The Elgato Prompter Just Got WAY Better

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

Thinking of buying this and still have questions? Drop them below and I’ll do my best to answer!

[@gymwithhym]

Are you still having problems with the connection? I'm thinking about getting it, but I cant have something temperamental at such a high price point

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

Like I say in the video it’s definitely better than it was (pre update it was worse than 50/50 likelihood it’d connect on the first go), but it still doesn’t work every time. Another commented mentioned that the fact I have an existing external display might be affecting it but if that’s the problem, it’s still not good enough.

[@gymwithhym]

@@ThatMarkGilroy is it possible that its the usbc-usbc cable that's not fast enough?

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

I tried it with a 480Mbps cable which should be more than capable, and a standard Apple USB-C cable too. Same story.

[@gymwithhym]

@@ThatMarkGilroy thats tragic ill hold off until then. its 2024 I cant believe they still supply it with USBA and that there's no ability to buy a USBC -USBc from elgato that's guaranteed to work

[@rollonfood]

Nice video ya northern 🐒! I have this same blinking prompter and I agree the software is absolute bobbins. The first version was an absolute joke, this update seems to have fixed my biggest gripes. Not being able to use more than one script, and not being able to paste scripts in one go. Can you still not work on scripts without the prompter plugged in (offline)? I keep mine on the shelf when I'm not using it.

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

Bobbins is a word I thought about using but didn't think some of the viewers on the other side of the atlantic would understand! And yes, you can't work on scripts without the prompter plugged in. Which is a bit mad really, but doesn't massively impact my workflow as I keep/write all my scripts in Notion before pasting in when I'm ready to record.

[@janette99]

Very helpful, thank you. And I love the way you say "chunky chapter" :D

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

Glad it was helpful! 😁

[@NatGreenOnline]

I just got mine a few days ago and it paired instantly with my M1 Mac Mini. The power button seems a little strange (it doesn't seem to work 100% of the time) bit overall I'm liking the prompter so far. The scrolling is fine as is but it would be nice to have the voice auto-follow mode and some of the script formatting options you mentioned but that should be able to be added in an update... hopefully. For the price I don't think you can beat the Prompter.

[@SCN_Adventure]

Thank you for the update. I have thought about buying it but as I have been looking at it then I think it looks like it is too much plastic. I would like to be able to bring it with me and not only use it in my home office. I am looking for something which does not takes up too much space and is light weight at the sametime.

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

Look at the Parrot teleprompter. Super portable. Quite hard to come by but they’re also very cost effective.

[@1imanni1]

Thunderbolt 3 cable will fix the connectivity issue

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

YES MATE. This seems to have sorted my issue finally! Thanks for posting.

[@ItsMarkWeller]

Glad i've stumbled across your channel! Thanks for your input, have committed to purchasing! (PC user) on the black Friday sale... and ofc you've got yourself a new subscriber!

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

Thanks Mark!

[@jbrown-acuity]

I think the core issue is that it uses DisplayLink over USB instead of the industry standard DisplayPort Alternate Mode.

[@johntomasi1981]

I really appreciate your frank assessment of this thing. I've been back and forth about it and your advice has been a big help. I think I'll hold out a little longer. I'm hoping the software will get better. The connection issue is my biggest concern. The last thing I need is to fiddle with my teleprompter just as I'm about to start. Thanks again.

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

Thanks John. Seeing how they’ve resolved many of my original gripes has me optimistic for future updates. I think your approach is a good one if you already have a solution that’s working for you!

[@freeston1]

At what focal length do you start seeing the sides of the prompter? A big letdown with the Parrot is that I can't use any lens wider than 35mm on my full-frame camera.

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

I had a 35mm and it was fine. At 20mm you can see the sides. I set my camera to crop in slightly and it’s fine.

[@freeston1]

@@ThatMarkGilroy Do you have a sense of where you might start to see it? Would 24mm pass?

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

I think you’d be fine at 24mm. Difficult to know for sure as I only use prime lenses.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. I just watched both videos. A really great overview of Prompter. I bought one and it is brilliant in so many ways, but I also had huge problem getting it set up on a Mac. DisplayLink was the issue. Once I cracked that it has worked really well. I just wish there was a way to use the Camera Hub software without being plugged in to Prompter to format scripts offline.

