Starting Realtime
Written by Justin Sieger
Updated at September 21st, 2021
Realtime with USB
The following guide is for the Luminex II, Luminex, Diamante, Wave, Mira, and Fusion family of writers.
Make sure the USB cable is connected to your writer and computer and the writer is on. If you have not installed the USB Writer Drivers, you will need to install them before starting realtime.
- From Manage Jobs click the Translate icon in the Function Bar or press Ctrl+t.
- The Translate window will appear. In the lower left corner, click on Options.
- The Options window will open.
- Click on the Realtime tab at the top.
- On the left-hand side is the Realtime Writer field. Choose Stenograph Writer USB.
- Below the Realtime Writer field is the Audio section. Make sure the Record To: field is set to Current Folder.
- In the Codec: section, click the down arrow to select a codec.
- Also make sure the Audio Input drop down menu is set to Default. Once you’ve set your options, click Apply then OK.
- Click on the Realtime tab at the top.
- Now you’re back to the translate window.
- In the top left-hand side next to Steno Source, you need make sure it says Writer.
- Click the down arrow next to Layout File and select your layout.
- On the right hand side, you need to make sure both check boxes next to Record Audio are checked.
- Finally, in the bottom left, type a file name in the File Name: field and click OK.
- In the top left-hand side next to Steno Source, you need make sure it says Writer.
The Translate window will close and a new realtime file will open. You should see a dialog box appear that says Connected to Writer…Stroke a Key to Begin Writing. Write a few strokes on your writer and they will appear in the Case CATalyst transcript window.
DeleteRealtime with Bluetooth/Serial
The following guide is for using Bluetooth, a Virtual COM Port, or Serial Realtime Cables with your stenowriter.
Make sure all cables and adapters are connected to your writer and computer and the writer is on. You will also need to know the COM port which you can find by clicking on Help in CATalyst then click Open Device Manager. Once Device Manager is open, look for a category name Ports COM & LPT. Click the arrow next to Ports COM & LPT to expand the list and find your COM port.
From Manage Jobs click Translate (Ctrl-t).
The Translate window will appear. In the lower left corner, click on Options.
- The Options window will open.
- Click on the Realtime tab at the top.
- On the left-hand side is the Realtime Writer field. Chose Stenograph Writer Serial/Bluetooth.
- On the right side is the Comm Port: field. Select the COM port needed for realtime.
- Below the Realtime Writer field is the Audio section. Make sure the Record To: field is set to Current Folder.
- In the Codec: section, click the down arrow to select a codec.
- Also make sure the Audio Input drop down menu is set to Default. Once you’ve set your options, click Apply then OK.
- Click on the Realtime tab at the top.
- Now you’re back to the Translate window.
- In the top left-hand side next to Steno Source, make sure Writer is selected.
- Click the down arrow next to Layout File and select your layout.
- On the right hand side, you need to make sure both check boxes next to Record Audio are checked.
- Finally, in the bottom left, type a file name in the File Name: field and click OK.
- In the top left-hand side next to Steno Source, make sure Writer is selected.
The Translate window will close and a new realtime file will open. You should see a dialog box appear that says Connected to Writer…Stroke a Key to Begin Writing. Write a few strokes on your writer and they will appear in the Case CATalyst transcript window.
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