Video Transcriptions

Audio files can come from many different sources. Audio data can come from a phone (like voicemail) or the soundtrack included in a video file.

Speech-to-Text can use one of several machine learning models to transcribe your audio file, to best match the original source of the audio. You can get better results from your speech transcription by specifying the source of the original audio. This allows Speech-to-Text to process your audio files using a machine learning model trained for data similar to your audio file.

Which types of video transcription exist?

 

Manual video transcriptions

Transcribing video content manually refers to the point at which you exclusively convert video content without the use of any transcription software to a readable text. That means you need to type whatever you are listening to by using only text editing tools. Basically, the accuracy of the transcripts tends to be higher than those from automatic transcription. But now, world-class tools using machine learning, segmentation techniques, and artificial intelligence are coming into the scene which can match the accuracy of manual transcription.

DIY (Do-It-Yourself) video transcriptions

Typically, organizations distribute segments of transcription tasks to their workers for a faster conversion process. For instance, if you have a video that is 40 minutes long and needs to be transcribed within an hour, it can be shared amongst two people each tackling a 20-minute segment since it takes a transcriber 2.35 minutes to convert a 1-minute speech. That would ensure the completion of work on time.

Automated video transcriptions

This process is significantly faster than transcribing manually. Manual transcription calls for the division of a video into various segments which are sent to multiple paid transcribers, automated transcription involves the conversion of video content as a whole and automatically produces electronic text at a lesser cost and with quick turn-around time.

Tools for Boosting Transcription Productivity

Even with a crash course in touch typing and lots of practice, you may never be able to reach pro typing speeds of 80+ wpm. But with the help of technology, you can “artificially” increase your typing speed – in some cases by multiple times.

1. Transcription software

If you’re transcribing videos yourself, at the very least you’ll need to install special transcription software to enable audio playback using just your keyboard or a foot pedal. This eliminates the frustration of constantly using your mouse to start and stop the audio.

2. Transcription foot pedal

Using a foot pedal to control playback is the easiest and fastest way to ramp up your transcription efficiency. I’ve heard several people, initially skeptical, say they don’t know how they ever managed to transcribe without one.

Foot pedals take care of audio playback without the use of a mouse, eliminating the need to multitask with your fingers while transcribing. Many of today’s foot pedals, like the popular Infinity USB, are plug and play, so you can benefit from the extra speed boost immediately.

3. Word expander software

Word expander programs, such as Instant Text by Textware Solutions and Shorthand for Windows by OfficeSoft, are another tool of the trade for professional transcriptionists. Used properly, they can increase your typing speed by an estimated 30%.

Word expanders let you define your own text shorthand for commonly used words and phrases, eliminating tons of keystrokes. For example, you might tell the program to expand “tsm” to “thanks so much.”

4. Noise-canceling headphones

If you’re transcribing in an environment with high levels of white noise, a pair of noise-canceling headphones, like Bose QuietComfort or the Sony WH-1000XM2, can work wonders for your productivity (and your sanity).

5. Voice recognition software

If you find that your fingers get fatigued during long typing sessions, try the “echo dictation” technique by re-dictating the audio and letting a VR program do the actual work of typing.