How to Transcribe Audio or Video to Text

Howfinity
2 Sept 202207:09

TLDRThe video script outlines a two-pronged approach to transcribing audio or video files into text. The first method involves using a free, automated platform called Descript, which offers quick transcription but with potential accuracy issues. Descript is praised for its all-in-one features, including editing and screen recording, and is ideal for creating captions or getting a general sense of content. However, for professional use where high accuracy is crucial, such as for blog posts or client work, the speaker recommends a paid service, Rev.com. Rev.com provides near 99% accuracy with human transcription and the ability to detect different voices and accents, making it a preferred choice for precise transcription needs. The summary highlights the pros and cons of each method and encourages viewers to explore both options to determine which best suits their specific requirements.

Takeaways

  • πŸ˜€ Transcribing audio or video files can increase content output from existing footage.
  • πŸ“ The transcript can be used to create blog posts or shared on text-based platforms like Medium or Reddit.
  • πŸ” Two favorite ways to transcribe are presented: a free option with limitations and a paid option for higher accuracy.
  • πŸ†“ The free option, Descript, is an all-in-one audio and video editing tool offering transcription and more.
  • πŸ’» Descript can be used online or via a desktop app for Mac and PC, with a free start but potential need for paid upgrade.
  • πŸŽ₯ For video transcription, Descript's desktop app is required to import and transcribe files.
  • πŸ€– Descript's transcription is fully automated AI, which is quick but may require corrections for higher accuracy.
  • βœ‚οΈ Descript allows editing and correction of the transcript by playing the video and making adjustments as needed.
  • πŸ’° For a higher level of accuracy, especially for professional use, the paid platform Rev.com is recommended.
  • πŸ‘€ Rev.com offers human transcription with near 99% accuracy and the ability to detect different voices and accents.
  • 🌐 Rev.com can be used for various purposes including closed captioning and global subtitle translation.
  • πŸ“š The platform allows for easy editing and downloading of the final transcript in various formats like SRT or text files.

Q & A

  • What is the main purpose of transcribing audio or video to text?

    -Transcribing audio or video to text is a way to get more content out of pre-existing footage, which can then be used to create web pages, blog posts, or be posted on text-based platforms like Medium or Reddit.

  • What are the two methods mentioned for transcribing audio and video files?

    -The two methods mentioned are using a free option called Descript and a paid option through Rev.com for a higher level of accuracy.

  • How does Descript differ from other transcription services?

    -Descript is an all-in-one audio and video editing platform that not only provides transcription but also allows for editing, screen recording, and other functionalities.

  • What are the limitations of using free transcription services like Descript?

    -Free transcription services like Descript have limitations on how much you can transcribe for free, and while they are quick and automated, they may not provide very high accuracy, requiring manual corrections.

  • Why might someone choose to use Rev.com for transcription?

    -Rev.com is chosen for transcription when a high level of accuracy is needed. It offers human transcription services with near 99% accuracy and can detect different voices and accents, which is not always possible with AI and machine learning platforms.

  • How does the transcription process work on Descript?

    -With Descript, you can start for free and either drag an audio file for transcription or use the desktop app for video files. The platform automatically transcribes the content with AI, and you can make corrections as needed.

  • What are the advantages of using a human transcription service like Rev.com?

    -Rev.com provides a more accurate transcription because a human does the work, which is beneficial for content that will be used in professional settings, such as website content or client work, where mistakes are unacceptable.

  • How long does it typically take to get transcription results from Descript?

    -Descript can provide transcription results within a few minutes, making it a quick option for getting a general idea of the content or for transcriptions that do not require high accuracy.

  • What file formats can you export from Descript after transcribing?

    -After transcribing and editing the content in Descript, you can export it as a subtitle file, a text file, or extract the audio from a video file, among other options.

  • What additional services does Rev.com offer besides transcription?

    -Besides transcription, Rev.com offers closed captioning and globally translated subtitles, although these services may be more expensive.

  • How does one make corrections to the transcription on Descript?

    -To make corrections on Descript, you can play the video and follow along with the transcript. You can jump in and make corrections by pressing 'E' on your keyboard, which allows you to edit the specific word or phrase.

  • What is the typical cost associated with using paid transcription services like Rev.com?

    -Paid transcription services like Rev.com typically charge around one or two dollars per minute of content, which is a common rate for professional transcription services.

Outlines

00:00

πŸ“ Automating Video and Audio Transcription with Descript

The speaker discusses the process of transcribing video and audio files to maximize content output from existing media. They introduce Descript, an all-in-one audio and video editing platform that offers transcription services. Descript is highlighted for its ability to transcribe files, edit, and screen record, with an option to start for free. The limitations of the free version are mentioned, and the speaker demonstrates how to use the platform for transcription, emphasizing its quick results and automated AI process. However, the accuracy is noted to be around 95%, making it suitable for captions or interviews but not for high-accuracy needs like blog posts. The speaker also shows how to edit and correct the transcription within the platform and export it in various formats.

