For digital court reporting, what type of connection is primarily used for mic inputs?

XLR connections are primarily used for mic inputs in digital court reporting due to their ability to provide a balanced audio signal. This is crucial for reducing noise and interference, especially in environments where audio clarity is vital, such as courtrooms. The design of XLR connectors also includes a locking mechanism that secures the connection, preventing accidental disconnections during recordings.

Moreover, XLR connections support professional-grade microphones, which often require phantom power that these connectors can deliver. This makes them ideal for high-fidelity audio capture, essential in legal proceedings where accurate transcription of spoken words is necessary.

While TRS connections can be used for certain audio applications, they do not provide the same level of noise rejection as XLR connectors. USB connections are primarily utilized for digital audio interfaces and devices rather than direct microphone inputs in a traditional sense. Multi-channel connections, while useful in specific setups, are not the standard for traditional mic inputs. Thus, the benefits of XLR connections make them the most suitable choice for digital court reporting.