Speech
56. Speech will always need to be readily intelligible and no words should be lost during videoconferencing.
The quality of the sound will need to be continuous, with no extraneous interference. The risk that speech quality deteriorates as a result of speech compression should be avoided. This means meeting certain requirements as regards lip synchronicity (a delay of less than 0,15 seconds), echo cancellation and background noise and reverberation.
Such concerns are of particular importance in situations where interpreters are involved in the videoconference. It is desirable for the judge and court clerk to be able to adjust the volume on the site in order to compensate for differences in speech level.
Microphones
57. Microphones should be positioned in such a way that all speakers are clearly understandable, with no distortions caused by background noise.
Microphones can be built-in (into desks or elsewhere) and should preferably be eavesdropping-proof, direction-sensitive and fitted with a mute button.
During the hearing there can be situations when court staff needs to be able to switch off microphones (e.g. consultation of a party with his/her lawyer).
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