STRATFORD, Conn.—CueScript says it will be at the 2026 NAB Show with three new teleprompting innovations that “elevate flexibility, reliability, and control for broadcast, corporate and live production applications.”

CuePad
Cuescript’s CuePad app has been updated to add flexibility and portable teleprompting to iPads and iPhones, delivering the performance and reliability broadcasters expect from CueScript’s professional prompting systems. Powered by CueTALK connectivity, CuePad incorporates the same rendering technology used in CueScript V2 monitors, delivering flawless, jitter-free and frame-accurate scrolling for professional prompting environments.

Designed for portability and fast deployment, CuePad integrates easily into modern production workflows, perfect for on location, or live events. The app supports both iPad and iPhone, enabling flexible mobile prompting for productions on the go supporting compact setups on jibs, Steadicam rigs, and handheld cameras. Built-in horizontal mirror and vertical flip modes ensure correct script orientation for any teleprompter glass configuration.

With quick and easy setup and seamless integration with existing CueiT software, CuePad ensures a smooth transition and minimal disruption to any workflow for a simple, professional-grade prompting solution, the company said.

CueiT NextGen Software Release
The next generation CueiT software has been updated with a next-gen text editor built for precision, speed, and control. Designed specifically for production workflows, this latest version introduces a seamless and predictable editing environment featuring advanced cloaking, intuitive marker management, and fully integrated runorder tools—giving producers and talent complete confidence when working with complex scripts, Cuescript said.

A robust, fully reliable undo/redo system ensures every change is tracked and reversible enabling users to make quick last-second edits or manage large-scale script revisions, bringing a new level of confidence and flexibility to live production environments.

Above-Hood Talent Monitor Mount
CueScript’s Above-Hood Talent Monitor Mount provides a simple and secure way to add a second talent monitor directly above the prompter hood. Designed for seamless integration into an existing CueScript setup, it enhances visibility for additional on-set talent without impacting camera alignment or workflow.

Compatible with CueScript 22- and 24-inch talent monitors, this solution is ideal for multi-presenter environments, interviews, and broadcast applications where flexibility and clarity are key, according to the company.

"At CueScript, our goal is to empower talent, engineers and production teams with tools that are intuitive, reliable, and adaptable," said Michael Accardi, president at CueScript. "These three new solutions demonstrate our commitment to modern broadcast workflows, whether it’s mobile prompting, advanced script management, or enhanced visibility for on-air talent. We are delighted to introduce them at NAB."

Cuescript will be in Booth C4720 during the 2026 NAB Show, which takes place in Las Vegas, April 18-22.

ARLINGTON, Texas—The University of Texas at Arlington is a prestigious research, teaching and public service institution whose mission is the advancement of knowledge and the pursuit of excellence. Our 41,000 students engage in in-person and online coursework supported by real-world experiences throughout our academic, internship and research programs. The Department of Communication at UTA offers a broadcast major where students learn to craft stories that engage and inform.

I’m not only an alumnus of UTA, having earned a master’s degree in communication and media studies, I also joined the faculty in 2008. I have since been developing a bilingual broadcast journalism program that, to this day, has a 100% graduation and job placement rate. I work with Hispanic students under the umbrella of the Hispanic Media Initiative (HMI), a program focusing exclusively on the advancement of Hispanic media Education, journalism, and research.

As a broadcast specialist in the department, I enjoy researching new and emerging media technologies that affect journalism and content-driven industries. My responsibilities at UTA include teaching TV production, broadcast news and making recommendations to ensure our state-of-the-art broadcast environments mirror workflows and systems used by the media industry.

News Production
Our television studio is used to produce Arlington Sentinel News (ASN) and Arlington Sentinel News en Español (ASNE). Given that we work closely with the NBC, Telemundo, Univision, and CBS 11 stations in the Dallas-Fort Worth market, we can’t compromise on the quality of our content and production equipment. We also produce corporate, sports, and entertainment shows, all of which use CueScript for teleprompting as part of our control room converged spaces.

Our studio is powered by Ross Video live production technologies; our Ross Inception News content management system works in concert with CueScript to teleprompt rundowns and bring stories to life. Given CueScript’s ease of integration, students don’t have to worry about how to send content to the teleprompter as it automatically and seamlessly syncs content in real time.

