Well, not much and quite a bit, depending on how the confidence monitor is used.
Traditionally a stage, or presidential, teleprompter uses glass ‘panels’ at head height with a scrolling script following the reader and providing a constantly heads-up presentation and engagement with the audience.
Confidence monitors are placed on the ground at the front of stage, like audio foldback wedges. They can display either a scrolling teleprompter feed or simply PPT speaking notes or bullet point slides, providing ‘confidence’ to the speaker but work best when the speaker is already fluent and confident in their presentation. This, of course, requires looking down but can still look natural if used like pauses for thought. Confidence monitors might also be used where there isn’t the opportunity to place prompter monitors at the back of the room
Conversely a reader might prefer to have PPT notes or keynote slides on the head-high glass too for better eye contact with their audience.
So, in common parlance, “confidence monitors” refers to floor-mounted displays for slides while “stage teleprompters” refers to glass paddles on stands at head-height. In theory it’s a mix and match, horses for courses situation. At Prompt Service Aotearoa we have more than three decades’ experience prompting for live events, so can advise on the most appropriate setup for any situation.
Stage Teleprompter heads-up display Confidence monitors- with teleprompter feed
