Limited budget

Eric Pontbriand · May 10th, 2006, 01:54 PM

I need a teleprompter and I'm on a limited budget. There must be something out there for less than $1,000 that's good, bright, works like a standard teleprompter. Any sugguestions?

Craig Chartier · May 10th, 2006, 09:40 PM

inside yes. outside no. The transmission ratio of this type of glass and the need to have a very bright LCD monitor make these things very pricey for outdoor use. THere is a very good one for use with any handheld PC that clamps onto the lens I think it is well under 1,000 if you own the handheld device.

Richard Fox · May 11th, 2006, 12:11 AM

I've been using one for the last 3 years. It is one of the best purchases I've ever made.
http://www.ezprompter.com/

Eric Pontbriand · May 11th, 2006, 04:46 AM

I've gotta say, EZ prompter looks good. Seems that's using mirrors and piece of paper to reflect, yes?

I think I'd like that idea because it's quick and wouldn't require a laptop out on all the shoots. Plus it seems you'd be able to see that in daylight better.

Cal Johnson · May 12th, 2006, 10:19 AM

That EZ prompter looks like a good idea. However, if you're using a single sheet of paper, you've to be careful if its a longer read and you need it to be one continuous shot. If you try to put a lot of text on one sheet, you'll need to be closer to the talent so that they can read it. But if you get too close, you're going to see their eyes moving side to side as they read.
I did a shoot where the CEO of the company was doing a spiel, and we used BIG cue cards held just below the camera. It worked really well. Again, I made sure that the cue cards were large enough so I could be set back from the talent, so you don't notice his eyes moving side to side.
The laptop option for the EZ prompter looks good, or you can always hire a prompter, which will come with an operator.

Mike Rinkunas · May 12th, 2006, 10:25 AM

Eric,

I've used the DV-9 prompter from prompter people - I paid $800 for the unit, which i considered a steal since i can use the LCD screen as a seperate monitor, and it included text reversing software.

http://www.prompterpeople.com/minidetail.htm

I know their prices will be going up in the near future
~Mike

May 10th, 2006, 01:54 PM	#1
Eric Pontbriand Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Watertown, CT Posts: 29	Limited budget - which teleprompter? I need a teleprompter and I'm on a limited budget. There must be something out there for less than $1,000 that's good, bright, works like a standard teleprompter. Any sugguestions?

May 11th, 2006, 12:11 AM	#3
Richard Fox New Boot Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: san diego, ca Posts: 10	Check out the EZ Prompter I've been using one for the last 3 years. It is one of the best purchases I've ever made. http://www.ezprompter.com/

May 11th, 2006, 04:46 AM	#4
Eric Pontbriand Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Watertown, CT Posts: 29	EZ prompter I've gotta say, EZ prompter looks good. Seems that's using mirrors and piece of paper to reflect, yes? I think I'd like that idea because it's quick and wouldn't require a laptop out on all the shoots. Plus it seems you'd be able to see that in daylight better.

May 10th, 2006, 09:40 PM	#2
Craig Chartier DVi Contributor Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 374	inside yes. outside no. The transmission ratio of this type of glass and the need to have a very bright LCD monitor make these things very pricey for outdoor use. THere is a very good one for use with any handheld PC that clamps onto the lens I think it is well under 1,000 if you own the handheld device.

May 12th, 2006, 10:19 AM	#5
Cal Johnson Major Player Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 180	That EZ prompter looks like a good idea. However, if you're using a single sheet of paper, you've to be careful if its a longer read and you need it to be one continuous shot. If you try to put a lot of text on one sheet, you'll need to be closer to the talent so that they can read it. But if you get too close, you're going to see their eyes moving side to side as they read. I did a shoot where the CEO of the company was doing a spiel, and we used BIG cue cards held just below the camera. It worked really well. Again, I made sure that the cue cards were large enough so I could be set back from the talent, so you don't notice his eyes moving side to side. The laptop option for the EZ prompter looks good, or you can always hire a prompter, which will come with an operator.

May 12th, 2006, 10:25 AM	#6
Mike Rinkunas Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Allentown, PA Posts: 134	Eric, I've used the DV-9 prompter from prompter people - I paid $800 for the unit, which i considered a steal since i can use the LCD screen as a seperate monitor, and it included text reversing software. http://www.prompterpeople.com/minidetail.htm I know their prices will be going up in the near future ~Mike