Frequently Asked Questions

Transcription Process

What file formats are accepted?

The Transcription Pros delivers quality and accurate transcriptions from the most common formats, regardless of how files were recorded. Simply put, we can transcribe files that have been recorded on devices ranging from iPhones to cassette tape players and everything in-between. To get a bit more technical, we accept audio and video recordings in AAC, AVI, M4A, MOV, MP3, MP4, MPEG, MPG, VOB, WAV, WMV, and WMA among others. If, by chance, your file format isn't recognized or accepted during the ordering process, just give us a call and we'll work to make it happen.

How long does it take to transcribe a file?

The amount of time involved to transcribe an audio recording depends on the size of the recording itself. Our goal is to deliver typical audio files 60 minutes or shorter in duration within two (2) business days (48 hours). Of course, rush service (24-hour turnaround time) is available for an additional fee and gives your order a higher priority in our queue. Please note: Poor audio quality, a large number of speakers, and / or the request for Verbatim transcriptions can also increase the time required to transcribe the file due to increased complexity.

How do you ensure a high level of accuracy?

You can rest assured that when you entrust The Transcription Pros with your audio recordings, you are working with the very best transcription professionals in the business. Know that every member of our team is thoroughly vetted, trained and experienced in audio transcription and customer care. Additionally, two team members are assigned to your file. Their job is to thoroughly check and double-check the final transcribed file to make certain it is as close to perfect as humanly possible.

How do you keep client files secure?

Security and privacy are vitally important issues to The Transcription Pros. To start with, every file is encrypted (256-bit SSL—virtually "uncrackable!"), and accessible only to you and the team members assigned to your project. Your files will never be shared for any purpose, other than the work you have contracted us for. The Transcription Pros includes another layer of security in the process by having all team members sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). By doing so, all transcribers and proofreaders are bound by law not to discuss or disclose contents of your files with anyone without your specific written consent. Finally, if you required an additional level of privacy, we will sign an NDA form for you, as well.

Do you offer transcription services in any other language?

The Transcription Pros is noted for providing five-star transcription services in English only. However, we recognize that we are living in a global community and are working diligently to bring our valuable services to the non-English speaking professionals around the world. Stay tuned for that pending announcement!

Pricing / Payment

How much do you charge?

At The Transcription Pros our pricing is straightforward. For a 48-hour turnaround, we charge only 89 cents per audio minute. For example, a 60-minute file costs just $53.40.

What if we need a transcription quicker than 48 hours?

The Transcription Pros has a "Rush Order" option! Just add on 60 cents per audio minute and your order will be given a higher priority in our order queue. For a 60-minute file, our average turnaround time for rush orders is less than one business day (24 hours). Please note: Poor audio quality, a large number of speakers, and / or the request for Verbatim transcriptions can also increase the time required to transcribe the file due to increased complexity.

What if we need verbatim and time stamping?

For both services, we would charge an additional 40 cents per audio minute (20 cents per audio minute for each service).

Are there any special rates or discounts that apply for large orders or repeat business?

Absolutely! Please contact The Transcription Pros to discuss your large project or give us an estimate of the volume of business we can expect, and we will give you the best bulk rate in the industry.

Support / My Order

Can I directly connect with someone at The Transcription Pros to discuss our file?

Yes! Customer service and satisfaction is of paramount importance to The Transcription Pros. We are the only U.S.-based transcription service where the client can also request a particular transcriptionist for their order. Please note that such requests will result in longer turnaround for your file depending on the particular transcriptionist’s workload.

What if I need something for my order that hasn't been covered here?

Our customers span multiple industries and may have unique needs. We do our best to accommodate special requests and would be glad to consider yours. Please email us at support@thetranscriptionpros.com or use the contact form on our site before placing your order to let us know what you’d like and we will get back to you immediately.

Do you have a special need, question or concern not addressed here?

Our clients span multiple industries, which quite often require a special set of requirements. At The Transcription Pros, we pride ourselves in our ability to be flexible in order to meet and satisfy those special needs. To discuss your unique situation, you can reach The Transcription Pros in three ways: Complete the Contact Us form on our site; Call—844.727.4233; Email—support@thetranscriptionpros.com.

