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MANUAL TRANSCRIPTION VS. AUTOMATED TRANSCRIPTION

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Charles G Brock
MANUAL TRANSCRIPTION VS. AUTOMATED TRANSCRIPTION

Technological developments are expanding in an incredible way. New avenues open for customers and executives to choose between a software for transcription and manually transcribing audio or video.

COMPARING HUMAN VS. MACHINE TRANSCRIPTION

Even though both automated and manual transcriptions look similar, the procedures actually differ a lot.  So, defining both:

Automated Transcription is the process of transcribing an audio or video file into text, using a transcription tool.

Example: Online free transcription Software. Manual Transcription Services is the same process done manually by a human. Example:  Certified Professional transcriptionists.

It is the customer’s decision to choose from these two mentioned options. Typically, understanding both the pros and cons of Manual transcription vs. Automated Transcription is beneficial.

PROS AND CONS OF MAN VS. MACHINE TRANSCRIPTION

From using any transcription software, you get 2 benefits.

  1. In the short run, you will save your pockets from many bucks. Since online tools generally come free, you won’t even have to pay at times.
  2. The ones who prefer doing things on their own, automated transcription work is your pick.

But there are 3 cons to machine transcription as well.

  1. Quality and accuracy cannot meet your expectations. Mistakes are probable and thus, you are left with faulty transcription.
  2. Varying accents, noisy backgrounds, multiple speakers, etc. will additionally make it a difficult process for a machine to transcribe.
  • With errored transcriptions, you will search for hiring proof-readers. Thus, you spend money, time and energy over finding the right person to do the clean-up.

On the other side; manual transcriptions are way better than online tools because :

  1. Highly trained and skilled transcribers can work qualitatively to give a top quality result.
  2. Even the intricate variations in context can be interpreted and transcribed by an expert.
  3. There are transcriptionists who charge low without compromising on quality and precision.

There are no cons directly to manual transcription but there is just one difficulty to it. Choosing between the ‘best company’ and the ‘best deal’ could be confusing. Still, this is manageable.

SCRIPTS AND FORMATS IDEAL FOR BOTH

The formats following below are the ideal projects to allocate for manual transcription vs. automated transcription.

For automated transcription services, try:

  • Media files
  • Contact centre formats
  • Personal media
  • Quick journals
  • Private business videos

For human transcription, use:

  • Journals and research papers
  • Business and important client discussions
  • Legal file formats
  • Marketing and sales audio/video
  • Enterprises and branding products

Weighing manual and machine transcriptions, it can be said that Human expertise combined with the intelligence of a machine or software can be the most practical solution for today’s translation needs. Use automated transcription tools only for immediate and quick less important files. And choose expert transcribers for anything that can benefit from professional expertise.

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Charles G Brock
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