Skip to content
English
Go to steno.com
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

Steno Legal Videography: Professional Standards & Technical Guide

Guidelines for delivering high-quality, professional legal videography—on-site and remote.

Steno requires its representatives to facilitate a smooth litigation process. This involves setting up on time, capturing high-quality video and audio, conducting legal read-ons and read-offs, meticulously documenting record times and exhibit logs, troubleshooting technical issues as they arise, and ensuring that all files are uploaded promptly.

Table of Contents

General Expectations for All Jobs

Arrival and Setup Expectations

  • In-Person Jobs: Arrive one (1) hour before the scheduled start time to allow sufficient time for setup.

  • Remote Jobs: Log in 30 minutes before the scheduled start time to test and troubleshoot audio, video, and internet stability.

Pre-Job Tasks:

  • Time Syncing: Coordinate with the Court Reporter (when applicable) before the proceeding starts.

  • California Compliance: Obtain the Court Reporter’s License Number and state it during the official read-on.

    • The Court Reporter's license number is only required for the read-on for non-federal proceedings with a court venue in California.

Dress Code

As a legal videographer, you should be as non-distracting as possible during the deposition. 

An essential part of this is dressing professionally, which involves attire suitable for a courtroom or other professional environment. For example, casual T-shirts without collars, graphic tees, and similar apparel, as well as hoodies, exercise clothing, and shorts, are not acceptable.

⏱️ Time Synchronization with the Court Reporter

Always sync time using an atomic clock (e.g., time.gov) before the deposition begins to ensure accurate timestamps.

  1. State the exact time, including seconds

    1. Example: “The time is now 06:18:25, 26, 27, 28, 29.”

    2. Count out five seconds aloud to allow for verification.

  2. If the Court Reporter’s time differs by 3 seconds or less, proceed normally.

  3. If the time difference exceeds 3 seconds, both parties should sync using an atomic clock, ensuring the correct time zone is selected.

Special Case – Steno Machines Without Seconds Display:

  • Some machines only record HH:MM (no seconds).

  • In these cases, sync by stating the exact moment the minute changes.

Video & Audio Standards

  • Framing Requirements: Ensure a properly framed and well-lit video of the deponent.

    • In-Person: Capture the deponent from the top of the table to just above the head.

    • Remote: Capture from the chest to just above the head.

      • In Zoom, ensure you "spotlight" the witness/deponent to ensure a recording of only the witness.

Remote Framing Sample


(Example of remote framing)

unnamed (1)

(Example of in-person framing)

  • Audio Quality: Maintain clear, professional-grade audio throughout the proceeding.

  • Legal Requirements: Conduct Steno’s legal read-on and read-off as mandated.

Worksheet & File Submission

These guidelines apply to all job types and remoteness.

Video Worksheet

Submitting Your Materials

Job-Specific Technical Requirements

The technical requirements and responsibilities for Steno videographers are tailored to the specific context of each proceeding, whether in-person, remote, or hybrid.

The following section outlines comprehensive expectations for each job type, detailing the necessary equipment, setup procedures, and submission guidelines.

🆘 For complex technical issues, contact Steno's Technical Support Team at:

📞 888-404-0390

In-Person Jobs

Technical & Recording Requirements

  • Timecode Burn-In: Ensure the timecode is burned into the video recording.

  • Audio Recording: You must capture the audio of everyone in the room.

Fully Remote Jobs

Zoom Technical & Recording Requirements

  • Zoom account requirements: Maintain an active Zoom account and ensure the Zoom desktop app is updated regularly.

📝 Please note: A paid Zoom account is not required.

  • Claim Zoom Host when you join the remote meeting room.

    • Use the host key provided in the booking email to claim host controls.Zoom Host Key_Assignment Email

  • Assist with Technical Issues
    • As participants join the remote meeting room, confirm that their camera and audio work as expected and that they can see and hear other participants.
    • If you need assistance troubleshooting any tech issues, call our Steno Tech Line at (888) 404-0390.
  • Manage Zoom Participants
  • Exhibit Handling & Video Submission
  • Video Submission Requirements

    • Steno Zoom Links (e.g., remote links that contain the word steno in the URL)

      • Do not submit any video files, including backup recordings, to Steno unless specifically requested.

    • Non-Steno Meeting Links

      • Screen recording is required, and media files must be submitted. 

⛔️ Invoices that include a media or transfer fee for remote jobs conducted on a Steno link will be subject to dispute. ⛔️

Hybrid Jobs (In-Person with Remote Participants)

  • Bring at least one (1) laptop (unless otherwise specified).

  • If you have received equipment from Steno, you must bring this kit to the location.

  • Ensure smooth communication between in-person and remote participants.

To learn more about the specifics related to hybrid jobs, please visit our 'Hybrid Job Guide for Legal Videographers' article.

Recommended Equipment for In-Person Jobs

Here is a non-exhaustive list of the minimum equipment recommended to record a
deposition.

  • Enough lavalier ("lapel") mics to record audio from:
    • Taking/Ordering Attorney(s)
    • Deponent/Witness
    • Defense Attorney/Opposing Counsel
  • A backup microphone to record the room and capture audio from any additional participants
  • Audio Mixer
  • One (1) video camera with the following capabilities:
    • Ability to continuously record for 7+ hours without having to stop for a battery change. It is not acceptable for a videographer to have to stop a deposition for a battery change
    • Sufficient card space to record 7+ hours in HD, plus backup cards. A videographer should never have to stop a deposition to change SD cards.
    • Timecode (atomic time) burned into the video feed
    • 1080p HD resolution (this is preferred over 4K to expedite video file uploads
      and downloads). Do not record in 720p.
  • Tripod
  • Neutral backdrop for the witness
  • At least one laptop (2 is recommended but not required. Clients will occasionally request more than one laptop)
  • Extra chargers, extension cords, adapters, and securing tape (electrical, gaffer’s,
    etc.) to ensure your equipment stays operational in any location.
  • One (1) backup camera (if possible) and/or capability to run a backup recording of
    the camera feed on a PC

Backup Recording

You must have a backup recording of every video file. You can achieve this by either:

  • Running a backup recording on a secondary camera.

  • Running your camera feed into your PC and using recording software to record the feed (many videographers use OBS to do this).

Backup recordings must be retained for 21 days after the job materials have been received by Steno and must be deleted thereafter. 

Picture-in-Picture (PiP) Video Order

For jobs with a picture-in-picture (PiP) video order, please send us the video feeds of the witness and of the exhibits as separate files even if the feeds were live-mixed during the deposition.

 

Back to the top

Related Articles