What Does a Teleprompter Look Like? 3 Common Setups
Identify camera-mounted, presidential and on-screen teleprompters. See where the screen, glass and camera sit and what the speaker can read.
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A camera-mounted teleprompter usually looks like a dark hood with angled glass in front of the lens and a screen below it. A presidential setup has glass panels on tall stands beside a lectern. A software-only prompter looks like large scrolling text on a phone, tablet or computer display.
What does a camera-mounted rig look like?
From the side, look for the display, angled reflective panel and camera behind it. The hood reduces unwanted light around the lens. From the speaker’s position, the words appear in the glass; the camera records through the panel. Actual shapes and mounting systems vary.
Autocue’s component definitions distinguish glass, screen and controls. Some products, such as Elgato Prompter, have a built-in screen; others use a separate phone or tablet.
What are the panels beside a podium?
A presidential-style prompter usually has two glass panels on adjustable stands near the lectern. A monitor at the base of each stand reflects words toward the presenter. The pair lets the speaker address different parts of the audience with the same prepared text.
Autocue explains the conference arrangement. The audience may see the panels and stands; the reflection’s visibility depends on the viewing angle and setup. A live room sees hardware that may be outside a camera’s frame.
What does the presenter see?
With glass, the speaker reads a reflection of the script. With a nearby screen, they read the text directly. A confidence monitor might show slides, notes or a timer, so seeing a screen on stage does not mean someone is reading a full speech.
A glass teleprompter puts the words in front of the camera lens. A script on a laptop sits near the webcam, so the reader looks slightly away from the lens. Both can work for video, depending on the screen position and reading distance.
What does a browser prompter look like?
LilPrompter shows your script, scrolling controls and saved script tabs. You record with a separate camera or app. Use the browser software guide for more on its features, or read how a teleprompter works to see how the screen, glass and camera fit together.
Frequently asked questions
Can the audience see the hardware?
Often, yes. People in the room may see the glass panels, stands or screen. In a video, the equipment may sit outside the shot.
Does every rig use a tablet?
No. Some have a built-in display and others use a separate phone or tablet. Check the actual design and requirements.