We discovered CueScript in 2014 through a strong recommendation from our systems integrator, Digital Resources Incorporated (DRI). We were looking for a robust prompting system that could be synced and operated directly with Inception News from a dedicated production station. CueScript fit the bill perfectly on both counts.

We focused on having a system that seamlessly integrates with Inception News. We’re able to simply add it to the workflow through IP and content is pushed directly to CueScript. Operationally, one of my favorite features is the prompter’s peripheral wheel, which gives the student control over prompting speed and story lines. This is only amplified by the user-friendly graphic interface.

Plug and Play
Training was minimal—it mainly consisted of configuring the prompter to the operators’ preferences, such as color, aspect ratio, and use of peripherals. The interface made it so straightforward, like plug-and-play or set-it-and-forget-it. It’s a very simple and reliable product. CueScript has everything ready to go.

CueScript is known for their service, and they don’t disappoint. They are consistent and they give us the confidence we need to focus on other projects that require more time and attention. The overall experience has been very positive, and we intend to expand the system going forward.

We’re considering including CueScript pedals and handheld devices, and we’re also looking into SayiT, their voice-activated feature that scrolls text in synchronization with speech, both in English and Spanish.

More information is available at www.cuescript.tv.

WICHITA, Kan.–ABC affiliate KAKE Television, owned by Lockwood Broadcast Group, went on-air in 1954 from a facility here in Wichita, Kan. The station serves as the flagship of KAKEland Television Network (KTN) which comprises eight stations that relay ABC shows and other programming provided by KAKE. Central to our success is our popular locally produced newscasts that reach homes across central and western Kansas and stretch as far as counties in Colorado and Oklahoma.  

This year marks a milestone for KAKE as we celebrate our 70th anniversary by launching a totally redesigned state-of-the-art studio. We wanted only the very latest cutting-edge technology to provide our viewers with a superior visual experience. The project included an updated camera system, new LED lighting and an advanced motion graphics package. We also knew that this major upgrade had to include the very latest and most reliable teleprompter technology available. 

New Studio, New Tech
As corporate chief engineer of the Lockwood Broadcast Television Stations Group, I oversee growth initiatives for the group and am involved in all technical operations.  As such, I was determined that each equipment choice represented the latest technologies, met our requirements, and was interoperable. 

I was introduced to CueScript at several industry events and came to know the company as a forward-thinking organization.  Michael Accardi, CueScript’s founder and president, was a terrific ambassador for the brand, always available and always paying close attention to our requirements and priorities. I knew both support and performance would be top notch.

IP-Based Teleprompters
We installed six IP-based CueScript teleprompters which are a combination of the hardware framework, and the software that run the scripts. We use Juniper switchers in the studio that are connected by fiber to our Juniper core IP infrastructure. Connectivity is only as good as the network and using IP connectivity made setup fast and easy.

The actual installation was also a breeze and very intuitive. KAKE Chief Engineer Mark Jenkins— who was on set daily—said the process was effortless and the smoothest part of the installation. The prompters pointed at our MOS system, connected, and started pulling scripts immediately. We didn’t need any real training either, just a short remote session and we were up and running.

CueScript prompters offer a choice of handheld remotes or very sturdy foot pedals. So far, our talent seems to prefer the remotes, but it’s nice to have the choice. Looking forward, if we have a need to increase our prompter family, I will call CueScript. 

More information is available at www.cuescript.tv/

At the 2023 IBC Show, Sept. 15-18 in Amsterdam, CueScript will showcase a range of tools to help broadcasters more easily produce content in the field.

The company will demo its newest product CueTALK Cloud, which is designed to allow CueScripts’ prompting software CueiT- and CueTALK-enabled devices, which feature the latest in IP connectivity, to communicate over WiFi. It allows controllers and prompt devices to be accessible via the cloud using standard public internet connection. It is also designed to align CueiT to be more user-friendly and easily set up between local and remote applications.

 CueTALK Cloud serves as a VPN replacement solution and brings an enhanced level of flexibility to users working on remote locations. By doing so, this allows for accurate teleprompting anywhere there is an Internet connection and is great for prompting on-the-go, the company said.

