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Transcribing videos into text can be done using various free or low-cost software options. Here are some notable ones that you might find useful, ranging from fully automated services to software that facilitates manual transcription:
### Free or Low-Cost Automated Transcription Services
1. **Otter.ai**:
– Offers a free version with limited minutes of transcription per month.
– Good for automatic transcription with the ability to edit the transcript within the app.
– Provides features such as speaker identification and export options.
2. **Google’s Speech-to-Text**:
– This API provides powerful automatic transcription capabilities.
– You can use its free tier for a limited amount of audio processing each month.
– Requires some technical skills to implement as it’s an API.
3. **YouTube**:
– If you upload your video to YouTube, you can use its automatic captioning feature for free.
– YouTube’s auto-generated captions can be edited for accuracy.
– You can then download the transcript or the caption file.
### Software for Manual Transcription
1. **Express Scribe**:
– A professional audio player software for PC or Mac designed to assist the transcription of audio recordings.
– A free version is available with limited features, which is usually adequate for non-commercial use.
– Supports foot pedal control and can play a variety of audio file formats.
2. **oTranscribe**:
– A free web-based tool that allows you to upload your video and provides an integrated word processor for typing out the transcript.
– Offers interactive timestamps and easy playback controls.
3. **InqScribe**:
– Offers a free trial, and the software is relatively low cost if you decide to purchase.
– Allows for manual transcription with easy-to-use media playback controls integrated with a text editor.
### Additional Options
– **VLC Media Player** with a plugin or external tool for slowing down playback without altering pitch, which can be helpful for manual transcription.
– **Speechlogger** and **Bear File Converter** are web-based options that offer free transcription services with some limitations.
When choosing a transcription tool, consider the length of your videos, the accuracy required, the number of transcriptions you need to do, and your budget. Automated services can save a lot of time but often require some manual correction for best results. In contrast, manual transcription software offers more control but is more time-consuming.
