Autocue QMaster User Manual

QMaster

Prompting Software and QBox

Installation and Operation Guide

Contents

Latest additions ................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Getting started ..................................................................................................................................................................... 4

Equipment you will need ............................................................................................................................................... 4

Install the QMaster software ........................................................................................................................................ 4

Prepare and connect to your QBox ............................................................................................................................ 6

Connect and configure your scroll controller ......................................................................................................... 11

Create and prompt scripts ......................................................................................................................................... 12

Make the most of your software ................................................................................................................................... 14

Customising the QMaster user interface ................................................................................................................. 14

Import, write, edit and save scripts .......................................................................................................................... 14

Format your scripts ....................................................................................................................................................... 16

Manage multiple scripts in a rundown .................................................................................................................... 19

Working with multiple rundowns ............................................................................................................................... 24

Working with more than one presenter .................................................................................................................. 25

Dividing long scripts .................................................................................................................................................... 28

Control scrolling of your script................................................................................................................................... 29

Other QMaster configuration options ...................................................................................................................... 43

Adjust your QBox configuration ..................................................................................................................................... 57

Select different QBox video settings ........................................................................................................................ 57

Alternative network connections to a QBox ........................................................................................................... 60

Wireless operation ....................................................................................................................................................... 65

Load scripts directly onto a QBox ............................................................................................................................ 68

Upgrading Autocue products ........................................................................................................................................ 72

QMaster software upgrades ..................................................................................................................................... 72

Hardware upgrades .................................................................................................................................................... 73

If you need to contact Autocue or QTV ....................................................................................................................... 75

Build number

Release date

Changes

787

12 July 2011

Windows 7 Compatibility

Remove references to QBox Prompt engine no longer appear if the API is not installed

psiglueVC6.dll was missing from the setup program

Added support for the r2 QBox

Resolved an issue with script updates on the r2 QBox

Resolved an issue with User Message buttons not working

Created a ―First Run‖

wizard for QBox configuration

Added the option to configure different types of controllers on the QBox via QMaster

Added the option to

change the ―Not Captioned‖ colour on

the r2 QBox

Latest additions

This document was written for build 787 of the QMaster software, released on 12 July 2011.

Any changes since that point have been referenced below.

Revision history

Getting started

This section is designed to get your system setup as quickly as practical so that you can get on with writing and prompting your scripts. It is written to reflect the most common package that Autocue supplies to customers: QMaster software, QBox and Contour Design‘s ShuttlePRO scroll controller.

If you are interfacing with a newsroom computer system (NRCS) it is essential that

you also have the correct NRCS API manual.

Equipment you will need

Check that the following items have been received:

 QMaster software CD  Hardware licence dongle  QBox prompt engine  ShuttlePRO scroll controller

In order to install and operate QMaster you will also need either a desktop computer or a laptop. You will also require a separate USB or PS2 keyboard to perform initial configuration of your QBox.

If you have an alternative dedicated scroll control device refer to the ―Control scrolling of your script‖ section later in this manual for information about configuring them for use with QMaster.

If you have also purchased an teleprompter or conference stand to use with the software, refer to the documentation received with these items for guidance on assembling them.

Different ways to connect the equipment

1. 2. 3.

A s p a r t o f a c o r p o r a t e v i a E t h e r n e t H u b D i r e c t P e e r t o P e e r

n e t w o r k

The Getting started section will deal with connecting your computer to a QBox via an Ethernet switch.

Install the QMaster software

1. Insert the software CD into your computer

Note: Do not insert the hardware licence dongle until after the software has been installed.

2. Click Install software on the QMaster installation window

Note: If you are re-installing or upgrading your software, refer to ―Upgrading Autocue

products‖ for further information.

3. Select Install Software. The Welcome to QMaster Setup dialogue box is displayed.

4. Click Next. Your licence information is on the installation CD and the Licence

Agreement will be displayed.

The license information is stored in a folder named ―License‖ on the installation CD.

If the license file cannot be found, a dialog box is displayed that asks you to locate a valid license file.

5. Click Browse… to locate the folder containing your licence key. Press OK to proceed.

If a valid license file is found, the License Agreement dialog box is displayed.

6. Read through the license agreement and click Accept. The ―Select the components

you wish to install‖ dialog box is displayed.

7. Select QMaster to install the software.

Note: If you purchased other licensed options, such as robotic conference stand control

integration, these will also appear in the component list. Select them and continue the installation.

