Guide 2 min read by ScrollCue Team
Guide

Teleprompter setup for a home studio

A home studio teleprompter setup does not require professional hardware. A phone running ScrollCue placed below your camera is all you need.

Launch App — It's Free

Free plan available · No download required · No credit card

Quick answer

How to set up a teleprompter in your home studio for YouTube, Zoom, or DSLR recording. Phone, tablet, or laptop — complete setup guide.

You do not need a glass rig

Professional teleprompters use a half-mirror that reflects the script toward the camera while remaining transparent to the lens. They cost hundreds to thousands of dollars and require a dedicated setup. For most home studio use — YouTube videos, Zoom calls, podcast recordings — a phone or tablet below the camera lens achieves 90% of the result at zero cost.

The key variable is the angle between your eyes, the script, and the camera lens. Keep that angle under 5 degrees and the eye movement disappears in standard video.

Setup by recording type

Webcam / laptop setup

Best for: Zoom calls, interview-style YouTube, podcast video.

  • Device: phone or small tablet
  • Position: resting on keyboard directly below webcam
  • Font size: 48–56px
  • Distance: 40–60cm from eyes
  • Voice scroll: on — no need to touch the device mid-take

DSLR / mirrorless setup

Best for: YouTube hero shots, course content, professional-looking video.

  • Device: iPad or large tablet
  • Position: mounted below the lens on the tripod plate or a separate stand
  • Font size: 60–72px
  • Distance: 80–150cm from eyes
  • QR remote: use a phone as remote so you can start takes without reaching forward

Screen-share / software demo

Best for: product demos, tutorials, software walkthroughs.

  • Device: ScrollCue in a separate browser window
  • Position: secondary monitor or window snapped to one side
  • Font size: 40–48px (closer reading distance)
  • Recording: use ScrollCue screen-share mode to capture both script and demo

Cheap gear that actually helps

Phone holder clamp $8–15 Clips to a mic stand, tripod, or desk edge. Positions your phone exactly below the lens.
Small tablet stand $12–25 Freestanding acrylic or aluminium stands that hold an iPad at the right angle on a desk.
Flexible arm mount $15–30 Mounts to a desk edge and positions any device at any angle. Most versatile option.
Mini tripod $10–20 Place directly in front of your laptop for a low-cost webcam setup. Good for phone-only rigs.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest teleprompter setup for a home studio?

A phone running ScrollCue free placed below your webcam on a small stand costs nothing beyond the stand. Voice scroll is free. This setup works for most YouTube, podcast, and Zoom recording workflows.

Should I use a phone or tablet for a home studio teleprompter?

A phone works well for webcam setups at under 1 metre. An iPad is better for DSLR setups at 1–2 metres because the larger screen allows bigger font sizes.

Do I need a glass teleprompter rig for a home studio?

No. Glass rigs are designed for broadcast and high-end production. For home studio YouTube and Zoom work, a phone or iPad below your camera lens achieves results that are indistinguishable in standard video.

Can I use ScrollCue for screen-share recordings?

Yes. Open ScrollCue in a separate browser window alongside your demo. The Pro plan includes a dedicated screen-share recording mode that captures both.