Working digitally
Digital media files can be sent to us from anywhere in the world for immediate transcription. Digital files can be created by recording, capturing, or exporting them.
Recording
- Using a Dictaphone
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Digital dictation machines are now widely available and affordable. Recording your interview using one of these creates a sound file which can be transferred onto your PC using software provided wth the recorder. File output: mp3, WAV, dss
Good supplier: www.transcriptionequipment.co.uk
- Using a Hard Disk Recorder
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Hard disk recorders are rapidly replacing Pro-walkmans and Portadats as the equipment of choice on location. They provide excellent sound quality - up to 24bit at 96KHz, and can connect to your PC via firewire for exporting the files. Timecode can be stored too! Make sure your soundman has one on your next production! File output: mp3, WAV, Broadcast WAV
Good supplier: www.solidstatesound.co.uk
Capturing
- Audio
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Great for converting analogue recordings from tape / Minidisc into the computer. Simply plug in via USB, install the drivers and you're ready to connect your tape deck via phono cable. Hit record on the PC and you're off! File output: mp3, WAV, ogg
Good supplier: www.turnkey.co.uk
- Video
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You can encode your rushes from Digibeta / mini DV using a video capture card. Depending on the model, you can capture straight to a compressed format like WMV, or capture to MPEG, then transcode to a smaller file size. File output: MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4, WMV
Good supplier: www.digital-rapids.com
Exporting
- From Final Cut Pro
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If you have already captured your media into Final Cut Pro on Mac, there is a product called flip4mac which allows you to export as WMV files from within the FCP environment.
Download it here: www.flip4mac.com/wmv_studioprohd.htm
- From Avid
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If you have already captured your media into Avid you can either export as a Quicktime file from within Avid, or there is a product called Sorenson Squeeze which allows you to export as WMV files from within the Avid environment.
Download it here: www.sorensonmedia.com