Is a tablet better than a phone for a teleprompter?

For a separate camera or a beam-splitter rig, often yes, because larger text is easier to read from further away.

Where should I place the tablet?

As close to the camera lens as possible, usually directly below it, with the text at the top of the screen.

Can I record on the tablet while reading from it?

Yes, but tablet front cameras sit at the edge of a large screen, so eye movement can be more noticeable than on a phone.

Using a Tablet as a Teleprompter: Setup and Tips

How to use a tablet as a teleprompter for a camera, webcam or live talk, including positioning, text settings and when a tablet beats a phone.

A tablet makes a good teleprompter when you are recording with a separate camera or presenting live. The larger screen lets you use bigger text and sit further back, which can actually reduce visible eye movement.

When a tablet beats a phone

Separate camera: a tablet below the lens shows bigger text at a distance.
Beam-splitter rig: many rigs are designed for tablet-sized screens.
Live presentations: a tablet on a lectern or stand is easy to glance at.
Long scripts: more text visible at once can help some readers.

Positioning

Place the tablet as close to the camera lens as you can, usually directly below it. Angle it so you can read without tilting your head. Position the text at the top of the screen, nearest the lens. The closer the words are to the lens, the more natural your eye contact looks.

Text settings

Because you sit further back, increase the text size. Keep lines short so your eyes do not sweep across a wide screen. Use light text on a dark background to reduce glare. See font size and distance.

Landscape or portrait?

In portrait orientation, lines are naturally shorter, which reduces eye movement. Landscape gives wider lines that are easier to read but more visible on camera. For most talking videos, portrait with large text works well.

With a beam-splitter rig

Place the tablet face up under the glass and turn on mirror mode so the reflected text reads correctly. Our beam-splitter guide explains the setup.

Controlling the scroll

When the tablet is under a camera, touching it mid-take is awkward. Options include:

A steady, preset scroll speed
A voice-following mode that moves as you speak. See voice-controlled teleprompters.
A Bluetooth remote, if your app supports one

Recording on the tablet itself

You can record with the tablet's front camera while reading, but the camera often sits at the edge of a large screen, so your eyes may look away more. Keep the text close to the camera edge and step back a little.

For live talks

On a stage or at a lectern, a tablet works well in a cue card style. Short prompts are easier to glance at than full paragraphs. See teleprompter vs cue cards.

Power and settings

Before recording, plug the tablet in, turn on do not disturb, and stop the screen from dimming or locking. A notification or a dimmed screen mid-take is a common frustration.

Phone, tablet or both?

Cue is built for Android phones first. A phone on top of a separate camera or in a small rig is often enough. Use what gives you comfortable text at a natural distance.