Teleprompter Help

[MagicCat]

Hi, I moved this post from Hardware, it received no feedback after a few weeks, thought Maybe I would have better visibility here.

Does anyone have working experience with a good prompter in the Under $1,500 Price range?.

It is time to retire our old one due to the size of the CRT. I have looked at quite a few but the one thing I have NEVER been happy with is using a mouse or arrow keys to control speed with. There is nothing worse than hearing keys click, or someone fumbling with a mouse, or a presenter mouse that wont act right. If anyone has been present when a computer controlled prompter goes amuck, then you know how bad it is when the operator starts punching the arrow keys frantically, and making a ton of noise.

I want tactile control VIA a real knob/speed controller,Reflective glass. 10 inch or better display, And, the ability to fold it all up and put it in my back pocket.

Just kidding about sticking it in my back pocket. However, Portability for field and On-Location/corporate-style use is a must, DC Power is definitely preferred over AC.

It will mainly be used on a Sub-Shoulder format/size Camera, like an HVX.

I checked out Ikan's product. It looks perfect but after downloading the software, it is arrow key/Mouse speed controlled. There is a huge jump in speed right around the marks most would normally read at. I think it could spin out of control very quickly.


Thanks Much in advance.

P.S. I never understood why all these PC prompter makers don't tap into the Com Port on most PC's and make a dedicated speed control. Or at least give the program Midi control or SOMETHING?!?. Sometimes I think they dont use or even try the products they make before releasing them.

 

[jjb]

Here an example of a teleprompter in the under $10 price range. Just for fun!

It's a still from HVX200 footage I've shot in New York City.

 

[TheDingo]

Does anyone have working experience with a good prompter in the Under $1,500 Price range?

Be prepared for compromises, as I have yet to see an affordable teleprompter that does everything.

Last Spring I needed a teleprompter for corporate office interviews. The features I was looking for were:

- Large LCD display, as many executives have poor eyesight and can't read from a display smaller than 15 inches.

- A reversing LCD display, so that NO prompter software would be required. People are most comfortable reading/controlling using the apps they are familliar with, so I wanted a prompter that could connect to the client's laptop.

- Something that would support the camera and the prompter, so that allignment and set-up would be quick and easy.

...After looking at lots of different prompters, I ended up buying the ProLine 15 teleprompter from the Prompter People, with the reversing LCD display option. Yes it's on the big side, but it does a great job. Both my client and I were very happy with the results on video.

Prompter People ProLine 15
http://www.prompterpeople.com/proline_15-17-19.php

If I had to do it again, I would probably spring for the daylight-brightness option, so that I could use it outside. I am hoping that there is a way to modify the current monitor I have so that it can be used in daylight.

One last thing, get a wireless mouse/scroll controller which can be operated by either the presenter or one of the crew. They don't make any noise, and can be used up to 60 feet from the laptop.

 

[MagicCat]

Wow! Thanks for this!!!

I remember seeing these guys many years ago at NAB, but could not remember the name. That little 12 hundred dollar 11 inch ENGprompter looks perfect for 90 percent of what we do, except, Im a little worried about outdoors. I wonder if I built a shade out of coroplast, or something light if that would help. For the shoot I have coming up, we will be shooting in several wind farms outdoors. Seeing this outdoors is a MUST. Any suggestions or input here from your experience is warmly welcomed.

Then again, I dont know why they would list this as an ENG prompter if it does not work outdoors. That would not make any sense, 70 percent of run and gun ENG/new jockey stuff is done on the street. (I did it for several years here, but decided my knees and back were worth more than the adrenaline rush all the good stories could ever bring me...


Looks like they have a hard wired controller available too.

I see the High Bright glass mentioned everywhere except pricing options in the checkout section. They List it, but, dont seem to offer it as an option for any of them??

There are some other screwy things with their site, I think they just need to update it a little.

Mucho Gratis Man!! This was a good suggestion.