Caption Process

What video formats do you accept?

The Transcription Pros delivers quality and accurate closed captions from the most common formats, regardless of how files were recorded. We currently accept video recordings in AVI, MOV, MP4, MPEG, MPG, VOB and among others. If, by chance, your file format isn't recognized or accepted during the ordering process, just give us a call and we'll work to make it happen.

What file formats can you provide?

We offer over 200 subtitle formats! For simplicity our order process allows you to choose between the following but if you require a different format please let us know after placing an order and we will accommodate your request as long as the format is widely used and not proprietary. Formats offered during the checkout process and for automatic conversion include:

Adobe Encore w. line# (.txt)
Advanced Sub Station Alpha (.ass)
Caption Assistant (.cac)
Quicktime Text (.txt)
SAMI (.smi)
Scenarist (.scc)
Spruce Subtitle File (.stl)
Sub Station Alpha (.ssa)
SubRip (.srt)
Subviewer 1.0 (.sub)
Subviewer 2.0 (.sub)
Transcript (.txt)
WebVTT (.vtt)

How long does it take to finish my caption file?

Provided the file you send us is no longer than 60 minutes in duration and has clear audio, we'll endeavour to get the file back to you within 2 business days (48 hours). If the video recording happens to be longer than 60 minutes or if the audio quality is low then the file can take a little longer.

How do you keep client files secure?

Security and privacy are vitally important issues to The Transcription Pros. To start with, every file is encrypted (256-bit SSL—virtually "uncrackable!"), and accessible only to you and the team members assigned to your project. Your files will never be shared for any purpose, other than the work you have contracted us for. The Transcription Pros includes another layer of security in the process by having all team members sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). By doing so, all transcribers and proofreaders are bound by law not to discuss or disclose contents of your files with anyone without your specific written consent. Finally, if you required an additional level of privacy, we will sign an NDA form for you, as well.

How do you ensure a high level of accuracy?

Just like our transcriptions, we have a two-pass process whereby two team members are assigned to your file. It's their job to ensure the file is proofread and thoroughly checked to make certain it's as accurate as it can be.

Pricing / Payment

How much do you charge?

Captions: We have a straightforward fee of $3 per video minute. For example, a 60-minute files costs just $180. We also offer rush services for an additional $1 per video minute ($60 for a 60-minute file).

Subtitles: For each language we charge $7 per video minute.

What if we need a caption script quicker than 48 hours?

The Transcription Pros has a "Rush Order" option! Just add on $1 per video minute. For a 60-minute file, our average turnaround time for rush orders is less than one business day (24 hours).

Do you offer caption/subtitle services in any other language?

Yes, we can provide subtitles for the following languages:-
French
German
Spanish
Italian
Hindi

Are there any special rates or discounts that apply for large orders or repeat business?

Absolutely! Please contact The Transcription Pros to discuss your large project or give us an estimate of the volume of business we can expect, and we will give you the best bulk rate in the industry.

Support / My Order

How can I add captions to my video?

There are a number of ways you can add the captions to your video and that all depends of the platform you're using. For more info, please check out the following:-
YouTube
https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2734796?hl=en
Vimeo
http://vimeo.com/help/faq/managing-your-videos/captions-and-subtitles
Adobe Premiere Pro
http://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/using/closed-captioning.html
Apple Final Cut Pro
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT208658
Sony Vegas Studio Platinum
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/add_closed_captions_to_your_video_project

Do your captions meet the FCC and ADA regulations?

Our captions are fully compliant with the FCC requirements under Section 508 of video captioning and with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 1990 ruling regarding captioning.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
http://www.section508.gov/blog/2013-12-05/new-video-multimedia-accessibility-guide
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
http://www.ada.gov/t2hlt95.htm

Do I need closed captions for my media?

In the United States, the FCC requires the majority of programming seen on broadcast television to be closed captioned. The ADA requires that videos be accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing in public accommodations and other public venues, such as hotels and stadiums.

How can we send our videos?

