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Video and Audio-only Transcripts
What are Video and Audio Transcripts?
Transcripts converts audio and video recorded speech to a text transcript with each speaker individually separated. The transcript can usually be downloaded to review what was said during the recording. It will be timestamped with breaks for each speaker. The downloaded file can be edited for corrections and saved, most commonly in Word.
Transcript Example
Several NDSU tools include transcriptions for video conferencing meetings and recordings (YuJa, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams). Example of a Zoom recording with the audio transcript on the right side. The transcript moves along, synchronously, with the recording.
The transcript can also be downloaded and converted to a Word document. Zoom transcripts download as .vtt file. A .vtt file is a Web Video Text Track file, which is a text-based format for displaying audio transcriptions for videos. VTT files are commonly used for online videos, such as those on YouTube and Vimeo.
Video Transcripts
Transcription can be turned on when using Zoom during a live meeting to help follow the audio content. If the meeting is being recorded a transcript can be downloaded once the recording has completed. Transcripts differ from captions in that the text can be displayed in sync with the voice. The synched transcriptions can be paused during video playback, whereas captions are always synched with the video. Transcripts can be viewed separately from its video file. When editing transcripts, include formatting as done with any documents to ensure accessibility (headings, bullets, etc.).
To provide an equitable experience of videos, synchronized captions are required; on their own, transcripts are not usually sufficient. However, there are cases where transcripts may be preferred or required. Having both available is recommended.
Audio Transcripts
A transcript is the only method of providing a text alternative for audio-only files. This can either be a downloadable document or text can be displayed alongside the audio file.
When audio files are embedded in another document, such as a PowerPoint file or Word document, a transcript is still needed. The transcript is generally an additional document.
Benefits of Transcripts
Transcripts can obviously benefit deaf or hard-of-hearing users. They can also support many other learning strategies, including:
- Accessibility for d/Deaf or heard of hearing viewers
- Improved audience comprehension
- Reviewing specific point in a video
- Search feature
- Study notes
- Learning new vocabulary
- Learning a new language
- Focusing
Resources
- Microsoft O365 – Transcribe your recordings
- More learn more/how to’s at How to Make Materials Accessible
- Web Accessibility Initiative - Transcripts