FAQs, instructions and help

This question can be answered very easily with a little technical understanding:

Monitors with an aspect ratio of 4:3 are proportionally “higher” than monitors with an aspect ratio of 16:9, despite their smaller screen diagonal.
As a result, teleprompter displays with an aspect ratio of 4:3 and a diagonal of “only” 20″ offer the reader the advantage of seeing more lines of text, which makes it much easier for the reader.

The alleged advantage of the greater width of a 24″ 16:9 monitor is rather counterproductive for camera and conference teleprompters, as a wider (font) image causes the teleprompter user’s eyes to constantly wander from left to right.

This eye movement is extremely unfavorable for a serious appearance of the speaker. The wandering eyes not only look unnatural, but immediately reveal that a teleprompter is being used.

For this reason, the 16:9 monitors of simpler “budget manufacturers” are often only used with 4:3.
Due to the resulting wide margin, less text and a smaller image is displayed to the disadvantage of the reader, despite the “large” 24″ monitor.

Finally, it should be noted that 24″ prompter monitors generally only have a maximum brightness of 1,000 nits. Professional high brightness monitors, on the other hand, have a brightness of 1,500 nits.
This increases the readability of the prompter immensely.

Autoscript EVO-IP and EPIC-IP monitors:

To lock the OSD (On-Screen Display), please press the “ENTER button” once and the “UP button” twice within 3 seconds if the OSD is not active.

To unlock the OSD, please press any menu button once when the message “OSD Locked” is displayed on the monitor.
Then press the “UP button” once and then the “RIGHT button” twice within 3 seconds.

Autocue MSP monitors:

To lock the OSD (On-Screen Display), please press the “OK button” and then the “LEFT button” twice.

To unlock the OSD, first press the “OK button” and then the “UP button” three times before finally pressing the “RIGHT button” twice.

Autocue MSP and PSP Gen2 monitors:

To lock or unlock the OSD, press the Menu button once to display the Keylock screen.
Then press the sequence “Up” – “Down” – “Up” – “Down” – “Menu” to lock or unlock the display.

A teleprompter is a device that allows text to be read out during a speech or presentation without the audience noticing. There are several reasons why it may be advisable to use a teleprompter:

1. Saving time: If you are giving a speech or presentation, it can be helpful to prepare the text in advance and then read it out using a teleprompter. This saves you time that you would otherwise have to spend on memorizing the text.
2. Error prevention: If you use a teleprompter, you can be sure that you are reproducing the text correctly and not making any mistakes. This is particularly important if you are giving an important speech or a presentation to a large audience.
3. Improved presentation: A teleprompter can help you appear calm and confident during your speech or presentation, as you don’t have to constantly look at notes or a script. This makes your presentation look more professional and convincing.
4. Increased attention: If you use a teleprompter, you can direct your gaze to the audience and thus attract their attention. This can help to make your speech or presentation more interesting and memorable.

We have summarized all the advantages for you here:
The advantages of a prompter

For all those who are in the fortunate position of being able to use a teleprompter but have never done so before, Progl+Gerlach has provided a guide:

How to read correctly from a prompter

Please provide the operator with the text for the teleprompter in Word (.doc, .docx), RTF (.rtf) or text format (.txt) or as a PDF (.pdf) on a Windows-compatible USB stick. Make sure you have finished editing and tracking in the Word document and refrain from using emojis. You are also welcome to send the text in advance by e-mail; this method of transmission is particularly recommended for longer texts. Here you can download an example of a Word document: Prompter example Word document.

Here you can download a sample Word document: Prompter example Word document

It is best to clean the teleprompter mirror with the ClearPrompt specially developed by Progl+Gerlach! – Prompter Glass Cleaning Fluid.

This cleaner reliably removes dirt, grease, lubricant and silicone residues without attacking the mirror coating.

First remove dust and coarse dirt from the teleprompter mirror using a suitable agent such as compressed air. Then spray the mirror surface sparingly with ClearPrompt! or another silicone-free glass cleaner and wipe dry with a soft, damp cloth. Repeat the process if necessary.

Important:
Do not use dry (microfiber) cloths, as these do not provide effective cleaning performance and may even damage the teleprompter mirror. Instead, moisten the cloth with 1-2 sprays of ClearPrompt! or another silicone-free glass cleaner before cleaning.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yes, it is possible to use a camera teleprompter with an Ultra High Definition camera in 4K, 8K or 18K resolution. Thanks to the high-quality mirrors from Autoscript, Autocue and PGX, there are no problems in this case.

In practice, ultra high-resolution cameras are successfully used in combination with teleprompters.

No, you are not. All the teleprompter technology in the Progl+Gerlach rental fleet is also suitable for use in the field.

Depending on the system used, Prog+Gerlach offers the appropriate power supply as an option.

The teleprompter operator reads the speech text 100% synchronously with the prompter displays on the computer and adjusts the text scrolling speed precisely to the pace of the speaker.

Please inform the operator before the speech if the speaker wishes to speak Adlib to give them the opportunity to prepare.

A teleprompter offers many advantages at live events that can be compared to a Swiss army knife. It not only helps the speaker on stage or in front of the camera, but is also a valuable tool for everyone involved in the organization of the event in the background (e.g. direction, picture mixing, lighting, video, etc.).

With a professional teleprompter system, almost unlimited information and instructions can be given to or communicated with the host during the show.

