Teleprompter basics
Mirror Mode and Beam-Splitter Rigs: A DIY Teleprompter Setup Guide
How beam-splitter teleprompters work, when you need mirror mode, and how to build a budget rig with your phone, a tablet, or a picture frame.
In this guide
A beam-splitter teleprompter is the setup you see in newsrooms: a sheet of angled glass in front of the camera with text reflected on it. You look straight into the lens and read at the same time. It is the best eye contact you can get, and a basic version costs far less than you might think.
How a beam-splitter teleprompter works
- A screen (phone or tablet) lies flat, facing up, below the lens.
- A sheet of partly reflective glass sits at 45° in front of the camera.
- The glass reflects the screen toward you, so you see the text.
- The camera looks through the glass and sees you, not the text.
- A hood of dark fabric around the glass blocks stray light.
Because a reflection is reversed, the text has to be reversed first. That is mirror mode.
When you need mirror mode
- Using a beam-splitter rig: yes, turn mirror mode on.
- Reading directly off your phone screen: no, leave it off.
- Reading from a second screen next to the camera: no.
In Cue, mirror mode is a single toggle in the presenter settings. Test it with the rig in place: if the words read correctly in the glass, you have it right.
Option 1: Buy a phone or tablet rig
Entry-level rigs designed for phones hold the phone under the glass and clamp a camera behind it. They are compact, pack flat, and are the easiest route if you record a lot.
Look for:
- Real beam-splitter glass (often 70/30), not plain acrylic
- A hood to block light behind the glass
- A mount that fits your camera or a second phone
- Enough room for the screen size you plan to use
Option 2: Build one with a picture frame
A workable DIY version:
- A photo frame with a glass pane (A5 or A4 size)
- A cardboard box open at two sides
- Black fabric or card for the hood
- Your phone as the prompter, a second phone or camera to record
Set the glass at 45° inside the box, put the prompter phone flat underneath facing up, and the recording camera behind the glass. Cover everything except the lens opening in black. Ordinary glass works but will show a faint ghost image and a dimmer reflection; turn screen brightness up and keep the room light behind you low.
Settings that work well on a rig
- Large text: you are farther from the glass than from a handheld phone.
- Narrow column so your eyes barely move.
- High contrast, bright text on a dark background. The reflection is dimmer than the screen.
- A countdown so you can walk to position after pressing start.
- Voice Follow or a remote, since you cannot reach the screen. Voice Follow scrolls as you speak, which removes the need to touch anything once you begin.
Common problems
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Double image in the glass | Use beam-splitter glass, or dim the room behind you |
| Text too dim | Raise screen brightness, block light with a hood |
| Camera sees the text | Hood not sealed around the lens; add black fabric |
| Text reads backwards | Turn mirror mode on (or off) |
Do you actually need one?
For a 30-second Reel, no: reading near the lens on your phone is fine, as covered in our eye contact guide. For course lessons, long YouTube videos or corporate recordings where you read for minutes at a time, a rig pays for itself quickly in fewer retakes.
Frequently asked questions
Why is text reversed on a teleprompter?
The glass reflects the screen below it, which flips the image. Mirror mode reverses the text in advance so the reflection reads correctly.
Can I use normal glass for a DIY teleprompter?
Yes, for testing. Ordinary glass shows a faint reflection and a double image. Beam-splitter glass reflects more light with less ghosting, which is why proper rigs use it.
Do I need a rig to use a phone teleprompter?
No. For short videos, reading near the front camera works well. A rig matters for long reads where perfect eye contact is important.