Autocue, leading provider of newsroom automation and teleprompting solutions, unveiled at NAB its QSmart newsroom system which has been created specifically to meet the needs of the small market broadcaster and other next-generation applications. The latest addition to the highly successful QSeries newsroom and broadcast automation platform, QSmart encapsulates the expertise and functionality of its world-class lineage while making it cost-effective for a wider range of stations and broadcasters.
The QSmart module is a software bundle that provides an optimised version of Autocue’s QSeries database, ten user licenses, script archive, wire server, Autocue prompting software, and optional integrated device control for a character generator. In addition, on-site installation, configuration and training are included in the product package. Autocue can also provide a turnkey QSmart system, pre-configured on a PC server and delivered fully operational to the customer.
QSmart goes beyond full-scale newsroom functionality by providing a robust, expandable and cost-efficient solution to small broadcasters. The QSmart bundle is priced to match the broadcast station’s market size and is thus affordable to even the smallest broadcasters. The cost can be spread over a nine-month period further reducing the financial impact. The value of QSmart is perfectly complemented by Autocue’s new range of Professional Series prompters, which provide cost-effective prompting solutions for a variety of scenarios.
The introduction of QSmart is just one of several significant QSeries announcements for NAB, which together increase the flexibility and availability of modules across the product line. The revolutionary and award-winning QScript, the script mark-up and workflow application, is now available in a new configuration featuring additional functionality. Enhanced features to be demonstrated at the show include a new MOS-compatible interface and the display of additional automation information. To introduce this updated software, QScript will be available at a special show price for the duration of NAB, and for orders received before the end of May. The application has already been demonstrated to generate a return on investment within a year, and this special offer will further decrease the time needed to achieve those cost-savings.
QNet, the QSeries networked scripting and production scheduling application is well-proven in the most demanding production environments, and the functionality of this module has now been extended to meet the specific needs of non-news, and even non-broadcast, applications. A scaleable and flexible system, QNet is equally at home providing a multi-user prompter solution, a script-preparation application or production system for a complex live show. Autocue has made QNet more accessible to the end customer by making it, for the first time, available for off-the-shelf purchase and self-installation, supported as always by Autocue’s highly respected customer service. QNet remains equally appropriate for larger, more complex installations where a greater degree of configuration is required, such as religious, corporate and educational broadcasters who require a complete solution comprising scripting, prompting, captions and video, but do not want the newsroom functionality.
Finally, the core QNews application continues to add useful tools and functionality. Among other new features, QNews is now MOS compliant, supporting MOS plug-ins (ActiveX controls) from other vendors and providing a MOS Gateway to supply script, rundown and automation information to third-party systems. This new compatibility makes QNews even more essential to newsrooms around the world.
“It is very exciting to be launching a new product aimed at a new market at this show,” said Neil Hutchins, CTO, Autocue Group Ltd. “QSmart builds on the success of the existing QSeries components and will place the proven reliability and functionality firmly within reach of a new range of users. It is also significant that the QScript and QNet products continue to expand – they are both unique applications in their own areas, and their continued development will make them invaluable to an even wider range of customers.”