Wear your glasses when you feel more comfortable with them. The choice is yours and you should do what is best for you.

We recommend that the speaker goes through the script at least once completely with the teleprompter in order to familiarize himself with the teleprompter technique.

Info: The rehearsal should be done by the speaker who will read the script later – the experienced and professional operators of Progl+Gerlach do not need any rehearsals.

Yes, you are welcome to use your own words. Please note, however, that the operator must continue to follow your text, even if it only makes sense.

However, it is important to note that a well-read text from the prompter is better received by the audience than free formulations. Ultimately, the ultimate goal is for the speaker to present themselves particularly well to the audience.

The camera teleprompters (also known as On Camera Units or OCUs for short) from Autoscript, Autocue and PGX are compatible with all cameras, depending on the model and size. There is a suitable camera prompter for every camera and every application.

In the last 30 years, Progl+Gerlach has never had any problems with incompatible cameras. However, care should be taken to ensure that the tripod is sufficiently dimensioned.

The Progl+Gerlach team will be happy to advise you individually and without obligation if you have any questions about camera teleprompters.

When choosing a camera tripod, the size of the camera teleprompter should be taken into account in conjunction with the maximum top load of the tripod head. This results from the weight of the camera, battery packs, attachments such as focus or zoom controls, viewfinders etc. and the teleprompter.

The weight class of the teleprompter varies between 1.5 kg and almost 15 kg, depending on the size.”

The Progl+Gerlach team will be happy to advise you individually and without obligation.

Modern professional teleprompter systems, which are suitable for live use, enable the speaker to receive up-to-date information while reading from the teleprompter.
Employees can thus inform the speaker about important events (e.g. election results) without the read text being obscured by this information.

The professional teleprompter software products from Autocue and Autoscript enable the display of texts in all possible character sets, including Asian, Arabic, Cyrillic and other fonts.

Thanks to advanced software solutions from Autocue and Autoscript, prompting in different text directions is also possible.

The performance of moderators is often underestimated, but in reality it also depends on the professional skills of the autocue operator. These people are responsible for controlling the teleprompter during studio broadcasts and location shoots, which is why they are generally also referred to as autocue operators. They ensure that the words on the screen scroll continuously from bottom to top during the broadcast and are adapted to the presenter’s speaking speed. This gives the impression that the presenters are speaking without a script or from memory, which seems more professional than looking at a script.

Before a program or show begins, autocue operators format the scripts to make them easy for the presenter to read. They work closely with the presenter and adjust the font size and speed during rehearsals. During the show or event, they control the teleprompter software and continuously adapt the text speed to the speaker. Good, experienced operators can also slightly influence the moderator’s speaking speed to improve the speaker’s performance.

In some productions, autocue operators are also responsible for managing different script versions. You must ensure that the current version of the text is always used and inform the director if an incorrect text is read during the production. After the show, they give a final copy of the script to the production to archive it or make it available for editing.

Often the work of autocue operators is underappreciated, especially when broadcasting inexperienced clients fail to recognize the importance of this role to the success of a show.

Autocue currently offers the largest teleprompter in the 19-inch size.

We have found that this size is sufficient for almost all requirements where you speak directly into the camera. For large events, it is better to use large Direct View monitors.

Semi-professional teleprompter manufacturers on the market often use
16:9 screens instead of 4:3 monitors, which carries the risk of the presenter’s eyes wandering from left to right because the extra screen space comes from the width of the monitor.
The height of an average 22-inch 16:9 monitor is actually equal to or smaller than the screen of a professional 4:3 17-inch teleprompter.

We provide you with a size comparison at the very beginning of the FAQs.

Yes, the counterweight rods use the 19mm Arri Studio rod standard with a width of 104mm, which allows you to attach other accessories that use this standard to the back of your teleprompter.

Yes. Pan and tilt heads of different brands have their 3/8″ mounting threads at different distances. Therefore, the telescopic poles are adjustable in width to be compatible with all Staiv and Pedestal variants.

Yes, you can. Autocue has kept its components as generic as possible to improve compatibility.
If you need more input options or higher brightness, you can purchase a Pioneer monitor and attach it to the monitor mount on your Explorer teleprompter.

If you want to use a talent monitor, you can buy 19 mm rods for the camera carriage to balance the mounting with counterweights.

No. If you really need to loop through your monitors or distribute the signal, you can only loop through SDI and CVBS via Pioneer monitors.

With an HDMI signal, we recommend using a 1×2 HDMI splitter near the teleprompter to distribute the video signal.

Autocue Explorer and Pioneer Software both support
a wide range of fonts for global use.

It is worth noting that the user interface is currently only available in English. Since software uses many icons and hardly any words
it is still easy to use for users who do not speak English.

The current Explorer and Pioneer software are only compatible with Windows
10/11 compatible.
There are currently no Mac versions available or planned.

Yes, .awp files can be opened and edited in Autocue Explorer and Pioneer software, as well as with Autoscript WinPlus-IP and WinPlus-IPS software.

Yes, you can adapt the monitors to existing Professional and Master Series mount kits by purchasing the Legacy Mount Adapter, which attaches to the bottom of your new monitor and slides onto the mounting bars.

If you have an old QBox V6, we offer a software upgrade to make it compatible with the latest Autocue software.

Generally yes, but it depends on how old the controller is. The Autocue multi-button hand control USB , the CON-FC foot controls USB (wired and wireless) and the USB 2 button hand control are supported.