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7 minute read
21 Feb 2023

How to Convert Videos Into Word Documents

Converting videos into word documents is a useful skill for many professionals, including journalists, researchers, and content creators. Transcribing a video can help you save time and improve your productivity by creating a written record of the information contained in the video. In this blog post, we’ll explore three different methods for converting videos into word documents, along with the best practices and recommended tools for each method.

Method 1: Convert your videos to Word manually

Manual or human-made transcription is the most traditional method for converting videos into word documents. In this process, you watch the video and manually transcribe the audio content into a written document. Manual transcription can be done using a variety of tools, including a pen and paper, a word processor, or a dedicated transcription software.

Advantages:

  • Complete control over the transcription process
  • Ability to edit and revise the transcription as needed
  • High accuracy, especially when done by a skilled transcriber

Disadvantages:

  • Time-consuming, especially for longer videos
  • Prone to errors, such as misspelling or mishearing words
  • Can be physically and mentally tiring for the transcriber

Best Practices:

  • Use a quality pair of headphones to improve audio clarity
  • Pause the video frequently to avoid missing important details
  • Familiarize yourself with the topic of the video to improve accuracy and speed
  • Use keyboard shortcuts and hotkeys to improve efficiency

Method 2: Convert your videos to Word automatically

Did you know that manually converting 1 hour of you video into text can take up-to 5 or 6 hours? Don’t worry, we have a solution. Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) is a newer method for converting videos into word documents. In this process, a software analyzes the audio content of the video and automatically transcribes it into text. ASR technology has improved significantly in recent years, thanks to advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Advantages:

  • Faster than manual transcription, especially for longer videos
  • Can handle multiple speakers and different accents
  • Can be more cost-effective than manual transcription

Disadvantages:

  • Less accurate than manual transcription, especially for videos with poor audio quality
  • May require additional editing and proofreading to correct errors
  • Limited ability to recognize non-standard language, such as slang or technical terms

Best Practices:

  • Use a high-quality microphone or recording device to improve audio clarity
  • Speak clearly and avoid background noise to improve accuracy
  • Choose a software that is optimized for your specific use case
  • Train the software to recognize your voice and accent for better accuracy

Here is our comparison for easier understanding:

Comparison of transcription services

Method 3: Hybrid Transcription

Hybrid transcription combines the advantages of manual and automatic transcription. In this process, you use a combination of manual and automatic transcription to create a more accurate and efficient transcription. For example, you can use ASR software to generate a rough transcription and then edit and revise it manually.

Advantages:

  • More accurate than ASR alone
  • More efficient than manual transcription alone
  • More cost-effective than manual transcription alone

Disadvantages:

  • Requires additional time and effort to combine manual and automatic transcription
  • May require a higher level of skill and experience to achieve good results
  • Limited ability to recognize non-standard language, such as slang or technical terms

Best Practices:

  • Use ASR software to generate a rough transcription, then edit and revise it manually
  • Choose a software that allows for easy editing

Choosing the Right Method and Tool

The best method and tool for converting videos into word documents will depend on several factors, including the length and quality of the video, the amount of time and resources available, and the desired level of accuracy. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a method and tool:

  • Length of the video: For shorter videos, manual transcription or ASR may be sufficient. For longer videos, hybrid transcription may be more efficient.
  • Quality of the audio: For videos with poor audio quality, manual transcription may be more accurate. For videos with clear audio, ASR or hybrid transcription may be more efficient.
  • Required level of accuracy: If the transcription is being used for legal or official purposes, manual transcription may be necessary. If the transcription is for personal or informal use, ASR or hybrid transcription may be sufficient.
  • Topic of the video: In some cases transcription might be required for really specific topics, such as transcribing medical, legal or governmental content. In these cases, it is advised to use a human-made transcription service for higher accuracy. These companies often also require you to submit a glossary with all the specific vocabulary words for maximum accuracy of the transcription.
  • Available resources: Manual transcription can be costly if outsourced to a professional transcription service. ASR and hybrid transcription software can be more cost-effective, but may require additional time and effort to achieve good results.

