Guide & checklist: Interpretation systems
In this guide you can read more about interpretation systems and also see our useful to-do list, which you can use if you need to rent interpretation systems for your event.
With interpretation equipment, the participants understand each other
If you are to arrange a conference or meeting where interpretation is needed, this guide can help you. On the next pages we explain what interpretation systems consist of, how they are used and at the end of the guide there is a checklist of things you can consider when you need interpretation systems.
Simultaneous interpretation and whispered interpretation
When interpreting is used in connection with meetings, conferences and events, simultaneous interpretation , remote interpreting (RSI) and whispered interpretation (tour guide system) are the three most used systems. A simultaneous interpretation system consists of many different components and is primarily used at meetings and conferences. Here, the interpreters work in interpretation boxes and the meeting participants use receivers with headphones to hear the interpretation in their preferred language.
All sound is transmitted wirelessly. Simultaneous interpretation systems are set up and operated by specialized interpretation technicians.
Remote Interpretation (RSI)
Remote Interpretation means that interpreters can interpret for your event over the Internet. There is no need for interpretation booths. The interpreters use special software and can e.g. interpret for a venue where physical meeting participants are located, but they can also interpret for pure virtual meetings - or as a combination.
AI interpretation
The system for remote interpretation also offers interpretation using AI through synthetic speech. Read more about AI interpretation here .
Tourguide system
A tour guide system is a much simpler system consisting of a portable charging case with wireless receivers (stethosets) and a wireless microphone . The system is used if the interpreter e.g. needs to provide interpretation for a smaller group or act as a tourguide.
Simultaneous interpretation systems
A digital BOSCH simultaneous interpretation system can provide interpretation in up to 31 languages, as well as the sound from the presenter (floor). In doing so, it handles even the most demanding international conferences where many different nationalities are gathered. However, it can also easily be used in the small meeting, where you just need to interpret between two languages. The equipment generally consists of:
• Interpreter booths for the interpreters
• Interpreter microphones with headphones
• Receivers with headphones
• Radiators
• Central Control Unit
Simultaneous interpretation systems consists of
Recievers
Headphones
Interpreter desk
Interpreter booths
Radiators
APS Control Unit
Recievers
Conference or meeting participants use wireless receivers that can receive up to 31 language channels. The meeting participants choose the channel on which their language is interpreted (language signs with channel number are displayed on the interpreter booths).
Headphones
Headphones are used by both interpreters and conference participants. The interpreters listen to the language they are to interpret and the participants to their preferred interpreted language.
Interpreter desks
The interpreters use special interpretation microphones (interpreter desks) to interpret to the conference participants. Headphones are connected to the microphone. In these, they either hear the sound from the speaker (floor), but they can also choose to interpret the sound from one of the other interpreters if they do not understand the floor language. These are pre-programmed before the conference or meeting by a specialised AV technician.
Interpreter booths
The interpreter booths are sound isolated, ventilated and comfortable for the interpreters to work in. These are set up by specialised AV technicians and are most often placed at the back or along the side of the conference room. A language sign is mounted on each interpreter booth which shows the translated language and its channel for the wireless receivers.
Radiators
These ensure that the sound from all the interpreters is distributed without noise to the conference participants. Specialised AV technicians ensure that they are placed so that they cover the conference room in the best possible way. They can e.g. installed on a stand or hang from a truss construction. If it is a smaller meeting, just one or two radiators are needed.
APS Control Unit
APS stands for Audio Powering Switch. The device controls sound and power for the multimedia devices in the system.
Microphones for the participants (with or without channel selector)
At larger conferences, conference microphones are often used for the conference participants. However, these can also easily be used for smaller meetings. The microphones are placed on the tables in front of the conference participants. Note that these can be delivered with and without channel selector. With channel selector, they can also be used to listen in the interpreted languages, just as when using our receivers.
This is how the interpretation system works
Planning the use of simultaneous interpretation systems
Since simultaneous interpretation systems take time to install, the planning phase before the setup is essential. We would recommend that you either hold a site inspection with us, unless we are already familiar with the room specifications. If site inspection is not possible, one can also plan the placement and use of the simultaneous interpretation system using detailed drawings of the rooms in which it is to be used.
We then prepare overview drawings showing the location of the interpreter booths etc. In this phase, it is also very important to have determined the exact number of languages to be used, as well as the number of conference participants.
In addition, you must order the interpreters needed for the interpretation you want. Here you must remember that you usually have to use two interpreters per language in each interpreter booth.
