New Features for the Elgato Prompter!

Here's a quick rundown of the version 1.9 software update for the Elgato Prompter along with some areas I think could be improved.
•Download the Camera Hub software here:
www.elgato.com/us/en/s/downloads
•Elgato Prompter:
geni.us/elgatoprompter (B&H)
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⏱️Chapter Markers:
0:00 - Update Overview
1:18 - Power On/Off Function
2:33 - Multiple Script Support
3:40 - Voice Dictation
4:59 - Appearance & Scrolling Options
5:35 - Crosshair Overlay
7:14 - Elgato’s Prompter Software vs. Others
8:08 - Areas for Improvement
12:00 - Elgato is Listening
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Episode 401: Elgato Prompter 1.9 Software Update

[@VicariousNickGaming]

I'm happy to find another human who enjoys the color blue as much as I do lol

[@PAINFULLYHONESTTECH]

I've struggled more with Prompter and having my eyes not look like they're looking at the lens than I did when I used the Glde Gear Prompter. I'm glad they offered the overlay. I know some people were putting Xs on their Promter screens and other stuff. This is much appreciated.

[@MarkusKnapp]

The secret around 04:00 of getting the Elgato Camera Hub App to use the voice dictation was the typical macOS pop-up saying " would like to control this computer with access to the functions of the accessibility feature." (translated from German dialogue) during the first start after the update. If this does not pop up, add the Elgato Camera Hub App manually to the OS accessibility features. It's "just" the system-wide macOS dictate function - which could be also controlled via Apple keyboard/shortcut. Nevertheless, worked as a charme here, even routed via the Rodecaster Pro II connected Mic. 🎙 But as usual and regardless of this: Excellent video again, Tom. Many 🙏🏻and 🤗!

[@ElijahPark]

thanks so much for always keeping us up to date with these updates 😉

[@IsaacCarlson]

Thank you for making this video! I was going crazy with the opacity changing on the text half way through, but all of my googling on how to get rid of that was coming up short. There was no clear documentation about this "feature" either, so I was getting concerned this was just a glitch for me. Honestly I found it to be so distracting. I hope it's something that is able to be altered in settings soon.

[@bobbazley5376]

thank you Tom that was really helpful and I still have to setup my prompter but it looks like I'll be doing an immediate update :)

[@chris]

I'll consider it once they add voice tracking that's as good if not better than PromptSmart. Until then, I'm super happy with my existing iPad + Newer X12 teleprompter.

[@GuilDormeus]

It’s a massive update. Glad they made these changes. I still think they have some ways to go.

[@tombuck]

Very excited to see where they take it.

[@BrandonDoyleMN]

I did the update last night and of course didn’t bother to read the notes so this video was very helpful, thank you!

[@tombuck]

I'm usually not one to read notes either haha, so I hoped the video would be helpful 😅

[@christophrumpel]

Great updates and even better video about it 👍

[@micsteethanklemonitor]

Moving in the right direction. Thanks

[@PAINFULLYHONESTTECH]

I just clicked on the dictation button and it said to enable dictation in the keyboard settings, which I hadn't done. In the keyboard settings you can select what you want your audio source to be in the dictation settings. I assume Camera Hub will follow whatever is set as your choice there.

[@officeofdemonology]

Another great video. I am so close to picking one of these up.

[@robert_starling]

Elgato Camera Hub released update version 1.9.2 (3017) in the last few days (April 7, 2024). I've been running v 1.9.1 for the last week or so. They still have a ways to go building out this software but it's great to see them keeping it updated.

[@Mohajerhub]

Thanks Tom 🙏 It's been on my radar for a while but it doesn't seem that it still supports RTL languages. For now I will stick to my Parrot podcastor.

[@parentpj]

Thank you for your update on the update. Now if I could get my hands on one, I guess living on the southern tip of Africa does not help. But thank you for all the work you put in.

[@adrianvanleeuwen]

Great review! I am impressed that Elgato continues to update their Hub software. Lots of content creators are praising the Elegato prompter. I like the multiple script idea and crosshair function. I am still using an older prompter, but may switch in the future. I was following your wife's youtube channel and switched over to yours to see some of this new tech reviews.

