...

HiWire Prompter FAQ

HiWire successfully runs on the following operating systems

  • MacOS 13: Ventura
  • MacOS 12: Monterey
  • MacOS 11: Big Sur
  • MacOS 10.15: Catalina
  • MacOS 10.14: Mojave
  • MacOS 10.13: High Sierra
  • MacOS 10.12: Sierra
  • OS X 10.11: El Capitan

 

Not approved for macOS 14.0 Sonoma and higher until further testing is completed.
Contact for more information.

We created Shadowscript when Mac OS no longer supported MAC software not upgraded to OS X (approx. 2006) and the existing Mac teleprompting programs were no longer supported.

Eventually, as Mac OS was updated to Mojave and Catalina, Shadowscript required too many workarounds to function properly. So, we created HiWire for essentially the same reason we made Shadowscript: to produce professional-caliber teleprompting software for the current version of Mac.

Unlike Shadowscript, which was developed in a cross-platform (MAC/PC) language, HiWire is designed specifically for Mac from the ground up, making it incredibly intuitive.

Yes. You can use trackballs, contour shuttle controllers, or any hardware with mappable keys— they all work great with HiWire. And if you don’t have access to a controller, your computer keyboard can be mapped to any function in the software.

The subscription-based model lets you use the software only when needed. With some tour schedules often only spanning a few weeks, it made sense for us to shift to a monthly subscription-based model.

With a subscription, we have the flexibility to keep HiWire up-to-date with the constant flow of OS and hardware updates. This means we can support our customers better.
Each subscription is good for one computer.

No. Rather than transfer, you only need to cancel your subscription on the old computer (which can be done via email or directly on the laptop) and then just sign up for a subscription on the computer you wish to prompt from.

HiWire offers a number of unique features that you can’t find on other Mac-based teleprompter softwares. HiWire seamlessly separates catalog and setlist navigation — letting you quickly create artist or client lists with ease.

An exclusive feature to HiWire is the ability to make real-time edits using the monitor toggle button — changes to the script can either be live for the artist or replaced with another script or hidden so that the artist is not distracted.

Another great feature is A/B script switching. This comes in handy when the artist changes the setlist on the fly. Or maybe — last minute — you need to change the order of speakers for a corporate event. Using the A/B switch lets you swap scripts with ease.

Confirm that the computer that is running HiWire has access to the internet and you open the software AFTER you renew your subscription. The copy needs to get approval from the licensing database, then you can use the rest of the month whether the computer is online or not.

if on a computer that had a prior subscription please go to:

Hiwireprompter dropdown > subscription

in the pop up window hit the update status button.

HiWirePrompter Subscription Details

First make sure that when you start your computer that a desktop shows up on the external monitor BEFORE you launch HiWire. If not, then it is not a software issue and you need to recheck your cable connections and Input Source on the external monitor.

If you see a desktop on the external monitor but when you launch HiWIre your external monitor still displays the desktop.

Make sure that the MONITOR SELECTION button is not in the OFF position. HiWire saves the last setting, so if you were using the program while the computer was not connected to an external monitor it saves that setting for the next time you start up.

Don’t worry, just hit the Setting icon to the right of the Monitor button and select the external monitor. There are two default settings of 1080p and 720p, and the last monitor setting that was used with that date and time.

That is usually the selection you should select.

When selecting more than one file the edit panel on the right will keep the edit functions that have the ability to edit multiple files at once (Font, Font size, line spacing).

If you move the cursor outside of the center panel for editing you should always hit the center start button so the symbol to the left of the word turns green when you are ready to start scrolling

This assigns priority to the center panel and avoids confusion if you were making text edits and the cursor is still assigned to the editing window.

Library- List of Artists, or subgroups of artists.

Catalog – All songs by that artist.

Setlist- List of songs for that particular performance.

First, go into preferences and select the option PRESENT THE PROMPTER IN A REGULAR WINDOW INSTEAD OF FULL SCREEN. You can pick the custom dimensions here. (I usually go with 550W and 800H).

Remote Prompting 1

RESTART Hiwire and turn the Monitor selection to OFF. You will see a FULL-SCREEN button appear at the top.
Remote Prompting 2

Select the FULL-SCREEN button and a new external window with the prompter feed will appear. Drag this window to an external monitor (We recommend making the background of the external monitor BLACK). Line up the new window to the top and center.

This window can be resized to any custom dimensions and can be used split-screen in case they want another window with a video feed that needs to be displayed as well.

Don't see an answer to your question?