What is QLHS? A Liberty Recording Plugin for Q-SYS, which unlocks new possibilities for courtrooms and high-security recording environments.

We are thrilled to introduce QLHS: the Liberty Recording Plugin for Q-SYS that seamlessly connects Liberty Court Recorder (LCR) and Liberty Interview Recorder (LIR) to Q-SYS Designer. This new plugin enables effortless real-time control and monitoring of Liberty recorders, unlocking new possibilities for courtrooms, interview rooms, and high-security recording environments.

​By leveraging Liberty Helper Service (LHS)—our TCP-based communication bridge—QLHS brings flexible, scalable recording control directly to Q-SYS users, without overcomplicating AV workflows.

Why Q-SYS?
For those unfamiliar, Q-SYS is an industry-leading audio, video, and control (AV&C) platform from QSC. It is widely used in courtrooms, conference centers, legislative chambers, and corporate AV deployments because of its flexibility, scalability, and reliability.

Unlike traditional AV systems that rely on hardware-based DSPs and dedicated control processors, Q-SYS is a software-based platform that runs on standard IT infrastructure that is:

• Highly customizable - Design your own user control interfaces (UCIs) tailored to any application.
• Scalable for any room size - From single-room setups to multi-courtroom deployments with centralized AV control.
• Network-based - Uses standard IP networking, eliminating complex wiring or proprietary hardware.
• Built for automation - Integrate cameras, microphones, lighting, and recording into a single workflow.

With Q-SYS, courts and interview rooms can simplify their AV ecosystems while maintaining powerful automation and control. And now, with QLHS, users can fully integrate court and interview room recording into their Q-SYS AV workflows—all within the same unified interface.

How QLHS Solves Modern Courtroom Challenges
Bench & Clerk Station Control
Judges can have a minimalistic Start/Stop interface at their bench, while clerks have full recording control at a nearby workstation or tablet.
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Scalable UCI Integration
The plugin’s controls can be reshaped and mapped to any Q-SYS-style user control interface (UCI), allowing AV designers to create interfaces custom-tailored to each courtroom's needs.

In-Room Recording Time Display
The plugin can display real-time elapsed recording time in the room, helping attorneys and litigants take accurate notes on key moments (modernizing the old courtroom clocks from the 1980s).

Future-Proofing Court AV Systems
Both Q-SYS and Liberty software can be deployed as a centralized platform so that courtrooms of any size can implement smart, scalable recording solutions without adding unnecessary complexity.

Bringing Smart Automation to Interview Rooms
Interview rooms often rely on outdated, manual controls (light switches, push-button panels, or multiple devices operating independently). QLHS streamlines this by combining recording control with room automation.

Example: A Single Button to Control the Entire Room
A small 5-inch Q-SYS touch panel can replace multiple switches with a single button:
“Room On” — which can simultaneously

• Activate lights and A/V equipment
• Create a new recording file
• Start recording automatically

This level of automation ensures compliance, consistency, and ease of use—all while integrating seamlessly into existing AV infrastructure.

Early in the morning of March 5, 2025, the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) has released a comprehensive report outlining critical inefficiencies in how courts manage digital evidence and track case progress. The findings reinforce what many in the justice system already know: courts lack the infrastructure to handle digital case materials effectively, and existing performance tracking is insufficient to ensure timely resolutions.

The report, which stems from a nationwide collaborative effort, highlights two major gaps in court operations:

1. The absence of centralized digital evidence platforms with clear retention and destruction policies.
2. A lack of standardized data tracking and performance metrics to enforce time standards for case resolution.

A Fragmented Approach to Digital Evidence
Courts continue to rely on outdated, ad-hoc methods to manage digital evidence, including physical media submissions, email attachments, and platforms like SharePoint. These methods create a host of inefficiencies and security risks.

"Traditional methods for evidence management (physical submissions, emails, SharePoint) are inefficient, fragmented, and prone to security risks." (p. 34)

Courts that have implemented centralized digital evidence platforms have seen significant improvements:

"Judges, court staff, jurors, and external users experience improved workflows, reduced burdens, and increased efficiency when digital evidence platforms are adopted." (p. 35)

However, without a consistent national standard, courts vary widely in their approach to digital evidence. Some jurisdictions still require physical copies of exhibits, while others allow digital uploads but have no established guidelines for retention or deletion. This leads to unnecessary data accumulation and operational bottlenecks.

To address these concerns, the report calls for:

• Case-type-specific retention schedules to ensure digital and physical exhibits follow the same policies. (p. 54)
• Automation of exhibit lifecycle management to track retention and prompt destruction notices, reducing administrative burden. (p. 55)
• Clear submission guidelines to prevent unnecessary data storage. (p. 54)

The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters
Courts are already overwhelmed with backlogged cases. Inefficient digital evidence management only worsens delays, increasing costs and further eroding public confidence in the judicial system. Digital exhibits should be easy to submit, review, and track—not a logistical nightmare. Without reform, courts risk becoming digital warehouses rather than functional venues for justice.

