Streaming Realtime Transcription: Definition: The term for transcription by court reporters to deliver computer text, audio and video of speech within seconds of the words being spoken.
Realtime used to be transmitted by text only. Technology advancements now allow realtime transcription to be transmitted with audio and video of the proceedings as well as text. Users can see the text and video from any computer as the witness answers questions. Streaming realtime can be viewed from any computer, whether in the same room as the proceedings, or can be viewed remotely from another location.
Here are some of the benefits of using realtime transcription you don’t want to miss:
View text and video in real time during the proceedings. This means while the witness is testifying you can see exactly how the testimony is coming in viewed from text as well as video. If a deposition will be played for a jury at trial, having video and audio available will allow your jury to view and hear the demeanor of the witness as he or she is testifying. Text-only testimony is often missing this layer and not portraying all that is being communicated by the witness through body language and voice inflection.
Attend and participate in depositions remotely from any computer with an internet connection. With streaming video, you are able to attend several depositions in different cities on the same day. The court reporter will be in the room with the witness. One or many attorneys can be present via live streaming video and participate fully in the proceedings. You can also use this technology to avoid expensive travel to depose witnesses in other states in some circumstances.
You have complete access to testimony while proceedings are in progress. Live streaming often comes with the ability to search text while the deposition is occurring. You can scroll back to review a previous answer while the deposition continues. Ask your court reporter if this capability is available before the deposition begins.
Obtain a rough draft copy of the transcript after proceedings have concluded. A rough draft allows you to use the testimony as soon as you get back to the office in preparing for your next deposition in the case, rather than wait to see the transcript several days later when the court reporter furnishes the official copy. A rough draft copy can be invaluable in allowing you to continuing preparing your case in a timely manner.
Getting Started: When scheduling a deposition, ask your court reporting firm if they provide realtime text and video transcription. Realtime transcription is often provided at higher rates than regular transcription, so be prepared to pay a little more for the convenience of realtime transcription. The benefits will be well worth the higher rate and allow you to be more effective and more productive.
To learn more about legal technologies, download this free report: “5 Technologies Every Attorney Must Have”.