Elgato, a company renowned for its high-quality video equipment, has recently introduced its own teleprompter. As a video professional with high standards, I was intrigued by its built-in display and its promised seamless integration with computers. I was eager to see if it would meet my expectations and if it would be a valuable addition to my existing desktop editing setup. Additionally, I was curious to see how it would compare to the Parrot Padcaster, the teleprompter I typically recommend for content creators.
Design and Build Quality
Elgato Teleprompter
The Elgato Teleprompter’s design is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, with a clean and modern look that complements any camera setup. The build quality feels solid and durable, but some parts feel a little fragile. It’s primarily made of plastic, and the base of the unit feels perfectly weighted, providing stability when used with smaller cameras like Elgato’s Facecam Pro.
However, when the Elgato Teleprompter is combined with a mirrorless camera setup, its overall weight makes it front-heavy and places significant strain on the tilt axis of a ball head or tripod. This can potentially cause the camera to tip forward due to the weight placed on the front. This has not been too much of an issue after 3 months of use, but it did require me to over-tighten my ball head’s bolt to ensure stability.
The teleprompter’s display is large and its attachment to the base also feels somewhat unstable. While not advertised as portable, if you intend to move it frequently or attach and detach it often from your camera rig, I would be concerned about its durability. It may not withstand frequent use and could break with pressure in the wrong area.
Parrot Padcaster
The Parrot Padcaster teleprompter is a budget-friendly option for content creators that doesn’t sacrifice build quality. Its lightweight and sturdy design, primarily using durable plastic, makes it easy to transport and set up. The compact design enhances its portability, allowing it to fit easily into camera bags.
Despite its plastic construction, the Padcaster feels solid and well-made. The plastic components are well-molded and fit together seamlessly. The universal camera mount is robust enough to securely hold most smartphones. The inclusion of a remote control adds to the overall convenience, allowing for hands-free operation.
Given its advertised purpose as a portable mobile phone teleprompter, there are few complaints about the Padcaster’s overall build quality. The only issue is the operation of the smartphone universal mount. The mount is quite sticky and not easy to open to mount or release a phone. While it can be clumsy to use, it is sturdy and securely holds the phone in place.
Teleprompter Display
Elgato Teleprompter
The Elgato Teleprompter’s built-in 9-inch LCD display is its most impressive feature. The display is bright and clear, making the text easy to read even in bright settings. Its wide viewing angle allows the script to remain visible even when moving or adjusting positions. Maintaining eye contact with the camera and delivering a natural, engaging performance is effortless with the Elgato’s display.
The Elgato Teleprompter also enhances video conferencing by serving as an additional display for your Mac or PC. Maintaining eye contact with the camera while presenting becomes effortless, ensuring natural and engaging interactions during video calls and live streams. This translates to a more confident, organized, and professional appearance, boosting your overall communication and collaboration.
Parrot Padcaster
The Parrot Padcaster features a 4.3-inch display that is perfectly sized for use with your smartphone. The display itself is bright and clear, making it easy to read your scripts even when you’re filming in bright outdoor conditions.
The Padcaster’s portability is a trade-off for its smaller display compared to other teleprompters. This results in a noticeable difference in viewing angles, which is important to consider if you need a larger display. Due to limited screen space, this teleprompter is not recommended for those with bad eyesight, even with adjustable text size. For optimal use, you will need to stand much closer to this teleprompter than most other prompters on the market.
Software and Control
Elgato Teleprompter
Elgato’s Teleprompter software is much simpler and easier to use than I was expecting. It’s intuitive, with a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to import scripts, adjust settings, and control the teleprompting experience. I appreciate the level of customization it offers. I can adjust the scrolling speed, font size, text color, and background color to suit my preferences and the lighting conditions.
The voice sync feature, while not new or innovative and actually included in many teleprompter apps, is my favorite aspect of this software. It seamlessly highlights the exact place in the script that I’m at as I speak, and I was rather impressed with Elgato’s ability to keep up with my voice. I often find this feature clunky on other apps, but Elgato’s version provides one of the best experiences I’ve had.
Parrot Padcaster
The Parrot Padcaster Teleprompter app, available for free on iOS and Android, transforms your phone into a professional teleprompter. It’s user-friendly and packed with features, allowing you to import scripts (even from Dropbox), adjust scrolling speed, and customize font and background colors. You can also control the teleprompter remotely with a Bluetooth remote.
While it lacks a voice sync feature, the app’s functionality is impressive for a free option. Its easy navigation and accessibility make it a valuable tool for content creators. Although occasional lag and unexpected shutdowns have occurred, these issues are resolved by reopening the app. Overall, the Parrot Teleprompter app offers great value and reliability for mobile content creators.
Compatibility and Mounting
Elgato Teleprompter
The Elgato Teleprompter works with many cameras, including DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, webcams, smartphones, and camcorders, which is a major advantage. The included mounts are adaptable and work with various camera configurations and lens sizes. I can also fine-tune the teleprompter’s position for the best viewing experience thanks to the adjustable mounting system.
Although the Elgato Teleprompter comes with a mounting plate specifically for their FaceCam Pro camera, which integrates seamlessly with the teleprompter software, I use the teleprompter with my mirrorless cameras without any issues with the Elgato software.
Parrot Padcaster
The Parrot Padcaster teleprompter is easily attached to a variety of interchangeable lens cameras using its wide array of filter ring attachments for different lens diameters. However, it is not compatible with web cameras or mobile phone cameras without a DIY setup.
Real-World Performance
Elgato Teleprompter
The Elgato Teleprompter has been a seamless addition to my workflow, used in all my conference calls to maintain eye contact. The easy importing and editing of scripts on my desktop PC has streamlined my recording process. The software’s responsiveness and the voice sync feature help me keep a steady rhythm while recording. This teleprompter is now an indispensable part of my daily desktop setup.
Parrot Padcaster
Similarly, the Parrot Padcaster teleprompter has been a reliable tool, with minimal issues aside from occasional unexpected shutdowns of the Parrot app. Its portability allows me to take it on every shoot, making it a valuable resource for impromptu recordings where a more polished presentation is desired. Whether used indoors or outdoors, the Padcaster has consistently delivered a professional experience.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both teleprompters are valuable tools, but it’s crucial to consider their specific uses before purchasing.
The Elgato Teleprompter is a fantastic camera accessory, but it’s best suited for a permanent desktop studio setup. Its integration with a computer is seamless, but it’s not designed for travel. While you can purchase a hard case and use a laptop or tablet for on-location shoots, there are more portable options available.
The Padcaster, on the other hand, is incredibly portable and easy to transport. However, its small screen and limited mobile user experience can be challenging. It’s not ideal for video conference calls and using it with a desktop PC as a secondary display can be clunky and inconvenient.
Conclusion: A Video Editor’s Essential Tool
The Elgato Teleprompter has become an essential part of my daily workflow, significantly enhancing my video content and communication during conference calls. Its well-thought-out design, extensive features, and consistent performance make it an invaluable tool for any professional video creator seeking to deliver polished and engaging presentations.
While the Elgato Teleprompter is now my go-to for studio recording, I still find value in my Parrot Padcaster for filming on location. Although there are newer versions available, the core functionality of a teleprompter remains the same, and I anticipate that my Parrot Padcaster will continue to be a useful tool in my arsenal for the foreseeable future.