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

Thanks James. Yes - the need to be 'tethered' again makes me think they designed this with streamers in mind and not youtube creators. If I need to be in a different place to where my laptop is using a teleprompter (outside, in a different studio, with a client etc), this suddenly becomes quite a complex set-up that is entirely dependent on your laptop battery life.

[@KarlSainte]

I just bought this with a discount, so I’m kinda worried about your issues with it with a Mac. I’m running with an M1 MacBook Pro for my set up as well. Question, are you running any other external monitors with your MacBook or just off the MacBook Pro screen itself?

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

I’m sure you’ll be fine. It works. Just not all the time! And yes, I am running an external monitor with my MBP at the same time as using this…although I’ve tested it without and it’s pretty much the same. What discount did you get?

[@KarlSainte]

@@ThatMarkGilroy code: ZZ-SCANN

[@kpagan79]

Hello. Just noticed that Elgato just released a voice “sync” product that tracks your voice and keeps it synced with the script.

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

They have! I need to try it but I’m intrigued to know how it’ll work if I’m also recording my audio to my computer at the same time. 🤔

[@DallasBell-b5p]

woah! thats amazing

[@annoholics]

I am also the owner of the prompter but I am using it with a PC. When I installed the product about a month ago I had al kinds of problems with the screen turning black or white or anything in between. Fortunately these problems are now over. Problems I still have is that you can't control the prompter with just a bluetooth controller unless you just use it as a second screen and use other software. I do have a streamdeck but I don't want to use that while presenting. Also the features of the script part of the software are very limited. It would be nice if you could just format your text so it could read things like html or pdf. It would also be very nice if you could just select a file that you made in some kind of text editor and use it. You have to copy the text in the software because I don't think there is any other way to use text files. You can also use it as a different screen so why not make it optional to overlay the text on some other software like webcam software, so you can see yourself presenting. I understand this is possible with third party software but this should be working out of the box. I will try to answer here questions that are PC related. No promises however.

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

I’m on the latest software version and I’m finding it’s completely random what scrolling speed you get. I have to set it every time. And 70 is sometimes fast, sometimes deathly slow. This product 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🙏🏻

[@FastRedPonyCar]

I'm looking for a prompter and right now the Neewer brand prompter is at the top of my list. I already have an ipad pro and I don't think I need any extra features the Elgato has so I'm curious what benefits would the extra $100 get me that I'm not considering? Not sure how much difference it makes but the Neewer model I'm looking at is a 14" version and I sit about 10~11 feet from the camera.

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

If you just want a basic promoter with a remote (which 99% of creators should use) the Newer promoter is the right call. The Elgato model is more suited to streamers.

[@smody121]

Looking forward to them implementing a voice following feature (like Workflow) in the next update. As someone who's been using this for work Zoom calls, I absolutely love it. This update not only fixed a few of the more glaring issues, but means they'll likely continue to do so.

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

A feature like that would make this an absolute must buy. My only challenge is how it would work if you’re already using your computer to record external audio whilst presenting - might be a case of too many channels.

[@lennythelawyer-live8559]

Hello, I have a problem that no one is talking about. I had 2 calls today with Elgato tech support and they could not help me. My setup is the Elgato Prompter, Facecam Pro 4K, Wavelink Software, Elgato Stream Deck Plus and I also used a Black edition of the Blue Yeti and downloaded OBS and nothing helped. My video looked terrible. It was as if I had AC running and I definitely did not. I also downloaded the Elgato plugin that is supposed to stop clipping and background noise and it did not help. The whole set up is counterintuitive and seems outdated and difficult to use. I would really appreciate and help and suggestions that you could give me. Thanks in advance.

[@elephasltd]

Brilliant device. Means you can do screen recordings while looking at the camera, do webinars while looking at your slides and the camera and I just use the teleprompter option built into word.

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

Wait. What?! A teleprompter built into Word?

[@carolurrykickinghabits]

Looking at getting this as it’s been recommended. Looking at Obspot Tiny webcam as I don’t have an expensive camera. Thoughts?

