There are a huge variety of different options around what is available in terms of video transcription rates and services. These options can depend also on a number of different factors. Consider:
Why do I need my video to be transcribed?
Some reasons for having videos transcribed include for use as research, to create subtitles, to use as rushes for editing, to distribute online for SEO or accessibility. It goes without saying that if you’re looking at ordering transcription services, there must be a good reason why, but looking ahead to what will eventually happen with your transcript will help ensure you get value for money and end up with the best video transcription rates on the market.
For example:
If you require transcription for research purposes or to distribute the transcript to be read, it’s unlikely you would need time coded transcription. To summarise, if your video has effectively served its purpose and the text has been recorded, the video would not be needed as reference.
If you require transcription of rushes to use for editing video, time codes will be very important in order to refer back to your video. Especially if your final video will require subtitling, there are a few other options that may help lower costs down the line. If you are going to burn in subtitles, this could potentially be done at this transcription stage, meaning text doesn’t need to be retimed following cuts.
Who will be reading my video transcript?
The readership of your transcript is important in order for you to assess the best style to work with. For example, if you have a meeting that you want transcribed in order to circulate to your colleagues, intelligent verbatim would be the best option in terms of style. In contrast, if you are a psychologist or work within the legal profession, verbatim (word for word) transcription will be essential in order to analyse and have a full account of what has been said. Other styles include discourse analysis and Jefferson transcription which are not typically used without having a very defined set of requirements.
What transcription styles could make my files easier to work with?
Some of the aspects that make a transcript fit for purpose and easy to read will depend on personal preference. However, some typical style elements that can impact reading could be as below:
- Time codes make it easy to refer back and forth between video footage and a transcript.
- Speakers can be identified by initial, colour, bold text, italics or using a table. Easily picking out changes of speaker can very much speed up the process of skimming through a transcript if you’re looking for something in particular that a speaker has said.
- Transcript format can be important if you’re widely sharing your document. Choosing between Pages, Microsoft Word, Excel or Adobe PDF can make all the difference to your readers.
What languages do I need to use?
If you are interested in having your files translated now or later down the line, it can be a good idea to enquire about translation services and the languages available prior to taking on source language transcription.
Do I need cheap transcription to stick within a budget or is quality the most important aspect?
Whilst times may be hard and budgets tight, within any sector, it always goes without saying that you get what you pay for. Whilst cheap autogenerated transcriptions can seem like a good idea in terms of your budget, you may wind up spending large amounts of time making corrections and edits. This may save money but it also takes time. Be sure that you establish a good balance between quality and budget to get the best out of your transcription services.
How fast do I need my transcript to be completed?
Many companies offer urgent transcription services with rush rates but there can be a huge difference in the prices charged. Be sure to be honest and upfront at the quoting stage about your time constraints to get an accurate quote. It’s a far better option than being caught off guard when prices rise further down the line.
If you require transcription services and/or translation, contact Capital Captions today. We offer audio and video transcription in a huge range of languages and have fast turnarounds of up to 4 hours turnaround. We do not work with automation or voice recognition but rather value human skill, working with professional writers, transcriptionists and translators. Contact us today to get your video transcription rates and start your project.