Refer to the ―Automation‖ section for further information about configuring the interface to such devices.

8. Click Next. The Select Program Installation Path dialogue box is displayed.

Note: Autocue strongly recommends that you use the default location of C:\QMaster.

9. Click Next to use the default location.

10. Various messages are displayed indicating that the installation is in progress and

the QMaster files are being copied, extracted and downloaded from the CD.

11. When the installation is complete, a message is displayed indicating successful

setup. Click OK.

You should now follow the steps to ―Prepare and connect to your QBox‖ before running the QMaster software.

Prepare and connect to your QBox

Attach either a USB or PS2 keyboard to your QBox so that you can access the configuration and information windows. (If you use a PS2 keyboard you will have to reboot the unit for the keyboard to be recognised.)

Attach a teleprompter

A QBox has both composite and VGA signal outputs. When QBoxes are shipped they are configured to use the composite video output (BNC connection). The video format is set to NTSC when shipped to the Americas and to PAL when shipped to other regions of the world.

Note: If you wish to use alternative settings or a different output mode, refer to the

―Changing the QBox video settings‖ section.

Configure your network connection

After connecting your QBox to your computer via an Ethernet switch you must configure the Ethernet port on the rear of the unit. This port is referenced as lan0 by the QBox firmware. (You may need to refer to your IT support team to get the IP configuration details you need to use.)

Note: If you are linking QMaster to your QBox using any other connection method, refer to

the ―Alternative network connections to a QBox‖ section.

1. Press the F8 key on the QBox keyboard to bring up the configuration menu.

2. Use the Down arrow key to select Configure QBox and then press Enter.

3. Press the Down arrow to highlight Network Configuration and press Enter.

4. Press Enter and then use the arrow keys to highlight the lan0 Wired Network

Connection and then press Enter.

5. Use the left and right keyboard arrow keys to select the IPv4 Settings tab.

6. Press the Tab key to highlight the Manual Configuration option and press the

spacebar to select it if is not already.

7. Use the Tab key to highlight the IP Address field.

8. Enter the chosen IP address. Press the full stop/dot key to move to the next block of

the IP address.

IP addresses of the computer and QBox should be in the same range. For example, if the address of the computer is 192.168.50.5 you might assign 192.168.50.10 to the QBox. As long as the first three blocks of numbers are the same, the two devices will be able to communicate.

9. Press the Tab key to highlight the Subnet Mask field. QBox stores this value as a

two-digit number. The most common Subnet Mask is 24 which corresponds to a Mask address of 255.255.255.0

Note: Further information about subnet mask numbering can be found in the section

―Assigning static IP addresses‖ later in the manual.

10. In a direct connection via an Ethernet Switch a Default Gateway should not be

necessary.

11. Press the Tab key to highlight the OK button and press Enter.

12. Press F10 to close the network configuration interface.

13. Use the arrow keys to select Return to Prompt Mode and press Enter.

You can now start the QMaster software and connect the software to your QBox and start prompting your scripts.

Connect QMaster to your QBox

Plug the dongle into your computer and double-click on the QMaster icon on your computer desktop to display the primary QMaster user interface.

Note: It is recommended that the licence dongle is always inserted into the same USB port.

Depending on the hardware and software configuration of your computer, it may be necessary to re-install the Sentinel drivers for each USB port.

When you start QMaster for the first time you will be prompted to configure the connection to your QBox. A connection wizard will guide you through this process.

1. The dialog box below will be displayed. Press Next if you wish to configure the

connection.

12. Enter the name of your QBox.

The default value is the QBox hostname based on the serial number of the device you have.

Note: The serial number is shown on the printed label attached to the bottom of your

QBox.

13. Enter the IP address of your QBox.

The IP address will be the value you assigned in the previous procedure.

14. The default Port number is recommended but you can change this to an alternative

one if your network requires it.

15. Press Next to display a summary of the information entered.

16. Press Connect to establish the link. A progress indicator will be displayed.

17. Messages will be displayed to show whether the connection has been established

or not.

If the connection has been successful, select Prompt >> QBox Status Panel from the main menu bar of the QMaster interface.

The QBox Status Panel displays all your QBox connections. Your QBox will show as Master as illustrated in the example below.

Connect and configure your scroll controller

1. Plug the supplied Contour Design ShuttlePRO controller into your computer.

Note: Do not try to install any software that comes with the ShuttlePRO.

