Looking for a quick and easy way to transcribe video to text on Mac? Whether you're a content creator, a marketing professional, or simply need transcriptions for personal use, you've got a few options to explore.
You could, of course, manually type out the transcription yourself. But let's be honest, that's a tedious task that we wouldn't wish on anyone. Instead, make the most of smart software to transcribe your videos for you.
In this article we'll guide you through using Mac's built-in Dictation tool for basic transcription tasks, and show you how to use Transcribe for fast, accurate, and professional results.
Let's dive in!
Jump to:
The first way to transcribe video on your Mac is with Mac's built-in Dictation tool. It's free to use, but bear in mind that you'll need to play the entire video out loud to get a transcription.
Here's how to use it:
Open System Preferences > Keyboard > Dictation, and toggle Dictation to On. Choose your language and set a shortcut (e.g. press the Control key twice).
Open a text editor, like Notes or Word, and start Dictation using your shortcut. Play your video out loud through your speakers, and the words will appear on the screen in real time.
The biggest drawback of this option is that you'll need to play the video out loud to generate the transcription. That might be fine for super-short clips, but if your video is more than a few minutes long, it can quickly become a) time-consuming and b) boring.
Keep in mind, too, that accuracy can vary, especially if your video includes complex audio. Plus, there are no advanced features like timestamps or speaker separation. For a more robust solution, dedicated transcription tools like Transcribe might be a better fit for your needs.
The best way to transcribe video to text on your Mac is with an advanced transcription tool like Transcribe. Simply upload your video, hit "Transcribe", and you'll receive a fast and accurate transcription in a matter of minutes.
Here's how to use it:
You can import files from any app or cloud storage system, including Google Drive and Dropbox. Supported video formats include MP4, M4V, MOV and AVI, which should cover the vast majority of videos. This should cover most videos, but if your video happens to be in an unsupported format, don't worry - get in touch and we'll help you convert it into one that's compatible with our software.
Select the language of your recording from more than 120 languages and dialects.
Your transcription will be ready in a matter of minutes thanks to our speedy AI software.
You can now proofread and polish the transcription directly in the app, online or in your preferred file format - with or without timestamps. With our standard version you can export your transcribed text as a TXT file, or upgrade to our PRO service to unlock additional export formats, including PDF, DOCX, SRT, and JPG.
For Mac users looking to save time and get professional-quality results, Transcribe is the clear choice. Here's why:
High accuracy: Our advanced AI technology ensures your video transcripts are precise, even with accents or complex audio.
Timestamps: Automatically include timestamps in your transcript, making it easy to locate specific sections.
Customizable speaker identification: Differentiate between speakers in multi-speaker recordings.
Multilingual support: Transcribe in over 120 languages and dialects.
Flexible file import and export: Import various video formats, including MP4, M4V, MOV and AVI, and export transcriptions in multiple formats, including PDF, DOCX, SRT, and JPG.
Integration with Zoom: Seamlessly transcribe Zoom meetings for enhanced productivity.
Secure cloud storage: Store up to 500 audio files securely, for easy access across devices.
Transcript summaries: Generate concise summaries of lengthy transcriptions.
Transcript translations: Translate your transcripts into more than 120 languages.
Affordable options: Pay-as-you-go or subscription plans suit any budget.
The best way to transcribe video to text is, without a doubt, by using a dedicated transcription tool like Transcribe. It's fast, accurate, and packed with advanced features to streamline the process.
Whether you're working on a quick project or managing large volumes of video content, Transcribe has the tools you need to get the job done efficiently and professionally.
Download the Transcribe app or launch the online editor to get started!