Using Credit Roll as a Teleprompter

[Rob James]

So Jurgen, I am almost there. I have the text scrolling on both screens in OBS, but there is no text on my TV screen, which is where I need it to be. I also can’t figure out how to start and stop the text scrolling, how is that done? Lastly, is there a way to add an audio track so that I can time the scrolling to match the lyrics. Either by spacing the words or adjusting the speed of the lyrics. Ideally, I would like the scrolling to begin when the audio track begins, if that’s possible? So, I would need to know how to start the audio as well and link it to the scrolling text. If I can figure out how to attach a video from my phone, into this post, you’ll able to see I’m close.

[Jurgen Murataj]

Are you able to connect your TV to your computer where you’re using OBS? Maybe via Screen Mirroring?
As for playing with the text scroll, I don’t think you can in OBS unfortunately. You can use the little eye icon to make it start when you want to, but not automatically. You might want to do that in Vegas like you said, and add it as a video source instead of creating it directly in OBS. That way you can time it beforehand.

[Bruce Brent]

I think this entire post is so important. It might even wake up those on the fence about acquiring a teleprompter.

There is a simple and relatively inexpensive alternative to the issue posted. Elgato teleprompter has come up with a brilliant answer. Even the best professional teleprompter for TV broadcasts don’t have what Elgato “brings to the table.”

If you have seen news broadcasts which show the TV cameras with the black housing for their teleprompters, below are monitors so the on-air TV hosts can see the other person their talking to via webcams. What you see are their eyes panning down. I, personally, have spoken, face-to-face with the CEO/top producer of these teleprompters, CueScript, and have mentioned, “why not incorporate the webcam image within the mirror/teleprompter instead of below the teleprompter? This guy blew me off! This was at NAB in Las Vegas last year.

Take a look-see at the Elgato Teleprompter. NO, I do NOT work for Elgato and have NO affiliation (other than the fact I DO own this Elgato Teleprompter) with the product. I’m just an interested person looking to help others.

[Rob James]

Thanks guys, for your continued support and ideas. First an update, I was making a stupid mistake, and I had connected my TV to the output of the Capture Card, which is why I wasn’t seeing the scrolling on my TV. Once I connected the TV to the output of OBS, I could see both screens scrolling. Progress, but not exactly what I want. So then I switched to what OBS calls Full Screen, but it’s not, there is still a partial interface at the bottom of the screen. So while I can use this now as is, I sure would like to see an update where it is true Full Screen, and has transport controls on the bottom. You know, pause, rewind, fast forward, play, start from the beginning etc. Now that would be perfect! Especially if they could link the scrolling to start with the click of the audio play button. Does anyone know how to get in touch with the OBS Development Team and make suggestions for updates? As it is, this is workable, but not ideal. To be clear I don’t want to record video into OBS, the camera records via a remote control. Then I take that footage back in to Vegas and Chrome Key a Background in. Jurgen I’m interested in this thing you call Screen Mirroring, please tell me more. And Brent I will definitely check out the solution you are recommending. I completely agree with you, this is a very important topic, and relevant to today’s Producers, that do it all on their own. I mean if I can keep myself centered in the frame, and read the dialogue or lyrics while staring directly at the TV, it eliminates the need for a Cameraman and a Teleprompter Operator. Anyways, below is a screenshot of what I’ve been able to do with the existing software. Basically using OBS as a makeshift Teleprompter Monitor system.

[Rob James]

Elgato Teleprompter is a very nice unit, and initially I was going to buy one, and considered a few others as well. At the end of the day, it came down to this. I didn’t want to be wearing reading glasses on Set. So I thought, what about using my large TV as a Monitor, then type my script in all “Caps” with large fonts. Initial tests out of Vegas, using the Credit Roll looked great and were the right size to read without reading glasses. But it’s a bit awkward in timing the scrolling in that Program, hence my initial post here. Then Jurgen suggested OBS. Been working on that for days now, and it’s very close. Now it’s just software limitations making it not perfect. But seeing scrolling text, HUGE in a large TV is really good. So, if I can convince the Developers to make a few feature enhancements, it will be perfect! For me at least.

[Rob James]

One more update. I have good news, after talking with the folks over at the OBS forum, there is a way to get this full screen on my TV. Right clicking in the Scene, and selecting Projector Screen does the trick. Mind you I did have to change the resolution of my Surface Pro from 2880 X 1920 to 1920 X 1080, but once I did that, I got exactly what I was hoping to achieve. Scrolling words on my TV as large as my TV screen. It’s like a gigantic Teleprompter! So, I consider this 98.5% resolved, so thanks to everyone who offered advice. The reason I say it’s not 100% resolved is because, you can’t save a Scene in OBS, in Projector Mode, so it doesn’t load that way when opening OBS. You have to quickly switch upon loading. And there is no keyboard command to start PLAY on an audio track. As it is now, OBS begins scrolling and playing the audio track immediately, there is no time to prepare, which makes it pretty difficult. But given a few takes, I think I can make it work. Once again, thanks to everyone who participated. 😀