Setting up the simultaneous interpretation system
AV technicians usually set up the system the day before it is to be used. For conferences outside Denmark, shipping time for the equipment should be accounted for. It can also be set up on the day itself if it is a smaller set up. The set-up itself consists of the technicians assembling the interpreter booths. These are often placed on a series of podiums to ensure that the interpreters have a good view of the speakers. Receivers and headphones are placed at the participants' seats (alternatively handed out at the start of the meeting by our AV technicians or others involved). In addition, all the necessary cables are installed and the radiators are set up. The system is programmed and tested and is ready for use.
Dedicated AV technicians will operate throughout the event and ensure that the interpreter system works as it should.
Dismantling of the simultaneous interpreting system
After a successful conference, the system is dismantled. If audio or video recordings have been ordered with the supplier, these are handed over to the customer.
Interpretation system in combination with other equipment
Simultaneous interpretation system is usually only part of the AV equipment used during meetings and conferences. Therefore, it will often be included in setups where microphone systems are used (see conference microphones above), wireless headset microphones, large-screen projection, sound systems, camera production, etc. It is therefore important to clarify whether other AV equipment must be ordered or whether it is possibly already AV on the location of the event. It is also important to determine who will be responsible for operating this additional equipment.
Flat screens in the interpreter booth
Sometimes there is no room for interpreter booths in the room where the meeting is to be held. However, this does not prevent the use of simultaneous interpretation systems. Here one will instead place the interpreter booth in an adjacent room and place flat screens in the interpreter booth. A camera feed is delivered to these screens from the meeting room and the interpreter can then follow along, just as if he or she were in the meeting room. Note that this solution requires camera production from the meeting room itself to the flat screens in the interpreter booth.
Remote Interpretation (RSI)
Teletech also rents out a system where it is possible for interpreters to interpret for your event without the use of interpreter booths. Here interpretation is provided via the internet for your venue or your online / virtual meeting event or hybrid event.
Checklist when renting interpretation systems
- What is the time and place of the conference or meeting?
- Which languages should be interpreted?
- How many conference / meeting participants need interpretation and how many participants are there in total?
- Are there sound systems and microphones in the room?
- Should speakers use wireless headset microphones or e.g. speak from a lectern with microphone?
- Should a wireless handheld microphone be used for questions from the audience?
- Should participants be able to speak in delegate microphones?
- Should a head table be used on the stage with delegate microphones? How many?
- Do you want the floor sound or the interpreted channels to be recorded?
- Is the venue suitable for the use of interpretation systems and is there room for interpreter booths? (We can advise).
- If possible: What is the size of the room and ceiling height?
- Should stage podiums be used under the interpreter booths so that the interpreters have a better view of the room?
- Are interpreters booked?
Tourguide systems
The system consists of:
• Charging case with receivers / headphones (stethosets)
• Handheld or beltpack microphone
A tourguide system consists of:
Charging case
Stethoset
Microphone
Headset microphone
Charging case
Headphones - Stethosets
The headphones (stethosets) have a built-in channel selector. In this way, they work in the same way as the receivers and headphones used in a simultaneous interpretation system.
Handheld microphone
Wireless handheld microphone used by the interpreter. If two interpreters use the system at the same time, more microphones can be rented.
Beltpack microphone with headset
If a headset microphone (beltpack) is preferred, this can be selected instead of a handheld one. The beltpack is fixed in the belt and from there a small cable connects to a lightweight headset.
This is how the tourguide system works
Planning the use of a tourguide system
However, it is always a good idea to order the tourguide system well before it is to be used, as the systems are often rented out. When the system has been booked Teletech will deliver the tourguide system to the customer. However, it is also possible to pick up the system at our premises.
Setting up and using the tourguide system
All you need to do is set the channel on which to interpret and distribute the stethosets to the meeting participants. A guide in using the equipment in the suitcase is included. If you are unsure of the use, our AV technicians can also set up the system before it is delivered. The system is then ready for use.
Dismantling the system
Stethosets and microphones are simply put back in the charging case and delivered to Teletech or we will pick it up.
Teletech can help you
For more than 30 years, we have supplied AV Equipment and interpretation systems for national and international meetings, conferences and events.
Our AV technicians are well skilled and are take care of setup and operation.
If you have any questions or want to book AV or interpretation solutions, you are welcome to contact us today at +45 4492 9800
Rent AV equipment & Interpretation system
Teletech is a total supplier of AV and interpretation solutions. Therefore, contact us if you want to rent AV equipment or an AV solution. We offer, among other things,
Microphone systems, live streaming production, flat screens, projectors, projection screens, LED walls, light and sound equipment, voting systems or interpretation solutions, etc.
Telephone No.+4544929800