transcription software and hardware

[Margret]

I was wondering what other VA's use for doing transcriptions for clients. This is for general transcription, not medical or legal. I've been playing with express scribe, which is a freeware software and was quite impressed with it and was just curious what other VA's use or recommend. I was also doing some research into pedals. Any thoughts?


Margret

[Prime Admin Solutions]

I have Express Scribe and like it. I also have standard and micro cassette recorders. I also bought Stop Start which transcribes video or audio. I bought my foot pedal on eBay.

[Margret]

thank you Julia

I'll look at the stop start website

Margret

[Prime Admin Solutions]

If you're not doing Video, Express Scribe is a very good product, so I'd stay with it since it is free. I bought Start/Stop because I thought I might do video. I tried doing a movie for someone but found it too cumbersome and tedious to get everything she needed. It would be useful if I needed to transcribe television interviews or something like that.

[tea thirty]

I have never done transcription, although I would like to give it a go. I have looked into some online courses, and they charge huge amounts.. I guess I might have to think outside the square as to where to get some experience. I am thinking of doing some volunteer work at the local hospital. I feel it would be a good skill to have to add to your services. Thank you for the information on the software.

[Prime Admin Solutions]

II guess I might have to think outside the square as to where to get some experience. I am thinking of doing some volunteer work at the local hospital. I feel it would be a good skill to have to add to your services.

Try volunteering for non-profit organizations, they may record meetings and appreciate having an offer to transcribe for free.

I know how to transcribe but have never actually done it outside of a class room. I am a very fast and accurate typer and feel I'd do really well at it. I want to offer it to my clients but I'm not sure exactly what software or hardware is needed for it. I know I need head phones, and a foot pedal. I have a set of head phones but I don't know if you need a certain kind. Anybody help?

[MoragB]

Having tried several transcription software options, I have to say the best one I've used is ExpressScribe.

For those of you who'd like to have a taster of transcription work, why not check out Amazon's Casting Words site? They break up audio into 4 min sections which you then transcribe - great when you're starting out because you don't have to plough through a 1 hour tape which may make you lose the will to live!!! You can find Casting Words by just Googling them...

[Melissa~HVAS]

Having tried several transcription software options, I have to say the best one I've used is ExpressScribe.

For those of you who'd like to have a taster of transcription work, why not check out Amazon's Casting Words site? They break up audio into 4 min sections which you then transcribe - great when you're starting out because you don't have to plough through a 1 hour tape which may make you lose the will to live!!! You can find Casting Words by just Googling them...

Thanks for the great tip! I, too, am fascinated with the general transcription field & plan to add it to my service offerings later this year.

Are there places out there to just practice transcribing before actually having to send it into someone? Not sure if the software that you guys use have examples of audio that you can try on the software.

Thanks!

[Meme03]

I am interested in adding this to our services, but I am a little hesitant because it seems time consuming. I tested this out and I was pausing and rewinding a zillion times, lol. I want to explore this and see what happens.

[Action Jackson VA]

I have been transcribing for more than 8 years and it is something you will either LOVE doing or HATE it with a passion. There is no in between on it. You really have to love listening to someone else speak, and speak well, then you have to ask your client do you want the umm's and ahh's. Then if they do O boy your in for a treat lol. Like I said you will either LOVE it or HATE it I love it B.T.W. ~Good Luck~

[VirtualExecAsst]

Hi Margret,
I also use Express Scribe. It's free and it is user friendly. As far as the pedal is concerned, I have programmed my keys. So I haven't found the need to buy a pedal.

-Alice Wilson
http://www.virtualexec-assist.com

[Wordpro Wizard]

When I first started working in an office (back in the days of the horse and buggy, just beyond the shorthand era) everything was transcription and after so many years I can drift off and think about something else while my hands and feet scurry along. Melissa, whether you've not done a lot of transcription or been doing it forever, every new client is a challenge until you get used to hearing their voice, the inflection, maybe an accent ... eventually you actually anticipate what they're going to say, like old married people!

[kelli050]

I've never done transcription, but as I'm looking to start up my VA business I'm looking at new services that I can offer. I'm going to be looking through the websites provided here and hopefully learning more about transcription. Thanks for providing all the great info!