The study aimed to provide information to help the Judicial Conference’s Court Administration and Case Management Committee determine whether digital audio recording technology should be an approved method for taking the official record of Federal court proceedings. The research gathered information from court personnel and transcriptionists; compared the costs, functionality, and benefits of digital and analog recording systems; and collected information to aid the preparation of technical specifications to guide future purchases. Results revealed that court personnel regarded the recordings as having both advantages and disadvantages and that the courts varied widely in the number of problems encountered in using the technology. However, all the pilot courts recommended approval of digital recording as a method of taking the official record. The transcriptionists’ experiences suggested the need to consider how transcripts are produced when designing and purchasing digital systems. The cost analysis revealed that digital recording systems currently cost significantly more than analog systems. Project participants also made additional observations that may be helpful to the pilot courts, other courts, vendors, and the Administrative Office in deciding whether and how to go forward with digital audio recording technology in the Federal courts. Appended instruments, forms, and background information