Autocue QBox User Guide - Manual (Page 67)

QBox Installation & Operation Guide
Issue #: 090924 ©2003-2009 Autocue Group Ltd 59 www.autocue-qtv.com
A
PPENDIX
C:
Time Synchronisation
When operating more than one computing devices that are linked it is
advisable to have them all refer to the same time. This is important
where, for example, a news show takes place in different studios
across the globe.
C.1: Time signals
QBox and QMaster can obtain a time signal from either a network time protocol (NTP) server or
from the Time Synchronisation application from Autocue.
It is essential that you use a time signal to ensure that your devices are correctly and accurately
synchronised.
One machine must be designated as the time signal source and all other machines set to refer to
that time signal.
When you configure your QBox you should choose either the NTP or Time Synchronisation
Daemon buttons.
It is recommended that you use the NTP option only if you are connecting to an existing IT network
which already has a nominated NTP source defined for it.
Default settings for QBox. When shipped, Autocue QBoxes are configured to have no
NTP time sources and the Time Synchronisation Daemon is set to Automatic Network Discovery.
This enables you to simply connect a QBox to a network or computer and it will find the best time
source available and synchronise to it. Time source computers should have Bonjour software, or
a similar application, installed.
C.1.1: Operational scenarios requiring synchronisation
There are different synchronisation options depending on how and where you are installing your
QBox.
In addition to the scenarios outlined below there are more complex arrangements of computing
hardware that can be set up. If you feel that how you are networking your devices is not covered
by the ones listed, contact the Support at Autocue.
Adding a QBox to an existing network with NTP. If your organisation has a well
established and configured IT network it is likely that you will have a NTP time source available.
For detailed information about configuring NTP settings, refer to section C.4. Contact your own IT
department to obtain details of the required IP addresses and related settings for the time source.