What is Transcription?

Transcription is the process of converting audio or video content into text format. Transcripts can be presented as a separate document as a text file, word document, PDF, or a web page or shown under the audio or the video file. Transcripts can be translated and presented in multiple languages. Transcription can be generated in two ways:

  • Verbatim transcription, where the content is transcribed word-for-word, including all the sound effects and voice effects. This mode of transcription is beneficial for scripted content like a TV show or movie.
  • Clean read transcription, where the text is edited to make the transcription fluent and free-flowing. This type of transcription is most suited for unscripted content like interviews and recorded speeches.
  • Why do you need transcription?

    Accessibility: Transcribing your audio/video content makes it accessible for deaf, hard-of-hearing, and ESL (English as Secondary Language) users. For example, transcribing podcasts is a great way to reach all these users.

    Generating closed captions: To generate closed captions, content creators need a complete video transcription. A time-indexed transcription is developed to create closed captions. nTranscription to enable translation: Transcription is always the first step towards translation. The time-indexed transcript used to develop the closed captions can be used to create multilingual translations.

    Digital Nirvana’s transcription and closed captioning solution, Trance can generate translations in more than 100 languages.

    Types of transcription –

    Audio transcription – Audio transcription is the written account of audio content. Audio transcription converts the speech into an audio file in a written format. Audio transcription has a long history, where it evolved from being written or noted record of an audio recording of courtroom proceedings and public speeches. New-age audio transcription requirements range from financial transcription to podcasts to webinars and interviews conducted on the phone.

    Video transcription – Video transcription is transcribing the audio from the given video into text format. Video transcripts are generated using speech-to-text technology, human transcriber, or a combination of both. Video transcription is often confused with closed captions. However, it should be noted closed captions and transcriptions are different; closed captions are developed from time-indexed transcription. Video transcription has many benefits improves accessibility by making the content available to ESL viewers and deaf and hard-of-hearing. Further, video transcription improves the SEO ranking for the video, making it easy for the search engines to discover and rank it. With video transcription, viewers can consume content in a sound-sensitive environment.

    Industries that need transcription –

    Media and Journalism – this industry runs on tight deadlines where meetings are scheduled on the fly and quickly need to be turned into attention-grabbing articles and news bytes. The media industry frequently seeks solutions from automated audio transcription.

    Video production – with video consumption increasing every day, it has become essential for content creators and broadcasters to include transcripts with their video content. Transcripts make the content accessible to not just deaf and hard-of-hearing but also ESL (English as Secondary Language) audiences. Further, transcriptions enable the content creators to develop closed captions, which is mandatory as per federal law.

    Market Research – the need for transcription in market research is growing with ever-changing market conditions. Businesses these days need to reach out to their customers amidst stiff competition from their rivals. One of Digital Nirvana’s clients, a leading financial data provider, leveraged our transcription solution to build their economic models and develop research reports to distribute to their clients.

    Academic research – as most academic research projects are based on recording and analyzing information; thus, transcription forms its core. Research scholars rely highly on audio and video transcripts for their focus groups and interviews.

    Discover the benefits of transcription, schedule a demo with our experts or write to us at marketing@digital-nirvana.com.

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