Free software for studio teleprompter monitors

Monitor-based studio prompters get their picture from a computer over HDMI or SDI. Any software that shows clear, reversible text can drive them, including Reframely running full screen on a laptop.

Which prompters this covers

Studio prompters such as the ikan PT4900 19-inch, the Autocue 17-inch Pioneer and the Fortinge VEGA 19-inch are monitor-based and sell for thousands of dollars (FrontDesk Review). Marketplace bundles such as MOGX's larger kits work the same way. Dedicated prompting software for these setups is a paid extra; Prompter People's TeleScroll lists at $249.99, with voice scrolling as an add-on (Prompter People).

Drive the monitor from a laptop

1. Connect the laptop to the prompter monitor and set it as an extended display.
2. Open Reframely, drag the window onto the prompter monitor and choose Your rig → Studio prompter monitor driven by a laptop.
3. Press F for full screen.
4. Reverse the picture once: many prompter monitors have a hardware reverse switch. Use that or Reframely's Mirror, not both.
5. Let a producer run the script from a phone remote (Reframely Pro), or use a clicker, foot pedal or Stream Deck mapped in Clicker setup.

Good to know

• Reframely shows one script window; it doesn't send separate feeds to several monitors or provide broadcast-style rundowns.
• Voice follow needs a microphone near the presenter; the laptop's own mic is often too far away in a studio.
• For multi-camera broadcast work with support contracts, dedicated prompting systems are still the safer choice.

Choosing the signal path

• HDMI from a laptop: the simplest. Set the prompter as an extended display, not mirrored, so the operator keeps controls on the laptop screen.
• SDI rigs: use an HDMI-to-SDI converter from the laptop. Set the laptop's output resolution to one the monitor supports, usually 1080p.
• Long cable runs: HDMI over long distances can be unreliable; an HDMI-over-Ethernet extender or SDI is steadier.

Readable from across the studio

Large prompter monitors are read from further away, so text needs to be big: start around 60 to 80 pixels and adjust from the talent's position. Tighter line spacing fits more on screen; the Studio preset sets this. Keep the reading line at about 40% down the screen, which is where most presenters' eyes settle.

More than one prompter

For multi-camera shoots with a prompter on each camera, every screen can follow the same script. Open the output link on each display, or for operator-run shows with confidence monitors and cues, use SyncedCue Studio.

Last updated October 18, 2026.