UP DOWN keys for setting contrast.
Saturationuse UP DOWN keys for setting saturation.
Hueuse UP DOWN keys for setting hue.
Fleshtoneuse UP DOWN keys for setting flesh tone
Backlightuse UP DOWN keys for setting backlight
brightness.
Auto Color adjustmentAuto adjustment of colour
AdvancedSetting of Gamma, colour temperature and RGB
colour value.
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6.3.4:Video Settings
These settings are only selectable if a signal is present on an active video channel.
Sub-menuOptions
Motion ProcessingUse for optimum motion sharpness
SharpnessEmphasize borders
Film ModeOnly use with DVD Input
Noise ReductionFilter for noise reduction
Mpeg ProcessingFilter for MPEG (This setting cannot be used as add
Decoder SettingsSettings for video decoder
6.3.5:Scaling Adjustment
Scaling Adjustments for the image are set in this menu.
Section 6: MSP20 Operation
Menu options
Video Settings
on board does not exist)
Sub-menuOptions
Scaling ModeUse UP and DOWN keys to select the scaling
Picture FlipHorizontal or vertical flip of image
ZoomEnlarge image
Hor. PanHorizontal pan of enlarged Image
Vert. PanVertical pan of enlarged Image
6.3.6:System Settings
Sub-menuOptions
OSD TimeoutSetting of OSD timeout
modes.
Expand: Image is expanded to the full monitor
screen.
Aspect: Image is shown in its aspect ratio according
OSD Hor. PositionSetting of OSD horizontal position
OSD Vert. PositionSetting of OSD vertical position
OSD BlendSetting of OSD blend
OSD OrientationOSD Horizontal. OSD Vertical. Flip, OSD Rotate
OSD LanguageOSD Language (Engl. Deutsch)
Reset to DefaultReset to default; all saved settings will be lost!!
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MSP20 Assembly and Installation Guide
SECTION 7:
Troubleshooting and
Maintenance
7.1:Common problems
The table below lists common problems that may occur during prompter operatio n.
Suggested things to look for are.
ProblemCheck...
The power LED of the LCD flatpanel display is not illuminated
There is no picture visibleif the power supply receives power and is
if the power switch for the unit is in the ON
position
if the power cord is connected to a working
power outlet.
if the power cord is plugged in to the unit
correctly connected to the display
if the signal cable is correctly connected to the
graphics board or to the video source and
display
if the device is it turned on and set to the
correct mode (VGA or video)
if the display supports the graphics mode of
the graphics board (see Technical
Specifications)
if the connectors have any bent pins
if the brightness and contrast settings in the
OSD menu are appropriate
if the screen saver settings of your system are
causing problems
The power LED is redSee previous item #2.
The image is blurred or unstableif the signal cable is correctly connected
if the selected graphics mode is correct.
if the display supports the graphics mode of
the graphics board.
if the resolution of the unit is set to less than
1280 x 1024 at a refresh rate of 60 Hz.
(For resolutions lower than this the image is
expanded via interpolation which may cause
errors. As a result the image may look
blurred.)
Alternative suggested remedies:
Select "Auto adjust" from the Position menu.
www.qtv.com
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ProblemCheck...
The image is not sized properly or
not centered
Section 7: Troubleshooting and Maintenance
Maintenance
Cleaning the monitor
Select the H-Total and Phase functions from
the Position menu and change the settings to
achieve a sharp and stable image (these
settings may have to be repeated when you
have selected another graphics mode).
if the horizontal and vertical image position in
the OSD menu is set correctly
If the selected graphics mode is appropriate
if the display unit supports the graphics mode
of the graphics board
OSD error message: "Signal
overrange”
For further troubleshooting assistance, refer to our Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ) database on our website: www.autocue.com.
7.2:Maintenance
7.2.1:Cleaning the monitor
CAUTION:Electric Shock Hazard!
Isolate the prompter display unit and any other devices from any power
source before cleaning the display unit surface.
if the selected graphics mode is correct.
if the display unit supports the graphics mode
Regular cleaning will help keep your prompter display unit in good condition.
•As recommended by the manufacturers, use tepid water with a
small amount of detergent to clean the glass on the prompter
display unit and then leave it to dry naturally.
•Wipe the equipment surface down with a moist cloth; do not
allow liquid to enter the equipment.
•Clean the prompter display unit screen with a lint-free, soft cloth.
Do not use (glass) cleaning agents or paper tissues for cleaning.
In addition, do not clean the glass with abrasive cleaners or
dusters, these will scratch the glass coating.
•Wait until all cleaned parts are completely dry before
reconnecting the prompter display unit to the power source.
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7.2.2:Care and handling advice
•Avoid dropping the prompter display unit or any of its individual
components.
•Clean the monitor periodically.
NOTE:Do not use abrasive cleaners or dusters when cleaning the
monitor.
•Do not run the prompter for excessively long periods of time.
This will cause the operation of the backlight panel to
deteriorate, gradually becoming dimmer.
•Do not use in wet weather without a cover.
•Do not expose to sunlight for long periods of time.
•Adjust the mounting bracket to allow clear space between the
Section 7: Troubleshooting and Maintenance
Maintenance
Care and handling advice
glass of the hood and the fully-extended camera lens
- small vibrations may cause scratches
- contact by the lens may break the glass
•Ensure that the prompter display unit is correctly aligned both
horizontally and vertically with the camera
•Ensure that the whole on camera unit is securely fastened and
does not sway from side to side.
We have been working in live broadcast environments for the past 50 years
and understand the importance of efficient and effective hardware and
software support.
We provide the latest prompting software builds for free on our website ensuring
you continue to benefit from enhancements. Warranties cover all of our hardware
products, with an in-house assessment and repair service offered outside of the
warranty period.
Our hardware and software support is provided by our own in-house teams.
Telephone support
We provide 24/7 support for our QSeries and Rental customers, with support for
prompting customers available during UK office hours (9am till 6pm GMT) and US
office hours (9am till 5pm EST).
Onsite support
Our Tech Support team also travel to customer sites to install QSeries systems and
offer ongoing after-sales support to QSeries customers.
To request technical support please use one or more of the following options.
Phone.
1. Call the main Autocue number:
+44 20 8665 2992
2. Select the support option
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Email.
Web site.
Section 8: Sales and Support InformationMSP20
3. Leave a message including as much detail about the problem as
practical.
1. Send an email to:
support@autocue.co.uk
Remember to include as much detail as possible. A phrase such as
“Screen blank” makes it difficult for the support staff to diagnose a
problem and will delay providing you with an answer.
1. Go to www.autocue.com
2. Select "Support" and then "Problem Form" from the menu bar
3. Complete the form and submit it.
Americas
Phone.
1. Call the main QTV number:
+1 704 377 1496
2. Select the support option
3. Leave a message including as much detail about the problem as
practical.
Email.
1. Send an email to:
support@qtv.com
Remember to include as much detail as possible. A phrase such as
“Screen blank” makes it difficult for the support staff to diagnose a
problem and will delay providing you with an answer.
Web site.
1. Go to www.qtv.com
2. Select "Support" and then "Problem Form" from the menu bar