Prompt! Lite 6.1.1 review

When on-camera talent performs, they read what they speak from a teleprompter.

License: Freeware OS: Mac OS X File size: 6063K Developer: Rob Johnson Price: $0.00 Updated: 07 Feb 2006

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When on-camera talent performs, they read what they speak from a teleprompter. Traditionally, this task is performed by a dedicated computer with an application to edit and scroll the text at a user driven speed using a piece of hardware called a "scroller".

The Video output of the scrolling text is reflected from a half silvered (pellix) mirror and the camera shoots through the other side of the mirror so that the talent is looking into the camera but reading the reflection of the text. This requires lots of hardware and software to achieve the same results as Prompt! and a laptop computer or computer monitor. By placing the laptop computer between the talent and the camera the talent can read text from the top of the laptop screen and still appear to be looking at the camera if the camera is far enough back using a long lens.

Trial and effort is the key to getting a natural look to this process but the further the camera is from the subject, the better. If the talent will be controlling their own scrolling then mouse control is the best and if you have long mouse cord, that's even better. There is a built-in function to allow someone else to control the speed by using the keyboard or mouse. Use both if you like.

Prompt! also mirrors the text and displays at multiple resolutions.

Here are some key features of "Prompt Lite":
Text can be imported and exported
Simple text editing is available
Native files can be saved
User customizable controls
Macintosh or Windows playback
Control over font size
Mirrors text display on screen
Mouse or keyboard control
Lite version available
Multiple resolutions

Limitations:
Free download version imports and scrolls 2500 words. Professional version has this restriction lifted.

What's New:
Prompt! comes in two applications. Prompt on black covers the monitor(s) with a black mask and eliminates the chance of changing applications while using the application and Prompt, the other application, is a floating window and does not draw black on other monitors allowing you to open other applications easily. Using both applications at the same time is not recommended.
Prompt! now is compatible with most PowerPoint/Keynote wireless remote control units.