By blueball2 
A Seamless Script-Reading Solution for YouTube Recordings
My YouTube video scripts tend to be quite detailed. I craft them meticulously, aiming to deliver my lines exactly as written, which is why I prefer using a teleprompter to keep my script in view without breaking eye contact. After considering various options, I’ve found the Elgato Prompter to be significantly more user-friendly than its competitors.
Elgato is renowned for its streaming equipment and accessories, and I’ve had positive experiences with their hardware. I was eager to test the Prompter, which is designed to integrate seamlessly with the Elgato ecosystem, including the Elgato Facecam (sold separately). However, you can use your own camera, as the company provides the necessary accessories for this purpose.
The Prompter essentially functions as an external display connected to your PC via USB-C, featuring a two-way angled mirror and a rear platform to support your camera. This platform offers numerous adjustment points to align your camera perfectly for the ideal eyeline.
No Closed Ecosystem Often, when companies create a suite of products designed to work together, it can limit compatibility with third-party devices. However, the Elgato Prompter defies this trend.
It is designed to work with the Elgato Facecam using a custom backplate. Teleprompters operate by reflecting light onto a two-way mirror with the camera positioned behind it. The challenge is that any light from behind the mirror will pass through, obscuring the reflection. Most teleprompters solve this with a small curtain to block external light. If you’re using the Facecam, the included backplate is perfectly shaped to prevent light leakage without the need for a bulky curtain.
For productions requiring a more expensive teleprompter, you might already own a higher-quality webcam than a $130 model. Elgato caters to this by including alternative backplates. One is a universal shroud with a simple rectangular hole and fabric cover. If needed, this backplate can accommodate any camera that fits within the teleprompter.
Beyond these, Elgato goes further by including a DSLR/mirrorless backplate and eight step-up rings ranging from 48 mm to 77 mm. These rings attach to your camera lens and slot into the Prompter’s backplate, blocking out any stray light without a hood. This feature greatly simplifies connecting my cameras to the prompter.
The Prompter also features an adjustable platform for precise camera alignment and can be secured to the platform. However, it may not be spacious enough for larger devices like Blackmagic’s cinema cameras. For bulky cameras or long lenses, a custom rig may be necessary.
As an added benefit, the Prompter has two hot-shoe mounts on top, allowing you to attach lights or a microphone, which is useful when building a rig around the prompter.
The Essential Second Screen Teleprompters became more affordable when manufacturers realized many people could use their iPads or spare phones to display scripts. Elgato takes a different approach by including a built-in screen.
When connected to a computer, this screen functions as an external display, mirroring or extending your desktop, and can be used with any app to display your script. You can even open a Google Doc and increase the text size for minimal teleprompter setup.
The Elgato Camera Hub software includes a powerful tool that easily converts any text document into a formatted scrolling script. You can copy text into the app, and it will create slides separated by paragraphs, which you can navigate with ease. You can also adjust font size, line spacing, and use an optional overlay with a small blue target to maintain focus on the camera lens, preventing the eye drift that can reveal script reading.
While I’ve used several teleprompter apps, this one, while not the most feature-rich—it would be nice to import scripts from Google Docs or Word—it is robust enough for full-time use.
The Stream Deck mobile app allows control of the Prompter without a laptop, with the Android version being subscription-based at $3 per month, while iOS offers six free buttons for control.
The Elgato Prompter may not be the cheapest option, but it’s not significantly more expensive than competitors. It outperforms other budget teleprompters with its crisp built-in screen, versatile software compatibility, ample mounting options, and additional features like step-up rings and hot-shoe mounts, making it a simple addition to any setup. If you’ve been disappointed with other teleprompters, this one is a worthy investment.