The majority of our customers simply go to our order page and upload their video files there. Of course, the whole process will be faster and easier for you if you're able to reduce the video resolution. If you're having problems, please feel free to give us a call.

What are the differences between closed captions and subtitles?

Both are processes for displaying text on a television, video screen or any other visual display to provide additional or interpretive information. Captions are more commonly used as a service to aid deaf and hearing impaired audiences. Subtitles, on the other hand, are more commonly used as a way to translate into other languages.

Do you have a special need, question or concern not addressed here?

Our clients span multiple industries, which quite often require a special set of requirements. At The Transcription Pros we pride ourselves in our ability to be flexible, in order to meet and satisfy those special needs. To discuss your unique situation, you can reach The Transcription Pros in three ways: Complete the Contact Us form on our site; Call—844.727.4233; Email—support@thetranscriptionpros.com.

Translations Process

What languages do you translate?

We currently translate for the following languages:
French
German
Spanish
Italian
Hindi

We're expanding the number of languages we support so if your language is not on the list, please register your interest with us for the languages you would like to see next and we'll send you an email when they become available!

How long will it take?

Our turnaround times will vary depending on language and word count but generally, the turnaround will be approximately 48 hours or sooner for translations anywhere up to 2000 words.

Who will translate my document?

At The Transcription Pros, we have a team of professionally trained translators who will take extra care to ensure the translated document is of the highest quality.

How do you ensure quality?

All of our translators go through a very rigorous hiring process and often the majority of applicants do not make it through to the final stages. All of our translators will have had previous experience in a professional translator role. We only accept the best.

What's the difference between certified and business translation?

Certified translations - these translations include immigration documents, birth and marriage certificates, adoption papers, etc. You'll receive the file back in PDF format.

Business translations - these translations include your general business documentation like brochures, manuals and handbooks, website content, transcripts, etc. You'll receive the file back in editable Word doc.

Do you do high volume translation?

Yes, we accept high volume orders - you may need to get in touch with us first to discuss your needs but we're more than happy to help you.

How does the translation process work?

Simply visit our translation order page where you'll have the option to upload your files. After you've placed your order, your file will make its way to the professional translator for that particular language you selected. Once they've completed the work, the document will be proofread thoroughly before being made available for download on your account.

Pricing / Payment

How much does it cost?

We have two different basic price options:

Certified translations - these translations include documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, immigration documents, etc. We charge a flat-rate fee of $27 per page (maximum of 250 words).

Business documents - these translations include anything from website content, brochures, handbooks and manuals, etc. We charge a small fee of $0.1 per word.

Can I get a quote?

The easiest way to get a real-time quote is to use our pricing calculator. Alternatively, just drop us an email and let us know the volume of your order and we'll be happy to send you a quote.

How do I get started?

Go to our order page and upload your document. Complete the order form and proceed to checkout where you'll be able to make payment with PayPal or debit/credit card (MasterCard, American Express). You can sit back and relax, we'll do the rest. You'll get an email notification when your translated document is ready for download.

Support / My Order

How do I get a receipt for my order?

You can log in to your account and view your orders - there will be a "print invoice" function there to print your invoice/receipt.

How do I request a revision on my translation?

If you're not happy with your order and need it revised, please email us and let us know and we'll endeavour to get your document corrected for you. We'll also have the same translator look at the document and have them check it again. Our support team will get the file back to you once it's been revised and corrected.

What can I do if I am having trouble reading non-Latin characters in my completed translation?

Your computer may not have the relevant fonts installed to be able to read non-Latin characters for different languages.

Can you mail certified translations?

We're more than happy to mail your certified translations. We do however only currently deliver to the United States for $20.

Do you notarize documents?

Yes, we can notarize your documents although it is not always necessarily needed. We recommend you check with the institution you're submitting the document to whether or not you need the document notarized. Usually, our certification will be sufficient. If you'd still like it notarized, then we charge a fee of $20.

