Short definition
ISO 20108:2017 sets the requirements for the quality and transmission of sound and image fed to interpreters – including provisions for remote interpreting situations.
Detailed explanation
ISO 20108, "Quality and transmission of sound and image input – Requirements," puts the focus on what interpreters depend on: clean audio and a usable image. The standard describes the properties of the audio and video signals that need to reach the booth – for example, preserving sound fidelity across the entire audio chain and keeping image and sound in sync. "Quality" here means largely preserving the original, not cosmetic enhancement.
Especially important: ISO 20108 covers not only in-person interpreting but explicitly also remote interpreting, where interpreters aren't in the same location as participants. Together with ISO 20109 (equipment) and, depending on the setting, ISO 2603/4043 (booths), it forms the basis of the interpreter's working environment. It references, among other things, speech intelligibility according to the Speech Transmission Index.
Relevance in this subject area
This standard is the benchmark for the central question "Is the audio good enough?" – and it makes clear that binding minimum standards apply to remote interpreting as well.
Practical example
Ahead of a hybrid conference, the audio engineer checks whether the video and audio feed to interpreters meets ISO 20108 requirements – including sufficient bandwidth and synchronization.
Related terms
ISO 20109, ISO 2603, ISO 4043, ISO 24019, Transmission technology