For the video journalist, vlogger, one-person-band or producer, do-it-yourself (DIY) teleprompter operation is a necessity—and there are a range of new self-prompting tools readily available.

First among these is the tactile controller: "I think the most popular controller is the foot pedal," says Chuck Majewski, U.S. and international sales manager for Prompter People. Prompter People produces a foot pedal, the REM-FOOT, which allows the user to "control speed, control direction, and control start and stop," Majewski explains.

Raymond Blumenthal, vice president of Listec Video, cautions that the foot controller isn't the best solution for everybody, however, when it comes to self-prompting. "It's like walking and chewing gum at the same time: some people can, some people can't."

Blumenthal says the most popular product for self-prompting at Listec is the EZPrompt ShuttlePRO, a hand controller with a rotary knob for scrolling speed control and buttons that facilitate file management and navigation, although the company also sells a foot pedal and wireless mouse for prompting control.

J.T. Meidl, president of Mirror Image Teleprompters, adds that laptops can be used as another source of prompter control. "Reporters can use the mouse module to increase and decrease speed," he says.

Other laptop-based solutions include Autoscript's MFC-1 Magno foot controller and Telescript's 10-button USB controller. Telescript also manufactures a wireless trackball presentation device and a slider that can be used with a laptop.

Another tool designed to assist users with controlling their own prompters is Autoscript's +Voice-Plus+ voice-recognition module for Autoscript's +WinPlus+ prompting software. Using voice recognition technology, +Voice-Plus+ matches the words being read by the anchor to the words in the script to control prompter scrolling.

"The only caveat is that you have to stick to the script," says Gordon Tubbs, vice president of Autoscript. "If you're going off script to fill time or to skip something, you need to hit the pause button, because otherwise +Voice-Plus+ will be searching for where those ad libs are in the script."

Autocue Launches Starter Series Prompter Packages
Autocue's new, low-cost Starter Series comes in a range of monitor sizes (7" to 17") or as a conference system; there is also a solution for the iPhone that allows users to easily carry a prompter with them wherever they go. The Starter Series provides three solutions in one package: an on-camera unit, a floor standing monitor and an above/below camera monitor. Included in the standard package is dual screen, icon-driven software (both PC or Mac version); easy-balance mounting system designed to handle all camera sizes without the need for counterbalance; VGA cable; and broadcast-quality anti-reflective glass.

The software features dual-screen functionality that reverses the script for reflection in the prompt monitor but keeps it the right way on the PC; multi-language text and menus with icon-based action buttons; multiple control options; the ability to import QStart, .rtf and .txt files; formatting and search functionality; and the ability to set markers in the script and assign keys to them.

"There is an increasing number of people who need a basic prompting solution," explains Autocue CEO Frank Hyman, "so we are giving them what they want: an affordable product that is fit for purpose but doesn't compromise on quality."

Prompter People Goes Online with VLogger Prompter
A complete turnkey vlogging system, Prompter People's VLogger Prompter features an integrated Webcam and teleprompter. The system software controls capture and scrolling; streams Windows Media, QuickTime and AVI MPEG4 files; and works with PC and Mac platforms. The VLogger Prompter comes with Flip-Q Lite teleprompting software, but it can also be used with Adobe Visual Communicator, Adobe Vlog-it and VideoCue on the Mac.