A stack of DVDs.
A digital versatile disc (DVD) is a medium using a disk on which data can be saved; it is then read by a player through the use of a laser. DVD transcription is a service whereby data recorded on a DVD is transcribed into a text document. If someone videotapes an interview and then burns that video to disc, a transcriptionist can play it back and write down what is said on the video. This type of DVD transcription is very popular for companies that may have training materials on tape or for students and professionals who have recorded interviews.
There are a number of different ways a transcriptionist can do DVD transcription, though it often involves playing back recorded material as you write. Professional transcriptionists often use a foot pedal system, which allows you to play, pause, and rewind or fast-forward the video without taking your hands off the keyboard. This makes DVD transcription quicker and easier and allows someone to keep writing efficient and accurate. A transcriptionist often uses headphones to make the audio information on a recording clearer and easier to hear at a reasonable volume.
Depending on the type of DVD transcription service a person uses, the information provided by a transcriptionist may vary. Most services offer at least limited transcription, ensuring that all spoken words and languages are transcribed into a text document. However, there are some services that can offer more accurate DVD transcription methods whereby all the sounds made on the recording are written into the transcript. This means that even if someone clears their throat on a recording or stumbles over words while speaking, the transcriptionist meticulously records these details.
Different types of companies may request a DVD transcript, usually for the purpose of having a record of what was said on a recording. If a company has a training video on DVD, for example, they might want a transcript of that video so people taking a new training program can easily learn from what’s been done before. A student studying linguistics can also request a DVD transcript if they have recorded an interview and want to be able to easily refer back to what was said. Since the transcript is recorded on paper, it is often easier for someone to mark certain passages and then quickly find them for research purposes, rather than watching a video to find a specific moment.