18. From the main menu bar select Tools >> Options...

19. On the QMaster Configuration window, double-click on QBox Prompt Engines or

click the [+] sign next to that entry.

20. Click on Scroll Controls to display the Configure Scroll Controls tab.

21. Highlight Contour ShuttlePRO and click OK.

This will install the scroll control device with its default configuration.

If you have to change the configuration of the buttons or use an alternative

controller please refer to the ―Control scrolling of your script‖ section later in this

manual.

Create and prompt scripts

QMaster can be used to create scripts. Multiple scripts can be combined into rundowns. Multiple scripts are useful where more than one presenter will be reading the script or if you are preparing a broadcast with several stories.

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.

Import a script

1. Position the cursor where you want the imported text to be placed in the script.

22. Either hold down the [Alt] key and press [F] >> [I] or select File >> Import... from the

QMaster main menu bar.

23. Choose the file you wish to import. You may have to navigate to where the file is

located.

24. Select the appropriate file type.

25. The Select Import Settings dialog is displayed.

26. Make your choices from the options on the various tabs. You can select such

settings as the default font to use on importing, specify a particular code page if you use a specific language or override the Locale associated with the imported file.

Note: If you are going to regularly import the same type of file you can enable the

―Automatically use these settings‖ parameter so that they are applied each time a

file is imported.

27. Click OK. The text from the imported file will be formatted and placed in your script.

You can also write your script directly into the QMaster Editor window, ‗cut and paste‘ from an existing script or any other source.

Prompt your script

When you have prepared and saved your script, you can display it on a monitor for a speaker or presenter to read.

Start prompting

You can begin prompting by selecting Prompt >> Begin Prompting from the Script Editor menu bar or click the Begin Prompting button on the button bar.

Stop prompting

Press the Stop Prompting button on the QMaster button bar

Make the most of your software

QMaster 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 multiple scripts in a rundown‖ later in this manual.

If the appropriate license options have been purchased you may also interface to newsroom systems and other broadcast equipment, robotic conference stands and Microsoft PowerPoint presentations.

Customising the QMaster user interface

The controls on the toolbars are used to edit and control the scripts you create.

Using the mouse to click buttons on the toolbars provides quick access to commonly used commands and tools.

Standard toolbar

Formatting toolbar

To display or hide a toolbar

1. On the menu bar select Tools >> Toolbars.

28. From the sub-menu select the toolbars to be displayed.

The selected toolbars will have a check mark () next to them.

Import, write, edit and save scripts

New script creation

Follow the steps outlined below to create a new QMaster script.

1. To open a new script file, either:

 select File >> New…from the menu bar  click the New File button on the toolbar  hold down the [Alt] and press [F] >> [N]

29. The Select New File Type dialog is displayed.

30. Select Simple Script File.

31. An Untitled Simple Script file will appear inside the QMaster Client window.

Note: For information about using the Simple Rundown File type, refer to the section:

Managing Multiple Scripts.

32. Type the text of your script into the Script Editor window. The pink line denotes the

bottom of the script so you can only type above it.

33. When you have finished entering the text, save your work.

To save your script, either

 select File >> Save from the menu bar  click the Save button on the toolbar  hold down the [Alt] and press [F] >> [S]

A standard Save As dialog is displayed.

Note: The default QMaster file type is the Simple Script File with the file name

extension.WSS

Editing a script

Format alteration

Key sequence

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.

Note: It is a good working practice to regularly save your changes by pressing the Save

button or the keyboard shortcut sequence [Ctrl] and [S].

Direct entry

In the Script Editor, enter text directly using a keyboard.

Cut and paste

To copy text from an existing script:

1. Select the text in the source file by dragging the cursor to highlight the required text

or press Ctrl and A to select all the text.

34. Press Ctrl and C to copy the text

Ensure the cursor is at the point at which the new text is to be inserted in the script you are editing.

35. Press Ctrl and V to paste the copied text.

Note: You can also drag and drop selected text to any other open script file.

You can also perform these actions by using the cut, copy and paste buttons on the standard toolbar.

Search and replace

You can locate text to be changed in a script using the search and replace method.

1. Press Ctrl and H to open the Replace dialog.

36. Enter the text you are searching for and the text it is to be replaced with in the

appropriate fields.

37. Click Find Next to highlight the next occurrence of the search string and then click

Replace.

