A Simple Teleprompter Setup for Your Webcam Videos

 

On YouTube, I received a comment asking how I set up my teleprompter for teaching videos. This is my version of a teleprompter. Cost: less than $30.

One of the challenges of using a laptop webcam for scripted videos, besides the questionable image quality, is that my eyes are noticeably looking away from the camera to read the script. 

I upgraded to a higher resolution camera several years ago, but putting it on top of my monitor takes it even further away from my eyes. 

Professional mirror teleprompters are expensive and they take up too much room in front of my desk. So here's what I did to solve the problem.

I bought a clamp-on gooseneck with a tripod mount and an inexpensive teleprompter app. I position the gooseneck in front of the monitor and place the teleprompter app on the screen directly behind my camera. 

Teleprompter pro will load any text document. I use Microsoft Word files. You can change text color, background color, scrolling speed, and text size. I also size the window so my eyes don't have to move much from side to side.

This scripting solution has been the best for the lowest cost that I've found.

The teleprompter software is Teleprompter Pro from Purple Wizard, available at the Microsoft Store. 

The clamp-on desktop USB webcam tripod is made by Smatree, and available on Amazon.com (Associates Links below)

On this computer, I use the Logitech C-615 webcam. On my other laptop, I use a Logitech C-920. Both have tripod mounts built in.