At one time I got interested in the “eye contact”, or lack of it, on video calls. I was going to present at an online conference, and I wanted people watching to have it look like I was looking right at them. Plus, possibly even more importantly, one-on-one calls with people.
I ended up buying a teleprompter (this one) and mounting it on a pole thing attached to my desk. I needed to put an iPad into it, so that it could reflect off the mirror and I could be looking at it while a camera behind it was capturing through said mirror. I happened to have an iPad that I don’t use much, so that worked out, but it was still awkward. Leaving it there all the time felt like a waste, and running a power cable into the teleprompter was awkward. Taking it in and out was awkward too. Thank gosh Apple has Sidecar because at least then I could have it act as a second display to my actual computer I was video calling on without running another cable.
I’m sure you can guess: the whole operation was just too weird to leave up all the time. The fact that it was this giant contraption hanging off my desk at all times was ultimately what did it in. I gave it away to someone else who wanted to try it.
The fact that Elgato makes one now makes it a little more appealing. Check out how much more chill it is:
There is still an issue with it though. You’re only going to look like you’re actually looking at people if you’re looking right at the teleprompter. The fact that dude above has two giant screens in front of him with an exciting video game on it means he’s going to be looking at that primarily. If the goal is not being distracted and actually looking like you’re looking at someone directly during a call, I don’t think this is going to cut it.
It’s almost like you need a camera right in the middle of your dang monitor.
It’s almost like you need a camera right in the middle of your dang monitor.
That’s what the Center Cam does! It’s literally this dingus that drops down a camera right in the middle of your monitor.
It seems so silly but also kinda like the only thing that would actually work, until they find some ultra clever way to put a camera behind a screen. I don’t think I’m going to pull the trigger on it right now, but if I had to do a ton of interviewing or something, I’d be tempted.
