QMaster for Complex Languages Prompting Software and QBox Installation and Operation Guide
Contents Latest additions ..................................................................................................................................................... 73 Getting started ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 Equipment you will need ....................................................................................................................................
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.
Click on the Red Arrow icon. Click on Next to continue. You will be prompted to browse to your license file, the license information is stored in a folder named “License” on the installation CD. Browse to the file and click on OK and the Licence Agreement will be displayed. Read through the license agreement and click Accept. The “Select the components to install” dialog box is displayed. QMaster Comple Language-UserGuide.docx 2012-10-02 4 © 2003-2011 Autocue Group Ltd.
Select Main Client Application to install the software and click on Next.. . You will be prompted to select the the type of QBox support. For complex languages you must select “Support for r2 QBoxes”. NB: Do Not select the “Support for r1 QBoxes”. You will be prompted to select the Installation Root Folder, it is recommended that you keep the default option. QMaster Comple Language-UserGuide.docx 2012-10-02 5 © 2003-2011 Autocue Group Ltd.
Click Next to continue. Various messages are displayed indicating that the installation is in progress and the QMaster files are being copied, extracted and downloaded from the CD. 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.
3. Press Enter and then use the arrow keys to highlight the lan0 Wired Network Connection and then press Enter. 4. Use the left and right keyboard arrow keys to select the IPv4 Settings tab. 5. Press the Tab key to highlight the Manual Configuration option and press the spacebar to select it if is not already. 6. Use the Tab key to highlight the IP Address field. 7. Enter the chosen IP address. Press the full stop/dot key to move to the next block of the IP address.
. Press the Tab key to highlight the Subnet Mask field. QBox stores this value as a twodigit 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. 9. In a direct connection via an Ethernet Switch a Default Gateway should not be necessary. 10. Press the Tab key to highlight the OK button and press Enter. 11.
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. 1.
5. Press Connect to establish the link. A progress indicator will be displayed. 6. 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. QMaster Comple Language-UserGuide.docx 2012-10-02 10 © 2003-2011 Autocue Group Ltd.
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. 7. From the main menu bar select Tools >> Options... 8. On the QMaster Configuration window, double-click on QBox Prompt Engines or click the [+] sign next to that entry. 9. Click on Scroll Controls to display the Configure Scroll Controls tab. 10. Highlight Contour ShuttlePRO and click OK.
. Choose the file you wish to import. You may have to navigate to where the file is located. 13. Select the appropriate file type. 14. The Select Import Settings dialog is displayed. 15. 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.
Stop prompting Press the Stop Prompting button on the QMaster button bar QMaster Comple Language-UserGuide.docx 2012-10-02 13 © 2003-2011 Autocue Group Ltd.
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.
19. Select Simple Script File. 20. 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. 21. 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. 22. When you have finished entering the text, save your work.
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. 23. 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. 24. Press Ctrl and V to paste the copied text. Note: You can also drag and drop selected text to any other open script file.
Format alteration Key sequence 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] [Ctrl] and [A] Select all text The formatting changes shown above may also be made using th
29. Highlight the text you wish to change. 30. 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. Example Description Original text Text highlighted Inverse selected Format All The Format All dialog allows you to change more than one attribute of the text in your script.
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. 31. Select Simple Rundown File from the displayed options.
Rundown window column identifiers 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. The Script Editor window A script is created or edited in the Script Editor window.
32. 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. 33. 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.
35. 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.
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.
from the menu. A dialog box will appear asking the question “Sure you want to delete this item?” Click Yes to delete. Saving scripts and rundowns It is good practice to save the rundown and scripts regularly to ensure no information is lost accidentally. To save rundowns 1. Choose File >> Save As from the menu bar. 36. Enter the name of the rundown in the Save As dialogue box that is displayed. Enter the name of the Rundown in File name text box and click Save.
38. Release the mouse button to drop the story in its new place in the rundown. Working with more than one presenter If more than one person will be speaking from your script you can insert each person’s name at appropriate points in a script to indicate who is supposed to be speaking. Individual speakers may have their own preferences for typeface, text size, colour and style. You can build a list which contains the personal preferences for each of your speakers.
