If you present on camera, whether it is a CEO message, an online course, a product walkthrough, or a YouTube video, the job is the same: deliver your script clearly, look the viewer in the eye, and get it done in as few takes as possible. Memorising paragraphs is hard, and glancing down at notes breaks the connection with your audience.
A teleprompter solves that by putting the script right in front of the lens. This guide explains how it works, how to set up the Neewer X17 II, and how to read naturally so the prompter is invisible to your viewers.
Video: Introducing the NEEWER X17 II Remote Teleprompter, Neewer Official.
TL;DR
A teleprompter reflects your script off angled glass in front of the lens, so you can read while looking straight into the camera. The Neewer X17 II has 43cm glass with 71% light transmission, a 4m reading range, a 501PL quick release for cameras up to 20kg, and an RT111 Bluetooth remote with the Neewer Teleprompter app. Stand further back, zoom in, and use white text on black for the most natural delivery.
Keep Eye Contact While You Read
Talking to a lens is a skill. Without a script, most people hesitate, repeat themselves, or lose their place. With paper notes or a screen off to the side, their eyes keep dropping away from the camera, and viewers notice.
A teleprompter puts the words exactly where you are already looking. Instead of trying to remember what comes next, you can focus on your tone, pacing, and expression, which is what makes a presenter look confident and credible.
Conrad's Advice: "The core secret to using a prompter successfully is eye positioning. Stand back at least two to three meters from the glass and zoom your lens in to match the framing, as this distance reduces visible left to right tracking movements of your pupils as you read."
How a Beamsplitter Teleprompter Works
A tablet or phone lies flat below a sheet of special glass, called a beamsplitter, angled in front of your lens. The teleprompter app shows the script mirrored, the glass reflects it up towards you so it reads the right way round, and the camera looks straight through the glass behind it.
Because some light is reflected rather than passed through, a beamsplitter cuts a little of the light reaching your lens. The X17 II lets 71% through, so you may need to open up slightly or add a little light compared with shooting without it.
Neewer X17 II Teleprompter
43cm beamsplitter, 4m reading range, foldable no-assembly design, 501PL quick release for cameras up to 20kg, RT111 remote, and a carrying case.
View ProductFewer Takes, Easier Editing
Unscripted delivery can work for short social clips, but training videos, courses, product explainers, and anything with exact wording quickly fall apart without a script. A prompter helps in a few clear ways:
- Confidence: you are not carrying the script in your head, so you can concentrate on delivery.
- Accuracy: product names, figures, and key messages come out exactly as written.
- Fewer retakes: fewer forgotten lines means fewer stops and restarts.
- Smoother edits: a steady scroll speed keeps your pacing consistent from start to finish, so cuts join up more naturally.
Setting Up the X17 II
The X17 II folds out with no assembly, and setup follows five steps: fit the quick release plate to the teleprompter base, mount it on a tripod, zip up the hood, adjust the position, and put the camera on. The zippered hood blocks stray light from reaching the glass, which keeps the text easy to read and reduces reflections.
The camera sits on a 501PL quick-release plate, the same standard used on many video tripod heads, so you can move it between the prompter and your tripod in seconds. The platform adjusts 5.6 to 8.9cm vertically and 24.8cm horizontally to line the lens up with the centre of the glass, and supports cameras up to 20kg.
| Specification | Neewer X17 II |
|---|---|
| Beamsplitter | 43cm (17 inch), 71% light transmission |
| Reading range | Up to 4m |
| Camera support | 501PL quick release, up to 20kg |
| Adjustment | 45 degree tilt, 5.6 to 8.9cm vertical, 24.8cm horizontal |
| Device holder | Tablets and phones up to 23.5cm wide |
| Control | RT111 Bluetooth remote and Neewer Teleprompter app |
| Mounting | 1/4 and 3/8 inch threads, cold shoe mounts |
| Weight | 3.2kg |
| In the box | Teleprompter, RT111 remote, carrying case |
As specified by the manufacturer, Neewer, from our product listing.
