Not All
Videoconference Depositions Are Created Equal

So you’re sold on the convenience of taking depositions
remotely so you can avoid the hassles of travel and save your client money. You
use Skype or FaceTime to keep in touch with your family when you do have to go
out of town on business, so you know how good videoconferencing technology has
become. But did you know that the service you use for a videoconference
deposition can have a huge effect on the quality of your deposition experience
and the final transcript?

At Greater Raleigh Court Reporting, we’ve made staying at
the forefront of new legal and court reporting technologies a top priority.
When videoconferenced depositions first went into use, Skype was the most
widely-used technology and essentially the only system we used. Over the years,
technology has evolved, and so have videoconferencing options. Unfortunately,
some court reporting firms still rely on Skype for videoconferenced depositions
when there are much better alternatives available.

Skype has the advantage of being the first widely-used
videoconferencing app, and it doesn’t require users to invest in specialized
equipment. It allows multiple attendees in multiple locations to attend a
meeting simultaneously. There are a number of reasons though that Skype
shouldn’t be used for a deposition.

First, the connection is not very reliable. Ideally all
attendees would be on a computer that’s hardwired to a modem or access point.
If multiple attendees are using Wi-Fi connections, the video or audio will lag
or cut out completely.  With spotty
audio, getting a verbatim transcript is nearly impossible. If the connection is
lost completely, it takes time to get everyone reconnected, and is very
frustrating.

In addition, attendees will all need a Skype account to take
part in the deposition, and Skype connections can be easily hacked.

Although Skype doesn’t require users to invest in external
equipment, if it’s used for a deposition, an external USB microphone and webcam
is necessary. If you’re relying on the laptop’s camera, the only person who
will be visible is the deponent. A laptop’s built-in microphone is directional,
meaning it only records sounds coming from directly in front of it. An external
omnidirectional microphone with noise reduction is required so all participants
can be heard.

Although there is an option to record Skype meetings in its
business edition, it’s not a standard feature, making recorded videoconference
depositions more of a hassle to obtain.

For the best videoconference deposition experience, you
should utilize a court reporting firm that uses a paid service.  You will  receive a calendar request and meeting
invitation with instructions and a secure link to join the deposition at the
appropriate time. Attendees can join using the secure app on a mobile phone,
tablet, laptop, or desktop – and they don’t have to have an account.

Once the deposition starts, you’ll notice that it is much
easier to see and hear all of the participants. The system uses its own
integrated audio hardware and camera, providing HD sound and video. Mobile
videoconferencing doesn’t require large amounts of bandwidth, so attendees can
join the deposition using Wi-Fi or a mobile device without a reduction in
quality. The screen view can be split when a witness is testifying about an
exhibit, with part of the screen showing the exhibit so there is no question
about which document is being referenced.

In addition, we are able to record separate audio and video
files of the entire deposition so it can be preserved for utilization in the
courtroom or for any other purpose.

We’ve used this technology to conduct thousands of
videoconferenced depositions attended by attorneys around the country. In this
area, our expertise is unrivaled. To schedule a mobile videoconferencing deposition,
contact us at: 
919-586-8011, or you can book online at: 
http://raleighcourtreporter.com/schedule-service