Choosing an automated captioning software can be tricky. It can be hard to know what to look for and what questions to ask. But don’t worry, we’re here to help. This article will give you some tips on how to choose the right software for your needs.
What is Automated Captioning?
Automated captioning is the use of software to generate captions for video or audio content. Captioning provides a text version of the dialog and other sounds in a video, which can be useful for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing, or who prefer to read text rather than listen to audio. It can also be helpful for viewers who are watching a video in a noisy environment, or who speak a different language from the speakers in the video.
Automated captioning technology has become increasingly sophisticated in recent years, and is now able to provide accurate captions for a wide range of content. However, it is not perfect, and some errors may occur.
For example, automated captioning may struggle to identify words with multiple meanings, or proper names that are not well-known. For this reason, many videos include both automated and human-generated captions.
Tips for choosing Automated Captioning Software
When choosing an automated captioning service, there are a few things you should keep in mind and we’ve provided some tips below.
1. Accuracy
Make sure to choose software with a high accuracy rate. This will ensure that your captions are accurate and error-free. Moreover, some software allows you to customize the accuracy settings, which can be helpful if you’re working with difficult or specialized content.
2. Ease of Use
Look for software that is easy to use and set up. You should be able to generate captions with just a few clicks. Also, make sure that the software is compatible with your video editing software, so you can easily add captions to your videos.
3. Affordability
Consider your budget when choosing software. Some options are more expensive than others as some software requires a monthly subscription, while others are available for purchase outright. Remember, cheap doesn’t always mean good, and vice versa. Choose software that fits both your needs and your budget.
4. Customer Support
As captioning become a vital part of usability & web accessibility, choosing a company that offers good customer support is one of the most important things you should be focused on.
For a business or professional captioner, it can sometimes be crucial to get a good response in case of questions or problems. Try to see what support channels they offer (email/phone/online chat, etc.) what is their availability, and how responsive they are.
5. Compatibility
Make sure the software you choose is compatible with the video platform you’re using. For example, if you’re uploading videos to YouTube, you’ll need software that is compatible with YouTube’s captioning system as well as software that is able to connect to Zoom, Skype, or any other web conferencing platforms you might be using.
6. Reviews and Testimonials
Check out reviews and testimonials from other users to get an idea of what they think about the software. Take a look at the company’s website and social media pages and sites like Trustpilot and G2 to see if they have any positive or negative reviews and to make sure this service is not a passing trend.
7. Free Trial
Many companies offer free or 1$ trials so you can test out the software before you commit to buying it. This is a great way to see if the software is right for you and your needs and you should spend this period wisely and test out all the features to see if they work for you.
8. Automatic Updates
Make sure that the software you choose offers automatic updates. This way, you can be sure that you’re always using the latest version of the software and that you have access to the latest features.
Conclusion
There are many factors to consider when choosing automated captioning software. Keep in mind your needs and budget, and make sure to choose software that is accurate, easy to use, and compatible with the video platform you’re using. Lastly, don’t forget to check out reviews and testimonials from other users to get an idea of what they think about the software.