CueScript will also highlight SayiT, its first voice-activated solution for its CueiT prompting software. SayiT software application receives a talent microphone input and allows those using the CueiT teleprompting software to be able to have the script automatically scroll in accordance to what they are saying, matching what is displayed on the output of the teleprompter and eliminating the need to manually scroll the prompter script. SayiT can also be used as a main or back-up option for stations with no or few operators, or for stations looking to automate talent scrolling their own script. 

OnTime, a WiFi enabled clock device that can be easily configured to the local time zone, will also be highlighted at its booth. Designed for broadcast teams that require an accurate timing device on the road—especially for those that are traveling to multiple locations—OnTime provides NTP to clocks and is connected via WiFi.

“CueTALK Cloud, SayiT and OnTime are all designed to provide ease of operation for broadcasters across multiple production applications and workflows,” says Michael Accardi, President, CueScript. “By employing these solutions, broadcast teams can work smarter with more reliability, anywhere in the world. CueScript is dedicated to delivering state-of-the-art prompting for in-studio and remote broadcasting workflows.”

CueScript will be in Stand 11.D10. To register for IBC, visit show.ibc.org/registration

LAS VEGAS—CueScript has announced that it will be showing a custom teleprompter solution designed specifically for the Sony Electronics’ FR7 PTZ Camera at NAB 2023 (Booth C4421).

Available in four different models, CueScript’s custom FR7 PTZ prompting solution consists of the monitor, hood and mounting software. Models include the CSV2P19FR7 (19-inch CSMV2 On-Camera Prompter System), CSV2P17FR7 (17-inch CSMV2 On-Camera Prompter System) as well as the EMCP17FR7 (17-inch EMC On-Camera Prompter System) and the EMCP15FR7 (15-inch EMC On-Camera Prompter System). 

“The FR7 is unique from other PTZ cameras in that it features a full-frame cinema sensor and interchangeable lenses,” says Michael Accardi, president, CueScript. “Our existing PTZ prompting solutions would not have worked for this camera since the form factor of this PTZ is so unique. We designed a custom prompting solution that ensures that the camera is in the ideal position for capture, gives customers access to the interchangeable lens and also provides a reliable, high-quality teleprompter.”

CueScripts’ monitors range from the higher-end CSV2 monitor line, which is ideal for broadcasting applications and larger studios. With the same CueScript principles of style, quality and ease of setup, the EMC line offers a simplified middle market monitor that is commonly used at smaller stations and in vertical markets such as education. Both monitor lines come in various sizes to fit a range of use cases.

“We designed a range of prompt solutions for the FR7 to provide options for our customers, in terms of the monitor itself as well as the size of monitor that is preferred,” adds Accardi. “Regardless of the application, presenters will notice a difference with CueScript’s prompters due to the high-resolution LED screens, high contrast ratio and super smooth scrolling from CueScript’s CueiT software.”

SEATTLE—The COVID-19 pandemic has forced TV stations to re-assess and re-invent many elements of the production chain as well as the tools they use to deliver the news and forcing news anchors to set a good example by socially distancing and working from home. Teleprompters were among those important elements that did not go untouched.

Demand for more systems increased as soon as the pandemic broke in mid-March, according to Chris O’Brien, president of Telescript International. “We got calls from some of the networks that were familiar with our equipment and they said ‘we need to get stuff so we can anchor from all over. Can you get us as many systems as possible?’“

‘CONTACT-FREE’

After the initial scramble, O’Brien and his staff immediately noticed problems with remote anchoring. “We saw the quality wasn’t that good,” he said. “So we asked ourselves, ‘how do we get this good for prompting? How do we get it good for production?”

But it wasn’t just the news stations that had issues. For corporate clients using prompters to communicate to their associates, the scripts may contain proprietary secrets, so a certain amount of security was needed, he added.

Using existing web technologies along with Telescript’s hardware and software, “we created this whole system we call ‘Contact Free Recording with Prompting,’” dubbed “CFR,” he said. Not only does CFR provide high quality prompting, it enables a high quality video and audio recording of the camera output so that later repackaging of the content can edit from the best quality source material.

