Dear Lizardnation,
I spent a couple of days working on this question, and maybe the
amount of time invested was a bit off the money offer, but since I?ve
always been curious about this kind of gimmick, I just felt like
walking the extra mile and enjoyed it very much. Thanks for the
chance.
In first place, you asked for information. The explanations about this
technology that I found the clearest and most complete are those in
Tekskil?s website FAQ?s page ( http://209.133.4.217/faq.htm ).
Summarizing what these devices are, they consist in a monitor
displaying text as a mirror image (inverted sense), which is reflected
by a glass, transparent for anyone watching from the opposite side, so
the speaker can read the text of the speech, and look at the audience
or the camera at the same time. There are two categories in
relationship with their purpose: to be used in front of an audience
(speech prompter) or in front of a camera (video prompter). The former
are to be assembled to a camera, while the latter are to be installed
somewhere between the audience and the speaker, near this one.
Two other categories relate to the technology used to display the
text. The older technology ?not yet obsolete and cheaper- use Cathode
Ray Tubes (CRT), while the newer produces the image with Liquid
Crystal Displays (LCD), with which the devices become lighter, smaller
and more easily portable.
Two other groups are computer generated texts and paper transport. The
former transmit the text directly to the monitor ?either LCD or CRT-,
while the latter needs a paper with the text printed in it, which is
placed in another device with a camera to capture the words. This one
is currently preferably used for languages for which text converter
software has not been developed yet.
For your purpose, as you?ve described it, the most convenient seem to
be LCD base speech computer prompter. I?ve found several options for
those characteristics:
Tekskil ( http://209.133.4.217/index.htm ) (manufacturer) speech prompters:
LCD 15 Flat Panel Speech Prompter.(
http://209.133.4.217/products/speechprompters/15ldcecc.htm ) 15" SHARP
Liquid Crystal Display (brightness - 450 nits) and power supply;
Adjustable pole; Instruction card; Upper Beamsplitter; $4495.00
High-Light 15 LCD Speech Prompter (weighs 13 lbs)
15" Liquid Crystal Display (brightness - 1800 nits) and power supply.
Complete with: Composite, S-Video and SXGA video inputs. Adjustable
pole and upper beamsplitter assembly (50/50). Instruction card.
Options: Custom shipping case. Price: $5595.00.
High-Light 17 LCD Speech Prompter (weighs 15 lbs)
17" Liquid Crystal Display (brightness - 1000 nits) and power supply.
Complete with: Composite, S-Video and SXGA video inputs. Adjustable
pole and upper beamsplitter assembly (50/50). Instruction card.
Options: Custom shipping case. Price: $6595.00.
Mirror Image ( http://www.teleprompters.com/default.html ) (Manufacturers).
SP-Series (Speech Prompters) (
http://www.teleprompters.com/prompters/sp-series/sp-series.htm )
(Presented also by my fellow researcher jbf777-ga, in his
clarification request).
?NEW - SP-160-LCD - Composite/SVGA Inputs - $5,295.00
Use anywhere in the world. Great for traveling or when shipping is
required. Features 2-15? dual composite and SVGA inputs. Color LCD
panels accepts NTSC/PAL/SVGA. Powered by 110/220 volts AC or 12 volts
DC. Mirror size: 12.75? x 10?.
?SP-1550-LCD - Composite Inputs - $5,295.00
Use anywhere in the world. Great for traveling or when shipping is
required. Features 2-15? composite color LCD panels and accepts
NTSC/PAL/Secam video only. Powered by 110/220 volts AC or 12 volts DC.
Mirror size: 12.75? x 10?. Don?t forget VGA to composite conversion
box and software.
?SP-220-LCD - Composite Inputs / SVGA Inputs - $6,995.00
The largest speech prompter on the market. Features two 20? LCD color
panels. 400 NTS make them extremely bright! These panels work anywhere
in the world. They accept composite video of NTSC/PAL standards. These
versatile panels also accept SVGA direct from your computer.
Universal power 110/220 volts AC or 12 volts DC. Includes two
housings, poles and mirrors. Mirror size: 12.75? x 15.5?.?
QTV ( http://www.qtv.com/qtv/index.html )
G&G Technologies ( http://www.ggvideo.com/index.html ) (dealer)
QTV Presidential Executive Speech Prompter
?For those who must communicate with accuracy and confidence in the
public speaking forum the Presidential/Executive Speech prompter
system is the standard. It is used worldwide by thousands of corporate
executives and politicians, including every U.S. President since
Dwight Eisenhower. Flat Screen LCD technology minimizes weight and
size, as well as enhancing readability. For price-sensitive users,
CRTs are also available.
ESP/FDP With Flat Display Panel
List Price: $5,695 G&G Price: $4,599
ESP/CRT With Standard CRT Display
List Price: $2,995 G&G Price: $2,419?
Magic Teleprompting In. ( http://www.magicscroll.com/ )
HeadzUp. Ultra Light Speech Prompter (
http://www.magicscroll.com/HeadZupinfo1.html#Top )
Interesting device (I can?t tell about its results because I?ve never
used it ?actually I?ve never used any of the systems mentioned in this
answer), the difference with the others seems to be its size and
portability. It works with two 6? LCD monitors, placed closer to the
speaker, while the mirrors are closer to the monitors, to be placed
either on the podium or on stands just off its side, on flexible
supports. The system includes two travel cases and the complete cost
is $4.995.
I hope this information fulfills your expectations. For any
clarification you may need, please do not hesitate to ask. Thank you
for giving me the chance to learn about these ingenious devices.
Regards,
Guillermo |