1. Click the Presenter Settings tab to specify which parameters may be set for an individual presenter. Parameters that are not selected are fixed for all presenters and may not be edited. 40. Click the Presenters tab to display a list of presenters currently available for inclusion in scripts. 41. Click Add to create a new Presenter Profile. 42. Enter the name of the Presenter and then select the parameters you wish to apply to all scripts written for that presenter.
Ensure the cursor is at the position in the script where you wish to place a presenter name. 1. Choose Insert >> Presenter from the menu bar. The Select Presenter dialog box is displayed. 43. Click on the presenter name you wish to insert. 44. Click on OK. A yellow rectangle containing the presenter name appears in the script.
If you wish to change the profile, click Modify. If you want to remove the profile, click Delete. 48. After making your changes, click OK. Dividing long scripts When prompting a long script it is sometimes useful to be able to jump to specific points in the text without having to scroll through the whole script. You can do this by adding special markers or flags at points where you may need to jump to. Adding position markers to a script 1. Place the cursor at the point where you wish to jump to.
51. Place your cursor at the position you wish to move the marked text. 52. Press [Ctrl] and [T] and the Block Transfer dialog box will be displayed. 53. Click on the option you want to use.
54. On the QMaster Configuration window, double-click on QBox Prompt Engines or click the [+] sign next to that entry. 55. Click on Scroll Controls to display the Configure Scroll Controls tab. 56. The Available Control Types lists all the scroll controls that are currently licensed for your software. 57. From the list, select the type of control you wish to use.
Two-button Serial Controller Autocue’s standard scroll control has one programmable red button, a forward/reverse button and a knurled wheel that controls the scrolling speed. Configure a Two-button Serial Controller Select your controller from the list and click Setup. On the Settings tab, you can set stop zones and button actions according to your scrolling requirements. It is also possible to change the speed at which the text moves using the Rates tab.
continuously, and is less likely to be moving backwards and forwards in a script, you may consider setting a higher Stop Point value. Red button actions To select an action for the red button, click on the arrow to the right of the field and select the required action from the displayed list.
To save the scroll rates as a profile 1. Click the Save As Profile button. 2. Enter a profile name in the Profile Name field. 3. Click OK. Once the profile is saved, you can then load it again the next time you wish to use the settings in the profile. You can do this by clicking the Load button and selecting the profile from the dialogue box. Note: It is also possible to use a profile created for an Autocue Serial Multibutton scroll controller.
The Centre Stop Mode is a setting that allows you to control the direction and speed of the scrolling text using the knurled wheel. As the wheel passes the designated stop point, the movement of the text will slow down and then change direction. To enable this feature, select the Centre Stop Mode box. Stop Point To select a Stop Point, enter a value in the Stop Point field. This is a point during the turn of the scroll wheel where scrolling stops. Values range from 0 to 63.
The scroll rate is the speed at which the script moves up the prompter screen. As the control wheel is turned, the speed of the script increases according the value specified for the distance the wheel is moved. The default values are set so that when the wheel is turned approximately halfway, the script is moving at an average reading speed. To modify scroll rates, click on the Rates tab. A list of Scroll Values and rates is displayed. Update scroll rate setting 1. Select a scroll value. 2.
ShuttleXpress The controller is designed for one-hand access to the buttons and jog/shuttle knob. The inner 'jog' control rotates through 360 degrees and provides precision forward and reverse scrolling. The outer black ring or 'shuttle' is rubberized and spring-loaded. The controller is connected via a USB port. The ShuttleXpress has five fully programmable buttons. Connect a Contour Design controller to a USB port on your computer.
2. Click More Settings to display the dialog illustrated below. 3. Select an action for the shuttle from the list in the Shuttle Wheel Action field. 4. To adjust the speed of the shuttle from the default, enter values in the seven boxes. Each box represents the desired speed at the various wheel positions. 5. Select an action for the jog control from the Jog Wheel Action list. 6. Click OK to return to the Configure Scroll Control dialog. 7.
Sensitive jog speed allows scrolling to take place at relatively high speed as soon as the jog is moved to the right. Turning the jog back to the left lets you return to the original position at relatively high speed. Normal jog speed allows scrolling at a normal speed to take place as soon as the jog is moved to the right. Turning the jog back to the left lets you return to the original position at normal speed.
