Elgato Prompter Review - THE Creator Gadget

Summary

In this review, the host evaluates Elgato's new teleprompter, highlighting its compatibility with wide-angle lenses, lightweight design, and innovative monitor functionality. Despite some ghosting issues and the absence of a power switch, the reviewer praises the product's overall performance, especially with the Elgato stream deck. The software, while lacking some features, is noted to be improving. The high price is justified by the niche market monopoly, and the reviewer recommends the teleprompter for creators, expecting further enhancements from Elgato.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Elgato teleprompter supports wide-angle lenses, which is a unique feature in its price range.
• 🔧 It is lightweight and can be easily mounted on the lens without additional mounts.
• 💡 There is no noticeable color or brightness change, which is crucial for low-light environments.
• 🌞 The screen is bright enough for studio use, but can be adjusted to avoid shining too brightly on the user.
• 🖥️ A game-changing feature is that it functions as a monitor, eliminating the need for phones, file transfers, or remote controls.
• 📝 Users can overlay the script on the camera preview, aiding in framing and delivery.
• 📱 The teleprompter can still be used with a phone in a pinch, though it is not recommended.
• 👻 Ghosting is present, especially with white text on a dark background, which can be distracting.
• 🔌 The device is always on when connected via USB, with no power switch, making outdoor use or travel less convenient.
• 💻 The software, Elgato Camera Hub, has improved but still lacks some features like a proper text editor and undo/redo functionality.
• 💰 The price of €300 might be considered high, but Elgato has a monopoly in this niche market.

Q & A

What was the main issue with affordable studio teleprompters the speaker had experienced before trying Elgato's prompter?

The speaker had issues with vignetting on the sides when using wide-angle lenses, and the compactness of other affordable teleprompters made them unsuitable for their camera setup. Additionally, they found using a phone app to drive the teleprompter to be clunky and unappealing.

What was the initial problem with the 'Pair Pro' teleprompter the speaker tried to get?

The 'Pair Pro' teleprompter turned out to be a scam, which was a disappointment for the speaker who had hoped it would meet their needs.

What are the main advantages of Elgato's new teleprompter according to the speaker?

Elgato's teleprompter supports wide-angle lenses without vignetting, is lightweight and can hang from the lens, has no noticeable color or brightness change, and features a bright screen suitable for low-light environments. It also functions as a monitor, eliminating the need for phones, file transfers, and remote controls.

How does Elgato's teleprompter integrate with the user's computer setup?

The teleprompter connects through USB to the computer and instantly pops up as an extra monitor, allowing for various uses such as script overlay on the camera preview.

Can the Elgato teleprompter be controlled with the Elgato Stream Deck?

Yes, the speaker confirms that controlling the teleprompter actions with the Elgato Stream Deck works really well.

What is the issue referred to as 'ghosting' that the speaker mentions experiencing with the Elgato teleprompter?

Ghosting is a visual effect where a faint duplicate of the text appears on the teleprompter, which can be distracting and is more noticeable with white text on a dark background.

How does the speaker suggest dealing with the ghosting issue on the Elgato teleprompter?

The speaker suggests that ghosting can be mitigated with certain tricks, but it is something that users may have to learn to live with, especially when using a wide-angle lens and sitting close to the camera.

What are the limitations of the Elgato teleprompter in terms of power and portability?

The teleprompter lacks a power switch and is always on when connected via USB, making it unsuitable for outdoor use or travel. It is designed specifically for studio use.

What is the speaker's opinion on the software that comes with the Elgato teleprompter?

The speaker finds the native software for the teleprompter to be lacking in some areas, such as the text editor which is not very functional and lacks features like undo/redo. However, they note that Elgato is actively improving the software.

What is the price point of the Elgato teleprompter, and what is the speaker's view on its value?

The Elgato teleprompter is priced at around €300. The speaker acknowledges that it's expensive but believes it's worth considering given Elgato's monopoly on this niche market and the product's quality.

Would the speaker recommend the Elgato teleprompter to others?

Yes, the speaker recommends the Elgato teleprompter, noting that while it's not for everyone and has some drawbacks, it is the best option for creators under €300 in a studio setting.