Digital Heaven has launched SpeedScriber, an automated transcription tool for the Mac. According to Digital Heaven founder, Martin Baker, a 60-minute file is typically transcribed in less than 10 minutes.
Transcripts can be reviewed and edited in the app then printed or exported to multiple formats, including integration with professional video editing apps. Since only the audio from the file is required for the transcription process, all imported media files are converted to a mono audio-only file for upload. Once uploaded, files are processed in parallel on Digital Heaven’s cloud-based servers and the transcript data is downloaded to the Mac app.
Transcripts can be reviewed with the current word highlighted in real-time as the media file is played. Speaker names can be assigned to sections of the transcript with a choice of nine colors for identification. Punctuation changes can be made on the selected words with a single keystroke and every editing command has a keyboard shortcut. Transcripts can be printed and exported to PDF, plain text or SubRip (.srt) for captions.
SpeedScriber is available as a free download from the Mac App Store (https://itunes.apple.com/app/speedscriber/id1101502006) for macOS 10.11.5 or later. A SpeedScriber account is required; it can be created in the app and 15 minutes of free transcribing time will be added to new accounts. Additional minutes can be purchased starting at $.50 per minute, and the duration of each imported file is rounded up to the next whole minute then deducted from the account balance when submitted for transcription.