[@davidwilder285]

PromptSmart has voice tracking.

[@HomesickMac]

This is being saved to my learning resources about the hardware/software I'm using. It's still my wishful thinking because I haven't bought the Prompter yet haha. But it's great to have it so nicely presented by you. I agree on the grayed out text issue, wish that was adjustable in height and the amount of shading....

[@PatrickRambles]

Thanks Tom! As much as I love this thing, it really needs voice tracking for it to become useful to me personally. Such a big omission.

[@tombuck]

The Pedal is a lifesaver!

[@PatrickRambles]

@@tombuck too many moving parts. I'm keeping my fingers crossed 🤞

[@PawFromTheBroons]

@@PatrickRamblesYour toes crossed, then?

[@Exmachinagamma]

I might get the facecam pro since i want to use my Sony A7III to shoot video. The crosshair is great to show where the lens is to look.

[@LearnAudacity]

I love this prompter! Do you use the pedal? I purchased the pedal a few days ago and it took the prompter to an even better place. I have the center pedal programmed as Play and the right and left pedals as speed up and down. Completely hands-free now. Thanks for this video!

[@itsr7studio]

Appreciate the video with detailed info about the latest update, Tom! I'm curious about the boom arm featured in this video. It looks like its a Neewer product? Maybe there's a new desk arm mount in the game worth checking out?!

[@tombuck]

Yeah it’s a Neewer one- I’m working on a low profile comparison video 👍

[@OsiasSpeaks]

Also, a quick tip for dictation especially from a Mac sometimes you have to go into the settings and make sure that your computer is allowed or the software is allowed to use dictation. This was a big problem for me for a while because I would use it for Notion and other software, and it took like three months for me to figure out also updates restarting your computer the whole 9 yards. Hope this gets you going in the right directions far as dictation, but it can't be a pain. Mine works perfectly now even with the Elgato prompter I just received my Elgato prompter and I just started playing around with it, but mines came with the new software version already installed when I downloaded it.

[@danielbleumink]

Love how your shirt and watch match the microphone 😊 You just prompted me to download the update. The crosshair overlay is going to be really handy.

[@tombuck]

It's way more useful than I expected! Definitely doesn't feel like you're eyes are lost in open ocean anymore.

[@danielbleumink]

​@@tombuckActually sold my 2nd monitor that I mainly used it for my obs screen and teams meetings. This replaced it without any problems and my DLZ XS is mounted underneath it ❤

[@gavinquinlan]

Hi Tom, total newbie here but really enjoying your content. One question, do you have any advice on the best set-up for mounting the camera, prompter and microphone for a home office (zooms, teams. etc.) set-up? I have a large widescreen monitor which I make great use of but I worry that putting the prompter and camera above it is going to look poor on video. Your advice would be welcome.

[@PaulFeinberg]

I am tempted to buy this because man this is so cool

[@tombuck]

He is a cool dud. (That’s a typo, but it’s delightfully self deprecating)

[@BrianTheCameraGuy]

This is a great tool. A little too costly for me but I love that it can be used on calls to help look people in the eye.

[@Anarchaotically]

I'm considering getting one, I saw another video where the creator mentioned they were annoyed that the text speed was too slow. Has that been an issue for you? They also mentioned how tedious making chapters were when pasting text in. Edit - would it just be possible to run other prompter software in it? I assume so because it's an external display.

[@treywillis]

yeah i love the elgato promper. so good. cool update too. one thing i wish is if we could use different colors in the text. that would be suuuuper helpful for me

[@ranyalbegwein7470]

Thanks for sharing! May I ask - does it support RTL languages?

[@davetriesthis]

The color not changing till you it OK is a max color picker issue. Been a pain in any app that uses the native picker.

