Software for Video Transcription

You will have to add subtitles to your movies yourself when doing your own video editing.

When doing your own video editing, closed captions and subtitles are not already included or automatically transcribed. Instead you will have to manually add these text versions of the dialogue contained within your videos using video transcription software. There are many pieces of software to choose from, and each has their pros and cons.

Purchasing

There are three main ways you can purchase video transcription software. The first is freeware, which is completely free software you download over the Internet. Express Scribe and Hyper Transcribe are examples of this. The second is a purchasable product that's still downloadable over the Internet. This describes how you would purchase almost all of the other pieces of video transcription software, such as InqScribe, Start-Stop PowerPlay, and Transana. Some of these purchasable programs do have trial versions or trial periods, such as Transana which has the former, and InqScribe, which offers the later.

Equipment

Many of these programs are able to use pedals to manipulate the speed and direction of playback of the video or audio you are transcribing. Start-Stop Powerplay is usually packaged with a pedal system included. While the software by itself is $175, the various pedal packages run $249. Foot pedals are a prominent part of the way that particular software works, but it does function without it. InqScribe and Express Scribe also promote their comparability with foot pedals, and Express Scribe even links to a third party where some are available.

Embedding Timecode

One of the most common features is the ability to embed specific timecodes against any given text that corresponds to video. Almost all the software offers some variation of this feature, but some have their own tweaks that make things more efficient. InqScribe, for example, allows you to quickly double-check the frames at which these timecodes line up.

Multitasking

Multitasking, or the ability to use another program while you are viewing and adjusting playback of video or audio, is key to making the task efficient. Keyboard hotkeys for controlling the playback directly is offered on every program. Most are customizable as well. This is crucial if the user is not using a foot pedal system. Start-Stop PowerPlay takes this all a step further by offering a video thumbnail within the actual document or alternative program that you are working on, such as Microsoft Word.

Organization

Transana is the most fully featured program when it comes to organization. The software allows multiple user collaboration and provides organization and transcription of libraries of clips. It allows you to provide searchable keywords within the clips for later referral as well. If you are using video transcription for analysis or reuse of clips, this is an excellent choice. Other programs tout their ability to export and handle many different audio and video file formats or Mac and PC intercompatibility. HyperTranscribe, though, seems relatively simple, limited to exporting a RTF or plain text file and using Apple Quicktime Technology.

References

• InqScribe
• NCH Software: Express Scribe Transcription Playback Software
• Researchware: HyperTranscribe
• Start-Stop
• Transana