The CFR kit is designed for non-technical users, O’Brien added. “All the talent has to do is connect to the internet. Once that happens, the prompter operator—or it could be a video technician, whoever it might be—can actually take full control and get that back to the station.” 

NETWORK PROMPTING

According to John Veenstra, president and chief engineer for Tekskil Industries, prompting solves only one part of the information puzzle inherent in remote anchoring. “The loneliest people on TV are the guys in front of the camera,” he said. “Everybody on a show knows what’s going on except them. So any help you can give them is huge.”

In 2019, the Vancouver, B.C.-based company introduced the network-based “Floor Manager” that includes a prompter for a PTZ camera, talent monitor, three different digital clocks, three levels of tally, and camera ID. Finally there’s “ad hoc messaging,” where text messages can be sent to the anchor.

Currently very little “true network prompting,” exists, Veenstra said. “Some vendors will tell you they’re doing network prompting, but what they’re doing is sending the video down the CAT cable,” he said. “They’re streaming the video down the CAT cable. That’s not network prompting. Network prompting is when you send the data down the cable, and then you compose the video on the prompter monitor itself.”

The kit was developed to “support the talent on the other end,” Veenstra said. “We’ve integrated the platform with the PTZ cameras as well. We’ve got a product called ‘the hub’ that sits on a server or a laptop, or a desktop, whatever you want. And the application can control all of that stuff, including the Floor Manager.”

NO VIDEO, JUST TEXT PLEASE

Vitec Production Solutions, parent company of long-time prompter providers Autoscript and Autocue, also received some panicked phone calls asking about remote prompting during the early days of the lockdown, according to Aaron Brady, technical sales manager.

“We had engineers who needed to get prompters in the field that day,” he said. “Often they would look to have a solution later that week, but we were able to deliver it that same day. That was a shock to many an engineer.”

Several years ago Autoscript updated its WinPlus-IP software to include an iPad interface license.

“That allows us to prompt directly to an iPad,” he said. “We’re not going to be streaming video, we’re just sending text to the iPad, and the iPad generates its own video,” he said. “The specific advantage there is that we don’t have to wait for all the bits to arrive and be assembled into an image.”

Three versions of iPad mounting configurations are provided by Autocue and include the camera plate and the iPad mounting hardware itself, Brady said.

“The most common deployment is one that allows you to read straight off the iPad, with the camera mounted just below the monitor,” he said. “The other two are through-the-glass configuration, with beam splitter glass, so the talent can be looking directly into the camera while they’re reading the iPad. We have them for both small camera deployments, and for full-sized ENG camera deployments. Most people are going in with small camera deployments or PTZ cameras.”

QUALITY, EVEN FROM A BASEMENT

Cuescript President Michael Accardi said he never thought he’d be selling teleprompters for use in anchors’ basements, but that’s been a big part of their business right now.

“With social separation, you still need a prompter,” he said. “The funny part is you’d think they’re going to put a cheap prompter in the house. Well, just because you’re in somebody’s house it doesn’t mean the anchor’s eyes are going to get any better. In some cases you can go smaller because the distances are shorter, but you still need a decent quality unit that has the brightness, the contrast and scrolling smoothness to it.”

In hindsight, Cuescript’s introduction of its CueTALK network prompting system at the 2019 IBC Show proved timely, providing seamless operation through standard CAT5/6 IT infrastructure.

“A lot of people didn’t know that they already had that capability with our equipment. CueTALK, which provides IP capability, was something we had already added to the standard product line,” Accardi said. “So that was really a winner for us.”

He added that, with the company’s CueMe tablet application, users can take an iPad and preview their scripts. “You can be anywhere you want and you’re getting the rundown from the studio, they’re constantly updating, letting the talent keep fresh and ready for what’s about to happen.”

PAN-TILT-ZOOM

JT Meidl, owner of Mirror Image Teleprompters, said his company saw a little uptick in small prompter sales for anchoring from home. “But to be honest, the bulk of people went cheap and didn’t put a mirror in front of it, just a camera clipped on top of a monitor. It hasn’t been a super big influence.” Overall prompter sales started off well in 2020, he said, until school budgets got slashed.

