Is digital transcription faster than traditional transcription?

Transcription plays a crucial role in various industries, including healthcare, legal, media, and more. It involves converting spoken words into written text, enabling easy access, reference, and analysis of recorded information.

Thanks to recent technological advancements, digital transcription has emerged as a viable alternative to traditional transcription methods, and the accuracy of modern transcription solutions appears to be improving exponentially. For many businesses weighing up their options when it comes to traditional transcription alternatives, it all comes down to one question: is digital transcription faster than traditional transcription? That’s what we’ll be covering in today’s blog, as well as the main difference between traditional and digital transcription.

What is digital transcription?

Digital transcription refers to the process of converting audio or video recordings into written text, using automated tools. These tools utilise speech recognition algorithms and machine learning to accurately transcribe the spoken word. With digital transcription, the audio files are typically uploaded to specialised software or platforms, at which point the content will be automatically transcribed. The technology involved in digital transcription allows for increased speed and accuracy, saving time, money, and effort.

What is traditional transcription?

Traditional transcription, on the other hand, relies on manual labour and conventional methods to transcribe audio. The audio would be recorded, at which point transcriptionists would listen to the recordings and manually type out the spoken content. In some instances, it’s conceivable that a manual transcription would contain fewer errors than an automated one- but that’s where you have to consider the time and effort you’re willing to put into such a task. This is where it’s worth bearing in mind that, even if your digital transcription did contain more errors, you can always proofread the text after the fact anyway.

The speed and efficiency of digital transcription

The accuracy of digital transcription software has skyrocketed in recent years, largely thanks to advancements in speech recognition technology. Turnaround times for digital transcription, even when factoring in manual proofreading after the fact, are far more reliable. Advanced algorithms are always improving, which means that the accuracy of this tech is only going to improve. Compared to traditional transcription methods, organisations can save valuable time and money with digital transcription solutions. According to a study by Kardom, digital transcription can record up to 150 words per minute, compared to 40 words using traditional transcription methods. This shows that digital transcription is almost four times faster than traditional transcription methods. .

While it does often tend to be reliable, traditional transcription is always going to take more time than the automated alternative. Often even the most experienced transcriptionists will need to listen to sections of the audio multiple times in order to get the content as accurate as possible. Specialised subjects with specific jargon will take even more time. Even when putting aside the cost factor, the manual nature of traditional transcription will always be somewhat limited when it comes to speed and efficiency.

Is digital transcription faster?

Digital transcription offers significant advantages, both in terms of speed and efficiency, compared to traditional transcription. The integration of automated tools, speech recognition technology, and machine learning algorithms enables the quick and accurate transcription of audio files. The time-saving benefits of digital transcription can greatly enhance productivity and turnaround times for businesses and professionals, but it’s important to note that traditional transcription may still have its place in certain scenarios.

Conclusion: is digital transcription faster than traditional transcription?

Digital transcription has proven to be a faster and more efficient alternative to traditional transcription methods. With the integration of automated tools and advanced technology, businesses and professionals can save valuable time and resources. Traditional transcription still has its merits in specific contexts, but by embracing the benefits of digital transcription, organisations can streamline their operations, and increase productivity.

We help organisations reduce the time and cost of producing correspondence via information workflow apps, speech recognition software, and digital dictation hardware & software. If you think we could help your business, book a consultation today.