# Camera Controls

Choose a camera and microphone, set capture options, and prepare filters or backgrounds before recording your scripted video.

Source: https://teleprompterfocus.com/docs/camera-controls/

Updated: 2026-11-04

QUICK ANSWER

## Where are the camera and recording settings?

Use Flip and the lens buttons on the camera screen, or open Tools for audio, filters, backgrounds and capture settings. Choose the camera and effects before recording.

## Choose camera and lens

Tap **Flip** on the camera dock to switch between front and rear cameras before recording. Use the available lens buttons to choose a view supported by the current camera. Camera and lens changes are unavailable during countdown and capture.

Open **Tools** for Grid, Filter, Bg, Mic and Rec controls. Set up a short test take before filming the full script.

## Choose an audio input

Open **Tools → Mic** to see **Audio Input**. Choose **System Default** or an input that iOS currently makes available. Connect an external mic before opening the picker; the list reflects available routes rather than a guarantee of support for every accessory.

**Mic mode** opens the system mic-mode picker when available. Modes depend on the audio route and are managed by iOS. Play a test recording back to confirm that the selected mic captures your voice clearly.

## Set orientation before recording

Frame your shot in portrait or landscape before starting a take. Keep the phone in that orientation throughout the recording. For a different orientation, stop and start a new take.

## Use the composition grid

Tap **Tools → Grid** to toggle a rule-of-thirds framing aid. Use it to check headroom and eye position. The grid and scrolling script are preview aids; they do not appear in the saved video.

## Understand mirroring

**Mirror text** in Prompter settings reverses the script for reflective rigs. It does not change your recorded face or reverse writing in the scene. There is no separate camera-mirror toggle in the current Tools panel.

Check a short saved take if the direction of text or objects matters. See [prompter mirror instructions](https://teleprompterfocus.com/docs/prompter-controls/#mirror-mode).

## Zoom and check framing

Pinch the camera preview to adjust zoom. Available zoom and lenses depend on the camera and device. Higher digital zoom crops the image and can reduce detail; check the result in a saved test take.

## Choose capture settings and countdown

Open **Tools → Rec** for **Capture Settings**. Choose **Resolution**, **Frame rate**, **Codec** and **Countdown**. Unsupported choices are disabled; an unavailable combination may use a supported fallback.

Changes apply to the next recording. H.264 favours compatibility; HEVC favours smaller files. Set Countdown to Off for an immediate start, or choose a delay to settle into position.

## Choose a filter before the take

Open **Tools → Filter** and preview **None**, **Warm**, **Cool**, **Noir**, **Vivid** or **Fade**. Choose None for an unfiltered image. Filters become part of the saved video; you cannot remove them afterwards in Teleprompter.

## Blur or replace the background

Open **Tools → Bg**. Choose **Off**, **Blur**, an included scene or a custom photo. Preview the edges around your hair, hands and clothing before recording. Even front lighting and a clear separation from the background can help.

Choose effects before recording; filter and background selection is blocked during a take. Background effects become part of the saved video, so keep them off when you may want the original scene later.

## If the preview or recording is not ready

Check camera and microphone permission in iPhone Settings. If a control is unavailable, stop the take or countdown first and let the camera become ready. Follow any recovery message shown by the app and let saving finish before starting another take.

After recording, follow [Captions & Export](https://teleprompterfocus.com/docs/captions-export/) to prepare and share the video. Teleprompter does not provide trimming or post-record filter and background editing.