On the other hand, if you’re working on a production that requires a $280 teleprompter, you likely have better things to offer than a $130 webcam, so Elgato is including two alternative backplates in the box. One is the Universal Shroud, which has a simple rectangular hole and fabric shroud, similar to the one described above. If all else fails, this backplate will allow you to use any camera that will fit inside the teleprompter.
If Elgato had just included these two it would have been enough, but they went further and included a DSLR/mirrorless backplate and eight step-up rings ranging from 48mm to 77mm. These rings attach directly to the front of your camera lens. You can then plug the rings directly into the backplate of the Prompter to block out all stray light without the need for a hood. This makes it incredibly easy to connect your camera to the Prompter.
The Prompter also comes with a platform that can be adjusted up and down to place the camera exactly where you need it. You can also bolt the camera to the platform, but in my testing, there wasn’t enough space to accommodate a larger device like a Blackmagic Cinema Camera. If you’re using a particularly bulky camera or long lens with the Prompter, you may need to create a custom rig for mounting it.
As a nice little bonus, the teleprompter has two hot shoe mounts on the top where you can attach lights, microphones, etc. This is handy if you need to build a rig around the teleprompter.
Photo: Eric Ravenscraft
Second screen needed
Teleprompters have become relatively inexpensive since manufacturers realized that many people have an iPad (or a spare phone) on hand that they can use to display a script. We recommend a teleprompter or two. Elgato is taking teleprompters in another direction by building a screen directly into it.
Once connected to your computer (Windows or Mac), this screen will be recognized as an external display like any other monitor. By default, it can mirror or extend your desktop, so you can use any app to display the script. If you want to minimize teleprompter interaction, you can also open a Google Doc and increase the text size.
