Quick start guide

Getting started with PromptDog

A warp-speed guide to teleprompter setup options and the PromptDog settings to suit each

Start here

Thanks for starting your free 10-day trial! 

The trial version of PromptDog is fully functional and includes all features in the paid version. As a reminder, you can find activation instructions for both versions on our download page.

This guide is designed to show you how quick and easy it is to get started with our teleprompter software.

We are currently working on a free course that will cover cool stuff like how to control PromptDog with a remote and how to use it with a tablet (iPad or Android), but the focus of this page is a quick start guide for the basic application.

Setup options

Let's start with your hardware setup options:

Option 1 is to mount your camera above and behind a laptop or computer monitor and read the script from the main operator window.

Camera over laptop

Option 2 is to read from a second window deployed on an external monitor mounted above, below or even beside the camera. (Obviously, the external monitor needs to be connected to the computer where PromptDog is installed).

External teleprompter display monitor mounted over camera via articulated arm

To enable this, click Open Talent Window in the operator window sidebar and drag the new window to the second monitor. 

Open talent window check box

The two windows are synced together so the operator sees exactly what the talent (presenter) sees. 

Resize the Talent Window

To resize the talent window, resize the operator window using the maximize button or by dragging the (operator) window sizing handles.

Unfortunately, it's not possible to scale the talent window independently when the two monitors are different resolutions (reliably at least). For that reason, we lock the talent window to the operator window so both parties see exactly the same thing on a line-by-line basis.

Your third option is to display the talent window on a display housed in purpose-built teleprompter hardware. We call this through-the-lens prompting.

Through-the-lens style teleprompter setup

This setup relies on specially manufactured beam-splitter glass mounted in front of the camera lens which reflects the PromptDog output back to the talent.

With the talent window open (see option 2 above), click the Mirror Talent Window option in the operator window.

Mirror talent window toggle switch

Ready to roll

Once you decide on your hardware configuration, getting started with PromptDog is easy:

Step 1: Load your script

Import your script by clicking the 'Import Text' button in the operator window sidebar or simply drag the file into the operator window. PromptDog currently supports files in plain text format.

Step 2: Arm the prompter

Click the 'Start Prompting' button in the sidebar or the play icon in the on-screen controls to ready the prompter for action.

Step 3: Start scrolling

Rotate your mouse scroll wheel to start the script scrolling on screen. (See below for alternatives to using a mouse).

Step 4: Control the speed

Rotate the mouse scroll wheel in the opposite direction to slow the scroll speed or go into full rewind mode. Pause and resume using the spacebar. 

That's it . . . you're off and running!

On-screen controls

We have already discussed one of the on-screen controls in the script section of the operator window (the Mirror Talent Window option). Here's what the other buttons do:

On-screen controls
1

The play button does the same thing as the Start Prompting button in the sidebar. When you open PromptDog for a new session, they both 'arm' the teleprompter, ready for action. After scrolling has been initiated with the mouse scroll wheel, use either one to pause or restart scrolling. (Keyboard shortcut: Spacebar)

2

Use this button to return to the begining of the script. (Shortcut key: T)

3

This button will rewind the script 5 lines. (Shortcut key: R)

4

Use this button to reverse the mouse wheel scroll action. See note below. (Shortcut key: Y)

5

As already mentioned, this button reverses the text on the Talent Window for use with through-the-lens style hardware. (Shortcut key: M)

Other quick tips

  • If you connect an external or second monitor, be sure your computer is set to extend your desktop to that external monitor, not just mirror the primary display.
  • If you use a word processor like Microsoft Word to compose your script, save your file in plain text format (.txt) and close the file before attempting to open it in PromptDog.
  • After importing your script, you can edit it by clicking the Edit Text button in the operator window control panel.
  • If the mouse wheel scroll speed is not to your liking, try changing the settings at system level using these instructions for MacOS or these instructions for Windows.
  • If you don't have a mouse to control scroll speed, your keyboard direction keys or a laptop trackpad will work as well.
  • Once you've got things the way you want, save your settings as a profile. That way, you won't have to recalibrate things like text size and line spacing the next time you start the program.
  • You can find the online user guide here.
  • Check the FAQs here for answers to questions not found in the user guide.
  • To contact support, click the help icon at bottom left in the operator window sidebar or use our contact form.

That's it . . .

That’s really all you need to know to get started with PromptDog. 

If you have any further questions don't hesitate to reach out to our support team via our contact form.

Thanks for being a PromptDog user!