Data Tracking & Performance Metrics: A Major Weakness in Court Management
Beyond digital evidence, the report underscores a broader issue: courts lack automated tracking for case milestones, continuances, and time-to-resolution metrics. Many jurisdictions still rely on manual tracking via spreadsheets and paper reports, leading to inconsistent data and an inability to enforce time standards.

"Time standards assist the Court in monitoring case timeliness and represent a goal for achieving the final disposition in criminal cases." (p. 24)

One of the most significant drivers of case delays? Continuances. Research confirms that continuances are the leading cause of backlog issues:

"Research shows that continuances are the most significant contributor to case delay. While some continuances may be outside of the Court’s control, managing the number of continuances in a case will allow the Court to reduce delay while ensuring due process and procedural fairness." (p. 22)

The report outlines key strategies to combat these inefficiencies:

• Enforcing scheduling orders with clear deadlines for hearings, motions, and exhibits. (p. 12)
• Requiring courts to track continuance data to identify patterns and address recurring delays. (p. 31)
• Encouraging courts to adopt dashboards and real-time reporting tools to track case progress. (p. 16)

Too Much Tech? Courts Face a Growing Problem
While modern solutions can help, courts are also facing another crisis: technology bloat.
Most court systems already operate across multiple platforms—one for case management, another for evidence handling, another for scheduling, another for video conferencing, and so on. Each new system adds complexity, requiring IT teams to support an ever-expanding stack of applications that don’t always communicate well with each other.

The result? Instead of streamlining processes, courts are drowning in a sea of disconnected platforms. Judges, clerks, attorneys, and IT staff must navigate multiple logins, redundant data entry, and workarounds just to perform routine tasks.

"The fact that courts have SO many options—and must use so many platforms to complete a simple task—is ridiculous."

A Unified Approach: Bridging Evidence Management to Caseflow
At Liberty, we’ve seen these inefficiencies firsthand in police interview rooms, evidence handling, and courtroom technology. The disconnect between early-stage evidence collection and court case management is a significant barrier to efficiency.

We believe courts need a single, integrated platform that bridges:
✅ Evidence handling – from police intake to courtroom presentation.
✅ Case management – with automated scheduling and retention tracking.
✅ Virtual hearings – hosting and streaming directly within the platform.

By centralizing all these functions, courts can eliminate redundant software, improve efficiency, and reduce IT strain—without sacrificing security or compliance.

What’s Next?
The report presents a roadmap for reform, but the next step is court-by-court action. Some courts are already exploring new solutions for evidence management and case tracking, while others are waiting for legislative mandates or funding opportunities.

We’re actively developing a unified solution to address these challenges, but we need court input. Your feedback will shape how the platform evolves—both for courts already using digital tools and those transitioning from manual processes.

We Want to Hear From You

• Have you faced challenges with digital evidence management?
• Is your court struggling with too many tech platforms?
• What features would actually help in your day-to-day operations?

If you’re interested in sharing your story, learning more about Liberty Docket Manager (LDM), or providing input on our next-gen platform, we’d love to hear from you.

​📧 Contact us at: sales@LibertyRecording.com

Originally Published: February 12, 2020
Updated: February 20, 2025 — Current Version: Liberty Web Access 5.8

​High Criteria Inc., developer of the Liberty Recording software suite, announces the release of Liberty Web Access (LWA) Version 5.1, delivering enhanced security, real-time monitoring, and advanced digital asset management for courts, law enforcement, and government agencies.

As digital court recordings and case materials grow in volume, many organizations are rethinking how and where their data is stored. While cloud-based platforms dominate headlines, courts and justice agencies still require on-premise solutions for direct access, control, and security of sensitive recordings. Liberty Web Access 5.1 bridges the gap by offering a scalable hybrid approach, combining court-controlled storage with cloud-based archival and retrieval when needed.

Cloud-Based vs. On-Premise Digital Asset Management: Why Control Still Matters
Many modern court recording solutions push fully cloud-based storage models, requiring courts to upload, access, and manage all recordings through third-party servers. While this approach offers some advantages in long-term archiving, it comes with significant trade-offs:

• Loss of Immediate Access – Courts must rely on an internet connection and third-party servers to access their own recordings.
• Recurring Costs & Vendor Lock-In – Most cloud-based systems require ongoing subscription fees, increasing costs over time.
• Security & Compliance Concerns – Sensitive legal recordings are stored offsite, raising concerns over data sovereignty, security policies, and compliance requirements.
• Limited Performance & Reliability – Streaming live or high-resolution recordings over the internet can lead to latency issues, buffering, and dependency on network stability.

