Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) Computer-Aided Transcription (CAT) and Reporting Technology Syllabus

Computer-Aided Transcription (CAT) and Reporting Technology syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Computer-Aided Transcription (CAT) and Reporting Technology in Registered Professional Reporter (RPR), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   CAT Software Fundamentals

   4 topics

   • Major CAT platforms
     • Case CATalyst, Eclipse, ProCAT, StenoCAT
     • Job setup and case management
   • Dictionary architecture
     • Main vs job vs personal dictionaries
     • Priority and translation order
   • Steno notes import and reconciliation
   • Macros, automatic indexing, and global replacement
2. 2

   Realtime Connectivity and Output

   4 topics

   • Realtime feeds to attorneys and judges
     • Bridge, LiveNote/Case Notebook, CaseViewNet
     • Wired vs wireless connections
   • Streaming standards and protocols
   • Remote and hybrid proceeding setups
   • Troubleshooting dropped feeds and lag
3. 3

   Audio Synchronization and Backup

   4 topics

   • Audiosync recording with steno notes
   • Backup writing and redundant capture
   • Media management and file integrity
   • Data security and confidentiality of the record
4. 4

   Captioning and Emerging Technology

   4 topics

   • CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation)
   • Broadcast and webcast captioning basics
   • Voice writing as an alternative method
   • AI/ASR tools and the reporter's verification role

Computer-Aided Transcription (CAT) and Reporting Technology flashcards for Registered Professional Reporter (RPR)

24 of 51 cards from the Computer-Aided Transcription (CAT) and Reporting Technology deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What does CAT stand for in court reporting, and what is its core function?

   Computer-Aided Transcription. Software that automatically translates a reporter's steno (shorthand) outlines into readable English text in real time using a steno dictionary.

2. Name the major CAT software platforms used by stenographic court reporters.

   Eclipse (Advantage Software), Case CATalyst (Stenograph), ProCAT (Winner/Stenocat), and DigitalCAT. Eclipse and Case CATalyst dominate the U.S. market.

3. What is a steno (CAT) dictionary?

   A database that maps steno outlines (key combinations) to their English translations; it is the core lookup table the CAT software uses to translate steno strokes into text.

4. Distinguish a personal/main dictionary from a job dictionary in CAT software.

   The main (personal) dictionary holds the reporter's permanent, accumulated entries used across all jobs; a job dictionary holds temporary, case-specific entries (names, jargon) used only for that proceeding.

5. What is dictionary priority/hierarchy in CAT translation?

   The order in which the software searches dictionaries when translating a stroke. Job/case dictionaries are typically searched before the main dictionary, so case-specific definitions override the general ones.

6. What is a 'conflict' in a CAT dictionary?

   When one steno outline maps to two or more possible English words (e.g., 'their/there'). Modern CAT resolves conflicts with conflict-resolution/AI logic; otherwise the reporter must edit the chosen translation.

7. What is a 'brief' (brief form) in steno/CAT writing?

   A shortened, one- or few-stroke outline defined in the dictionary to represent a long word or phrase, reducing the number of strokes and improving speed and accuracy.

8. What is an 'untranslate' in CAT output?

   A stroke the software could not find in the dictionary, output as raw steno (e.g., 'TPHAOEU') instead of English. Untranslates must be defined or corrected during editing.

9. What does it mean to import and reconcile steno notes in CAT software?

   Loading the raw steno note file (the stroke record) into CAT and re-translating or aligning it against the transcript so the final text accurately reflects what was written, correcting drops or mistranslations.

10. Why is the raw steno note file important even after translation?

    It is the original, untranslated record of every stroke; it lets the reporter re-translate, recover dropped text, and verify accuracy, serving as the authoritative source for the transcript.

11. What is a macro in CAT software?

    A recorded or scripted sequence of commands/keystrokes triggered by a single command, automating repetitive editing tasks such as formatting Q&A, inserting parentheticals, or applying styles.

12. What is automatic (auto) indexing in CAT software?

    A feature that automatically detects and compiles exhibits, witnesses, and other referenced items into an index/concordance, generating page-and-line references for the transcript.

13. What is global replacement (a 'global') in CAT editing?

    A command that replaces every occurrence of a term throughout the transcript at once, and can add the correction to the dictionary so future strokes translate correctly.

14. Differentiate a 'global' from a simple find-and-replace in CAT software.

    Find-and-replace only changes text in the current document; a global both corrects all instances and updates the dictionary so the same steno translates correctly going forward, including in realtime.

15. What is realtime in court reporting?

    The instantaneous translation and display of steno into readable English text as the reporter writes, allowing attorneys, judges, and others to read the testimony live.

16. How is realtime text typically delivered to attorneys and judges?

    Via a realtime feed from the CAT software to receiving devices—over serial cable, Wi-Fi/LAN, or cloud streaming—displayed in viewing software such as Bridge, CaseViewNet, or browser/app clients.

17. Name common realtime viewing/client applications for receiving a reporter's feed.

    Eclipse's Bridge, Stenograph's CaseViewNet, LiveDeposition, LiveNote/Case Notebook, and cloud platforms like StenoCast or vendor browser clients.

18. What is the de facto serial protocol/standard for connecting realtime feeds to litigation software?

    The Bridge/Case CATalyst realtime stream over a serial (RS-232) or virtual COM port; LiveNote/Bridge formats are the common interoperability standards for receiving software.

19. What is StenoCast and what problem does it solve?

    A wireless transmitter/receiver system that broadcasts the reporter's realtime feed via Bluetooth/RF, eliminating cables between the reporter and attorneys' laptops/tablets.

20. What are typical causes of a dropped realtime feed?

    Wi-Fi interference or weak signal, loose/failed serial cables, IP/port misconfiguration, software incompatibility, dead batteries, or the receiving device sleeping. Redundancy and wired backups mitigate these.

21. What causes lag (latency) in a realtime feed, and how is it reduced?

    Network congestion, weak wireless signal, or cloud-relay delay. Reduce it by using wired/local connections, dedicated networks, fewer hops, and direct serial links instead of cloud streaming when possible.

22. What is a basic troubleshooting step when an attorney's realtime screen freezes but the reporter still writes?

    The receiving connection dropped, not the writing. Verify cable/Wi-Fi link, re-establish the feed (reconnect the COM port/session), and confirm the receiving software is still listening on the correct port/session.

23. What is a remote (virtual) deposition setup?

    A proceeding where participants appear via videoconference (e.g., Zoom) and the reporter captures testimony remotely, often using internet audio, remote swearing of the witness, and cloud realtime/exhibit sharing.

24. What is a hybrid proceeding?

    A proceeding mixing in-person and remote participants—some in the room and others joining by video—requiring the reporter to manage both local and remote audio/realtime feeds.

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