Glossary

Encrypted:Relied upon as a security measure, this is the process used to convert text into code. When you upload your file, contact or payment information to our website, you can rest assured that your submitted information is safe with The Transcription Pros. Even if someone somehow captured your information, they would not be able to understand or crack the code of the file. All information appears as a random combination of numbers, letters and symbols, readable by only your computer and our website.

NDA:This is an abbreviation for Non-Disclosure Agreement, also known as a Confidentiality Agreement. The NDA is a legal and binding contract, in which the signator agrees not to disclose or share any/all nonpublic information contained in clients' files. All employees of The Transcription Pros must sign an NDA in the hiring process, and in doing so, our clients' confidential, proprietary information or trade secrets are fully protected.

Proofreader:An English language expert, who reads the copy for accuracy, correcting errors, as needed. Once the transcription process is complete, the transcriber reviews and carefully proofreads the copy for mistakes and corrects what, if any, errors he or she finds. The initial proofed file is then given to a second proofreader for additional scrutiny. The second proofreader is responsible to catch remaining errors and filling in any inaudible sections, until the file is entirely error-free and accurate.

Real-time:Also referred to as RTC, real-time is any mode of telecommunications, in which all users can exchange information instantly. The term is synonymous with “live.” We realize your time is valuable, so The Transcription Pros provides all quotes in real-time, meaning there is no frustrating wait-time to receive pricing. The Transcription Pros provides two convenient ways to immediately check the cost of a proposed order. You can either: 1. Click on our "pricing" page, enter the duration (in minutes) of the file, select the preferred options. 2. Click onto The Transcription Pros's "order" page, upload the files for transcription, and choose the required option.

Time Stamp:A sequence of numbers identifying when a certain reference in the document has been made. Time stamping documents helps the client to quickly and easily navigate the transcribed text contained within the file. Time will be noted within the transcription after each speaker change or in two-minute increments, if there is only one speaker. For instance, [00:00:00] will indicate something spoken at the beginning of the file and the next time stamp will be at roughly [00:02:00] (unless there is a speaker change before then), which indicates the sentence that was spoken at two minutes into the file. When looking for something that was said 45-minutes into the file, simply scroll to the section between [00:44:00] and [00:46:00].

Transcription:The conversion of audio files into text. Audio files can be transcribed in two ways: by either using a software program or relying on an expert transcriber. Without question, software transcription programs perform at a very high rate of inaccuracy. It's highly recommended that important files, especially those that demand a quick turnaround, be entrusted to an expert transcriber. Unlike software programs, your file's personal transcriber understands language nuances, accents and word usage, which, in turn, provides you with the very best, most accurate final document.

Turnaround:The period from the moment The Transcription Pros receives your file to when the project is finalized. Speed and accuracy are the hallmarks of The Transcription Pros. On average, our turnaround time is less than 48-hours and for special rush orders, you can expect your files to be delivered in under 24-hours.

Two-pass Process:This method is The Transcription Pros's shorthand for "two people separately double-checking" all files for accuracy. Here, two individual team members, review the file at different stages of the process and then collaborate on the final details of the file. This failsafe second pass element—exclusive to The Transcription Pros— is a mandatory requirement, which ensures all files are as close as possible to being 100 percent accurate.

Verbatim:A precise account of what is heard. Audio files of meetings, conversations, lectures, seminars, and so forth will inevitably contain verbal pauses, including fillers such as "um" and interjection like "ah". Verbatim transcriptions will include these fillers and other sounds, such as coughs, laughter, applause, ringing phones, and music that are a part of files being transcribed. Slang will also be transcribed as spoken, such as “kinda” and “sorta” instead of “kind of” and “sort of.”

Vetting:The method of examining and screening employee candidates for their abilities. The hiring process at The Transcription Pros is quite stringent. There are four (4) requirements The Transcription Pros demands of transcriber and proofreader applicants: 1. Applicants must be native English speakers; 2. Applicants must have proficient communication skills, together with excellent grammatical, punctuation, word usage, and spelling abilities; 3. Applicants must take a lengthy transcription exam, where they are asked to transcribe an extremely difficult file; 4. Successful applicants must sign an NDA (see above) to ensure clients' files and their contents are kept in the strictest of confidence.