Pros and Cons of Stenocast versus Rapid Refresh by Stenograph

[Janiece Young]

I'm trying to decide whether to purchase a Stenocast system or the Rapid Refresh product from Stenograph.

Rapid Refresh provides a realtime feed that makes corrections into the text for the attorney as I make them.  That's a good thing.

Rapid Refresh requires a yearly subscription fee.  That's not so good.  It's never paid for.

I don't do a ton of realtime, so I don't want to spend a ton on equipment.

Rapid Refresh only works with CaseViewNet so if you have an attorney who wants to use Bridge or Livenote, it is not going to work.

I tried out the Stenocast unit and I really liked it.  I think it does refresh for a few lines, which is when I usually "fix" things.  It is really easy.  All you have to do is load a driver for the attorney and plug in the receiver and you are up and running.  It works with all kinds of viewing software.  Once it is paid for it is paid for.  There is no yearly subscription fee.

What has your experience been?  

Thanks,

Janiece

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

I've never heard of CVN.  I'd like to hear more about that.  I know it's all going to be iPads soon and I'll need to upgrade. 

The problem is where I live,  the reporter has to invest in four or five iPads.  I've already done that with the netbooks and don't want to spend the extra three grand for the iPads when the netbooks work great.  I don't get any extra benefit.  There is no difference.  As an example, an attorney asked me last week if I could hook him up with "his" iPad.  I said no, I didn't have that capability but I provided him with a computer so he would have RT.  He was happy with that and I get the RT fee.  What's the difference?  If I go spend another 3K to provide the same thing, what benefit am I getting?  I can provide RT now.  The only difference is I'll be out 3K.  I know eventually I'll do it but I don't want to spend the extra money now, at least not yet.  Stenocast works great for me.

[Rachel Gard]

Sorry for the abbreviations and not being clear.  CVN is CaseviewNet wireless with the router.  The Rapid Refresh that Janiece is talking about is a feature of CaseviewNet.

I'm going to slowly start replacing all my netbooks with iPads whenever I need a tax write-off since I really think that's where the industry is headed.

 

[Lisa O'Sullivan]

Just expanding a little on Rachel's comment, CVN (CaseViewNet) is the CaseCATalyst realtime viewer, like Bridge is the Eclipse realtime viewer. Rapid Refresh is one feature of CVN that is available just to CaseCAT reporters. It works instantly and effortlessly.

With the type of work I do (which is the same as you and Rachel: tech realtime, mostly patent cases), I also need multiple devices to hand out as loaners. Currently I have half netbooks and half iPads. I agree with your point about why should you replace the netbooks if they're working fine, but I've made the same decision as Rachel to eventually replace the netbooks and then have only iPads for two reasons:

One, the iPads take up so much less room, so I have less stuff to schlep around. Two, the iCVN program for the iPads is so streamlined and easy to use, so I don't have to explain to attorneys how to use it, put out reminder sticky notes, etc. My job Thursday was the last straw in the decision to go all-iPad. One of the interpreters was having the hardest time figuring out how to go between scroll/follow realtime on the netbook, and she kept constantly interrupting the proceedings--and me--asking for help.

[Deborah M.]

I have been very happy with Stenocast.  I was hesitant to purchase it at first because I used cables and they always work, plus I don't do a huge amount of realtime.  Now that I have it, I love it.  I am on Eclipse software and I use Bridge.  So if I use the red receivers, it does refresh, but I think only the last paragraph.  I would not want to get something I have to keep paying for unless I did a lot more hookups.  It's like buying or leasing anything else - a house, a car.  Which makes more economic sense for you?

[Michele Becker]

I've just ordered a router from LiveDeposition.  Heard some good things about this setup.  

I think they take forever to send them out since the demand is so high.  This router setup has auto-refresh employed (for supporting software) and apps for iPads and Android devices along with loaner laptops.