You asked, so I’m delivering a solution 🙂
My setup of a teleprompter that can also be used in video calls has been well-received by some of you. Unfortunately, not all of you are Mac users, but sometimes you’re also working with Windows devices. Therefore, here’s a solution approach for the same scenario, but for Windows hardware.
What Remains the Same?
Some things remain the same, even with Windows. You need a teleprompter that you can mount on a tripod. And you need a camera that you can use as a webcam.
In my setup, I use a model from Glidegear. I ordered it directly from the USA, and the shipping worked without any problems. As a tripod, I use a BeFree from Manfrotto with a video head.
For the camera, I use a Sony ZV-1. It has the advantage that you can easily connect it to a Mac or PC via USB and then use it directly as a webcam. The camera is also powered through the USB cable.
The Sony delivers an excellent image, has perfect autofocus, and performs well in low light. Of course, you can also use any other webcam that fits into the teleprompter.
The Issue with the iPad
The first, biggest problem on Windows is using an iPad as an external monitor. And what can we say: it’s a dead end. So let’s forget about the iPad.
Let’s just use a normal external monitor. It just needs to be compact enough to fit into the teleprompter. And it must have a mirroring function so that the video image can be permanently rotated.
Typically, control monitors from the photography sector meet exactly these requirements. For example, the Lilliput A8S, which can be ordered in Switzerland, for instance, here. There are also larger models. However, the resolution of the small monitor is so good that you can work well with it.
By the way, I’ve tried this part, and it works. Both with Windows and on Mac – as an alternative to the iPad.
So I place the Lilliput monitor in the teleprompter, power it, and connect it to my PC via HDMI. There, I configure it as an external monitor. On the Lilliput itself, I can set a permanent mirroring of the video image in the menu.
Now I have everything: the webcam delivers the image to the PC. In Zoom and Co., I select the cam as the video source. I then move the Zoom window to the external screen and thus have it in the teleprompter.
Now for the Script
The rolling script is still missing. We’re looking for software with which I can capture a script and have it run in a transparent window in the teleprompter. Without having tested it, I think the app “Teleprompter Pro” from the Microsoft AppStore provides everything desired:
https://www.microsoft.com/de-de/p/teleprompter-pro/9wzdncrfjss3?activetab=pivot:overviewtab#
In the app, I enter my script and also place the scroll window on the external monitor. Now I have both Zoom and my script in the teleprompter and can look people in the eyes.