38. Each time you click Replace the next occurrence of the search string is highlighted.

39. Click Replace All to automatically replace every occurrence of the search string.

Note: When importing script files from certain external applications, some control

characters may be misinterpreted and displayed as unusual letter forms or numbers. QMaster allows you to search for these random characters and replace them with a blank space or some other character that you choose.

Format your scripts

A script can be formatted to meet the requirements of the person who will be reading the script. For example you can set the typeface, colour and size of the words that appear on the prompter monitor. The following table indicates the available formatting options and the corresponding control keys.

Format alteration

Key sequence

Underline

[Ctrl] and [U]

Italic

[Ctrl] and [I]

Bold

[Ctrl] and [B]

Select alternative font

[Ctrl] and [F]

Inverse

[Ctrl] and [E]

Change text to the default colour

[Ctrl] and [0]

Change text colour to red

[Ctrl] and [1]

Change text colour to green

[Ctrl] and [2]

Change text colour to blue

[Ctrl] and [3]

Change text colour to yellow

[Ctrl] and [4]

Justify text to the right

[Ctrl] and [Shift] and [R]

Justify text to the left

[Ctrl] and [Shift] and [L]

Justify text to the centre

[Ctrl] and [Shift] and [C]

Format all text

[Ctrl] and [Shift] and [A]

Select all text

[Ctrl] and [A]

The formatting changes shown above may also be made using the corresponding button on the Script Editor button bar:

or by selecting them from the Format option on the Script Editor menu bar:

Choose a different font

Choosing Format >> Font from the Script Editor menu bar opens the Select Font dialog.

Example

Description

Original text

Text highlighted

Inverse selected

Choose a different typeface and then select the required size for the text. An example of the appearance of your chosen settings is displayed in the lower display panel of the dialog.

When you are satisfied with your selections, click OK.

Inverse

Default QMaster scripts are written as white text on a black background.

Inverse changes any highlighted text to be black text on a white background.

40. Highlight the text you wish to change.

41. Select Format >> Inverse from the main menu bar of the Script Editor interface.

If the highlighted section has already had a different colour applied to the text, selecting Inverse changes this to be black text on the coloured background.

Format All

The Format All dialog allows you to change more than one attribute of the text in your script. The parameters of the Format All dialog apply to the whole script.

From the main menu bar of the QMaster Script Editor select Format >> All Text...

The Format All dialog is illustrated below.

The default settings are to leave any formats as they are currently set. Each of the parameters may have three states applied to:

 Leave: retain formatting already applied to the selected text.  On: apply the formatting to the selected text.  Off: clear the formatting from the selected text.

Click the Font button to alter the typeface and size for all the text in the script.

Manage multiple scripts in a rundown

QMaster allows you to manage more than one script via rundowns. You can create multiple scripts and create your own rundown or import and control one or more rundowns via an interface to an electronic newsroom automation system.

Autocue uses the term rundown to refer to the sequence of items in a news broadcast. Other common terms which mean the same include running order, runorder, slug list and queue.

A QMaster rundown is a collection of script files. Using a rundown is a way to manage and prompt multiple scripts. Editing individual scripts is carried out in the same way as using a simple script file editor.

QMaster Rundown window

The QMaster Rundown window consists of the QMaster Rundown and the Script Editor. The rundown displays a list of the stories, which will be displayed for the presenter. The stories are then prompted in the order they appear in the rundown list. The Script editor is used to create the text attached to each of the stories.

To create a new rundown:

1. Choose File >> New... from the QMaster menu bar.

42. Select Simple Rundown File from the displayed options.

A blank rundown will be displayed in the Rundown Editor with a blank script open in the associated Script Editor.

Rundown window column identifiers

Field

Description

This provides a unique number for all stories in the rundown and is not connected with the running order.

Story Title

Simply a title to identify the individual stories.

Words

The number of words in the script displayed in the Script Editor.

Link

This is the time for this script based on the set read rate. (Default read rate 180 words per minute).

Modified

This is used in the QMaster news system and it indicates the time when the script was last changed.

Status

This is used in the QMaster news system and it indicates whether a script is missing or when a script has received an update over a network.

Script Editor window column identifiers

Field

Description

Story Title

The name of the script shown in the rundown.

The ID number of the script as shown in the rundown window

Words

The number of words in the script displayed in the Script Editor.