One of Mirror Image’s most popular sellers is the PT-160 OS, a camera prompter specifically designed for the new all-in-one robotic pan-tilt-zoom cameras manufactured by Sony, Panasonic and others. HD wide-angle glass beam splitter mirror allows for maximum camera movement. “People who try them really like them.” Meidl said.

Home, however, is not always where the news reports originate. One variant from anchoring from the house is a show anchored from a van parked on the street each morning. The talent hops out of his Washington, D.C. home and into the van complete with background, lighting, camera and audio, cellular modem for connectivity and of course a prompter.

If and when COVID-19 eventually gets tamed, there’s little thought that anchoring from home will disappear along with it. People are getting too used to it.

WATERTOWN, Mass.—One of the biggest stages in broadcast TV is a political debate. While the candidates do their best to make a good impression on voters, the equipment behind the scenes must perform flawlessly. When our ECS Video Systems team rolled into Manchester, N.H., for the Democratic debates taking place just days before the state’s Presidential primary in February, we relied on teleprompter displays from CueScript to keep everyone on script.

ECS Video Systems, a Boston-area-based video equipment rental company specializing in teleprompter gear, was contracted by ABC News to provide prompter support for their production of the primary debates, as well as additional coverage of the debates for “Good Morning America,” “ABC Live” and “World News Tonight.” The broadcasts occurred in two venues, including a skating rink that was turned into a very large studio for the debate, among other broadcasts.

INCREASED DEMAND

We were contracted by ABC several weeks in advance, but it became evident as the requirements evolved, and as other requests for gear during the primary came in, that we would need more equipment to fill all the order. The customer service I received from Michael Accardi and CueScript was great. We were on the phone Tuesday and I had six very large boxes couriered to our office on Thursday, ready for us to transport to New Hampshire the next day.

Across the venues, our team installed six displays, using a combination of 17-inch (CMS17) and 19-inch (CMS19) LED high-bright HD-SDI displays. Each display had an output of 1,500 nits, so we were confident these high bright prompters would give us exactly what we needed in terms of readability, clarity and brightness.

The displays also worked well with the different support equipment used on the broadcast, and their rigidity allowed for wobble-free movement. It also helped that these displays set up relatively easily thanks to most pieces being able to be assembled by only using a slotted screwdriver. Finally, the monitors are equipped with multiple input options from composite through HDMI and SDI; for the New Hampshire primary debate, both composite and SDI were utilized.

The CueScript displays handled intro and outros during the debate, as well as text for the moderators and anchors. When someone has a prompter that is bright, crisp and clear, they are more comfortable, they present better and the event can flow more smoothly.

The bottom line is the equipment has to simply work in a live production environment, and that was the case with the New Hampshire primary debate’s use of CueScript displays.

Eric Silverstein is the president of ECS Video Systems Inc., in Watertown, Mass., just outside Boston. ECS Video has been renting teleprompter gear to the corporate, broadcast and staging communities for more than 30 years. Eric can be reached at erics@ecsvideosystems.com.

For more information, visit www.cuescript.tv or call 203-763-4030.

GREENVILLE, S.C.—Last February WHNS-TV, the Fox Network affiliate covering upstate South Carolina and western North Carolina, upgraded its newsroom automation system, added all new robotically controlled cameras and PTZ heads and as well as a new graphics package that, in total, has our newscasts looking great on-air.

Our parent company, Meredith Local Media Group, has been testing and deploying production automation and robotics since 2007. Like most Meredith stations we’ve installed Grass Valley automated production systems which precisely control Grass Valley LDK C82 Compact Première HD (switchable 720p/1080i) “box style” PTZ cameras on Telemetrics PT-LP-S5 PTZ robotically controlled camera heads with CueScript TelePrompters attached. We’ve got five in the news studio and one in our newsroom for unique on-air reporting assignments from the journalists’ desks.

The best thing about the combined system is that it allows our directors (one person runs the entire newscast from a Grass Valley Ignite GUI and a Telemetrics camera control panel) to get creative and store the settings they like most for later (and fast) recall. We have two directors to handle our morning shows and two for our afternoon and evening shows. We also do two shows on the weekend.

