Meet The Pocked-Sized Parrot 2 Teleprompter

NewsIndustry

by Olaf von VossJuly 28^th, 2016

Back in 2014, a guy named Brigham Arce developed an inexpensive and versatile teleprompter, very useful for YouTube videos or for small interview setups. Now, almost two years after its release, he is about to launch a kickstarter campaign for a successor, the Parrot 2.

Meet the Parrot 2

When it comes to creating professional-looking YouTube videos or interview setups where you want your subject to look straight into the eyes of the audience, you’ll probably need some kind of teleprompter. This allows you to read the lines from a semi-translucent mirror which sits right in front of the lens. Normally these devices come at a price, but this tiny one is a lot more budget-friendly.

The Parrot 2 telepromter with closed front cover

The original Parrot teleprompter is now on sale if you can’t wait for the update: you can get one here for $99.

Watch the Kickstarter campaign video, which explains in detail the evolution that led from the original Parrot Teleprompter to the Parrot 2.

Features of the Parrot 2

The specifications of the Parrot 2 are more or less the same as the original Parrot teleprompter, but a lot of details have been improved in order to create an even better device. For example, larger phones are now supported, as the whole device is just a little bit wider. This is good not just because the average phone size has increased over the years, but also because you get more screen real estate which results in better readability.

left: original Parrot Teleprompter. right: new Parrot 2

• Dimensions: 120mm x 100mm x 83mm (about 4.5″ x 4″ x 3.25″)
• Weight: 180 grams or .4lb, which is a little over half a pound with most smartphones
• Mirror: Professional 30R/70T teleprompter glass. Coated with a vapor deposition process to ensure even coating and superb optical clarity
• Clamp: Adjustible spring loaded clamp to hold a smartphone in place. It also has a rubber grip pad to ensure the smartphone does not slip out
• Mount: Common size filter adapters are included to ensure universal lens compatability. Ø49mm, Ø52mm, Ø55mm, Ø58mm, Ø62mm, Ø67mm, Ø72mm, Ø77mm, Ø82mm
• wireless remote

Please note that the teleprompter itself is kind of just the mount for your phone, which is an essential part of the setup. You’ll also need the parrot teleprompter app, available on the App Store and on Google play. With all that you can control the app via your phone or with the wireless remote.

Another neat trick is if you are about to conduct an interview with your subject looking straight into camera: you still can use the Parrot 2 for this purpose. Just replace the Parrot app with a Facetime call, for example. That way, your subject will look at your face (and straight into camera) while you are sitting somewhere else with a phone in your hand.

Learn all about the new Parrot 2 campaign over at kickstarter.com. The campain will launch at noon (pacific time). For $110 you can get a pro pack with the Parrot 2 itself, all the adapters, a cleaning kit and the wireless remote. Shipping is due for September 2016.

What do you think? Are you already using devices like these, or do you think this could be useful? Please let us know!