Britain’s Independent Television News (ITN), the provider of TV news to Britain’s commercial terrestrial channels, has chosen BDL-Autoscript ControlNet for control of presenters’ teleprompters.
ITN moved to a single wire BDL control system, as it needed a method of allowing any one of three studios to work with any one of three galleries. ControlNet was installed between the main three studios and the adjacent galleries with a control matrix between them.
Each Gallery has its own prompter and hand controller, allowing local script downloads and emergency control, while each studio floor has single wire controllers for prompter speed and control.
Remote switching of the matrix allows the foot and hand controllers to attach to an individual gallery prompter, reverse prompt video is then fed back through the matrix to the relevant floor.
By using the routing matrix and the ControlNet Solution, ITN has made substantial savings on prompt operator and equipment costs.
Paul Flook, Head of Engineering Broadcast, ITN, said: “The hand and foot control gives the presenter complete control of the teleprompter. The ability to switch the control signal in sympathy with the prompt video was a significant advantage. We are pleased at the way the system interacts with each studio and may continue to convert our other studios, although there are no immediate plans to do so.”