Fairfax Public Access
Countdown Timer How-to Guide v.1.2022
Copies of various equipment manuals are available online at (https://www.fcac.org/equipment-user-manuals)
Using the Countdown Timer In each control room, the Utility and Teleprompter PC’s both have the same Countdown Timer program. Click the “New Timer” icon on the desktop to launch the program. In a typical production, the Technical Director can display this source in the studio set talent monitors. Please note that this timer is different from the widget timer available on the Cue iT teleprompter software program. Refer to the Teleprompter How-To Guide to learn more about that option.
Fig. 1 Times Tab •
From the Times Tab users can change the Start, Warning and Auto/Pause presentation times
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Use the keyboard numbers or mouse to change the times
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Click the Set Start icon to confirm the changes
Fig. 2 Colours Tab From the Colours Tab users can change the font and/or background colors used on the timer(s) or text messages that be displayed. Recommendations: A white color font against a dark background stands out well, but users can change this to match their own preference. When you “Pause” you can make the color of the timer change. When the time Expires (the talent goes over their time limit) it helps to change the timer color to red past that point. This helps the user track how long the segment went over. Changing the font color also catches the eye of the talent so they know they have gone over and need to wrap-up. The Timer has lots of customization to play with.
Fig. 3 Options Tab Consider the following recommendations when using the Timer options. ● Countdown T to T minus ● Add or remove borders in the clock ● From the Sound tab, users can add sound but note that we generally do not recommend this. You do not want to get any unwanted sounds in your recording ● From the Message tab, users can add messages. This helps to share cues with the talent
Fig. 4 Message Tab ● When you type a message, the text is up for a specific period of time (the default is 10 seconds), however this can be changed to 30 seconds. Even if you have a Floor Director, including this information in the talent monitor can further help your talent ● When you need to add a message for the talent, select a different color from the one being used in the timer(s) ● When you add a message and click send, it will remove the timer and change to the message. Once done it will revert back to the timer ● When operating the teleprompter, once the Technical Director gives the cut cue, hit “Pause” on the timer ● When the recording resumes, click “Run” to resume the timer