22
January
2008
There are a huge variety of voice recorders out there. They all do different things, and which one you get will depend on what’s most important to you. If you want a voice recorder that’s dedicated to just that, then see my article on getting the recording equipment that’s right for your transcription needs. But if you’re prime issue is price (as it is with many students in particular) and if you already have an iPod (which many students, among others, do) then why not use that?
You will need to buy an external microphone, but that’s much cheaper than buying a voice recorder that you can download files on to your PC from – which you’d need to do to send them to your transcriber.
You can’t do this from all iPods but the later models will all allow it – the voice memo software is already on there.
Recordings are saved in wav format, which isn’t ideal for sending on for transcription, as the files are very large; but having said that they are good quality and our transcription service is able to cope with upload and download of larger files.
Full details of how to do it are available on the Apple website so why not have a look?
Posted: Digitial audio files, General Transcription
7
September
2007
I am sometimes asked whether we can transcribe from video. The simple answer would be no, but that’s rather misleading and probably the best way to make a potential client decide to go somewhere else!
The fact is that it is not possible, to the best of my knowledge, to transcribe directly from either digital or audio video files, but it is entirely possible to convert either kind to a workable format. The reason one cannot transcribe directly is simple. There is no transcription kit available to do it, and frankly there probably isn’t the demand for one. The transcription kit is fundamentally the foot pedal that allows the transcriptionist to rewind and fast forward through the recording, and the player (software or a tape player) that allows changes in the speed of play, volume, tone etc. As well as being a fast typist with expert knowledge a professional transcriptionist can (almost certainly) get through your recordings faster than you can because they have this nifty bit of kit (or usually several nifty bits of kit, for mini tapes, micro tapes, standard tapes and digital audio recordings).
Digital video (at least some formats) can be converted to an audio equivalent e.g. mp4 (video) to mp3 (audio) quite easily by running the video file through a bit of conversion software. We do this at no extra charge as it is not difficult or time consuming. See the digital video pages on our website for more information.
Converting VHS video to audio is a different matter. We do it, but we don’t do it with big happy smiles on our faces and we do have to charge. It’s not that challenging or expensive but it is a bit time consuming. So … if you have a VHS video that needs transcribing, whether it be a conference or debate or a documentary that you want a transcript of for personal study purposes, you could convert it to a digital recording and save yourself some money! My article, How to Record Digital Audio from VHS Tape for Transcription, will tell you how.
Posted: Digitial audio files, General Transcription
13
August
2007
Hurrah! I hope my previous post helped to convince a few people to go digital with their transcription recordings. If you’re one of them there are a few things you need to know. Perhaps the most important one is which recording machine to buy, from a transcription perspective. If you’ve looked at what’s available you will have found a bewildering selection, but what are the important features and which are just the ‘nice to haves’? Well of course it depends to some extent on exactly what kind of recording you’re doing. Some features that are important for focus groups, such as the ability to attach multiple external microphones, don’t matter at all if you’ll only be conducting interviews. For a list of the different features available and an explanation of what they’re for see my article on getting recording equipment that’s right for you. The different features are first listed and then explained, and this should allow you to choose a machine that’s right for you to record your transcription recordings and send them to us to be transcribed. If you’re looking for a good on-line source of transcription equipment I can thoroughly recommend Speak IT. If you get really stuck phone and ask to talk to Shaun. I’ve always found him very helpful.
And if you’re still not convinced, or not feeling brave enough for the transition to digital, don’t forget that we’ll still transcribe from all the types of tape!
Posted: Digitial audio files, General Transcription
9
August
2007
We had a phone-call yesterday from a charming gentleman at one of our top universities who had a number of standard tapes he needed transcribing. He asked if we were still prepared to transcribe from tapes as he’d spoken to a number of transcription services that were no longer prepared to do so. He was convinced that digital recording was NOT the way to go; he had complete and touching faith in his old Sony tape recorder, and there was no telling him otherwise. Fortunately we are happy to transcribe from all formats including standard tapes, micro tapes, mini tapes, VHS and all the digital possibilities.
Unfortunately I am certain he would get better results from a digital recorder and the transcription would cost him less too. Digital files can be copied without losing quality, they don’t deteriorate over time, they’re easily stored and, from a transcription point of view, they produce better quality recordings which leads to a faster and more affordable transcription service. To find out more visit the Penguin Transcription Website and see my article on digital versus analogue recording.
Posted: Digitial audio files, General Transcription