Time

The estimated duration of the script based on the number of words and the set read rate

The Script Editor window

A script is created or edited in the Script Editor window. When you click the Start Prompting button on the QMaster toolbar the text of your script will be displayed on all connected display monitors. The default appearance for text in the Script Editor is white on a black background. You can also import scripts for editing in the Script Editor window.

The Script Editor window displays the Story Title at the top of the window. Below the title are three display fields.

Adjust window size

The size of the Script Editor window can be adjusted. As you move the pointer onto the border between the Rundown and Script Editor windows the cursor will change shape. When the cursor changes, click the mouse button and drag to the desired width.

Managing scripts in a rundown

After creating a new rundown you can add one or more scripts.

Creating scripts

To create a new script:

1. Select Story >> New from the QMaster menu bar.

43. From the sub menu that appears select either Single-column Script or Single-column

Break.

If you choose Single-column Script, the New Item Title dialogue box appears.

44. Enter the script name in the text box and click OK.

The name should be very concise description of the script.

Break items

Choose Single-column Break if you wish to split the rundown into sections.

Breaks are used for example if you have commercial segments in a broadcast or refreshment periods between speakers at a conference.

The total word count and duration for each section are displayed in the bar at the bottom of each section.

Editing scripts

To edit the text of a script using the Script Editor, double click on the item in the QMaster Rundown window. The entry in the rundown is highlighted in black to indicate the script you are currently editing. The Story Title will be shown at the top of the Script Editor window. The cursor is automatically placed in the Script Editor window and you can type in the text for the story. The text written in the Script Editor will appear on the prompt output monitor.

To quit the Script Editor, press the Esc (Escape) key on the keyboard.

Moving scripts within a rundown

The stories within a rundown can be reordered very easily using the drag and drop facility in QMaster.

1. Select the script you want to move by clicking on its title and holding down the left-

hand mouse button.

45. When the drag and drop pointer appears, move the dotted insertion point to the

new location

46. Release the mouse button to drop the script in its new place in the rundown.

Renumbering stories in a rundown

The stories within a rundown can be renumbered at any stage when lines are added or deleted. Choose Rundown >> Renumber from the main Rundown menu bar.

Access editing commands from the rundown

It is possible to edit the rundown and the attached scripts in the rundown window. It is often quicker and more convenient to use the rundown context menu accessed using the right-mouse button rather than the pull down menus.

Right-click once on the script you wish to edit. A menu appears next to the cursor. This section describes the commands available from this menu.

New story

Selecting this option adds a new story to the rundown. Refer to Managing scripts in a rundown >> Create scripts for information about different types of script file.

Edit Story

Select Edit Story from the context menu. The item opens in the Script Editor where it can then be edited.

You can also edit the attached script by double-clicking on the item and the text will appear in the Script Editor window.

View Story

Select View Story from the context menu. Viewing the text allows you to read the relevant script but does not allow you to make changes to it.

The item can also be viewed by selecting it from the rundown list and using the menu commands. Choose Story, and then View from the menu.

Finally, you can view the associated script by double-clicking on the item and the text will appear in the Script Editor window.

Delete Story

It may be necessary from time to time to delete stories from the rundown. Select Delete from the context

menu. A dialog box will appear asking the question ―Sure you want to delete this item?‖ Click Yes to delete.

The item will be deleted from the rundown and the text will disappear from the Script Editor.

The item can also be deleted by selecting it from the rundown list and using the menu commands. Choose

Story, then Delete from the menu. A dialog box ―Sure you want to delete this item?‖ will appear. Click on Yes

to delete.

Edit Field

The unique title field in the rundown simply identifies each individual story. The title field should contain a brief description of the story. To do this click once with the right mouse button on the description you wish to edit. Choose Edit Field from the menu. The title field will now appear white indicating that the text can be edited. Make the required changes and then press the left-hand mouse button or press Enter.

Note: If you have a three-button mouse click on the title you wish to edit with the middle

mouse button. To edit the field directly with a two button mouse press Ctrl on the keyboard and press the right hand button on the mouse to edit the field directly.

Toggle Hold State

Toggle Hold State allows you to put an item on standby. The selected item will not be prompted and will not be included in any timing calculations.

1. Highlight the item to be placed on hold

2. Select Story >> Toggle Hold State from the main Rundown menu bar

3. The item becomes highlighted in blue

You can also highlight an item and right-click on it to display a context menu from which you can select Toggle Hold State.

Rundown prompting commands

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Autocue QMaster User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual