Frequently asked questions
If the answer you’re looking for doesn’t appear below, be sure to hit us up via our contact page.
Top Questions
How do I adjust the scroll speed?
Click the Start Prompting button and move your mouse scroll wheel (on the top of your mouse) to activate scrolling.
Moving your mouse scroll wheel down will also increase the speed of prompting. Moving your scroll wheel up will slow down the speed of prompting and then reverse the direction of the scrolling text.
You can also check the invert scroll direction box (in the control panel) to reverse the direction. Then, moving your mouse scroll wheel up will activate scrolling.
If you do not have a mouse with a scroll wheel, you can also use the up/down arrow keys on your keyboard to adjust your scrolling speed and direction.
If you are using a laptop, your trackpad can act as your scroll wheel. Just make sure you have your trackpad preferences (under System Preferences > Keyboard & Mouse > Trackpad) set to allow two-finger scrolling.
Once scrolling has been initiated, use the keyboard space bar to pause/resume.
Can I use a remote control with this software?
Yes. Any presentation remote that supports keyboard mapping will allow you to control PromptDog.
We recommend the Air Mouse Mobile by Gyration.com
The Air Mouse Mobile has 3 programmable buttons and a scroll wheel. While other remotes (such as the Keyspan URM-15T) have the requisite programmable buttons, the scroll wheel on the Air Mouse makes it easier to control the scroll speed with PromptDog.
The Air Mouse is also ergonomically designed to be held elevated in the air, which is quite different to the grip you typically use when a mouse is operated on a flat surface like your desk.
Whichever one you get, you’ll want to map the following keyboard shortcuts to your remote:
- P key (start/stop button at top left in the main operator window)
- Spacebar (pause/resume)
If you use the recommended Air Mouse Mobile, Gyration supplies proprietary software called MotionTools to map these shortcuts to your remote.
You can download that software (32 or 64bit depending on your operating system) at https://gyration.com/pages/downloads
Then watch this video for instruction on how to program your Air Mouse.
Note that if you choose a remote without a scroll wheel, you’ll also need to map the UP and DOWN arrow keys to your remote for forward and reverse scroll.
Where can I find the user guide?
Click on Help in the menu at the top of the PromptDog user interface (or Ctrl/Cmd + H), or you can find the online version here.
Can I install PromptDog on multiple computers?
Yes! We allow two registrations per license, regardless of platform (Windows or Mac OS X). That means so you can install one copy on your Windows studio computer and a second instance on your Macbook Pro laptop for example.
To register the second copy, simply enter the the same serial number or email address used when registering the first instance.
How can I import my Microsoft Word doc?
PromptDog works with plain text files. If your script is in another format, simply save it as a file with a .txt extension.
So, in Microsoft Word:
File > Save As, then select Plain Text (*.txt) from the Save as Type drop down (below the file name field).
Will PromptDog run on my iPad or Android tablet?
While PromptDog can’t be installed natively as an app, you can display the PromptDog output on either an iPad or an Android tablet and achieve the same result.
There are several 3rd-party apps available which are designed specifically to use your tablet as a second monitor for your desktop or laptop computer. Our favorite is Duet Display.
RE-INSTALL: I need to reinstall PromptDog but I don’t have the serial number
First, download and install the latest version from our site, following the instructions here.
Next, start the program and “log in” using the same email address you used to purchase your license.
That’s it . . . that’s all you need to do to get going again!
If you can’t remember that address, contact us and let us know the name of the person who made the purchase.
System Requirements
What are the system requirements?
Windows 7, 8 or 10
macOS: all versions
Internet connection (for registration and updates only)
Admin rights: not required
Recommended:
Mouse scroll wheel or trackpad
2nd monitor (when working with an operator)
Can I use a remote control with this software?
Yes. Any presentation remote that supports keyboard mapping will allow you to control PromptDog.
