FAQ
Q: What is transcription?
A: Transcription is the process of converting spoken language from an audio or video recording into a written text format. It involves carefully listening to the recording and accurately transcribing spoken words.
Q: Why would I need transcription services?
A: There are various reasons that you might require transcription services. Transcription can be beneficial for creating written records of important meetings, interviews, conferences, or focus groups. It also helps in producing captions for videos or enhancing accessibility for individuals with hearing impairments. Additionally, transcription can assist in qualitative research analysis, content creation, and legal documentation.
Q: What types of transcription services do you offer?
A: We provide a wide range of transcription services to meet different needs. These include general transcription for business meetings, interviews, and presentations, as well as transcription for academic, qualitative, and market research purposes. We also offer services such as timestamping, clean verbatim, or strict-verbatim transcriptions.
Q: How long does it take to receive the completed transcript?
A: The turnaround time for transcription depends on the length and complexity of the audio or video file, as well as the specific requirements of the project. We strive to provide timely and efficient service. Typically, a standard transcript is delivered within five to seven business days, while larger or more specialized projects may take longer. We can discuss your timeline needs and provide you with an estimated delivery date when you place your order.
Q: What file formats do you accept?
A: We accept a wide range of audio and video file formats, including MP3, WAV, AIFF, WMA, MP4, MOV, AVI, and more. If you have a specific format that is not listed, please reach out to us, and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Q: How can I submit my audio or video files for transcription?
A: New customers can easily submit their audio or video files through our Request Quote page. Existing customers may use our Submit Files page to send us files. Alternatively, you can also use file-sharing services, email, or physical media to provide us with your recordings. Once we receive your files, we will send you an estimated price and projected completion date.
Q: What will my completed transcript look like?
A: Please see our standard template.
Q: Can I use my own template?
A: Yes. Please contact us to discuss any template requirements you may have.
Q: What is clean verbatim?
A: Clean verbatim is a transcription style that involves the removal of unnecessary elements from the original audio or video recording while still retaining the essential meaning and context. In clean verbatim, we omit filler words, such as “um,” “uh,” and repetitive phrases, as well as non-verbal sounds like laughter, sighs, and throat clearing. The goal is to produce a transcript that is more concise and polished, focusing solely on the content of the communication. Clean verbatim is commonly used in scenarios where the primary objective is to extract the core message without including distracting or irrelevant elements.
Q: What is Strict verbatim?
A: Strict verbatim is a transcription style that aims to capture every single detail of the original audio or video recording. It involves transcribing not only the spoken words, but also the non-verbal sounds, stutters, false starts, filler words, and even grammatical errors or incomplete sentences. In strict verbatim, the transcript reflects the exact manner in which the speaker delivered their message. This transcription approach is often utilized in legal proceedings, market research interviews, or any situation where a precise record of the spoken content is required, allowing for a thorough analysis of the communication, including speaker characteristics and patterns.
Q: What do you consider difficult audio?
A:
- Background noises. Examples: static, wind, other people speaking nearby, audio recorded in public spaces such as loud restaurants or outside, et cetera.
- Frequent cross talk, (several people speaking at the same time).
- Low-speaking voices or low-volume audio.
- Poorly recorded audio.
- Medical, scientific, or otherwise specialized terminology that would require research.
Q: Do you offer rush service?
A: We offer the following rush services, but please contact us first to make sure we have the current capacity handle your rush file.
Two business day rush: + $0 .50 per audio minute.
Next business day rush by 4 p.m. File must be available for our work to begin by 11:00 a.m.: + $ 1.25 per audio minute.
Q: What are your prices?
A: Please see our pricelist or our Request Quote form.
Q: What are your terms of service?
A: Please see our terms of service here.
Process and Security:
Q: How secure is my audio or video file?
A: We take your privacy and the security of your files very seriously. Our transcription business follows strict protocols to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of your data. We use secure file transfer methods, employ encryption technologies, and have confidentiality agreements in place with our transcriptionists to safeguard your information. In addition, all audio files and completed transcripts are deleted once the completed work is delivered to the client.
Q: What is your quality assurance process?
A: We have a rigorous quality assurance process in place to ensure the accuracy and reliability of our transcriptions. Our professional transcriptionists are highly skilled and experienced in their respective fields. Each transcriptionist transcribes and then proofreads your document. It is then sent to QA for another check to eliminate errors and maintain consistency. We strive to deliver transcripts that meet the highest quality standards and your specific requirements.
Additional Inquiries:
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions not covered by this FAQ.