Court reporters record all statements made in an official proceeding. They take down all statements at speeds of approximately 200 words per minute and present their record as the official transcript. Because there is only one person creating an official transcript, accuracy is vitally important. Court reporters often use stenotype machines to record statements made in official proceedings. Still others record the proceedings in the U.S. Congress, in State and local governing bodies, and in government agencies at all levels.
Some reporters still dictate notes on magnetic tapes that a typist can transcribe later.
Others transcribe their own notes, or give them to note readers, persons skilled in reading back shorthand notes. Most commonly, reporters use stenotype machines that print shorthand symbols on paper and record them on computer disks. The disks are then loaded into a computer that translates and displays the symbols in English. This is called Computer-Aided Transcription. Stenotype machines that link directly to the computer are used for real-time captioning.