Convert Audio to Text for FREE | Unlimited Audio/Video Conversion Software Tutorial

Jennifer Marie
27 Apr 202310:37

TLDRIn this tutorial, Jennifer Marie teaches viewers how to transcribe unlimited audio and video files for free using a Virtual Audio Cable and online dictation tools like Microsoft Word Online or Google Docs. She guides beginners through downloading and setting up the software, adjusting sound settings, and utilizing the dictation feature to convert speech to text. The video also compares the effectiveness of Microsoft Word and Google Docs for transcribing longer files, highlighting the superior performance of Microsoft Word in terms of continuity and punctuation.

Takeaways

  • 😀 Jennifer Marie's channel offers freelancing tips and online money-making strategies.
  • 🎥 The video demonstrates a method to transcribe unlimited audio and video files for free.
  • 🔌 A free Virtual Audio Cable software is required for the transcription process.
  • 💻 The tutorial is suitable for Windows and Mac computers and caters to complete beginners.
  • 📝 Microsoft Word Online or Google Docs can be used with their dictate features for transcription.
  • 📚 The VB cable acts as a virtual audio device that forwards audio input to output.
  • 👂 The computer perceives the audio file as if the user is speaking, utilizing free speech-to-text tools.
  • 🛠️ Users need to download and install the appropriate VB cable setup for their system.
  • 🔊 After installing the audio driver, the output speaker will be changed to the Virtual Cable.
  • ⚙️ Sound settings must be adjusted to use the VB audio Virtual Cable for both output and input.
  • 📑 In Microsoft Word Online, the dictate feature automatically transcribes with punctuation and sentence splitting.
  • 🗨️ Google Docs also offers voice typing but may stop recording after a few minutes and lacks automatic punctuation.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic of Jennifer Marie's video?

    -The main topic of Jennifer Marie's video is teaching viewers how to transcribe unlimited audio and video files for free using a Virtual Audio Cable and online dictation features.

  • What is a Virtual Audio Cable?

    -A Virtual Audio Cable is a virtual audio device that works by forwarding audio coming into the cable input to the cable output, allowing users to use speech-to-text software to transcribe audio or video files as if they were speaking.

  • How does the Virtual Audio Cable work with speech-to-text software?

    -The Virtual Audio Cable makes the computer think that the audio file is the user speaking, enabling the use of free speech-to-text tools to transcribe audio or video files.

  • What software does Jennifer recommend for transcribing audio and video files?

    -Jennifer recommends using Microsoft Word Online or Google Docs with their dictation features to transcribe audio and video files.

  • Why might someone choose Microsoft Word Online over Google Docs for transcribing long audio files?

    -Microsoft Word Online is recommended for long audio files because it continues to listen and transcribe without stopping, unlike Google Docs which may stop after a few minutes.

  • What is the limitation of Google Docs' voice typing feature mentioned in the video?

    -The limitation of Google Docs' voice typing feature is that it may stop transcribing after two to four minutes, requiring the user to manually restart the transcription.

  • What steps are involved in setting up the Virtual Audio Cable on a computer?

    -The steps include downloading the Virtual Audio Cable software, extracting the zip file, identifying the correct setup file for the computer's operating system, running it as an administrator, and installing the driver.

  • How does one change the audio settings to use the Virtual Audio Cable?

    -To change the audio settings, one needs to right-click on the sound icon in the taskbar, click on sound settings, and then change the output to the Virtual Audio Cable and the input to cable output audio.

  • What should a user do if they cannot hear sound after installing the Virtual Audio Cable driver?

    -If a user cannot hear sound after installing the Virtual Audio Cable driver, they should check their sound settings and ensure that the output is set to the Virtual Audio Cable and the input to cable output audio.

  • How can a user revert to their original sound settings after using the Virtual Audio Cable?

    -To revert to the original sound settings, a user should go to sound settings, change the output back to their speakers or headphones, and change the input back to their normal microphone or headset.

  • What additional settings does Jennifer recommend adjusting in Microsoft Word Online for better transcription?

    -Jennifer recommends enabling automatic punctuation adjustment and selecting the correct language and microphone in the settings before starting the transcription.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Introduction to Transcribing Audio and Video Files

Jennifer Marie introduces her channel and the video's purpose, which is to teach viewers how to transcribe unlimited audio and video files for free. She mentions that the method involves using a Virtual Audio Cable and a dictation feature in Microsoft Word Online or Google Docs. The process is aimed at complete beginners and requires downloading the VB-Audio software cable from a provided link. The video promises a step-by-step guide to set up the software and use it for transcription.

05:06

🔧 Setting Up the Virtual Audio Cable

The tutorial continues with a detailed explanation on how to download and install the Virtual Audio Cable (VB-Audio) software. Viewers are guided through the process of extracting the zip file, selecting the appropriate setup file based on their computer's operating system (32-bit or 64-bit), and running the installer with administrator privileges. A warning is given about the temporary loss of sound due to the change in audio output settings, and instructions are provided on how to revert to the original sound settings after the setup.