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

I haven’t tested the obspot but it looks good. If you’re thinking of going with the Elgato prompter you’d be better off with the Elgato Facecam too as it comes with an adapter that gives you an exact fit. amzn.to/4gitQeC

[@LaurieFYouTubeChef]

I did see your original video reviewing this, and I'm so glad that I just found this one. My son kept insisting that I should get it. I was so confused. I guess that I may get it and have him help me figure out the software, hahaha. :)

[@LaurieFYouTubeChef]

"Ron Burgundy" LOL Good One!

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

@@LaurieFKZbinChef LOUD NOISES

[@shockalotti]

You were justified. This week i bought the prompter. The software download gave me pkg files... For PS4? (even though i specifically downloaded windows option... Sigh). Voice activated option only works if you have a certain graphics card (or better). Camera hub sucks. Thankfully other products out there. Streamflow is probably the best alternative for windows. Overall, a good product. Won't get the most value of of it without also buying the stream deck pedal.

[@Hirokiji]

Great video mate.

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

Thanks buddy.

[@TheBiggestJesus]

Just got my Prompter. The software recognizes it ... whenever it feels like it. I'll be working on something else and it will just connect, out of the blue, which makes me blue.

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

Sounds familiar. Mac too?

[@TheBiggestJesus]

@@ThatMarkGilroy PC

[@steveperry4243]

Hi Mark, just found your channel & I really appreciate your content - honest feedback and reviews like yours are getting harder and harder to find. So thank you! Can I ask for your vote on my teleprompter purchase - I'm looking to invest in a teleprompter for language education content. I am filming with iPhone 12 and have good lights and audio. What do you reckon: 1.) Elgato prompter or 2.) bigger iPad + amazon teleprompter (neewer, glide gear, desview etc). Talking head style vids, maybe sometimes stepping back a wee bit to use white board...

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

@@steveperry4243 Thanks mate. And yep, Elgato Prompter will work nicely with iPhone. Probably cheaper too if your alternative is buying an iPad and another teleprompter. The only issue could be checking your framing but you’re probably used to that by now if you’re using it for filming already?

[@steveperry4243]

@@ThatMarkGilroy Okay thanks, I'll keep the framing in mind. How far would you say one can comfortably be away from the elgato?

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

@@steveperry4243 With an iPhone- the other side of the room. The challenge will be adjusting the typeface so you can still read it ☺️ You should also be able to get up quite close too.

[@steveperry4243]

@@ThatMarkGilroy I was actually thinking about using an ipad to get a bigger screen for reading from (compared to elgato) and for not being cabled to computer all the time and for teleprompt app that follows speech....I'm just using the iphone for filming either way for now....final vote still elgato? I'm going to place my order tonight

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

@@steveperry4243 Aha. Well that does change my view! You can probably get a decent second hand iPad with a Desview or similar and that’ll see you right. And as you say - no need to be cabled to a computer every time you need to record. As you were!

[@starting5524]

Just curious... how are you suppose to control this while not at a computer? For example my use case isn't streaming it's car reviews outside in the elements so to speak, and I need a reliable way to control stuff like scrolling speed, pausing when needed and skipping chapter without being tethered to a computer. Is this possible with the Elgato?

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

In short, no. You can't run the software without a computer connected at all times. Which is utterly mad. You'd be better off with some kind of simple setup like the Parrot or Desview + a phone or tablet running the display and a bluetooth remote to control speed/pause/skip.

[@ben2church]

Saw that 1.11 Beta now has voice sync to scroll along with your mic voice input?

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

@@ben2church 👀👀👀Is that right…..??! I’ll go check this out.

[@whyjaygold]

Looks like we need another update vid!

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

They’re putting these updates out thick and fast. I tried the voice activation feature and….OH MAN IT IS SO BAD.

[@TMTVProductionsPR]

You told me they were gonna fix it and I got mine! Loving it. 💪

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

Nice- enjoy!

[@FinanciallFreed0m]

When using this promoter. Do you see your eyes move? Is this worth the buy? I’m worried in production this will be noticeable. Any feedback would be great.

