Importing Automated Transcripts in VTT and SRT format

Video Tutorial: Importing automated transcripts
A key shift that we have seen due to the COVID-19 pandemic is that researchers conduct their interviews via MS Teams or Zoom. Both create an automated transcript or caption of the recording, which can serve as a first version rough transcript. With ATLAS.ti you can import the transcript and associate it with the video recorded interview.

Importing automated transcripts to ATLAS.t The automated transcripts are provided in form of VTT or SRT files. This is standard also used by many other services. Thus, with ATLAS.ti’s native support for this format, you can now import transcripts from a great many services. Examples are:

  • MS Teams
  • Zoom
  • YouTube
  • Happyscribe
  • Trint
  • Descript
  • Sonix
  • Rev.com
  • Panopto
  • Transcribe by Wreally
  • Temi
  • Simon Says
  • Vimeo
  • Amberscript
  • Otter.ai
  • Vocalmatic
  • eStream

All what you then need to do is to go through the text and make changes as necessary, and your transcript is done!

For most services, you will find instructions on how to generate and export transcripts on their websites. This is the best source of information as we are currently witnessing a rapid development in the area of automated transcription and procedures may change quickly. For your convenience, below we provide some links but invite you to also search yourself for updated information.

Zoom

Microsoft Teams

How to Import Automated Transcripts

A multimedia transcript in ATLAS.ti consists of two documents: an audio or video file plus an associated transcript. The first step is to add the audio or video file to a project. Then you can link one or multiple transcripts with the document.

Step 1 - Add the Recording

To add the recording select Document > Add Documents; or select the link option: Document > Reference External Multimedia Document from the main menu.
For more information see: Add a multimedia file to your project.

Step 2 - Associate a Transcript

Load the recording, open the drop-down menu for Transcripts in the toolbar, and select Import Transcript.
Select the Import Transcript option
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Select the VVT or SRT file and click Open.

The transcript will be imported into the project and loaded next to the video recording. In the Project Explorer under the Multimedia Transcripts branch, you will find an entry for the video document and the associated transcript. Entry in Project Manager Below you see a recording of a Teams meeting and its transcript.

Recording with transcript

To see all timestamps, click on Edit Timestamps in the toolbar.
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If you click on a timestamp the associated text segment will be highlighted.
Recording with timestamps

The transcription will not be perfect, however it serves as a good starting point. Editing the transcript will take less time than starting from scratch. Furthermore, reading and correcting the transcript allows you to familiarize yourself with the data.

When you edit the transcript, you can correct the text, move, add or delete timestamps.

For further information on how to work with timestamps and associations, see Working with Multimedia Transcripts.