[@BraapZ]

🔥Another great video, thank you. The On/Off feature I was was looking forward to for the EXACT reason you mentioned your wife likes it. I have a 3 monitors PLUS the prompter, prompter is between 2 of those screens so have to drag through the prompter to go between the 2 screens on either side of it, (M2 Max MAc Studio, OS Sonoma 14.2). Having updated, (love the crosshairs for visual of where the camera lens is), when I turn off the prompter via switch in the menu it behaves exactly as yours does in the video, screen stops displaying whats on it, can still just barely see the backlighting. My problem is it is still there as far as my "system" sees and I still have to drag my mouse "through" the prompter to go between displays on either side of the prompter, even see the cursor as it goes across the blank prompter, even though it is OFF via the Camera Hub software. Have you, your wife, or anyone else been able to get the the On/Off feature to work so that we dont have drag our mouse "through" the prompter to go between screens?

[@MikeBlissett]

Great video, Tom. As you mentioned you're using Mac OS, are you able to use the Prompter as a monitor when using Zoom? Whilst I can use it as a teleprompter, I can't get it to connect to my camera (iPhone). The software tells me to give permission in 'settings', which I have done, but it still asks, preventing me from using it on live calls. I emailed Elgato support and didn't get a reply. This is a brilliant piece of kit, though as yet, I can't use it for the reason I bought it. Any ideas?

[@kwameryan]

Hey Tom! I was able to get the dictation feature working with my prompter. When I clicked the microphone, I was directed to the settings to give accessibility permissions to the Elgato Camera Hub. Then the next time I tapped the microphone, a little blue mic appeared in my prompter chapter and I could dictate right into the prompter. There appears to be a built in microphone in the device. Hope you're able to activate it! Btw, to test it I just held my phone to the prompter and played this video! It was able to keep up with you about 90% of the time which I thought was pretty good. However of you're too far from the prompter it registers nothing, so proximity and /or volume of the dictation source is something to be aware of.

[@tombuck]

Ok that's awesome to know! I'm wondering if it's my Mac Mini, which doesn't have a built in mic. I should try on my laptop and see...

[@TDCIYB77]

Please post an update when they do ship the software with speech tracking!

[@tombuck]

I really like the prompter so it’s fun to keep track of major offered like this.

[@DerekHeck-bn4ow]

Thanks for the video Tom. Do you know if you can connect the prompter directly to an iPad Pro instead of a laptop? I am hoping to use it that was as a bit of a mobile setup.

[@tombuck]

It does require a Windows or Mac based computer.

[@TheIntentionalMillionaire]

Which camera and lens did record this video with? The video quality is very sharp! Thanks

[@tombuck]

Thank you! This was the Sony FX3 and Sony 24mm 1.4 lens 👍 I absolutely love the camera to bits. And I love the image quality of the lens, but I've had issues with the focus not working intermittently (it's an expensive lens, so just wanted to be sure to share that).

[@TheIntentionalMillionaire]

@@tombuck Thanks for sharing!

[@RodPriester]

Thanks….btw how do you like that neewer boom arm?

[@tombuck]

It’s pretty nifty! Working on a low profile comparison video 👍

[@Dodefi-Podcast]

The greyed out text feature is very hindering. Needs adjustment urgently.

[@RoldyLoxx]

This is so weird. I was super excited for the power button option, did the update, and mine does not have it. I triple checked that I was on version 1.9 but still no power switch. Very sad

[@Chashundley]

The "facecan't" pun caused me physical pain lol

[@ItsRyukin]

I only use to remember when you post a vid on Thursday. 😅😅

[@jordanbondurantRVA]

I think it would be cool if Elgato let you adjust the height of your crosshair and that in turn changes the point on the screen in which the text gets grayed out. I get that it's meant to be a reference to find your camera lens, but I think most people's eyes naturally read closer to the top. Like you said, you can't really tell you're not looking right into the camera if you look off center, but to me it would make more sense if you could adjust the crosshair to have it serve as a reference for your reading point.

[@breakoutbusinessenglish]

I use this every day for video calls on my Mac. Mostly Zoom. My problem is that "display link manager" is so buggy! It crashes at least a few times in a five hour day of meetings. Looking forward to it becoming more stable

[@tombuck]

Interesting- it's been super stable for me so far. I would definitely send some feedback to Elgato if you haven't already and maybe there can be an update in the future.

[@topofthemorningpodcast_]

A Tom buck video on a Saturday????

