BDLAutoscript Teleprompters

By Theodor Samojlov

Review contents:

Prompting: it is not only for the news Television crib Portable teleprompter ART-5 for studio and field shooting Acoustical prompter ART-9 Prompter systems from Autocue Company BDLAutoscript Teleprompters Software for TeleScreen-32 Pro teleprompters from DRS-DigiTrax Systems from Electronic Script Prompting Company Inteliprompter Software Engenius Prompting Mirror Image teleptompters Teleprompters of Stewart Instruments VSS-2 Teleprompter Color TFT LCD Teleprompting Displays and Software from Telescript Teleview Teleprompters The teleprompter of Vectorbox News system

To experts from TV area the English company BDLAutoscript is well-known. It is one of world leaders in creation of teleprompting systems which during many years are used with success by many broadcasting organizations worldwide.

The software for control of BDLAutoscript teleprompters is based on Windows standard platform, that while in service allows to use all advantages of this open program environment, including, for example, application of sets of the widespread font types, an possibility of work in a standard computer network, use of standard methods of editing of texts etc.

The software package +WinPlus+ is developed in two versions for application both as in news complexes, and broadcast studios or in conditions of TV journalism and field TV production. It is provided a possibility of use of font sets such as Truetype and Adobe for the majority of languages in the world, including the Cyrillic. Certainly, during editing the operator is provided by the possibility of change of inscription and the size of any font. It is possible to make bookmarks or to remember the text or its separate fragments for subsequent use or recurrence in the required order. As the experience shows, the bookmarks are especially frequently required in conference systems when a mode of transmission of the text sequences on the prompter could not be changed. All changes brought in the text during editing, are stood out on the teleprompter screen. The data of text volume and the time intervals assigned for its reading in required rate are reflected in special indicators. Speed of the text movement on the screen may be adjusted and precisely chosen according to features and wishes of the announcer or program presenter. The text may move on the screen both by the frame and along the lines. Emergency reservation for duplication of submission of the text on the prompter in the case, for example, if during off-the-air translation there were mechanical or technical damages of a cable or other equipment to studio is stipulated.

The software package is applied to special PCIPrompt Card which is mounted in PCI-slot of the personal computer. On an output of a card there are two outputs for composite video signal. At the customer request the text may be displayed on the screen both in black-and-white and in color (PAL standard). Control of the text movement on the screen may be carried out with the help of the hand-held or foot control panel.

Prior to the beginning of 2004 the BDLAutoscript Company was produced for use with the teleprompter both LCD and CRT monitors. However from the beginning of 2004 the company has refused from the production of CRT monitors and now offers only LCD monitors.

XBOX USB device

Besides recently, going towards to the customer wishes, BDLAutoscript offers cards of teleprompters with USB interface. For this purpose the external device XBOX USB providing attachment with PCIPrompt Card is developed. Due to the compactness, convenience and simplicity in operation such configuration of the prompter is especially successfully approached for field application.

Teleprompter with 8.4" screen

Teleprompters with the 8.4" screen on the basis of the LCD monitor is provided by durable cabinet and convenient fastening. They are the smallest prompters in the BDLAutoscript line. They can be used both for direct reading from the screen, and as a source for display to a mirror. This prompter is powered from a source with voltage 12 V, consumes 10 W and has an input of composite video signal. Screen luminance is 400 cd/m2. The device can be fixed on a tripod or on special unit of fastening. The blind (tube) of the prompter is made so, that remains outside of the lens field of vision at minimal focal length of 4.8 mm at aspect ratio 4:3 or 5.2 mm at aspect ratio 16:9.

LCD monitors of ELP series with the screen size 12" are durable, compact and light. They are equipped by composite, VGA and S-video inputs, are powered by an external 12 V source, or directly from the camera on which they are fixed for what the additional output of the camera power supply. These monitors can be applied in studio conditions, and also as replacement to CRT monitors in already available prompters. Luminance of these monitors is 300 cd, weight is 6.4 kg.

15" monitors of the same series differ from 12" only by size and weight which is 7.5 kg.

Index HB means the increased luminance of backlighting. For all monitors, except for 8.4", the weight without fixing elements, and for 8.4" — the weight in assembly with fastening unit is given.

Teleprpompters based on 12“, 15” and 20" monitors (left to right)

View to the monitor from connectors side (top) and a plate for camera and prompter mounting

All monitors, except for 6" screen, are included the circuit specially developed by the company which at absence of video signal or a signal of the text reduces or disconnects the backlighting with a view of prolongation of term of service of the monitor.

On the size of seen area 6" monitor is equivalent to 7" CRT monitor. The distance on which it is possible easy reading of the text displayed on the prompter, is in limits of 2…2.5 m.

10" LCD monitor on the size of seen area is comparable with 12" CRT monitor, and the maximal distance for reading is equal to 4 m.

In assortment of BDLAutoscript Company there are also 20" LCD monitors and teleprompters on their base.

Material is provided by Sankom-Pro Company