05:03

πŸŽ“ High-Accuracy Transcription with Rev.com

The speaker then presents Rev.com as a paid transcription service that offers near 99% accuracy, which is particularly useful for professional use cases such as website content or client work where mistakes are unacceptable. They explain that Rev.com provides human transcription services that can detect different voices and accents, which is a significant advantage over AI-based platforms. The process involves uploading a video file or providing a URL if the video is hosted online. The platform allows for quick editing of the transcription and offers various file formats for download, including SRT for YouTube captions and text files. The speaker concludes by recommending both Descript and Rev.com for different use cases, depending on the required level of accuracy.

Mindmap

Keywords

πŸ’‘Transcription

Transcription refers to the process of converting spoken language into written form. In the context of the video, it is used to extract text from audio or video files, which can then be used for various purposes such as creating web pages, blog posts, or for posting on text-based platforms like Medium or Reddit.

πŸ’‘Descript

Descript is an all-in-one audio and video editing platform mentioned in the video. It offers transcription services as part of its features, allowing users to convert audio and video files into text. The video highlights Descript as a free option for transcription with the possibility of upgrading to a paid version for more advanced features and higher limits.

πŸ’‘Accuracy

Accuracy in the context of transcription refers to how closely the transcribed text matches the spoken words in the original audio or video. The video discusses the trade-off between the speed of automated transcription and the higher accuracy provided by human transcription services like Rev.com.

πŸ’‘Rev.com

Rev.com is a transcription service that employs humans to transcribe audio and video files. The video emphasizes its high accuracy rate, close to 99%, and its ability to detect different voices and accents, which is particularly useful for professional use cases where precision is crucial.

πŸ’‘AI Transcription

AI Transcription is the use of artificial intelligence to automatically convert speech to text. The video mentions that while AI transcription is quick and cost-effective, it may not achieve the same level of accuracy as human transcription, necessitating manual corrections for professional use.

πŸ’‘Web Page

A web page is a document that is suitable for the World Wide Web and web browsers. In the video, the creator uses transcription to generate content for web pages, indicating the utility of transcription in expanding content reach and accessibility.

πŸ’‘Blog Post

A blog post is an individual entry in a blog, typically presented as a journalistic or informational article. The video script describes using transcription to create blog posts from video content, which can help in repurposing multimedia content into readable text form.

πŸ’‘Podcast

A podcast is a digital audio program that a user can download or stream. The video mentions transcription as a way to convert podcast audio into text, which can be beneficial for accessibility and for providing a text version of the podcast's content.

πŸ’‘Text-Based Platforms

Text-based platforms refer to online services that primarily use text for communication and content sharing, such as Medium and Reddit. The video discusses posting transcribed content on these platforms to increase the content's visibility and engagement.

πŸ’‘Language Recognition

Language recognition is the ability of a system to identify the language being used in an audio or video file. The video script mentions the option to change the language in Descript, which is important for ensuring accurate transcriptions.

πŸ’‘Subtitles

Subtitles are a form of captioning that displays text onscreen to translate or transcribe the dialogue. The video discusses exporting the transcribed text as subtitles, which can be useful for video content on platforms like YouTube.

πŸ’‘Professional Use Case

A professional use case refers to a situation where the output or service provided is intended for professional or commercial purposes, often requiring a higher standard of quality. The video contrasts the use of free AI transcription for less critical applications with paid, high-accuracy transcription services like Rev.com for professional use cases.

Highlights

Transcribing audio or video to text is a great way to get more content out of pre-existing footage.

Transcription can be used to create web pages, blog posts, and post on text-based platforms like Medium or Reddit.

The speaker has two favorite ways to transcribe: a free option and a paid option for high accuracy.

The free option, Descript, is an all-in-one audio and video editing tool.

Descript offers transcription with some limitations on the free version.

Descript can transcribe audio files online and video files using its desktop app.

The transcription process with Descript is fully automated AI, which is useful but may require editing for accuracy.

For professional use cases requiring high accuracy, the speaker recommends a paid platform called Rev.

Rev offers transcription services with human oversight, resulting in near 99% accuracy.

Rev can also detect different voices and accents, which is a significant advantage over AI platforms.

Users can upload video files to Rev or provide a URL for transcription services.

Rev allows for quick editing of transcriptions and offers various file formats for download.

Descript and Rev both have their uses, and the speaker uses them for different purposes based on accuracy needs.

Descript is used for quick transcriptions, while Rev is used for website content and client work where accuracy is crucial.

The speaker suggests checking out both platforms to determine which is the best fit for one's specific use case.

Links to both Descript and Rev are provided in the description for further exploration.