Each director first sets up their desired camera shots with the Telemetrics RCCP-1 control panel and then imports those settings into Ignite to use during the show. The control panel features a color touchscreen that allows users to preview what the shots look like before we use them. This makes it easy to set shots and immediately get ready for the next newscast coming up.

The Telemetrics PTZ heads are mounted on stationary Miller tripods, which give us nice steady and smooth pans, tilts and framing every time. Each PT-LPS5 camera head features an integrated pan/tilt unit equipped with servomotors for maximum accuracy in positioning and velocity. The precise operational specifications of the heads—including a pan/tilt velocity of 0.01–90 degrees per second, a stop accuracy of 0.005 degrees and a feedback accuracy of 0.000375 degrees—make it ideal for the type of shots we do on a daily basis. And we’re constantly trying new things with them.

We also love the Telemetrics RCCP-1’s touchscreen for controlling the PT-LP-S5 PTZ heads. We used to have to help run the newsroom camera, but now it can be controlled all from a single control panel.

The system is so easy to use that we’ve been able to add more news programming without increasing spending—a big plus for a station like ours. It’s allowed us to focus on the creative aspects of a newscast (shot framing, more graphics, etc.) and not worry about the technology. We also have better control of what’s happening with the cameras, audio, lights, graphics, etc., before and during a newscast. Anyone who has worked in news understands that’s a big advantage. News is not always predictable, so the system you use should be able to handle anything that comes its way. We feel like the Grass Valley Ignite and Telemetrics PT-LP-S5 PTZ camera heads (and related control panel) are the perfect complement for us.

Bob Munyon is director of engineering at Fox affiliate WHNS-TV. He can be reached atbob.munyon@foxcarolina.com.

For more information on Telemetrics, please visitwww.telemetricsinc.comor call 201-848-9818.

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SEATTLE—Dating back to the 1960s, teleprompters have been must-have equipment for newscasts as well as politicians, even as the early models were Rube Goldberg-ish contraptions that scrolled typewritten scrolls just off the camera lens. Later, scripts rode a conveyor belt in front of chintzy black and white cameras, with the script displayed on CRT monitors that appeared in front of the camera lens through use of half-silvered mirrors. Computer-rendered text later replaced the scrolling paper scripts, and that’s where things have been for 40 or so years.

That’s not to say that nothing’s changed in prompting. There are a number of technology changes currently going on, with more just around the corner.

TIGHT SPACES

Michael Accardi, president of CueScript, said he’s seeing a number of news studios needing to work in tight spaces. That’s creating a lot of interest in his company’s PTZ prompter. “What we thought would be a small usage prompter has become outstanding for us.”

The trick to the PTZ prompter is getting the camera inside the hood, which allows proper positioning of the lens. “Being able to pan 90 degrees with a PTZ, being small enough to get it close to a wall in a newsroom, or for use in an office space; they get into places where people normally couldn’t get a prompter,” he said.

Accardi said studios are also considering IP-based prompters as part of an overall migration to an IP infrastructure. “We started doing IP from day-one, when we introduced our software in 2014,” he said. “Our approach has always been that you can go IP end to end, at all cost, if you so wish. But we don’t force it on you.”

CueScript’s prompter monitors, video boxes and controllers have IP network jacks on them, but the monitors and video boxes have SDI and composite inputs, and the controllers also provide USB and CAN bus (Controller Area Network) ports. “You get to pick and choose what you want,” Accardi said. “We don’t dictate to you.” But when the customer wants to go to IP, it’s there waiting to be implemented.

GETTING RID OF THE BOX

Robin Brown, prompting product manager for Autoscript and Autocue, said he’s also finding customer interest in IP prompting. In response the company launched their IP range in 2017, which gives customers the option to go between an IP and standard baseband video workflow.

“We understand that customers are still apprehensive or nervous about doing a complete switchover [to IP], so we provide a solution that has both different variances,” he said. “But the rate of uptake to an IP workflow does seem to be growing quite rapidly.”

Brown pointed to one of the big advantages to an IP prompting infrastructure: “The basic element is that it reduces the amount of hardware that you require,” he said. “Traditionally you would have a box that produces composite video or HDI video, which is connected to your PC via a USB cable or serial cable, or however it’s connected.”