Liberty Web Access: The Best of Both Worlds
Liberty Web Access 5.1 offers a hybrid solution—giving courts and agencies full control over primary access and real-time playback while enabling cloud-based storage for long-term archival and retrieval when necessary.

With LWA, courts don’t have to choose between on-premise reliability and cloud flexibility—they can have both.

What’s New in Liberty Web Access 5.1?

• Microsoft Entra ID (Active Directory) Integration – LWA syncs directly with Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Windows Active Directory) for secure user authentication and role-based access control.
  • Courts can enforce custom user roles and permissions for accessing recordings.
  • IT administrators can restrict access by department, courtroom, or specific users.
• Live Playback Controls – Users can now rewind live recordings without disrupting the active broadcast, enabling seamless review of key moments in real time.
• Enhanced Audit Logs – Every user access and playback session is logged, ensuring full transparency and chain-of-custody compliance.
• Advanced Access Controls – Search results now only display files that users are authorized to access, improving confidentiality and data security.
• Active Directory Integration – Restrict access to recording rooms and files based on predefined user roles, seamlessly integrating with existing IT infrastructure.
• Flexible Storage Management – Courts can store recordings locally while leveraging optional cloud-based archival for long-term retention, ensuring both accessibility and cost-efficiency.
• Liberty Control for Mobile Devices – LWA syncs with Liberty Control for mobile devices, allowing remote users to securely monitor recordings from courtrooms, law enforcement interview rooms, or government facilities.
• Optimized for Windows Server Environments – Now fully supported on Windows Server 2012, 2016, 2019, and 2022.

Why Courts & Law Enforcement Are Choosing Hybrid Storage Over Fully Cloud-Based Solutions
1. On-Premise Primary Access: Faster, More Reliable, and Always Available
Unlike cloud-dependent platforms that require an internet connection to access recordings, Liberty Web Access ensures that critical case materials are always available—regardless of network status. Courts and agencies can:

• Playback recordings instantly without waiting for cloud retrieval.
• Avoid internet disruptions affecting real-time access to court records.
• Maintain full local control over case materials without third-party dependencies.

2. Cloud Archival: Cost-Effective Storage Without Vendor Lock-In
When cloud storage is needed, LWA provides courts with the flexibility to archive recordings on their own terms—without being locked into a single vendor or costly subscription model.

• Courts can choose where and how long recordings are stored.
• Archived cases remain retrievable without relying on third-party platforms for daily operations.
• Reduces on-prem storage demands while maintaining primary access locally.

​3. Security & Compliance: Meeting Courtroom Standards Without Compromise
Cloud-only platforms introduce security risks by storing sensitive legal recordings in offsite data centers controlled by private companies. Liberty Web Access ensures compliance with court regulations by:

• Keeping live and recent recordings stored locally for immediate access.
• Allowing controlled, encrypted access for authorized users.
• Providing full audit logs of all user activity for transparency and chain-of-custody requirements.

A Smarter Approach to Court Recording Management
Courts need a long-term, sustainable approach to digital recording management—one that doesn’t sacrifice security for convenience. With Liberty Web Access 5.1, courts can:

✅ Store and access recordings on-premise for reliability and security.
✅ Use cloud storage selectively for archival and retrieval, not daily operations.
✅ Avoid subscription lock-in and maintain full control over case records.
✅ Ensure compliance with court security policies and data sovereignty laws.

Liberty Web Access 5.1 delivers a modern, flexible approach to court recording management, balancing cost-efficiency, accessibility, and security without compromise.

For more information about Liberty Web Access contact sales@LibertyRecording.com.

Last Spring (April 2024), Liberty Court Recorder introduced support for Network Device Interface (NDI) video sources, expanding the options for high-quality video capture in courtrooms. This spring, we’re taking it a step further with NDI broadcasting capabilities, allowing real-time video distribution across networks.

What is NDI and Why Does It Matter?
NDI is a high-performance video-over-IP protocol developed by Vizrt NDI AB. Originally designed for the broadcast industry, NDI has become a widely adopted standard in professional AV environments due to its ability to deliver low-latency, high-quality video over standard Ethernet networks. Its efficiency and flexibility make it an ideal solution for government, legal, and courtroom applications where reliable, real-time video transmission is essential.

NDI vs. RTSP: Understanding the Differences
Both NDI and RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol) are used to transmit video over networks, but they serve different purposes:

• RTSP Streams
  Commonly used for security cameras and surveillance, RTSP requires point-to-point connections between devices, often introducing higher latency. While effective for monitoring, RTSP is not optimized for low-latency, multi-source recording in real-time environments like courtrooms.
• NDI Streams
  Designed for professional AV applications, NDI enables multiple video sources to be shared seamlessly across a network with near-zero latency. It eliminates the need for dedicated video cabling, reducing infrastructure costs while improving video quality, flexibility, and ease of setup.