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

I’m sitting about 1-1.5m away from the prompter recording this video, with the horizontal and vertical margins dialled-in so that they’re the same size as my camera lens (you do this in the Elgato software). I don’t think you can see my eyes moving and that’s probably the best way to achieve that look. If I sat too close to the prompter and had the margins set too wide, then there would be a danger you could see my eyes moving.

[@FinanciallFreed0m]

@@ThatMarkGilroy you have now made me buy this product lol! Thank you for the reply back. Great video 🫡

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

@@FinanciallFreed0m no probs- enjoy!

[@cinestyleinc]

Pocket Cue 4K Monitor Model it included the Smartphone Front Sled and I got the Tablet Mini Front Sled, it's a super modular model and the software Prompter People includes is by far the best Prompting software I've used (You can resize the window so you can have a confidence feed up with the Prompter going) either way I'm happy I went with a Prompter brand instead of a brand that never did prompters before. I tried both models and even though the Pocket Cue is a bit more pricey it's way better overall and I can use it on Film Sets (Already have) where I just run text in it, but I mostly use it for Zoom and Google Meets with an FX3.

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

Thanks for sharing. I’ll check out the pocketcue!

[@pitzkale]

That thing with a built in monitor is $800 If Elgato adds saving scripts to camera hub and speak-to-scroll there won't be a reason to get anything else.

[@cinestyleinc]

@@pitzkale the monitor is not built in to the pocket cue it’s interchangeable to a tablet or phone.

[@pitzkale]

@@cinestyleinc there is a version with a built-in monitor. It's $800. I already have prompters for tablets and phones. I don't like having to use them as my monitor. That's why I was drawn to Elgato in the first place..

[@drsebpal]

Which teleprompter would use where you can use your iPhone as a teleprompter and the display is pretty good. I am using a sony zv-e10 with a wide angle Sony-11mm F1.8 Lens so I do not want vinegaret on the edges. I bought an elagato but will probably return because of the issues Thanks

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

Hi! I'd look at Desview - the T2 holds a phone and has a remote control geni.us/8GSqH - another good option is the padcaster by Parrot.

[@JStanhouse]

Good timing on this video, Been working on myself(loosing weight) and working on my videos(mostly editing and story telling) and today my wife said you have really bad eye contact in your videos so was looking into this. I do stream also and probably would use it for that but not primarily. You don't happen to have any advice on audio interfaces do you? (I also noticed my voice over sound is not as good as even my go pro and I think my weakness is the audio interface) Anyway love the video. (and your other one)

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

Hey Jason and thank you. I use a couple of different audio interfaces depending on where I’m recording. Check this kit page as well as my desk setup for a couple of options thatmarkgilroy.com/en-gbp/pages/vlogging

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

@JStanhouse PS I just watched your 20K steps in a day video and your presenting style is great - a teleprompter would definitely help. If not this one try looking at the Padcaster or some of the Desview options.

[@JStanhouse]

Thanks, I enjoyed the walking but putting that video together (and cutting it down to size as it was originally 15 minutes long) was a pain. I think my next video ill keep at a longer length. :)@@ThatMarkGilroy

[@frankbrock]

I really don't like that it doesn't work through a USB hub. So inconvenient that I have to use a computer port. My USB hub is high quality, too

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

Sometimes it works through mine and others it doesn’t. I’ve tried multiple hubs and cables and the results don’t seem to shift.

[@max_s557]

cheers mate great vid!

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

Glad it helped!

[@dominickbucci7697]

I can’t get that camera hub software to work with my Instalink camera and Elgato is telling me I have to use one of their cameras.

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

Urgh. That’s a horrible move by them.

[@Marlonorellana]

Speak flow? That might be the game changer for me to get this!

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

Yep- speakflow is the way. I left a link in the description!

[@pitzkale]

Also, it DOESN'T SAVE SCRIPTS. A prompter that deletes scripts when you exit the software. like, WHAT?

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

The update has solved this. The only issue on the script front is that you have to have the Prompter connected in order to work on the scripts inside the app. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@carvedouttastone]

Wish I had found your honest and excellent review before dropping 500 Australia dollars on this. All the other less honest reviews I'd watched were nothing but glowing testimonials for this overpriced milquetoast promoter

[@ThatMarkGilroy]

@@carvedouttastone Thanks mate. And sorry too!