Control the Script Without Leaving Your Mark
The X17 II comes with the RT111 Bluetooth remote, which pairs with the free Neewer Teleprompter app on iOS and Android. From where you stand, you can play and pause, change the scroll speed and font size, and page up or down, so a solo presenter never has to walk back to the tablet mid-take.
If your hands are busy, for example demonstrating a product, the Neewer RT112 foot switch controls the app with your foot instead.
Reading Naturally
The difference between a presenter who looks like they are reading and one who looks like they are talking comes down to a few habits:
- Stand back and zoom in. The further you are from the glass, the less your eyes move side to side. The X17 II's 4m reading range gives you room.
- Keep lines short. Use a larger font so each line holds only a few words.
- Set a comfortable speed. Let the text follow you, not the other way round. Adjust it live with the remote.
- Rehearse. Read the script aloud a couple of times first, so you know where the pauses and emphasis go.
Conrad's Advice: "Always adjust the background contrast inside your prompting app to a rich black canvas with crisp white text. This high contrast configuration lets you drop your tablet panel brightness lower, reducing secondary glass glare in dark studio setups."
Which Teleprompter Fits Your Setup?
Choose by camera weight, how far you want to stand back, and whether you want to use your own tablet or a built-in screen.
| Model | Glass | Light transmission | Reading range | Camera support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neewer X11 | 11 inch, with built-in 9 inch monitor | 75% | Not specified | Arca-type, up to 2kg |
| Neewer X14 III | 36cm (14 inch) | 75% | 3m | 501PL, Not specified |
| Neewer X17 II | 43cm (17 inch) | 71% | 4m | 501PL, up to 20kg |
As specified by the manufacturer, Neewer, from our product listings.
For travel, the X17 II folds down and stores in its carrying case, at a net weight of 3.2kg. Keep the glass in the case between shoots to protect it.
Teleprompters and Accessories
Pick the size for your camera and reading distance.
Biggest glass
Neewer X17 II Teleprompter
43cm glass, 4m reading range, 20kg camera support, RT111 remote.
View
Built-in screen
Neewer X11 Teleprompter
11 inch glass with a built-in 9 inch monitor, doubles as a computer screen.
View
Hands-free
Neewer RT112 Foot Switch
Scroll the script with your foot, Bluetooth or USB-C powered.
ViewRelated Guides
Teleprompter FAQs
How do I look natural reading a teleprompter?
Stand further back from the camera and zoom in to frame yourself, so your eyes move less as you read. Use large white text on a black background, set a comfortable scroll speed, and rehearse the script a few times before recording.
How does a teleprompter work?
A tablet or phone lies flat below a sheet of angled beamsplitter glass in front of the lens. The glass reflects the mirrored text up towards you, while the camera looks straight through the glass, so you read while looking into the lens.
Which Neewer teleprompter should I choose?
The X17 II has the biggest glass and the longest 4m reading range, and supports cameras up to 20kg. The X14 III is a smaller 36cm option with a 3m range. The X11 has its own built-in 9 inch monitor and suits lighter cameras up to 2kg.
Is a remote included with the Neewer X17 II?
Yes. Our listing includes the RT111 Bluetooth remote, which works with the Neewer Teleprompter app to play, pause, and change speed. The RT112 foot switch is available separately if you want hands-free control.
Why buy a teleprompter from CameraStuff?
CameraStuff offers a 2-year local warranty on Neewer gear, a 60-day money-back guarantee, free delivery on orders over R1000, and you can try the teleprompters at our Blairgowrie showroom.
Conrad Knuist
Head of Marketing and Photography Specialist
Conrad Knuist is Head of Marketing and Photography Specialist at CameraStuff, South Africa's specialist camera and lighting retailer. With over 18 years of hands-on experience across portrait, event, and commercial photography, Conrad helps South African creators and businesses build video setups that work.
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