Easy build TelePrompter for your video camera

This is how I made a TelePrompter for my podcast to save me having to memorize lines. Which I am terrible at. I found a application on the itunes store for the ipod touch and iphone for TelePrompter but could not afford the hardware they offered to sell me. So I made my own out of Coroplast and a CD case.... The movie file shows it in action:


The podcast I built this for is shown on the last step and showcases the build of the prompter.

Step 1: First get all the stuff you will need

You will need for this:

• Coroplast (In the picture I only had red left so I thought that better than nothing in the picture. Red will work but black is best)
• Utility knife
• Needle nose pliers
• DuckTape or my favorite Gorilla tape
• Slim CD case
• 1/2 inch long 1/4"x20 bolt
• Pattern (There are two CAD files attached for Sketchup for the Canon HV30 and the Sony PD 150/170)
• Tripod for your camera (Not necessary but nice to have)
• iPod Touch or iPhone
• Software for your iPhone or iPod Touch (I have no affiliation with this company) ProPrompter
• Free CAD software to view the files Sketchup
• CAD files for HV30
• CAD files for the Sony PD170
• You can likely fit most consumer cameras with these two patterns

Comments

[JoaquinandRene]

I really need help on printing it out. I tried my best and I also watched the video on your website. Can I get the print page for both cameras? I have a Sony Model DRC-TRV120 and I want to see which one fits best. My email is: [e-mail]
Thanks!!!!

[edusampa]

Hi Ben, I need help! I dowload the GoogleSketchUp to try print out a pattern and cut out the coroplast... But... I could do it. I am sorry... I don't have any experience with software CAD... But I would like to print the pattern in real size, but I could not do it. Ben, what a need to do... To print this pattern to real size? Is it possible you print it to PDF in real time? Ben, I am really sorry... But do you see one way to help a dummies to print this pattern? (lol) Thank you very much! Eduardo

[edusampa]

 Behnt, I bought the access to see your project. Congratulation, this project expand my mind. But, Behnt, I can not see the pattern printed out to be cut, into the pdf file. Please could you send it for me? I would like to do some one equal about your project. And try to expand it to do a big one.

Thanks for your help.

Eduardo
From Brazil

[MechanicalMashup]

 The files are at the beginning of the ible. Look at step 1 at the bottom you will see that you need to get sketchup and the files to print them off.

I cannot seem to ad links here in the comment so you will need to go to step one and look for the last few bullet points, they are links so if you click on them it will get you what you need 

[halvis]

Excellent! Thank you! :) I might even make something inspired by this!

[Patented]

That thing is so simple but so awesome ! Thanks a lot !

[MechanicalMashup]

Thank you! And it was my pleasure. Dont forget that there are more builds in my profile and on my podcast MechanicalMashup.tv

[jimmytvf]

this would film the refraction of the podcast?

[MechanicalMashup]

No this will not film the refraction.

[iamtoats]

If you built it on a larger scale, with a webcam, and a small computer monitor, you could have a much more direct webcam conversation.

[MechanicalMashup]

 Absolutely! There are some similar ideas out there like this one put out by the same guys that make the software you need for mine link . I still want to put out there that I have no affiliation with Bodelin.

[clintbradford]

 Bodelin Technologies' ProPrompter software for the iPhone/touch is a great product - well worth the $9.95 they ask for it!

[jgderuvo]

Would it have killed you to provide the pattern?  LOL.  Great tutorial though.

[MechanicalMashup]

Get the 3D model mentioned in the first step and print out the pattern. I will see about making a PDF for this though.

[rygi13]

 how do you print the pattern

[MechanicalMashup]

 I realize now that I have an extra thing with Sketchup Pro that others dont have and that is layout. Which allows you to print this out. Now we can see what we can do to accomodate you. First the pattern is basic enough that one could easily lay it out on the coroplast or card quite easily since the measurements of the part can be obtained from Sketchup and the model provided. 

We can also look at me making some PDF's for you if really necessary. But for that I will need to know what size of paper your printer can handle. i.e. 8.5x11 or 11x17 or 24"roll or 36"roll etc. Next would be for me to make the PDF I would need for you to tell all your friends how great the podcast/Webcast is and send them to my site :) 

All the best in the new year !

Ben

[rygi13]

Thank you but I ended up making one with a tissue box but used the same stuff

[MechanicalMashup]

 Great! you should share some pictures of what you created, I am curious as the next guy as to what you built.

[molchmensch]

Definately my next project! The Idea is really cool. Thanks for sharing - I like that podcast too by the way ;)

[MechanicalMashup]

 Great!  If you need any help on the build do not hesitate to ask. Glad you like the podcast! Please spread the word about the cast to anyone you know. 

Also make sure to post your pics of the finished product here, I would like to see what others are building and any cool mods used. 

Merry Christmas!

[Tardis-One]

 I have used my iPhones own box to make an TelePrompTer, I took only 2 mins to do that :-) I am very happy with that, cool idea! saved a lot of money! 

[MechanicalMashup]

Great idea! I forgot the boxes phone cradle would be perfect! Do you have a picture of your rig? I am sure others would love to see it as well

Ben

[Tardis-One]

[Tardis-One]

Here are the pictures Ben :-)

[smmidealab]

Cool stuff!  I think this device would also be useful as a mini Interrotron. 

You could record videos of someone asking questions and then people would respond directly to the image of the person.

[MechanicalMashup]

Thanks!

[MechanicalMashup]

(removed by author or community request)

[frollard]

sometimes it takes hours or days to appear in listings...the ibles robot only builds the search index every so often.

[MechanicalMashup]

I was just a very over eager first timer jumping up and down screaming look at me look at me :) A little patience would have served me well.

[Goodhart]

When I search for your Moniker, i.e. behnt, using the ALL option, I get this listed as the second entry.

 

[dave spencer]

well done Ben, congrats on your first instructable!