Networked Broadcast Teleprompter
A live teleprompter system for broadcast production that networks a talent-facing prompter directly to a slide-driving graphics rig.
The Problem
In professional live event production, the teleprompter operator and the graphics operator (driving PowerPoint) sit on different machines. Keeping the prompter script synchronized with the speaker notes embedded in the presentation file is a notoriously manual, error-prone process. Last-minute edits require updating multiple systems simultaneously.
The Constraints
The system had to operate entirely offline over a local area network (LAN) without cloud dependencies, introduce zero latency, and interface seamlessly with existing broadcast workflows.
Capabilities Utilized
- ▪Custom Software Development
- ▪Network Engineering (LAN)
- ▪Microsoft COM Integration
- ▪Broadcast Video Engineering
The Approach
We architected a dual-machine software suite. A Windows helper service runs on the graphics machine, communicating with PowerPoint via Microsoft COM to track slide position and click-triggered animations. It relays this data over a local WebSocket connection to a Mac application running the formatted prompter.
The System
Notse features real-time biderectional sync: edits made in the prompter instantly write back to the PowerPoint file. It supports build-aware rendering, pre-cached notes, dynamic prompter formatting, and slide control from the prompter operator's machine.
The Outcome
A commercial broadcast software product trusted by technical directors. It eliminated the chaotic multi-system edit scramble, allowing operators to run shows with higher confidence and total synchronization.