Short definition
Latency refers to the time delay between the creation of an audio or video signal and its playback at the receiver – a critical quality factor at conferences.
Detailed explanation
Latency is invisible – until it becomes a problem. A two-second delay in a livestream isn't a big deal. In remote interpreting, however, where the interpreter must react to the speaker in real time, a delay of more than 200 milliseconds can significantly hinder the work.
Latency arises at various points in the signal chain: during analog-to-digital conversion, signal processing in the mixing desk or conference system, transmission over networks, and decoding at the receiver. Professional systems are designed to keep these delays as low as possible.
At hybrid conferences with remote participants or remote interpreters, latency is one of the central technical challenges. All system components – video conferencing platform, interpreting platform, internet connection – need to be aligned. Standards such as ISO 24019 define limits for acceptable latency in RSI systems.
Relevance in this subject area
Latency is especially critical for simultaneous interpreting and hybrid events. Excessive latency makes professional interpreting impossible and significantly impairs communication quality.
Practical example
During a remote interpreting assignment, the interpreting team complains about disruptive echoes and synchronization problems. A measurement shows the system's latency is 600 ms – well above the recommended limit. Switching to a low-latency RSI platform solves the issue.
Related terms
Remote interpreting, ISO 24019, Streaming, Bandwidth, Simultaneous interpreting, Video conferencing