Automatic transcription with Amberscript
Information on using Amberscript
Introduction
Amberscript is a handy tool for automatically converting recordings of conversations or interviews into written text (transcribing). Although it is not error-free, using this tool can save time and costs compared to manual transcription or outsourcing it.
The conclusion from a pilot project the THUAS Library conducted from 2019 – 2022 among researchers was that the use of Amberscript by the University of Applied Sciences certainly makes sense. Therefore we will examine the possibility of unlimited use of Amberscript by áll researchers and students of THUAS in 2023.
How Amberscript works
AmberScript quickly and securely converts audio files into editable transcripts. It therefore offers the possibility to easily search through audio and video files. With the help of the software, audio and video files can be uploaded to a web environment, after which users can choose the language in which the file must be transcribed. Already 39 languages are supported.
The following file formats are supported for transcription and subtitling.
Audio: AAC,DSS, FLAC, GSM, MP2, M4A, MP3, MPA, WAV.
Video: M4V, MOV, WMV, AVI, MP4, TS, FLV.
Audio/Video: MPEG, MPG, OGG, 3GP, OB, WMA, MXF, WebM.
After uploading the audio file and selecting the desired language, the file is quickly converted into an editable transcript. Once the transcript is ready, the user receives an e-mail notification with a link to view the transcript in their personal web environment.
The transcript is machine generated and is therefore not perfect. For this reason, AmberScript also contains a convenient web editor that allows the user to listen to the audio file and, at the same time, to easily correct machine errors.
After editing, there are several other functions available, such as adding highlights to the audio file or exporting the transcript in different formats.
Access to Amberscript
Important: always use a recent version of the Google Chrome browser for Amberscript
1. Have you ever created an account with Amberscript before, without using your THUAS SURFconext login? If so, please download any files first and send an email to bibliotheek@hhs.nl that your old account can be deleted. The library takes care of the rest.
2. Do you want to start using Amberscript through SURFconext (SSO) for the first time? Then go to: https://app.amberscript.com/saml and type (part of) the name of our institution e.g. haag or hague. Then click on: The Hague University of Applied Sciences.
You can log in via SURFconext using your regular login credentials. You must give permission once for your personal data to be used for access. You will then enter your personal Amberscript environment, but will not yet have any hours for automatic transcription.
3. The library checks daily which users are logged in and adds them to the Automatic Transcription team. If you log in, click on your name/email at the top right and see "manage organisation" in the menu, registration has been succesful.
The credit is 10 min. and when using Amberscript, it becomes negative but this is not a problem. Note: after registration, Amberscript can therefore not be used immediately, keep in mind that this can take about a day!
If you have any questions or problems, please contact the library: bibliotheek@hhs.nl
Information on using Amberscript
Automatic transcription and Knowledge base, mainly the Blog and Helpdesk (Getting started; FAQ).
About privacy: the audio and transcripts are only processed automatically, encrypted and anonymised. THUAS has signed a Data Processing Agreement with Amberscript.
Amberscript mobile app
A mobile app is also available from the App Store and Google Play. This allows you to record audio or video with your smartphone, automatically transcribe, edit and export it. There is also a function for live transcription. Depending on the audio quality, the accuracy is up to 80%.
Note: Unfortunately, the mobile app can no longer be used, now that login is via SSO (SURFconext). Amberscript is working on a solution.
Improving the quality of automatic transcription
Automatic transcriptions are not perfect. The audio quality is the main reason for determining how well your audio will be converted to text. The use of an external microphone is recommended. Please read the manual that explains how to improve the audio quality.
Webeditor shortcuts
Play and pause your audio file: Control+Space {or space only}.
Go back five seconds in the audio file: Control+R
Skip audio on click: Alt+Click
Highlight text: Control+H
Undo: Control+Z
Restore: Control+Shift+Z