We recommend the Air Mouse Mobile by Gyration.com
The Air Mouse Mobile has 3 programmable buttons and a scroll wheel. While other remotes (such as the Keyspan URM-15T) have the requisite programmable buttons, the scroll wheel on the Air Mouse makes it easier to control the scroll speed with PromptDog.
The Air Mouse is also ergonomically designed to be held elevated in the air, which is quite different to the grip you typically use when a mouse is operated on a flat surface like your desk.
Whichever one you get, you’ll want to map the following keyboard shortcuts to your remote:
- P key (start/stop button at top left in the main operator window)
- Spacebar (pause/resume)
If you use the recommended Air Mouse Mobile, Gyration supplies proprietary software called MotionTools to map these shortcuts to your remote.
You can download that software (32 or 64bit depending on your operating system) at https://gyration.com/pages/downloads
Then watch this video for instruction on how to program your Air Mouse.
Note that if you choose a remote without a scroll wheel, you’ll also need to map the UP and DOWN arrow keys to your remote for forward and reverse scroll.
Is there any international language support?
Yes. PromptDog offers UTF8 unicode support for non English languages and special characters.
Will PromptDog run on my iPad or Android tablet?
While PromptDog can’t be installed natively as an app, you can display the PromptDog output on either an iPad or an Android tablet and achieve the same result.
There are several 3rd-party apps available which are designed specifically to use your tablet as a second monitor for your desktop or laptop computer. Our favorite is Duet Display.
Do I need professional teleprompter hardware to use PromptDog?
No. PromptDog is compatible with all teleprompter hardware that uses mirrored glass placed in front of the camera lens, but the output can also be displayed on a monitor placed above, below or even beside the camera.
Can I use my laptop webcam with PromptDog?
You could, but we don’t recommend it. For best results, the talent (presenter) should be positioned at least 10 ft away from the camera. Otherwise, viewers will detect left to right eye movement as you read each line of text. Most webcams have a fixed focal length (ie no optical zoom), so if you are correctly positioned the shot framing will probably be less than optimal.
The good news is that if you have a smartphone, you can use a lens adapter like this one to add optical zoom functionality to your phone’s HD camera.
Ordering and Licensing
I need a receipt!
Your serial number and receipt are generated automatically and sent immediately via email to the address you supply at purchase.
If you don’t receive an email with these details, please check your spam folder before contacting us.
Thanks
Can I purchase using PayPal?
Yes, PayPal is available as an option at checkout.
Do you accept purchase orders?
Yes, we do accept purchase orders from qualifying organizations.
Processing purchase orders is a manual process, so please use the form here to submit your request and get the ball rolling.
Can I install PromptDog on multiple computers?
Yes! We allow two registrations per license, regardless of platform (Windows or Mac OS X). That means so you can install one copy on your Windows studio computer and a second instance on your Macbook Pro laptop for example.
To register the second copy, simply enter the the same serial number or email address used when registering the first instance.
Installation and Activation
How do I install and activate PromptDog?
Please see the instructions here.
I’m having problems installing the software. Any suggestions?
Upon investigation, we’ve found that most installation problems are associated with user permissions on Windows PCs. Make sure you are logged in into Windows as the Administrator, or a user with Administrator rights.
RE-INSTALL: I need to reinstall PromptDog but I don’t have the serial number
First, download and install the latest version from our site, following the instructions here.
Next, start the program and “log in” using the same email address you used to purchase your license.
That’s it . . . that’s all you need to do to get going again!
If you can’t remember that address, contact us and let us know the name of the person who made the purchase.
Getting Started
Is there pause/resume control?
Yes. Once scrolling has been initiated, use the keyboard space bar to pause/resume.
Read more about the easy-to-use scroll controls in the prompting section of the User Guide.
Can the talent window go full screen?
The size of the talent window is dictated by the size of the operator window. To resize the talent window, just click and drag the lower right hand corner of the operator window.
