QPro Installation and Operation Guide
Contents Latest Additions ...................................................................................................................................... 4 Revision History .................................................................................................................................. 4 Getting started ....................................................................................................................................... 5 Equipment you will need .....................
QPro User Guide HM.docx 2011-07-14 3 © 2003-2011 Autocue Group Ltd.
Latest Additions This document was written for build 2006 of the QPro 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 Build Number Build number QPro User Guide HM.docx Release Date Release date 2011-07-14 4 Changes Changes © 2003-2011 Autocue Group Ltd.
Getting started This section is designed to get your system setup as quickly as possible so that you start writing and prompting your scripts. It is written to reflect the most common combination of software and hardware that Autocue supplies to customers: QPro software with a 2-Button Serial scroll controller.
QPro User Guide HM.docx 2011-07-14 6 © 2003-2011 Autocue Group Ltd.
Your license file is stored in a folder named License on the installation CD. Press OK to proceed. The License Agreement dialogue will be displayed, read through the agreement and click on Accept the agreement checkbox and then Install to proceed The Choose Install Path dialogue box is displayed. Click OK to use the Default location, or enter a different one. Note: It is strongly recommended that you use the default location of C:\QNxt.
The prompt output from your QPro is controlled using software scroll so your computer monitor becomes your output display monitor when you begin prompting. Anything that appears on the computer screen will be also seen on any attached monitors. You may have to alter the appearance of the Windows Taskbar. Right-click on the Windows taskbar and select Properties. Ensure that the Keep the taskbar on top of other windows option is not selected. Select the Autohide the taskbar option. Click OK.
If you choose to configure a controller immediately, ensure the controller Highlight Scroll Controls and click OK. Click Add and enter a name for the controller and select Two-button Serial Controller as the type of controller from the dropdown menu. Click OK QPro User Guide HM.docx 2011-07-14 9 © 2003-2011 Autocue Group Ltd.
Select the Serial Port that the controller is connected to. Click OK on the Configure Controller window to accept the default settings for the controller. Note: If you wish to change any settings or have purchased an alternative scroll control device, refer to the section “Different ways to control scrolling” for detailed controller configuration guidance. Create and prompt scripts QPro can be used to create simple or multiple scripts, multiple scripts can be combined into rundowns.
Save your script Click the Save button or select File >> Save from the Script Editor menu bar Note: QPro has an “auto-save” function which will ask you to save your work if you have not already done so. 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.
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Make the most of your software 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. Open, import, edit and save individual scripts Using a single script is better for solo presenters.
Clear time Remain Total The time from the beginning of the rundown to the position of the cursor Read time remaining to the end of the rundown Estimated read time of the whole rundown Create a new script Follow the steps outlined below to create a new QPro script. To open a new file you can use any of the following commands select File >> New…from the menu bar click the New File button on the toolbar press the key sequence: [Alt] >> [F] >> [N] An untitled runorder will appear.
Press Enter on your keyboard to open the file for editing. Type the text of your script into the Script Editor window. Edit an existing script 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] + [S].
Search and replace 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.
Don’t lose your work QPro automatically saves your script at defined intervals. If you are working with a new script you will be prompted to save your work after approximately five minutes. The following are the alternative ways of saving your work: select File >> Save from the main menu bar or click the Save button on the toolbar press the key sequence: [Alt] >> [F] >> [S] All QPro files have a *.wsr file name extension and are saved by default to the C:\QNxt\Documents folder.
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. 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.
script. The parameters of the Format All dialog apply to the whole script. From the main menu bar of the QPro 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.
A Select Display Layout window will appear. Select Prompt Runorder File No Header and click on OK. This will remove the Script Editor Header. The RTL option refers to "Right Aligned Text" which is used for foreign languages such as Arabic. Working with runorders QPro allows you to manage more than one script via runorders. A QPro runorder is a collection of script files. Using a runorder is a way to manage and prompt multiple scripts. Editing individual scripts is doneusing the Script Editor.
Note: Autocue uses the term runorder to refer to the sequence of items in a news broadcast. Other common terms which mean the same include: running order runorder slug list queue When you create a runorder, you can then create or import multiple script files to store within it. QPro Runorder interface The QPro runorder shows a list of the stories which will be displayed on your on-camera unit monitor to be read by a presenter. The stories are prompted in the order they appear in the runorder list.
Create a new runorder Follow the steps outlined below to create a new QPro script. To open a new file you can use any of the following commands select File >> New…from the menu bar click the New File button on the toolbar press the key sequence: [Alt] >> [F] >> [N] An untitled runorder will appear. Managing scripts in a runorder After creating a new runorder you need to add one or more scripts.
Type the text of your script into the Script Editor window. Editing scripts To edit the text of a script using the Script Editor, double click on the item in the runorder. A black bar on the runorder order indicates 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 prompter's output.
Runorder or the Script Editor interfaces. Moving scripts within a runorder The stories within a runorder can be reordered very easily using the drag and drop facility in QPro. Drag- and-drop is the easiest way to move a story within a Runorder. Select the script you want to move by clicking on its title and holding down the left-hand mouse button. When the drag and drop pointer appears, move the dotted insertion point to the new location.
or deleted. Select Runorder >> Renumber Scripts from the Runorder menu bar After a runorder has been renumbered, the sequence will start at 1, 2, 3, etc. Items added after a runorder has been renumbered will be numbered incrementally from the highest value in the renumbered list. Editing within the runorder It is possible to access a variety of commands and functions from within the runorder instead of from the main menu bar.
Enter the story name in the text box and click OK. You can also access this function by selecting Script >> New... from the runorder menu bar. New Break Script... This command adds a special item to a runorder. The most common purpose is to indicate a commercial break during a broadcast so that the director can easily see which scripts are in each segment of a programme. You can also access this function by selecting Script >> New Break... from the menu bar. Import File...
Sometimes it is necessary to delete stories from your runorder. When you 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 runorder and the text will disappear from the Script Editor. You can also access this function by selecting Script >> Delete from the menu bar. Toggle Hold State Your runorder may contain a number of items that are still being written.
list can also contain their individual read rates. When you insert a defined name into your script their settings will automatically be used. The personal preferences for each person are saved as a Presenter Profile. Create global Presenter Profiles Follow the steps outlined below to create a set of parameters for individual presenters. Note: Presenter profiles that you make will only be available to use in new scripts and runorders.
Click Add to create a new Presenter profile. Enter the name of the Presenter and then select the parameters you wish to apply to all scripts written for that presenter. From the Presenters tab of the System Options interface you can also change the profile of an existing Presenter by clicking Modify or remove a particular Presenter profile by clicking Delete. After making all the additions or changes to Presenter profiles, click OK.
Note: If a presenter profile includes a specific colour, style or other setting, all the text after the point where the name is inserted will change to match the parameters of the presenter profile. Modifying or deleting Presenter profiles Follow the steps outlined below to amend or remove a particular Presenter profile. Select Tool >> Options... from the menu bar. On the System Options dialog that is displayed, click on the [+] next to File Based Queues and then click on Single-Column Defaults.
want to remove the profile, click Delete. After making your changes, click OK. Create Presenter profiles for individual runorders Follow the steps outlined below to create a set of parameters for presenters who will only be available for use in scripts of the runorder your are currently working with. Select Runorder >> Edit Presenter Table... from the main menu bar. Parameters that are not checked are fixed for all presenters.
written for that presenter. 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 Place the cursor at the point where you wish to jump to. Choose Insert >> Marker from the menu bar. A flag is inserted and displayed at the location.
Then move your cursor to where you want the block to end and add another Block Marker. Place your cursor at the position you wish to move the marked text. Press [Ctrl] and [T] and the Block Transfer dialog box will be displayed. Click on the option you want to use.
Serial Foot Controller Scrolling can also be controlled by: standard keyboard number keys standard keyboard arrow keys computer mouse Third-party devices Contour Design ShuttlePRO Contour Design ShuttleXPress Gearhead Wireless Presenter Mouse Trust Preme Laser Presenter If you use a controller from an alternative manufacturer, contact Autocue to discuss having it certified for use with our software.
From the list, select the controller you wish to use. If you wish to use the Default Controller, click OK. When you add a scroll controller for use with your software, you can configure it so that the various buttons and wheels perform specific actions. Note: You cannot configure scroll controls when you are in Prompt mode. Assigning a default controller At least one scroll control device must be defined and set as the Default Controller. This is usually done when you first start the software.
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. If your computer has one serial port, the serial port menu shows as COM1 only. To change to a different serial port from the one selected, unplug the scroll control from the serial port and plug it into another one.
The value you select depends upon your needs as an operator. If you are an operator who is likely to be moving backwards and forwards in the same script such as during a rehearsal, or is making last-minute changes, you might want to set a lower Stop Point value. On the other hand, if you are an operator that is likely to be scrolling continuously, and is less likely to be moving backwards and forwards in a script, you may consider setting a higher Stop Point value.
Select a scroll value. In the field next to the Update button, enter a new scroll rate. Click the Update button. The new scroll rate is displayed for the scroll value. To save the scroll rates as a profile Click the Save As Profile button. Enter a profile name in the Profile Name field. 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.
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. If your computer has one serial port, the serial port menu shows as COM1 only. To change to a different serial port from the one selected, unplug the scroll control from the serial port and plug it into another one. (This may require you to restart your computer.
In this menu you can configure the function for the 12 buttons of the controller. Click on a button and the action currently assigned to it is displayed in the Button Function field. Click the arrow at the end of the field to display the list of available functions. Choose a function or action for the button from the list. Note: Once a button function has been chosen, that function will not be available to assign to any other button.
Update scroll rate setting Select a scroll value. In the field next to the Update button, enter a new scroll rate. Click the Update button. The new scroll rate is displayed for the scroll value. To save the scroll rates as a profile Click the Save As Profile button. Enter a profile name in the Profile Name field. 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.
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 Shuttle controller to a USB port on your computer.
The shuttle and jog controls may have the following actions assigned to them: Scroll Previous/Next Story If you wish, you can also choose to assign no action to either control. Note: If you assign an action to one control you will not be able to assign the same one to the other control. Follow the steps outlined earlier in this section to select a controller. Click setup, click More Settings to display the dialog illustrated below.
as well as “fast-reverse” and “fast-forward” to different points of a script. The speed increments allow you to alter reading speeds, where you can set low and high values at the different speed increments. Changing speed increments is particularly useful as it allows you to synchronize your reading speed with the reading speed of the presenter. Removing your hand returns the shuttle to the centre position and stops scrolling.
assigned to the first five buttons of a multi-button controller. Header Field Prev Item Next Item Fwd/Rev Description The scroll position will reset to the beginning of the previous story The scroll position will reset to the beginning of the next story This changes the direction of the scroll.
Prev Item Next Item Fwd/Rev Rest Item Rest RO The scroll position will reset to the beginning of the previous story The scroll position will reset to the beginning of the next story This changes the direction of the scroll. The cue marker will change direction to indicate the scroll direction The scroll position will reset to the beginning of the current story The scroll position will rest to the beginning of the runorder Click Setup to display the following dialog.
Use the computer operating system to access the configuration interface of the graphics card in your computer. Ensure that you use the option to “clone” the desktop of the main computer onto the secondary display. Note: All graphics cards are different, but in general use Control Panel to open the Display configuration interface and then access the controls for your graphics card using the Advanced button found on the Settings tab. QPro User Guide HM.docx 2011-07-14 47 © 2003-2011 Autocue Group Ltd.
Alternative operating systems you may use Your QPro software will run on computers using the following operating systems: Windows XP Pro SP3 Windows Vista Special requirement. You must first download and install winhlp32.dll from the Microsoft web site http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=82148 (For legal reasons Autocue and QTV cannot distribute this with its software.) Windows 7 Special requirement: We strongly recommend disabling any of the Aero themes for the desktop Mac OS Special requirement.
the upgrade files. The files are provided via email or are made available on our FTP site. Extract the installation files from the Winzip folder and Double-click Install.exe. Click Next. The Select Setup Mode dialogue box is displayed. Click Upgrade to QPro Build XXXX. The QPro Setup dialog box is displayed confirming that you are ready to do the installation. Click OK. Messages are displayed indicating that the upgrade is in progress as the files are being copied, extracted and installed.
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.
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. QPro User Guide HM.docx 2011-07-14 51 © 2003-2011 Autocue Group Ltd.