Why NDI is Becoming the AV Standard
NDI adoption is increasing across professional AV environments due to its:

• Broadcast-Quality Video
  Ensures clear, high-definition recordings without excessive compression.
• Efficient Network Usage
  Unlike RTSP, which often requires dedicated network configurations, NDI operates over existing IP networks without overloading bandwidth.
• Proven Reliability
  Originally developed for live television broadcasts, NDI offers stable, high-performance video transmission—critical for court recording.
• Scalability
  NDI allows for easy expansion of multi-camera setups without the need for additional hardware or complex cabling.

NDI Support in Liberty Court Recorder
Liberty Court Recorder now offers two levels of NDI integration:

• Standard NDI
  Included in the base recorder program, ideal for smaller-scale video setups.
• Advanced NDI
  Designed for high-resolution, multi-source video environments, ensuring smooth performance and enhanced processing capabilities.

Getting Started with NDI in Liberty Court Recorder

1. Download the NDI engine from the Liberty Recording website.
2. Extract the files and place them in the same folder as your Recorder program.
3. Define your NDI video sources in the ‘Video’ tab under Liberty options.
4. Start recording with fully integrated NDI-enabled devices.

Future-Proofing Government AV Infrastructure
As courts and government agencies transition to modern AV solutions, NDI offers a scalable, cost-effective, and high-quality alternative to legacy streaming protocols. Its ability to handle multiple video sources efficiently makes it a compelling choice for courtroom recordings, virtual hearings, and council meetings.

By integrating NDI with Liberty Court Recorder, IT professionals can deliver seamless video capture, reduced infrastructure complexity, and greater efficiency in government AV workflows.

For more information, visit www.LibertyRecording.com or contact us at sales@LibertyRecording.com.
 

In recent years, speech-to-text (STT) technology has seen a surge in demand across various industries, and the legal system is no exception. Just as video conferencing became a necessity for courtrooms during the COVID-19 pandemic and is now commonplace, automated transcription solutions are now being sought to improve efficiency, accessibility, and record-keeping in legal proceedings.

However, while STT is an exciting advancement, it is not without limitations. Many courts assume that simply implementing STT will produce near-perfect transcripts, but the reality is more complex. For courts looking to adopt automated transcription solutions, understanding the factors that influence STT accuracy is crucial. The most significant determinant? Audio fidelity.

The Critical Role of Audio Quality in Speech-to-Text Performance

The single most important factor affecting STT results is the quality of the audio being captured. Stuart Herring, Managing Director at Redfish Technologies, who has implemented STT solutions at over two dozen sites, emphasizes that audio fidelity outweighs all other variables in determining accuracy. 

When high-quality audio is captured—free of background noise, transient sounds, and echo—some STT systems can achieve Word Error Rates (WER)1 as low as 5%. However, as soon as audio quality declines, transcription accuracy deteriorates just as quickly.

A study by the National Library of Medicine2 demonstrates this effect. Under optimal conditions, Google Cloud Speech API achieves a WER of 6.6%. When exposed to less-than-ideal conditions, that WER more than doubles to 13.6%, highlighting the stark impact of compromised audio quality.

High Criteria Inc. is pleased to announce the release of Liberty Court Recorder Version 8.8. This update introduces new streaming capabilities, expanded virtual courtroom functionality, and enhanced network monitoring support to improve courtroom recording and legal proceedings.

Key Enhancements in Version 8.8

• RTSP & NDI Broadcast Control
  Users can now start and stop RTSP and NDI broadcasts directly from the toolbar, providing greater flexibility in managing live video streams.
• Liberty Network Monitor Enhancements
  Now supports RTSP streams, in addition to previously supported WMV streams, allowing seamless integration with network-based monitoring tools.
• Liberty Virtual Courtroom Improvements:
  • Conferencing without Recording
    Virtual hearings can now take place without requiring a recording, offering more flexibility for court administrators.
  • Enhanced Conference Manager
    New Time and Roles columns for improved participant management.
  • Role-Based Color Association
    Users can now assign colors to roles, making it easier to track participants during proceedings.
• Additional Internal Enhancements
  Various system optimizations to ensure stability, performance, and reliability.

Availability and How to Upgrade
Liberty Court Recorder Version 8.8 and the no-cost player are available immediately. The Liberty Player can be downloaded from the Liberty Recording website at www.LibertyRecording.com.

​For more details, visit www.LibertyRecording.com or contact sales@LibertyRecording.com.