2. Click Setup to display the following dialog The illustration shows the default assignment of buttons. 3. Click on a button and the action currently assigned to it is displayed in the Button Function field. Click the row at the end of the field to display the list of available functions. 4. Select an action from the list. If you want to change the functions assigned to other buttons, click on each and select an action from the list. 5. Click OK.
1. Click Setup to display the following dialog. The illustration shows the default assignment of buttons. 2. Click on a button and the action currently assigned to it is displayed in the Button Function field. 3. Click the arrow at the end of the field to display the list of available functions. 4. Select an action from the list. 5. If you want to change the functions assigned to other buttons, click on each and select an action from the list. 6. Click OK.
a multi-connector serial cable with multi-port PCI SCSI card a USB-multi-port serial convertor Attach the hardware you have for connecting multiple serial devices to your prompting system and then install any device drivers. Ensure that the device is recognised by your operating system’s device manager function. Virtual Spider Box software To use more than one serial scroll controller with QMaster you will need to have the optional Virtual Spider Box application installed and configured.
59. To add a new controller to the VSB click Add and enter the required details. 60. Each type of device you add to the Virtual Spider Box can be configured using the procedures described above. 61. If you want to modify or delete an existing serial controller associated with the VSB, click the appropriate button. 62. Select the required mode of operation. The most common mode is Active Controller Wins which means that the controller currently active has control of prompting.
Parameters set using the configuration interface will be available every time you start the QMaster software. The following sections give an overview of the parameters that can be enabled and edited to change the performance and operation of your QMaster software. Access Control If you want to restrict the actions of people using QMaster you must create a user ID for them and assign to them specific user rights. Security Add user names to the QMaster system.
Note: Automation Services are different to the separate newsroom computer system (NRCS) integration options available within QMaster. Data Converters This section explains the settings that can be used to handle the conversion of non-native files that are imported into QMaster. In the QMaster Configuration dialog, click on [+] next to Data Converters and select a file type from the options available.
Typeface Available Font Styles Typeface Available Font Styles Franklin Gothic Medium Regular, Italic Sylfaen Regular Gautami Regular Symbol Regular Impact Regular Tahoma Regular, Bold Kartika Regular Times New Roman Regular, Bold, Italic, Bold Italic Lucida Sans Unicode Regular Trebuchet MS Regular, Bold, Italic, Bold Italic Import Overrides If you have to change the character set or locales that are used when importing word files then you can change this here.
Options for text files Translate Carriage Returns to Spaces If this setting is selected carriage returns will be converted into spaces. Without this setting being selected QMaster will convert the single returns into double returns. Combine Multiple Spaces into Singles When this setting is selected large spaces within the imported text will be reduced to a single space. Strip Leading Spaces from Lines If this setting is selected spaces at the start of lines will be removed.
On opening a script file you can add presenters by selecting Properties from the file menu. Any presenters created or settings changed using this method are only available to that specific script file. By adding Presenters using the Tools >> Options >> File Based Queues method any presenters or settings changed here will apply to all QMaster files. Although there are different ways to add presenters to a script the set-up for this is the same.
Click on [+] next to the entry to expand the list of newsroom automation products with which your QMaster is licensed to work. An example is illustrated below. Note: For detailed information about configuring a newsroom integration interface, refer to the separate NRCS API guide for your particular newsroom system. QBox Prompt Engines Click on [+] next to the entry to expand the list of QMaster interfaces relating to prompting control.
Select the port you wish to connect your caption generator to from the drop down list in the Serial Port panel. Specify the Baud Rate for that connection from the drop-down list in the Baud Rate panel. In the other four panels set the parameters to define the type of “error correction” the interface will use. This allows the caption generator to continually check to make sure it is receiving valid data.
Demo Mode: Loop Forever This would rarely be used in a conference or studio situation. This command is used when demonstrating the QMaster software. When the end of a script or rundown is reached, scrolling automatically starts again from the beginning. Text/Ink colours On this tab you can specify the colour for the background of the prompt output in addition to defining five colours that can be used for text.
