Broadcast Beat Magazine 2017 NAB Show NY/SMPTE Special Edition | Page 36

cant amount of intelligence built
into state-of-the-art prompt-
ing monitors. This intelligence
allows prompting monitors to
be identified on the IP network
and controlled both locally and
remotely by a single operator
from a centralized location. The
operator can access multiple
prompters and determine, at a
glance, whether each is func-
tioning correctly. Such a setup
also ensures seamless upload
of new scripts from the pro-
duction facility’s in-house news-
room system for output on the
operator’s chosen monitors. control signals over an IP net-
work to the prompting monitor
to manage script, speed, and
other attributes, whether the
monitor is located down the hall
or across the globe.
With built-in intelligent scroll
technology, each monitor can
render the script image locally
from small unicast data pack-
ets sent from the prompting
software. In this manner, the
prompting system can avoid
sending video over IP and side-
step the drawbacks that go with
it, including lack of bandwidth,
latency issues, and synchroniza-
tion errors. With much less data
sent over the IP network, all of
the monitors can remain in con-
stant communication with the
master application to ensure
reliable synchronization and
easier operation. Reduced Cabling for
Improved Productivity
Enhanced Efficiencies
As we’ve mentioned, the
prompting solution should con-
nect to the studio IP network to
allow a single operator to con-
trol the system locally or from
anywhere in the world. (This
configuration allows, for exam-
ple, an operator in New York
to control a prompter in New
York and then, from the same
workstation, begin operating
a prompter in Los Angeles.)
The prompting system can send
For the first time in the his-
tory of prompting, an IP-based
workflow makes such capabili-
ties possible with speed and
accuracy. It’s easy to see how IP
prompting might help reduce
crew costs across locations and
also serve as a backup for stu-
dios in different regions of the
world.
Using on-camera monitors with
built-in intelligence, an IP-based
prompting system can allow all
elements to be connected with
off-the-shelf Ethernet (Cat-5/6)
cable. Because just one stan-
dard of cable is required, the
prompting system can be easily
and efficiently integrated with
other equipment.
should integrate key IP technol-
ogies tightly into the prompt-
ing infrastructure. One such
technology is Network Time
Protocol (NTP), a networking
protocol for clock synchroniza-
tion between computer systems
over packet-switched IP net-
works. Within a standard work-
flow, prompter clocks require
additional time code genera-
tors and networks to produce
linear time code (LTC) or verti-
cal interval time code (VITC).
By utilizing NTP, the prompting
system can allow all devices on
the network to be accurately
synced both locally and glob-
ally — and keep cabling require-
ments to a minimum.
Flexibility, Ease of Use,
and Reliability
In addition, Power over Ethernet
(PoE) can play a key role by
removing the need for addi-
tional power supplies to drive
devices such as desktop hand
controllers and foot controllers.
Large production facilities can
route hand controller signals
dedicated to each individual
prompting monitor through
an Ethernet switch with a PoE
injector. At the same time, inde-
pendent prompter operators
can use a scroll engine with PoE
to provide