IP can eliminate that box. “We’re not sending video over IP, decompressing video and then recompressing it,” Brown said. “We’re just sending data, and the rendering is done by the PC that is inside the monitor itself. It means that we’re sending tiny bits of data. Even if you have a relatively slow internet speed, you can send data. It also means that those on-camera prompter screens can be anywhere.”

BRIDGING STANDARDS

Mike Burdick, sales manager at Mirror Image in Oshkosh, Wis., said that as prompter users have been updating the PCs that drive their prompting systems, they’re finding those PCs don’t have analog VGA ports, but digital HDMI ports instead. It’s part of an overall studio infrastructure trend.

“As the majority of cameras and studios are being upgraded and updated, or built from scratch, they are going to more of the digital formats that are sweeping through the industry right now,” Burdick said. “At the larger studios, SDI is common with the cameras, so it’s easy to kind of loop everything together through camera and feed the teleprompter.”

As customers upgrade their prompting monitors, they aren’t always ready to move to digital, according to Burdick. “Everything from our lower entry-level equipment, up to the full-sized studio equipment that utilize a monitor from 12-inch to 19-inch size has both HDMI and SDI as well as the more traditional VGA and composite inputs,” he said. “We’ve just had a handful of our customers in the past month here that have upgraded just the monitor on their older teleprompters so they could retrofit into the new studio.” When they do upgrade their prompting PCs, it’s just a matter of changing out the cabling.

SMART[PHONE] PROMPTING

Josh Apter, founder and CEO of Padcaster in New York, said that while his company’s DSLR-compatible smartphone-based prompter is convenient for professional production use, his company originally discovered a large market for a sub-$100 Parrot Prompter in schools.

“There were so many schools doing student broadcasts, morning announcements and things, and they were using a piece of paper that had them looking off to the side, or looking down at something,” he said. “That obviously works, but when you give them something like our prompter that’s so easy to use, it changes the entire thing.”

Instead of something bulky and hard to configure, the Parrot Prompter is a bundled kit which easily screws onto the lens threading, allowing the user to attach a smartphone to the assembly.

The Parrot Teleprompter includes Bluetooth remote and comes with 12 different-sized mounting rings comprising the most common lens diameters, 37mm–82mm, as well as a cleaning kit.

In the works is a Parrot prompter that doesn’t require lens threads for mounting.

SANTA MONICA, CA.—Santa Monica College has added JVC GY-HM890 ProHD cameras in its production studio at its new Center for Media and Design, JVC announced today.

Three GY-MH890 cameras are paired with JVC FS-790 ProHD fiber optic system modules connected directly to the camera bodies via 68-pin connectors. The cameras are mounted on Cartoni pedestals and outfitted with CueScript prompters.

The cameras are being used to teach multicamera production, said Gail Fetzer, an associate professor at the college. Students produce talk shows, music videos and other content that is shared on YouTube and Facebook.

The college first purchased JVC cameras seven years ago for its flypack production system. Later, it added GY-HM650 ProHD cameras for students to use while gathering news in the field. Selecting the GY-HM890 cameras for the studio, the college was able to keep the same user interface, said Brad Lemonds, media coordinator for Media Production.

Video production from the new facility, which is modeled after the production facilities of the Big West Conference, began in January. “We wanted to emulate their systems,” said Lemonds.” We’re trying to provide close to ESPN quality.”

LAS VEGAS--At the 2018 NAB Show, CueScript announced that its teleprompting systems now offer a choice of connectivity, including IP, and wired and wireless scroll controls.

Users can now connect their desk, hand and foot controllers by USB locally to the computer, by Ethernet within the network infrastructure, or by CAN bus using standard coaxial cable, resulting in greater flexibility across the product range.

CueScript offers four IP-capable controls, including the CSSC desktop scroll control, and CSSCW wireless hand-held scroll control, which gives users freedom of movement while maintaining prompter control.

The CSFSC foot scroll control, which can be used standing or seated, gives users control over the speed that the text will roll. And, the CSFSCW wireless version of the CueScript CSFSC foot control can be used when presenting from multiple positions or where a cable-free floor space is preferred.

Both the wireless hand and foot scroll controls have a 915 MHz version for the USA and an 868 MHz version for ROW, with no channel crossover, interference, or limit to the number of units that can be used within a facility.

SURREY, ENGLAND—After making its debut at the 2017 NAB Show, CueScript will take its new IP-enabled CSM LED monitors across the pond to IBC 2017.

These new monitors are capable of being integrated into an IP workflow but can also work with HD-SDI and Composite video inputs for use with CueScript’s IP-enabled prompting system. The monitors are available in 15-inch, 17-inch and 19-inch sizes.

The IP-enabled prompting system runs on CueiT prompting software with flexibility, ease of use and a shareware style to be loaded onto laptops and PCs. The CueB engine offers connection via Ethernet or USB and the connectivity of scroll controllers that can also be connected over IP. The CueB produces a true HD-SDI prompting signal, as well as a composite video signal. Multiple CueB’s can run independently or simultaneously and can be rack mounted in the C.A.R or anywhere in a studio complex.

CueScript will show the CSM LED monitors and IP-enabled prompting at booth 12.F41 during IBC 2017.

STRATFORD, CONN.—CueScript has a pair of new prompting products that will be prominently displayed in its NAB Show booth, a new mounting system that works with PTZ cameras and an IP-based prompting system.

PTZ mount

The design of the new mounting system for PTZ cameras allows PTZ cameras to be mounted upside down in the top of a specially designed prompter hood. With an option for a 15-inch to 19-inch LED display system, this mounting system allows for greater movement for PTZ cameras.

In addition, CueScript will be showing its CueiT IP-based prompting system as well as the CueB engine that offers connection via Ethernet or USB and the connectivity of scroll controllers that can be connected over IP. The CueB produces a true HD-SDI prompting signal and composite video signal; multiple units can be run independently or simultaneously. True HD-SDI video outputs are provided on the CueB and intputs/output on its CSM Monitor range as standard.

These systems will all be located at CueScript’s booth (C10618) during the 2017 NAB Show in Las Vegas.

FAIRFIELD, CONN.—Lyndon State College recently upgraded its Vermont Center for Community Journalism broadcast facility to digital HD production. As part of the upgrade, Lyndon brought in CueScript’s EMC17 17-inch teleprompter monitors and CSTM19 19-inch prompter talent monitors.

The VCCJ is a student-operated production facility, where students can learn and train in different aspects of news production. The EMC17 and CSTM are designed for educational and corporate purposes.

In addition to the CueScript products, Lyndon also equipped the VCCJ with two new Ikegami HC-HD300 cameras, which the EMC and CSTM monitors are attached to.

FAIRFIELD, CONN.—Professional prompting developer CueScript has announced that it will showcase its new CSHCM Collapsible Hood and CSTM24 24-inch Talent Monitor at CCW 2015.

CSTM24

The CSHCM Collapsible Hood is a full-sized lightweight hood that is able to fold without removing the glass for full protection and quick set up. CueScript launched the hood at IBC 2015.

The company will also have its CSTM24 24-inch Talent Monitor on display. It features a high bright LED screen with integrated mounting rails, low energy consumption, two-way picture orientation, looping video output, and HD-SDI in and out.

CCW 2015 and SATCON will take place Nov. 11-12 at the Javits Convention Center in New York. CueScript will be located at booth 993.

SURREY, ENGLAND—CueScript has announced that it will bring a pair of its latest prompter related products to IBC 2015, the Mole Foot Control and the CueScript Collapsible Hood.

Mole Foot Control

The Mole Foot Control is an Ethernet-based unit with CAN Bus connectivity that enables to use the Mole Foot Control anywhere without no specialized cabling required. The system is designed to sit under a desk or at the presenter’s feet.

The CueScript Collapsible Hood, which premiere back at NAB 2015, is a full-sized hood that is able to fold flat without removing the glass. This allows the prompter to be fully protected and quick to set-up.

CueScript will also display the CueB, a USB Ethernet-based external prompting hub that connects to PC or Mac, enabling activation of the CueiT software and allowing additional desktop, foot and wireless controls to be added to the CueScript system. CueScript’s prompting units, including the CSM LED prompters and CSTM talent monitors, will also be on hand.

IBC 2015 takes place from Sept. 11-15 in Amsterdam. CueScript will be located at booth 11.F45.