If your QMaster system stops performing at an optimum level, contact Autocue Technical Support to discuss the parameters that you need to set to record in the log. User Preferences Specify how your QMaster software behaves by setting the various parameters in the User Preferences configuration dialogs. User Interface The table below gives an overview of the actions of the selections you can make on this dialog.
roup Parameter Description Queue Main Window Automatically open the Queue Browser once the last Queue is closed When connected to an automated newsroom system, this command automatically opens the browser when all current rundowns and scripts have been closed. Restore Main Window Position If the main window has been resized then QMaster will remember the changed settings.
Group Parameter Description command, you can indicate which identifier you wish to use as the key. By Item Number By Item Title Rundown Editing Options Require Conformation For Single / Multi Story Delete Forces you to confirm that you wish to delete an item. Select Twice Field Editing This will allow you to edit an item name by double clicking on the item title. Prompt Tracking Parameter Description Auto Follow On Prompt Item This will force the editor to follow each item in the runorder.
Prevent replacement of selections when entering characters This will prevent you from accidentally deleting a section of highlighted text. Enable Delete Mode Ctrl-D This is used to quickly enable or disable the QMaster editor. TAB spacing Sets the number of spaces inserted when the Tab key is pressed when writing scripts.
If you have to use a specific language not currently supported, contact Technical Support to discuss your requirements. . QMaster Comple Language-UserGuide.docx 2012-10-02 55 © 2003-2011 Autocue Group Ltd.
Adjust your QBox configuration Select different QBox video settings A QBox has both composite and VGA signal outputs. Either video standard (PAL or NTSC) can be used for the composite output. A variety of resolutions can be selected when using VGA output. Note: You should choose one output only as the quality of the scroll output will be degraded due to the differences in display formats if both outputs are enabled. To alter the video output settings use the procedures outlined below.
68. If you have a composite monitor you must select either the NTSC or PAL standard for the display mode. 69. When you have selected your display mode press the Ctrl and Page Down key to display the Outputs page. 70. Press the Tab key to select OK and then the Space key or Enter key to confirm your selections. VGA output 1. Use the Tab key to move through the list and use the Space bar to select the appropriate setting. QMaster Comple Language-UserGuide.
71. If you are connecting a VGA monitor check the screen resolutions of your monitor or prompter and select the appropriate VGA setting. 72. When you have selected your display mode press the Ctrl and Page Down key to display the Outputs page. 73. Press the Tab key to select OK and then the Space key or Enter key to confirm your selections. Note: If neither output is selected a warning message will be displayed because at least one must be selected. 74. Press the Tab key to highlight OK and press Enter.
Alternative network connections to a QBox The number of QBoxes you plan to use will determine the type of connection required. If you plan to deploy a single QBox system then you can use a direct connection. If you plan to operate multiple QBoxes from a central control computer you will need to create or link to an Ethernet network. Types of connection You can indirectly link to your QBox by adding the prompting computer and QBox to an existing network.
78. Press Enter and then use the arrow keys to highlight the type of connection you wish to configure. This will be either lan0 (a wired connection) or wlan0 (a WiFi connection). 79. Press Enter to access the network configuration interface. IP address assignment After selecting the type of connection you must set the IP addresses for the various parameters of the connection. Assignment by DHCP This method is most commonly used when you attach a device to a larger established network.
82. Use the keyboard arrow keys to select the DNS Settings tab. 83. Ensure that the Automatic Configuration option is enabled. 84. Press the Tab key to highlight OK and press Enter. 85. Press F10 to return to the main configuration options. Assignment via ZeroConf Access the network connection configuration interface as outlined earlier in this section. 7. Press the keyboard arrow keys to select the IPv4 Settings page. 8.
88. Use the Tab key to highlight the IP Address field. 89. Enter the chosen IP address. Press the full stop/dot key to move to the next block of the IP address. 90. Press the Tab key to highlight the Subnet Mask field. QBox stores this value as a twodigit number. The most common Subnet Mask is 24 which corresponds to a IP address of 255.255.255.0 91. Enter the 24-Bit Subnet Mask for QBox on the network and then press the Tab key. 92.
Value IP address Value IP address Value IP address 4 240.0.0.0 15 255.254.0.0 27 255.255.255.224 5 248.0.0.0 17 255.255.128.0 28 255.255.255.240 6 252.0.0.0 18 255.255.192.0 29 255.255.255.248 7 254.0.0.0 19 255.255.224.0 30 255.255.255.252 9 255.128.0.0 20 255.255.240.0 31 255.255.255.254 10 255.192.0.0 21 255.255.248.0 32 255.255.255.255 Note: If your network uses any other address, it is likely your organisation is using advanced networking protocols.
To prevent damage in transit, QBoxes are shipped with the aerial detached. Before switching on the power to the QBox ensure the aerial is securely fastened to the socket on the front of the unit. Note: The aerial must be attached when operating a QBox. Operation of the unit without an aerial will result in damage to the wireless interface and will void your warranty.
7. Press the Tab key until the WEP Key field is highlighted and enter the required key. This is usually a string of 26 alphanumeric characters. Note: Take care when entering the key as you must enter the same key for any device that will be connected to the QBox. 8. Press the Ctrl and Page Down keys to select the IPv4 Settings tab and the DNS Settings tab. 9.
102. Use the keyboard arrow keys to access the IPv4 Settings tab. 103. Press the Tab key to select the Automatic via Zeroconf option and press the Space bar on the keyboard. 104. Use the keyboard arrow keys to select the DNS Settings tab. 105. Press the Tab key to select the DNS Disable option and press the Space bar on the keyboard. 106. Press Return on the keyboard to save your wireless network access settings. 107.
network name type of network address type channel number are the same for all devices on the network. Contact your own IT department to confirm the required details. Load scripts directly onto a QBox Script files and rundowns are automatically stored on to your QBox while it is attached to an IT network by either a cable or wireless connection. An advantage of QBox is that it can be operated in situations away from a studio environment.
110. Press the F2 button on the keyboard connected to the QBox to open the QBox On Screen Display menu. Alternatively, you can also press F1 to access the Select Data Source menu. 111. Select Load Runorder. If no keyboard is attached, use the appropriate button on a connected scroll controller. 112. Select the USB option from the list in the Select Data Source menu. If you have more than one USB device connected to your QBox, there will be additional USB Key entries in the Select Data Source menu. 113.
Select files to be prompted 1. Press the F2 button on the keyboard connected to the QBox to open the QBox On Screen Display menu. Alternatively, you can also press F1 to access the Select Data Source menu. 117. Select Load Runorder. If no keyboard is attached, use the appropriate button on a connected scroll controller. 118. Select the FTP server option from the list in the Select Data Source menu. 119. Select the required runorder folder name. 120. Press Enter and the scripts will be copied to the QBox.
Upgrading Autocue products You will need to upgrade your Autocue products, from time to time, especially when new features and enhancements are released for the software. Follow the procedures outlined below and any additional steps that are contained in the notification email or letter. After upgrading, ensure that the version numbers of your software and firmware are compatible. If you have any doubts, contact Autocue Technical Support for assistance.
Hardware upgrades If you wish to upgrade the size of your teleprompter or add functionality to a QBox contact the Autocue sales team to discuss your requirements. As all components are standard you may only need to replace the specific ones you require. Upgrade QBox licence information If at any time you need to replace your QBox license, for example if you add certain functionality, contact Technical Support to request the license file for your QBox. 1.
The QBox will check if the information is valid and then install the upgraded firmware on to your QBox. Various progress messages will be displayed. When the upgrade has completed, click OK and reboot the QBox. A warning message will be displayed if no appropriate information can be found. QMaster Comple Language-UserGuide.docx 2012-10-02 72 © 2003-2011 Autocue Group Ltd.
Latest additions This document was written for build 1997 of the QMaster for Complex Languages software, released on 02/02/2012. Any changes since that point have been referenced below. Revision history Build number Release date Changes 1997 02/02/2012 Support for the following languages; QMaster Comple Language-UserGuide.docx 2012-10-02 73 © 2003-2011 Autocue Group Ltd.
If you need to contact Autocue or QTV Support Our hardware and software support is provided by in-house teams of experienced and dedicated staff. We provide free telephone support for prompting customers during UK office hours (9am till 6pm GMT) and US office hours (9am till 5pm EST). When contacting the technical support teams, please provide as much detail as possible. Check the FAQ section of the web site to see if the answer you need has already been provided: http://www.autocue-qtv.
