Autocue SSP10 User Manual

SSP17 or SSP10

& QStart

17” or 10” Starter Series Prompter

Installation and Operation Guide

Contents

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

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

Prepare and connect the prompting hardware ....................................................................................................... 4

Install the QStart software ............................................................................................................................................. 8

Using your Starter Series Prompter ............................................................................................................................. 9

Make the most of your prompter .................................................................................................................................. 13

Import, edit and prompt scripts ................................................................................................................................ 13

Format your scripts ....................................................................................................................................................... 15

Dividing long scripts or using multiple presenters ................................................................................................ 16

Different ways to control scrolling ............................................................................................................................ 19

Improve the performance of your prompter .......................................................................................................... 21

Using a single monitor ................................................................................................................................................ 21

Alternative operating systems you may use ........................................................................................................... 23

Use your prompter in different situations .................................................................................................................... 24

Upgrading Starter Series Prompter components ...................................................................................................... 33

If you need to contact Autocue or QTV ....................................................................................................................... 34

Build number

Release date

Changes

2006

4 March 2011

New button mapping for the ShuttleXpress

Installation and Operation Guide

Latest additions

This document was written for build 2006 of the QStart software, released on 4 March 2011.

Any changes since that point have been referenced below. These changes have not been reflected in the rest of the document.

Revision history

h c e

d b

Getting started

- Prepare and connect the prompting hardware

Getting started

This section is designed to get your Starter Series Prompter setup as quickly as possible so that you can start writing and prompting your scripts.

Prepare and connect the prompting hardware

It is strongly recommended that you view the demonstration video showing the preparation of an Autocue starter series prompter. Click “Play Demonstration Video” on the main menu of the installation CD.

You can also view the video on the Autocue web site: http://www.Autocue.com/autocueppvid

1. Remove the unit from the shipping box.

Check that the following items have been received:

a. Starter Series Prompter (SSP) b. 2 x camera securing screws c. 4 x long camera plate support pillars (with countersunk screws

attached)

d. 4 x short camera plate support pillars e. Wide monitor mounting plate f. Software CD g. USB hardware licence dongle h. 10 m VGA cable i. Power cord and DC adaptor

Attach to tripod

2. Remove the camera mounting plate from your tripod. (Refer to the manufacturer’s

manual if you have difficulty doing this.)

Getting started

- Prepare and connect the prompting hardware

3. Carefully turn your SSP unit over and place on a smooth padded surface to protect

the mirror and monitor screen.

4. Use the screws of the camera mounting plate to attach it to the underside of your

SSP unit.

5. Secure the whole assembly onto your chosen tripod.

Note: It is likely that the position of the unit will have to be adjusted after you have

mounted your camera so that it is balanced on the tripod. A balanced camera and prompter assembly will make it easier to perform smooth pan and tilt shots.

Getting started

- Prepare and connect the prompting hardware

Position hood

6. Loosen the four thumbscrews of the hood assembly.

7. Raise the hood to the vertical position.

8. Secure in place by tightening the four thumbscrews.

Prepare camera mount

9. Remove the camera mounting plate.

Adjust camera mount height

Depending on the size of your camera you may need to use the supplied pillars to raise the camera mounting plate. The smallest cameras will most likely need the longest pillars. Larger cameras require either no pillars or the shortest ones.

Combine raising the camera with adjusting the position of the hood so that the camera lens is centred in the mirrored glass.

Getting started

- Prepare and connect the prompting hardware

10. Screw in the appropriate length pillars that raise the plate to the required height for

your camera.

11. Adjust the position of the pillars to align with the screw holes of the camera

mounting plate.

12. Re-attach camera mounting plate

 if the camera is to be at the lowest level use the four thumbscrews  if the camera is to be in one of the raised positions, use the countersunk screws

to attach the plate to the tops of the mounting plate pillars

Getting started

- Install the QStart software

Attach camera to mounting plate

13. Use either the supplied ⅜" or ¼" mounting screw to attach your camera to the

mounting plate. You can place the screw through any of the slots in the camera mounting plate depending on the camera you are using. Ideally the camera lens should be close to the mirrored glass.

Connect power and video cables

14. Plug in the power for the on-camera unit monitor and connect the supplied VGA

cable between the monitor and your computer.

Note: If necessary, you can adjust the position of the whole unit forwards or backwards so

that it is balanced on your tripod.

Install the QStart 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 QStart installation window.

3. The installation wizard will display a screen showing the options available. If this is

the first time you have installed QStart, click the Install software button.

Getting started

- Using your Starter Series Prompter

Note: If you are re-installing or upgrading your software, refer to “Upgrading Starter Series

Prompter components” for further information.

4. Read and accept the licence agreement and click Install.

5. On the next dialog box click OK to use the default installation folder.

6. When installation has finished, click OK on the dialog box.

Using your Starter Series Prompter

The remainder of this section assumes that you are using a computer to create/edit/scroll scripts that will appear on the monitor of the Starter Series Prompter you have just assembled.

1. Insert the hardware licence dongle into a spare USB port on your computer.

2. Double-click the QStart icon on your computer desktop.

3. Click on the System Options button to access the configuration interface.

4. The Prompt Output tab is displayed.

Getting started

- Using your Starter Series Prompter

Prompt output

You can configure a secondary output monitor by changing the Windows display properties. The most important property to change is the option to extend your computer desktop across both screens.

Refer to the user manuals for your computer or graphics card for guidance on

changing the display settings.

QStart provides a button to access the standard operating system display controls for your computer if required.

If the computer desktop has been extended over the two screens, the QStart software automatically detects whether you have an additional monitor connected to your computer.

D e f a u l t d u a l m o n i t o r

Dual screens

Click the teleprompter icon and the image representing the script being prompted automatically moves under the second output and inverts. When you prompt your script the output will appear on the teleprompter.

B e f o r e s el e c t in g A f te r c l i c k i n g

s e c on d a ry d i s p l a y s e c on d a ry d i s p l a y

Enable a prompt monitor

If your script is being displayed on the teleprompter you can follow its progress using the in-built Prompt Monitor window. When it is first enabled the Prompt Monitor is set to Full Screen mode.

Change the size

Click on the required thumbnail in the Size of Monitor panel. The value in the Size field automatically changes and the red rectangle changes accordingly.

Getting started

- Using your Starter Series Prompter

Change the position

Click in a different quadrant of the screen in the Position of Monitor panel. The red rectangle will move to this location.

Note: You should not need to change any parameters on the other tabs of the QStart

Options interface. If required, there is detailed information in the “Make the most of your prompter” section later in this manual.

Create and prompt scripts

Prepare your text

It is presumed that most scripts will be imported from some other text editor.

QStart can import Word (.doc), Rich Text (.rtf), Text (.txt) files.

1. Click the Import File button.

2. Navigate to select the required file.

3. If requested, select the appropriate file format.

4. The text is inserted at the position of the cursor.

Save your script

+ 23 hidden pages

Autocue SSP10 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual