Autocue QBox User Guide - Manual (Page 14)

Section 2: QMaster Application Architecture
QMaster and QBox operational scenarios
Studio deployments QBox
Installation & Operation
Guide
Issue #: 090924 ©2003-2009 Autocue Group Ltd 6 www.autocue-qtv.com
QBox is particularly suitable for use in the field because:
• the crew does not have to carry a heavy computer. All data can be placed on
portable devices such as a mobile phone, PDA or USB memory device.
• less equipment allows shooting to take place in relatively inaccessible
locations, such as a war torn city or a jungle.
• wireless connectivity allows input and control devices to be moved around to
different physical locations.
• fewer crew are required. It is possible to have a crew limited to just a
cameraman and a presenter thus reducing operational costs.
2.1.1: Studio deployments
Common studio architecture provides a more static setup where components are often fixed
permanently to one camera and are less likely to be moved around or swapped to alternative
positions. An existing LAN network infrastructure is often already established.
QMaster and QBox co-located. In a simple studio deployment, the computer running
the QMaster software is physically positioned with a QBox, scroll control device and a prompt
display unit. An operator has direct control of the script editing and prompt output.
QMaster and QBox in the same building. The ability to network computers and
QBoxes provides resilience ensuring that broadcasts are not interrupted. QBoxes can be
connected to primary and secondary computers so that if one computer fails, control of scrolling
is automatically transferred to a backup computer.
The QMaster computer can be located away from the studio and the QBox.
Scrolling can be controlled either directly by the QMaster operator or remotely by the presenter in
the studio.
Using an Internet connection allows QMaster, a QBox and prompt display unit to be physically
located almost anywhere in the world.
Multi-head prompting. Multi-head prompting provides the ability for one presenter to
independently review parts of a script while another presenter is live on air reading from the same
script. For example, in a distributed news broadcast the presenters in the main studio, a business
journalist situated in a small studio at the stock exchange and a weather presenter at a remote
exterior location could each have a separate QBox with the same rundown stored on it. While the
newsreader is reading the news items, the sports presenter or weatherperson could scroll ahead
to their part of the bulletin to check what is to be read. Either the presenter or the QMaster operator