By Mark J. Pescatore, September 25, 2003
If you haven't gone shopping for prompters in a few years, you might be surprised at your options. Heavy CRT monitors have been replaced by lightweight flat panels, laptops can be easily integrated into many prompter systems, and some prompters stay bright even on a sunny afternoon shoot. Here's a look at some of the options out there for you:
Listec Video
"There's only so much you can do with a CRT monitor because of the size and the weight," explains Joanne Camarda, president of Listec Video. Fortunately, flat panel, LCD technology has brought flexibility to a number of prompting systems.
The LCD-900 Presto Image Reverser is a module designed to turn any off-the-shelf flat-panel monitor into a prompter, which can then be used with Listec's on-camera prompter hardware. The Spectra-Light ST-2056 is a small, 6-inch LCD prompter system for location shoots.
Also, the ST-2015SA is a new standalone LCD prompter that will mount in a standard tripod. Camarda says it's ideal for shoots where a tripod can't take the weight of a prompter system-just position the unit on its own tripod in front of the camera lens and it's ready to go. Finally, a new monitor return system from Listec will allow users to have a duplicate monitor underneath the prompter system, which can be used to show live video or any other desired feed.
Camarda emphasizes the importance of the text. "Readability-that's always first and foremost," she says. There's no set formula for determining size of the font or distance from the talent; it's all about the comfort of the reader.
Listec, www.listec.com
Telescript
"We're not a glamorous part of the business, but we're an important part of the business," stresses John McGrath, managing director of Telescript. He was particularly excited about NAB2003, because his company introduced several new products at the show, including the DV-8, a lightweight system specifically designed for DV camcorders.
While Telescript has found success with DV-based prompters in the past, McGrath says the prompters used to cost as much as the camcorder. For NAB2003, the company re-engineered its new prompter to weigh less than five pounds, collapse to fit into a laptop computer-sized case, and costs about half the price. The Telescript DV-8 uses an 8.4-inch LCD screen, and its plate and rod system accommodates either a prompter or a matte box. "It looks sexy, more or less," offers McGrath. "That's hard to say about a teleprompter."
Telescript, www.telescript.com
Audio Video Design
Of course, you can still purchase CRT-based prompting systems, notes Shawn McDermott, CEO of Audio Video Design
. "It's all budget driven more than anything else. A CRT is going to weigh three or four times as much, but they're not going to be as bright and they're not going to be in color."
At NAB2003, Audio Video Design, which manufactures most of its own LCD screens, rolled out its AV-15CA, featuring a 15-inch LCD with VGA input. Another new system accommodates a two-camera setup, with both prompters (and a 9-inch CRT monitor for the operator) fed by the same software. Also, for news environments, its new EasyReaderNR software can download stories from the Internet, automatically format the text to the prompter, and send the text to the prompter live.
If you're shopping for a prompter, McDermott says you need to consider brightness and weight.
Audio Video Design, www.avd-prompt.com
Tekskil Industries
Portability is the name of the game, according to Elise Wardrop, sales manager at Tekskil Industries. The company's new offerings at NAB2003 included a new fold-down prompter that uses a cloth hood, not a plastic hood. Wardrop says the unit is about as thin as the LCD panel and will fit into one shipping case. Designed for portable prompting, she explains that the new fold-down unit will appeal to news reporters in the field that don't want to look down at notes while on camera.
Tekskil Industries, www.tekskil.com
Mirror Image
Mirror Image showcased three of its latest prompters at the show. First is the Laptop-1, which made its NAB debut last year and is an entry-level system, according to JT Meidl, president. Essentially, the unit cradles a laptop in a housing tray so it can be used for prompting. The tray also allows users to slide out the laptop and type in changes.
The LC-110 Transflective prompter, also introduced last year, is ideal for outdoor shoots, because it includes a reflective screen behind the LCD screen. The more sunlight it gets, the brighter the display gets, "so it'll never wash out," Meidl explains. The unit also uses less power and doesn't require a cooling fan.
Also new for NAB2003 was the MatteBox, a lightweight prompting system with a 7-inch LCD screen. Designed for hand-held, jib, or Steadicam prompting needs, the unit uses the same connection hardware as a matte box, so you unhook your matte box and slide on the prompter with its mirror and hood.
NAB is the biggest show of the year for Mirror Image, and Meidl always encourages attendees to check out options on the show floor. "That's what NAB is all about-putting your hands on the product," says Meidl. n
Mirror Image, www.teleprompters.com
Mark J. Pescatore is the editor of Government Video magazine.
.
|