Court Reporting Machines, the Mainstay in Courtrooms

\n\nSometimes called stenography writers, stenotypes, or shorthand machines, court reporting machines are a mainstay in courtrooms across the country. There are varied uses for this device beyond the courtroom, however, as they are useful for real time captions, deposition writing, and anyone who has a need to type much faster than normal keyboards can allow. Many contain embedded screens, dictionaries, and digital storage to round out the machine into a tool worthy of its reputation. Modern court reporting machines are a far cry from their origin and offer a powerful alternative to typing needs.\n\nThe first ever shorthand machine was invented in 1830 by Karl Drais. This machine functioned by punching the desired lettering directly into a paper strip. These paper based systems had some variation over the years and were used in Germany, Italy, America, and France over the next century. The main usage of this machine is to quickly and accurately record spoken language without interruption to the speaker. This technique is done by simplifying the language so that it is purely a phonetic representation of the words spoken. The context of the words helps to give them specific meaning.\n

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\nUsing a court reporting machines like this takes some skill both in learning to type and interpreting the results before translation. But the benefits gained far outweigh the costs. An average writer using a keyboard is able to write about 31 words per minute. A professional typist can reach a consistent speed of about 60 words per minute. Contrast this with the average stenographer who is able to type 200 words per minute and professionals who can reach up to 300. The record speed for a stenographer is a whopping 375 words per minute. Even stenography students are reportedly able to reach 100-120 words per minute within their first six months of training.\n\nShorthand machines offer a clear advantage over keyboards for dictation and recording of legal or other proceedings. Stenographers can keep up easily with the spoken word, staying in the moment for complete accuracy. The shorthand allows for syllables, words, and some phrases to be typed with a single key stroke. The advent of digital components makes the machines that much more powerful. Embedded dictionaries and standardization make converting the typed text into readable English easy. These dictionaries can be customized for your specific needs and preferences. The shorthand machine ends up paying for itself in the time stenographers will save.\n\nSpeed and accuracy are the most important aspects of any professional typist. While the standard keyboard is more familiar to the vast majority of people, the shorthand machine keyboard was designed with these key aspects in mind. The advantages of using a stenotype are unparalleled for making records of the spoken language or creating captions for a live event. An average speed of 200 words per minute is unattainable in any other typing form, and this capability assures that the stenographer is the most desirable record keeper. With embedded screens and dictionaries, it’s never been easier to save time keeping records without sacrificing quality or quickness.\n\n


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