The operator and talent windows must match so that text wraps at the same place on both. If the operator is seeing more or less text per line than the talent, it would be very difficult to prompt at the right speed.
Is there a way to use the mirror feature without a 2nd monitor?
Yes . . . simply position the talent window over the main part of the operator window and place your laptop into the teleprompter hardware.
Why doesn’t PromptDog have a speed setting?
We don’t have speed settings in PromptDog because it’s very rare that the same scroll speed is suitable for the whole duration of a presentation.
Indeed, one of the hallmarks of a good presenter is that they will vary the speed (and tone) of delivery to give their presentation a more natural sounding pace. For that reason, the mouse scroll wheel is our tool of choice.
If you’re flying solo and need to be both operator and presenter, you might want to consider using a remote control.
We recommend the Air Mouse Mobile by Gyration.com
The Air Mouse Mobile has 3 programmable buttons and a scroll wheel. While other remotes (such as the Keyspan URM-15T)Â have the requisite programmable buttons, the scroll wheel on the Air Mouse makes it easier to control the scroll speed with PromptDog.
The Air Mouse is also ergonomically designed to be held elevated in the air, which is quite different to the grip you typically use when a mouse is operated on a flat surface like your desk.
Whichever one you get, you’ll want to map the following keyboard shortcuts to your remote:
1. P key (start/stop prompting button top left in the main operator window)
2. Space bar (pause/resume)
If your remote does not have a scroll wheel, you’ll also need to map the up and down arrow keys to your remote for forward and reverse scroll.
How do I adjust the scroll speed?
Click the Start Prompting button and move your mouse scroll wheel (on the top of your mouse) to activate scrolling.
Moving your mouse scroll wheel down will also increase the speed of prompting. Moving your scroll wheel up will slow down the speed of prompting and then reverse the direction of the scrolling text.
You can also check the invert scroll direction box (in the control panel) to reverse the direction. Then, moving your mouse scroll wheel up will activate scrolling.
If you do not have a mouse with a scroll wheel, you can also use the up/down arrow keys on your keyboard to adjust your scrolling speed and direction.
If you are using a laptop, your trackpad can act as your scroll wheel. Just make sure you have your trackpad preferences (under System Preferences > Keyboard & Mouse > Trackpad) set to allow two-finger scrolling.
Once scrolling has been initiated, use the keyboard space bar to pause/resume.
Can I use a remote control with this software?
Yes. Any presentation remote that supports keyboard mapping will allow you to control PromptDog.
We recommend the Air Mouse Mobile by Gyration.com
The Air Mouse Mobile has 3 programmable buttons and a scroll wheel. While other remotes (such as the Keyspan URM-15T) have the requisite programmable buttons, the scroll wheel on the Air Mouse makes it easier to control the scroll speed with PromptDog.
The Air Mouse is also ergonomically designed to be held elevated in the air, which is quite different to the grip you typically use when a mouse is operated on a flat surface like your desk.
Whichever one you get, you’ll want to map the following keyboard shortcuts to your remote:
- P key (start/stop button at top left in the main operator window)
- Spacebar (pause/resume)
If you use the recommended Air Mouse Mobile, Gyration supplies proprietary software called MotionTools to map these shortcuts to your remote.
You can download that software (32 or 64bit depending on your operating system) at https://gyration.com/pages/downloads
Then watch this video for instruction on how to program your Air Mouse.
Note that if you choose a remote without a scroll wheel, you’ll also need to map the UP and DOWN arrow keys to your remote for forward and reverse scroll.
Where can I find the user guide?
Click on Help in the menu at the top of the PromptDog user interface (or Ctrl/Cmd + H), or you can find the online version here.
How can I import my Microsoft Word doc?
PromptDog works with plain text files. If your script is in another format, simply save it as a file with a .txt extension.
So, in Microsoft Word:
File > Save As, then select Plain Text (*.txt) from the Save as Type drop down (below the file name field).