10:08

🎙️ Transcribing with Microsoft Word Online

Jennifer demonstrates how to transcribe audio files using Microsoft Word Online. She explains that the process involves adjusting settings such as language, microphone selection, and enabling automatic punctuation. The video shows how to play an audio file and simultaneously transcribe it using the dictate feature. It is highlighted that Microsoft Word Online can transcribe files of any length without interruption and includes punctuation, making it ideal for longer files.

📑 Comparing Transcription Methods with Google Docs

The video compares the transcription process with Google Docs, noting that it requires the Chrome browser and has limitations in recording length, typically stopping after two to four minutes. The process involves using the voice typing feature and selecting the Virtual Audio Cable as the microphone. It is mentioned that Google Docs does not add punctuation automatically like Microsoft Word Online. The video concludes with instructions on how to revert to the original sound settings and an invitation for viewers to ask questions and subscribe for more tutorials.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Virtual Audio Cable

Virtual Audio Cable is a software that creates a virtual audio device which functions as a conduit for audio signals. In the video, it is used to simulate the user speaking into the computer, allowing the computer to process audio files as if they were live speech. This enables the use of speech-to-text software to transcribe audio or video files. The term is central to the video's tutorial on transcribing audio and video files for free.

💡Transcribe

To transcribe means to convert spoken language into written form. In the context of the video, the process involves using speech-to-text functionality to create a text version of an audio or video file. This is the primary goal of the tutorial, as the host demonstrates how to transcribe unlimited audio and video files using free tools.

💡Microsoft Word Online

Microsoft Word Online is the web-based version of the Microsoft Word application. It offers similar features to the desktop version but is accessed through a web browser. The video highlights its use of the 'dictate' feature to transcribe audio files, emphasizing that it works effectively for longer files without interruption.

💡Google Docs

Google Docs is a free, web-based document editing platform provided by Google. It is mentioned in the video as an alternative to Microsoft Word Online for transcribing audio files. However, the host notes that Google Docs may stop transcribing after a few minutes, requiring manual intervention to continue, which is less convenient for longer files.

💡Speech-to-Text

Speech-to-text is a technology that converts spoken language into written text. The video script discusses using this technology to transcribe audio and video files by making the computer believe that the audio file input is live speech, thus leveraging free speech-to-text tools for transcription.

💡Freelancing Tips

Freelancing tips are pieces of advice or strategies that help individuals who work as freelancers, which often involves self-employment and working on a project-by-project basis. The video's host, Jennifer Marie, provides such tips, including how to make money online, which is relevant to freelancers looking to expand their skillset.

💡Punctuation

Punctuation refers to the use of symbols like commas, periods, and question marks to structure written text and aid readability. In the video, the host discusses how Microsoft Word Online's dictate feature automatically adjusts punctuation during the transcription process, which is an important aspect of creating a professional-looking and readable transcript.

💡VB-Cable

VB-Cable, or Virtual Audio Cable, is the specific software mentioned for creating a virtual audio device. It is crucial for the transcription process described in the video as it routes the audio file output to the input of speech-to-text software, simulating live speech for transcription purposes.

💡Audio File

An audio file is a digital file that contains a recording of sound. In the video, audio files are the primary source material for transcription. The host demonstrates how to transcribe these files into text using free online tools, which is valuable for content creators, freelancers, and transcriptionists.

💡Video File

A video file contains both visual and audio information and is typically used for storing movies, TV shows, or video recordings. The video script explains that the transcription method also works for video files, as the audio component can be transcribed into text, which is useful for creating subtitles or transcripts for accessibility purposes.

💡Online

Online refers to the ability to access services or applications via the internet, without the need for software installation on a local device. The video focuses on using online tools like Microsoft Word Online and Google Docs for transcribing audio and video files, emphasizing the convenience and accessibility of cloud-based services.

Highlights

Jennifer Marie's channel teaches freelancing tips and online money-making methods.

A method is shown to transcribe unlimited audio/video files for free.

Download a free Virtual Audio Cable to start the transcription process.

Use Microsoft Word Online or Google Docs with the dictate feature for transcription.

The VB cable is a virtual audio device that forwards audio input to output.

Free speech-to-text software can transcribe audio files as if the user is speaking.

Instructions on downloading and extracting the VB audio software cable.

How to check your computer's operating system type (32-bit or 64-bit).

Running the VB cable setup as an administrator and potential issues.

Temporary loss of sound due to the change in audio output to the Virtual Cable.

How to change sound settings to use the VB audio Virtual Cable for input and output.

Microsoft Word Online's dictate feature for transcribing audio files.

Adjust settings in Microsoft Word Online for language, microphone, and punctuation.

Microsoft Word Online can transcribe files longer than three minutes without stopping.

Google Docs' voice typing feature and its limitations compared to Microsoft Word.

How to revert to original sound settings after using the Virtual Audio Cable.

The video provides a step-by-step tutorial for complete beginners.

The importance of using the Chrome browser for Google Docs' voice typing feature.