[@GuilDormeus]

Right?!!

[@tombuck]

😱

[@syakirmohdnazri]

hi Tom, can u share whats the mic arm you're using ? i cant find it online

[@tombuck]

It’s a Neewer low profile- video coming this week! Pretty nifty overall, to be honest.

[@hardymedia]

I've owned other teleprompters, but the Elgato Prompter wins on so many levels - especially for the price. And the fact that it's so light and compact that I can trust it hanging off a camera lens? Sweet. Software: not so much. The stand-alone Teleprompter Pro+ software running on all devices with cloud sync for scripts is runaway better and worth the price. It would be cool if Teleprompter Pro+ offered a team and/or guest version. I use the multi-OS/device capability to do last minute edits while keeping the talent/speaker in front of the camera. The scenario I'm envisioning is group writing and re-writing of scripts up to the last moment of recording.

[@GrantCrowell]

All of the features that Sir Tom of House of Buck opines for, I get them already in my PowerPrompter Pro software. If Elgato could implement those, it would seal the deal for me.

[@OsiasSpeaks]

Tom quick question, Ive adjusted the speed and font size, and horizontal and vertical margins but the speed still seems slow, I feel like I speak faster than what the prompter can scroll, even watching your videos I feel like your natural speaking speed is faster than what I have been able to adjust.. any tips for setting the speed on the Elgato prompter?

[@tombuck]

I've definitely had trouble dialing in the speed too, but for me it almost seems like it goes too fast sometimes. I usually end up sticking with the Elgato Pedal under the desk to keep it exactly where I want it.

[@normchristopherson5799]

The color of your sweatshirt looks good on you.

[@EmoryByLand]

Kraken 👊🏼👊🏼

[@rachidfinge8601]

I'm looking for foot pedal support, so I can adjust the speed of the prompter on the fly - not sure if it has it?

[@tombuck]

There are different prompter functions built into the Streamdeck software, including speed adjustments that can be added to the pedal 👍

[@mattpryor9014]

Something I wish they would change is the scroll speed. I find the max speed farrrrrrr too slow for me! Not sure if I’m doing something wrong but it practically makes the software unusable.

[@gmcwhinney]

Hey Tom, thanks for this review. Did you also find issues, like me, with the Display option? Any time I drag an app to the Prompter - using Display - just crashes it somehow & it's a mission to even retrieve that app from the Prompter.

[@tombuck]

I haven't had those issues myself on macOS Sonoma

[@gmcwhinney]

@@tombuck OK thanks for confirming. I'll keep trying things!

[@gmcwhinney]

@@tombuck For anyone reading this who has had similar issues with the previous version of Camera Hub, the new version - 1.10.0 (3053) - seems to have fixed the "crashing" problem. I'm still on Ventura, no MacOS change so it must have been the software update that solved it i.e. I can now drag whatever window I like onto the Prompter screen and it benefits from the brightness dimming feature in the Camera Hub software👍

[@TheRolyPoly]

It looks like you live in Western Washington or somewhere in the Pacific Northwest since you got some Seattle Kraken gear on and in your room.

[@tombuck]

I'm actually in Southern California near the Kraken's AHL team (The Firebirds) 👍

[@TheRolyPoly]

@@tombuck oh wow, lol! You and Heather look like y'all belong in SoCal or in the Northwest. Y'all's styles fit those two areas perfectly.

[@rogalaphotography]

Is this the beta version or the stable version? I’ve been running the beta for a few weeks now and it’s also 1.9.

[@tombuck]

This is the stable version- I haven’t been using the betas myself yet.

[@CRE8VALU]

9:45 in my “Creator Quick Start” course I teach people to use the Elgato Stream Deck pedal to start/stop and nudge the prompter up or down. Almost entirely simulates the benefits voice tracking would provide. Also.. the Stream Deck + has rotary dials that can be used to fine tune the prompter speed, or even change it organically while the script is rolling as long as your arm is slightly out of view.

[@CRE8VALU]

11:32 I believe if you turn off that crosshair overlay, the text won’t darken like that.

[@tombuck]

On mine they function independently, but maybe there’s a bug or something?

