CueTimer
Windows version
Mac version
Countdown Timer Software for Conferences, Events and Broadcasting
With CueTimer it’s easy to stay on time. Create a list of timers you want to display, then use buttons and shorctuts to move forward during the show. Send the counter-monitor to anybody who needs access through the local screen-output, using NDI, or create a webpage that can be seen all over the world.
From the production of Lego Masters Norway 2021. CueTimer helped the contestants finish on time.
Photo: Michael Thunem Berglund
Requirements
Windows
- PC with 64 bit Windows 8.1 or 10
.Net 4.5.2 or later
Mac
- Mac with Mojave, Catalina or Big Sur OS.
Display the counter-windows
CueTimer has multiple options for viewing the timers on different devices.
HDMI/VGA
Connect the computer to an external monitor. With SDI/Fibre extenders the monitor can be placed far away from the computer
NDI
CueTimer has a native NDI-output using the latest NDI 5 framework. This lets you share the counter as graphics over the local LAN-network.
INTERNET
Create a webpage where the counter will be displayed. The page will scale automatically for all browser-sizes.
Web-schedule
The webpage not only lets you see the current counter. With the Schedule-page you can also see a list of future timers and their estimated start-times.
Below is a live page that is created through the CueTimer application. At first you see the current counter. If you hover over the page a button on the top right corner appears. Push this to toggle between the regular Counter page and the Schedule. If you want to see how this page looks without being embedded, go to this link.
This live page is taken from the user-interface below:
We take the Name, Start and Duration columns to create the live schedule. For this demo we put the timer running as Countup. After 24 hours it will reset. The page is live and the counter is running even after we turned off the Mac that created the webpage.
Note that the start-times are sensitive to timezones. The webpage was created in Oslo, Norway, with CET timezone, and when the page is viewed in other timezones, the start-times will change accordingly.
Controlling CueTimer
“Our goal has been to create a user-interface for a countdown-program that is as flexible, fast, and reliable as that you would expect from an audio, light or video-console.”
Getting started
The first step is to create a list of timers in the Cue List. Push the «Fire Next» button or the shortcut “Space” to start the first timer. To progress in the list, push “Fire” again, or the Cue Next button which will cue the next timer in the list.
Editing
Changing of plans is an unavoidable part of any event. With CueTimer editing is easy to do and always available in the main window. For example, to change the duration of the next timer, simply double-mouseclick or push enter on the duration-cell of that timer and change the values.
Customize the counter-monitor
You can change the size, font and placement of the countdown and optional name and message-fields. A flexible scaler lets you accommodate for different screen-sizes and finetune for picture-in-picture applications . Use “Warning” and “Overtime” templates to grab the attention of the speaker when the time is running out.
An example of countdown-style where we wanted to create a retro digital alarm-clock using the font “Digital 7 Mono”. We have also hidden the name-field that is placed on the bottom by default.
Connect to other devices
With network-commands over the LAN Network, CueTimer can communicate with other software and hardware that are used daily in a production environment.
Control with Companion
Companion lets you control different devices over the local network and with Streamdeck hardware-boxes. It is free of charge and more info can be found here. Our Companion module includes buttons for the most important commands, and it has feedback for the counter with colors that can be set from CueTimer. With our premade presets found in the Companion menu it is easy to drag and drop the buttons where you need them.
Trigger individual timers
With Companion or OSC network-commands you can start and cue specific timers in the Cue List. This lets you do things like create timers for videos played from Qlab, and make buttons in Companion that always start the same countdown.
Send OSC-messages on events
You can send OSC-messages from CueTimer when timers starts, reach warning and end. Then you can do things like triggering a video in Resolume when the countdown starts, or create a blackout in a Grandma lighting-console when the countdown ends.
Who should use CueTimer?
- Professional Audio/Video Engineers on conferences and events. The original purpose of the software is to create a countdown-monitor for a presenter on a stage.
- Broadcasting engineers for TV and streaming.
- Event Organizers and Meeting Leaders. Our software is very easy to use and not much technical knowledge is required.
Where?
- Conferences, events, seminars and meetings
- Broadcasting
- Webinars and digital events
- House of Worship
Trial version and licence
You can download the app and try it as much as you want in trial-mode. The one restriction is that it will close after 10 minutes every time you open it. To use the program without restrictions you can purchase a license from the “Store” page.