What’s media transcription?

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Media transcription converts audio and video recordings into text formats, useful for future reference. It can be used for legal, educational, and business purposes, and can help with understanding accents, speech impediments, and multiple speakers. Time codes and descriptions can be added for accuracy.

Media transcription converts audio and video recordings into text formats, which can be used as reference tools in the future. A wide variety of media can be transcribed, including radio or television programs, podcasts, business meetings and interviews. Basically, any event recorded via audio or video equipment can be turned into a text document through media transcription.

The legal system routinely uses media transcription to obtain deposition documents or witness interviews. A police audio interview with a suspect, for example, is usually transcribed, with each juror in a trial receiving a copy of the transcript. This allows judges to follow the conversation in writing while listening to the audio version.

Media transcription can be especially helpful when a person speaking on an audiotape speaks with a strong foreign or regional accent. It also makes it easier to understand a conversation if a speech impediment makes words unintelligible. In cases where several people participate in a discussion, transcription allows the listener to differentiate between individual speakers.

Another form of media transcription involves podcasts, which can allow information to be shared with a larger group of listeners. Some podcasts are converted into text and posted on websites with links to audio versions or video clips. This preserves the written records of each program.

Transcription companies often provide these services by converting analogue or digital recordings into documents. Many companies create documents in a variety of text formats, including PDFs and Word documents. Transcriptions of business conferences, meetings, documentaries, speeches by political candidates and feature films make up some of the services offered by media transcription companies.

Time codes or timestamps can be inserted into each line of text if the customer needs these details. Film or television program transcripts can describe the scene, indicate the music used, and include cues used in the production process. They usually include credits in text form.

Raw video footage, such as reality TV that is not scripted, can be more difficult to transcribe. Media transcriptionists often add a description of a scene or the person speaking to improve accuracy. They try to capture every word spoken in each scene, which can consist of multiple people speaking at once.

Media transcripts can be useful for business or educational purposes. Students may find university lecture transcripts useful as a study tool. A journalist can look to a written record of interviews to ensure accurate citations, especially when working on in-depth investigative articles. Some psychologists use transcripts to create written material to share with colleagues during lectures.

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