Amberscript’s offerings

Now, that you are familiar with all the different methods of converting video to text, we have amazing news!

Amberscript is a transcription service provider that offers both machine-made and human-made transcription services to its clients. Our services are aimed at individuals and businesses who need to convert audio and video recordings into text, making it easier to search, analyze, and share the content.

Machine-made transcription services:

Amberscript’s machine-made transcription service is an automated process that uses artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to transcribe audio and video recordings. This service is ideal for clients who need quick and low-cost transcription services. The automated service is capable of transcribing recordings in 39 different languages and can handle a variety of file formats. The service offers accurate transcripts that are delivered in a matter of minutes, depending on the length of the recording.

The machine-made transcription service works by using automatic speech recognition (ASR) technology to convert the spoken words into text. The technology is trained on large datasets of speech samples, which helps the AI algorithms to recognize and transcribe words accurately. The machine-made service is not perfect, as the accuracy of the transcription is affected by various factors, such as the quality of the recording, the accent of the speakers, and background noise. However, Amberscript has a special user-friendly editor to allow clients to easily make corrections to the transcript.

Human-made transcription services:

Amberscript’s human-made transcription service is a process that involves professional transcribers manually transcribing audio and video recordings in 15 different languages. This service is ideal for clients who need high-quality, error-free transcripts for legal, medical, or other important documents. The human-made transcription service is handled by experienced and certified transcribers who have expertise in specific industries and can transcribe different languages and dialects.

The human-made transcription service works by assigning a transcriber to the client’s recording. They work with the machine-generated transcript while listening to the recording and correcting any mistakes in the transcription. The transcriber is trained to identify accents, dialects, and background noise, which enables them to transcribe the recording accurately. The human-made service is more expensive than the machine-made service, but it offers higher accuracy and quality, which is crucial for important documents.

Comparison of machine-made and human-made transcription services:

Both the machine-made and human-made transcription services offered by Amberscript have their advantages and disadvantages. The machine-made service is faster and cheaper, making it suitable for clients who need quick and low-cost transcription services. However, the machine-made service may have inaccuracies due to various factors, which can be corrected using the editing tools provided by Amberscript.

The human-made service, on the other hand, is slower and more expensive, but it offers higher accuracy and quality. This service is suitable for clients who need error-free transcripts for important documents. The human-made service is handled by experienced and certified transcribers who have expertise in specific industries, making it more accurate and reliable.

In both cases, you are able to export your transcript into several file formats, such as Word, JSON, Text allowing you to easily convert any video content into a Word document.

In conclusion, Amberscript’s transcription services cater to clients with different needs and budgets. The machine-made service is ideal for clients who need quick and low-cost transcription services, while the human-made service is suitable for clients who need high-quality, error-free transcripts for important documents. Clients can choose the service that best suits their needs and budget, with the assurance that they will receive accurate and reliable transcripts.

Tips for Better Results

Here are some tips to help you get the best results when converting videos into word documents:

  • Choose a high-quality video with clear audio
  • Use a quality microphone or recording device
  • Avoid background noise and other distractions
  • Familiarize yourself with the topic of the video
  • Use a transcription software that is optimized for your specific use case
  • Train the software to recognize your voice and accent
  • Use keyboard shortcuts and hotkeys to improve efficiency
  • Take breaks to avoid physical and mental fatigue
  • Proofread and edit the transcription for accuracy and clarity

Converting videos into word documents is a useful skill for many professionals. In this blog post, we explored three different methods for converting videos into word documents: manual transcription, automatic speech recognition, and hybrid transcription. We also discussed the best practices and recommended tools for each method, along with tips for better results. By choosing the right method and tool, and following best practices, you can save time and improve your productivity by converting videos into word documents.

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