Transcription is the process of converting speech into text, which can be useful for various purposes, such as creating subtitles, captions, transcripts, notes, summaries, and more. However, not all transcription methods are equally accurate or reliable.
In this blog post, we will compare human transcription services, such as OutSec, the UK’s leading online transcription service, with automated text-to-speech (ASR) systems, which use artificial intelligence (AI) to transcribe speech.
The Benefits of Human Transcription Services
Human transcription services are performed by professional transcribers who listen to the audio or video files and type out the words manually. They can also edit, proofread, and format the transcripts according to the client’s specifications. Human transcription services offer several benefits over ASR systems, such as:
Higher accuracy:
Human transcribers can understand the context, meaning, tone, and nuances of speech better than ASR systems, which often struggle with accents, dialects, slang, jargon, background noise, overlapping speech, and other factors that affect speech recognition. Human transcribers can also correct any errors or inconsistencies in the speech, such as grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalisation, and terminology.
More flexibility:
Human transcribers can handle different types of audio or video files, such as interviews, podcasts, lectures, webinars, meetings, presentations, speeches, documentaries, films, and more. They can also transcribe different languages and formats, such as verbatim (word-for-word), intelligent (removing filler words), summary (condensing the main points), or time-coded (adding timestamps).
More customisation:
Human transcribers can tailor the transcripts to suit clients’ needs and preferences. They can add speaker labels, annotations, comments, notes, headings, subheadings, bullet points, tables, charts, images, and other elements to enhance the readability and usability of the transcripts. They can also follow specific style guides or templates provided by the client.
The Drawbacks of Automated Text-to-Speech Systems
Automated text-to-speech systems are software applications that use AI algorithms to convert speech into text automatically. They are usually faster and cheaper than human transcription services but they also have several drawbacks, such as:
Lower accuracy:
ASR systems often make mistakes or miss words when transcribing speech. They may misinterpret homophones (words that sound alike but have different meanings), proper names (especially uncommon ones), numbers (especially large or decimal ones), abbreviations (especially acronyms), and symbols (especially mathematical or scientific ones). They may also fail to recognise the speaker’s emotions or intentions.
Less flexibility:
ASR systems may not be able to handle complex or specialised audio or video files. They may have difficulty with low-quality recordings (such as poor sound quality or low volume), multiple speakers (especially if they talk at the same time or interrupt each other), different accents or dialects (especially if they are unfamiliar or non-standard), and technical or domain-specific terminology (especially if they are rare or ambiguous).
Less customisation:
ASR systems usually generate plain text transcripts without any formatting or editing. They may not be able to add any additional features or elements that the client may require or desire. They may also not be able to follow any specific style guides or templates provided by the client.
The Industries Where Automated Speech Recognition Should Not Be Used
While ASR systems may be sufficient for some casual or personal uses (such as dictating notes or messages), they are not suitable for many professional or academic purposes (such as creating subtitles or transcripts). Some industries where ASR should not be used include:
Legal:
Legal transcription requires high accuracy and reliability because it involves sensitive and confidential information that may have legal implications. Any errors or omissions in the transcripts may affect the outcome of a case or a dispute. Human transcription services can ensure that the transcripts are accurate and complete and follow the legal standards and formats.
Medical:
Medical transcription requires high accuracy and consistency because it involves complex and technical information that may affect the diagnosis or treatment of a patient. Any mistakes or inconsistencies in the transcripts may cause medical errors or complications. Human transcription services can ensure that the transcripts are accurate and consistent and follow the medical terminology and formats.
Media:
Media transcription requires high quality and creativity because it involves engaging and entertaining content that may have a wide audience. Any flaws or dullness in the transcripts may affect the viewership or reputation of a media production. Human transcription services can ensure that the transcripts are high quality and creative and follow the media style and tone.
Conclusion
Transcription is a valuable service that can help you create accurate, reliable, and professional text documents from your audio or video files. However, not all transcription methods are equally effective or efficient. Human transcription services, such as OutSec, the UK’s leading online transcription service, offer many advantages over automated text-to-speech systems, such as higher accuracy, more flexibility, and more customisation. They can also handle different types of audio or video files, languages, and formats and cater to different industries and purposes. If you are looking for a transcription service that can deliver high-quality transcripts that meet your needs and expectations, contact OutSec today and get a free quote. You will not regret it.
About OutSec
OutSec is the UK’s leading online transcription company whose business has grown substantially since 2002. We are one of the most successful transcription companies in the United Kingdom.
OutSec provides secure outsourced transcription services to the medical, legal, property and surveying, universities, media and interviews, advisory boards, conferences & seminars, inventories, financial, corporate, HR, recruitment and Executive Search sectors.
Why is Dictation More Efficient than Typing?
Well, the simple fact is that we can all speak considerably faster than we can physically type:
“The average person types between 38 and 40 words per minute”.
A “good rate of speech ranges between 140 -160 words per minute.”
In other words, dictation is up to four times faster than we can type. Therefore, simply dictating a document is more cost-efficient, giving you more time to dedicate your efforts elsewhere in your business.
Therefore why not add OutSec as a business continuity option for your business? Accounts are free, you pay on a per-minute basis (rounded to the nearest minute) on a pay-as-you-go basis, with no contracts or minimum spend. What do you have to lose? Why not open an account today!Post navigation
