The Comprehensive Guide to Media Transcription Services, Careers, and Tool

What is Media Transcription?Media transcription is the process of converting spoken language from various forms of media like video files, podcasts, documentaries,...

What is Media Transcription?

Media transcription is the process of converting spoken language from various forms of media like video files, podcasts, documentaries, radio broadcasts, and talk shows into written or text format. This service is crucial in the media industry for creating accurate transcriptions that can be used for closed captioning, subtitles, and for SEO purposes. Transcription services make media content more accessible, interactive, and discoverable by search engines, enhancing its reach and impact.

What is the Salary of a Transcriptionist?

The salary of a transcriptionist can vary based on experience, skills, the complexity of the task, and the industry. As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, the average salary for a transcriptionist in the United States was approximately $15 to $30 per hour. Higher rates typically correspond to more specialized transcription services, such as those requiring knowledge of legal or medical terminology.

What are the 4 Types of Transcription?

There are four main types of transcription:

1. Verbatim Transcription: This involves transcribing every word, sound, and filler language like 'um', 'uh', etc. It's mostly used in legal proceedings and qualitative research.
2. Edited Transcription: In this type, unnecessary elements like repetitions, filler words, and grammatical errors are removed for readability.
3. Intelligent Transcription: Here, the transcriber further edits the content to convey the same meaning but in fewer words.
4. Phonetic Transcription: It focuses on pronunciations and phonetics, used primarily in linguistics.

3Play Media Transcription: Salary, Requirements, and Process

3Play Media, a leading transcription company, offers high-quality transcription services. While specific details about 3Play Media's transcriptionist pay scale might vary and be proprietary, the transcriptionists' earnings in such companies usually depend on the turnaround time, the complexity of the video content, and the transcriptionists' speed and accuracy.

To work as a transcriptionist for 3Play Media, one should have excellent English language skills, the ability to understand a variety of accents, a strong attention to detail, and good typing speed. Additionally, a stable internet connection and a computer with audio playback capability are essential.

The transcription process at 3Play Media typically involves the following steps:

1. File Submission: Clients upload their media files to the 3Play Media platform or use the API for a more streamlined workflow.
2. Transcription: Professional transcriptionists transcribe the audio file into text, including necessary timestamps.
3. Review and Edit: The transcripts are reviewed and edited for quality assurance.
4. Delivery: The final high-quality transcripts in required file formats are delivered to the client.

Transcription Timelines and Certification

Typically, it takes around four hours to transcribe one hour of audio, but this can vary based on the audio quality and the transcriptionist's skill level.

There are two categories of transcriptionists - certified and uncertified. Certified transcriptionists have passed an exam administered by an accrediting body, such as the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity (AHDI) for medical transcriptionists. Certification may lead to higher pay or more job opportunities. Uncertified transcriptionists may not have formal recognition, but they can still deliver quality transcripts depending on their skill and experience.

A Day in the Life of a Transcriptionist

A typical day for a transcriptionist involves receiving audio or video recordings, listening to them carefully, and transcribing the spoken words into written text. They may need to research specific terms or phrases for accuracy. Some transcriptionists also provide time-coding or syncing services, especially for subtitles and closed captioning in video content. Depending on their workflow, transcriptionists may work on webinars, podcasts, social media videos, or any other forms of audio or video content.

How to Become a Transcriptionist?

It could take a few weeks to a few months to become a proficient transcriptionist. It requires strong typing skills, excellent listening abilities, and a good command of the language you are transcribing in. Many online platforms offer courses in transcription, and while not always necessary, getting a certification can enhance credibility.

Top 8 Transcription Software and Apps

1. Speechify Voice Over: Speechify Voice Over is a powerful voice over app that runs in your browser. with the power of AI, it brings surprising features made simple for anyone to use. Try it free, today!
2. Express Scribe: It's a professional audio player software for PC or Mac designed to assist the transcription of audio recordings.
3. Trint: This uses AI for transcription and includes features like automated timestamps and exporting in various formats.
4. Rev: Offers both automated and professional transcription services, boasting high accuracy.
5. Descript: This tool allows you to edit audio files by editing text and includes features like automatic transcription.
6. InqScribe: Offers a free and premium version and allows you to insert timecodes anywhere in the transcript.
7. Transcribe by Wreally: A browser-based app that provides both automatic and self transcription services.
8. Happy Scribe: This uses AI to offer automatic transcription and subtitle services, accepting various file formats.
9. Sonix: An AI transcription tool that provides timestamps, allows multi-user editing, and supports multiple languages.

Media transcription is a versatile field with numerous applications, and skilled transcriptionists play a pivotal role in ensuring the accuracy and quality of transcribed media content.