[@CRE8VALU]

@@tombuck no you're right. I just checked mine again and the darkening is still there when I turn off crosshair. I was thinking it was a new thing that occurred when I turned on that crosshair feature, but I guess I just hadn't run the script at the time to notice it. That "feature" wasn't there before I took the beta upgrade though.

[@naormeningher]

Please elgato add rtl support!!!

[@iamrishio]

Is there any reason you stopped using 2:1?

[@tombuck]

I still use it once in a while, but have been sticking with the regular aspect ratio to include a bit more in the frame. I prefer the look of 2:1 though!

[@FharishAhmedPortfolio]

🤔🤔🤔 With the amount of Turquoise in the screen nowadays.... I'm extremely surprised that you haven't gotten the infamous Tissot PRX of the same color, at this point.

[@Q8Webmaster]

Awesome review! But I am so disappointed that this update didn’t bring RTL support for Arabic Language.

[@tombuck]

This is a 1.9 update, and I’d be willing to be that a 2.0 update will be pretty significant. But like I said in the video- definitely send feedback to Elgato! They do actually listen.

[@SteveNaghavi_Vlog]

as long as it doesn't support different colors on screen it's not usable for me.

[@tombuck]

You can change the color of the text and background 👍

[@SteveNaghavi_Vlog]

@@tombuck I meant different colors within a text. For example 4 sentences in white, the next sentences in yellow and the rest in green.

[@gallo.s.chingon]

use parens for the quiet part (SMILING) hey I'm /thrilled/ to be HERE /slash for "italics" sarcasm/ CAPITALS FOR EMPHASIS slash BOLD crosshair color is a Mac UI thing. I've noticed in other apps selecting a color doesn't /change/ color UNTIL I click OK. (see how it works now?)

[@radek_balint]

This update is a real pain in the ass. The scroll speed is now not constant, but the set percentages are based on paragraph size. So I have to put everything into one. Editing in the scenario window is killing myself, the whole paragraph bounces up as soon as I put the cursor in, etc. Promter is almost unusable for me at this point. Who the hell tested this before putting it into production?

[@RIMJAM]

Me: have to rewind the video because I was distracted by the Neewer arm holding a blue NT1…😄

[@tombuck]

Oh there's a video about that on the way...

[@parva777]

No use if it can't make voice tracking

[@andreasdk]

DON'T UPDATE!!! The way the text now turns dark just above the middle basically ruins the prompter. Yes, it's good to be polite but I'm really surprised Elgato thought it was a good idea to make such a drastic change and not even making it optional or adjustable. So sorry that I updated this.

[@NinjaMonkeyguy]

I won’t purchase until there is voice tracking

[@CRE8VALU]

Elgato Stream Deck pedal gets you 85% of the way there :-)

[@DavidReadsStories]

The text going dark half-way up makes it an instant no from me. That would be incredibly annoying. I don’t always read below the half way point, if I’m chatting around something! And lack of formatting or colour in the text is a very basic requirement too, how on earth did they miss that? 🙄

[@AmerABUZAID]

do you have any Idea if it is supporting Arabic Language ?

[@tombuck]

Currently I don't think so, but it seems like a lot of people are asking for that, so maybe in a future update!

[@AmerABUZAID]

@@tombuck Thanks All The respect

[@paulm8157]

What kind of prompter is used by the White House?

[@tombuck]

They use a lot of different ones, but they're usually like these: prompterpeople.com/stagepro-presidential-teleprompter-pair-series/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkL3KrLCLhQMVAxStBh3wCA2LEAQYASABEgIANPD_BwE They don't have a camera behind them, but allow it to look like the person is making more eye contact with an audience.

[@flowenol]

It si weird that you claim that it is the best prompter software? Sorry . There are no basic features like different colour of text, lack of import .docx or other text files, underlining text. Those are basic features that are everywhere almost . C'mon.

[@tombuck]

Definitely agree those need to be added ,and I'm sure they will. But as someone who's used all kinds of prompter software for 20+ years, I can tel you this is the best overall, especially for small or solo crews.

[@ROBOTRIX_eu]