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Transcription Cost Determiners 2016

March 23, 2016 by Judelyn Gomes

Too many people spend money they havent earned, to buy things they dont want, to impress people they
dont like. Will Smith.

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In a recent survey by The Guardian, one in five Americans with insurance still struggle to pay up their medical bills. Why
is it so??? Have you ever thought why do they charge us so much for a transcription when its just a listening and writing
exercise???
It is evident that time is the need for every individual and henceforth they care less about the money spent on
transcription. The expenditure is of mere concern but the reason behind that expenditure matters the most. It is the right
of every individual to be aware of how everything works around transcription and the charting of their expenditure for the
same. There is a huge amount of cash spent for transcription in diverse industrial fields. It can be medical, educational,
professional interviews and many more. Transcription, to be more precise is a defined as a business which converts
speech (either live or recorded) into a written or electronic text document.
When an individual sends a digital file for transcription the next question that rises in their mind is how much does it
cost??? A lot of care is taken in transcribing a file and every individual has the rights to know why they spend so much
on a transcription. They spend a huge amount of cash for transcription depending on their emergency and needs, they
would be ready to spend any amount of money irrespective of the cost but why have they failed to see why does it cost
so much??? What do they do??
Here is the answer to your questionsEvery file received for transcription is being priced according to the category it
falls under and the turnaround time that the client puts forth. The categorization and turnaround time go hand in hand
when it comes to transcribing a digital file of any form.
There are five main factors that cost determiners in transcription.They are as follows

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CATEGORY
The transcription process begins once an audio or video file is received; its then been CATEGORIZED based on
certain factors that determine it. Segregation of the audio files into different sections is called as CATEGORY. Every
client is entitled to pay for a transcription based on the category of files that they submit. The expenditure for a
transcription accounts on every suggestion the client makes and needs.

CATEGORY A :
Clear audio without any background sounds.
Audio recorded with the help of a proper device in a professional manner.
Clear accent with good pronunciations.
Neutral Accent
No Time Stamping
Professional Recording
Audios falling under this category are mostly less costly and fit our pockets. The pricing for category A starts from$1 to
$3 (Per minute) depending on the turnaround time requested by the client.
Eg: Meetings, one on one interview, lectures, conferences,etc.,

CATEGORY B :
Audios with background noises, and disturbances.
Court Recording/ GD/ Telephone recording/ open air recording.
Recording done unprofessionally with a low quality recorder.
Technical Subject Matter.
Standard Time Stamping.
ESL Speakers
The pricing for this category begins from $1.5 to $4.5(Per minute) depending again on the turnaround time requested
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by the client.
Eg: Telephonic conversations, group discussions, a large group of speakers etc..,

CATEGORY C :
Heavy background noises which interrupt the speech.
Recording done in an inappropriate manner.
Too much accent usage.
Defective Recording.
Complex Formatting Specifications.
As it is the hardest transcription category, the pricing for this category ranges from $2 to $6 (Per minute) and as
always depending on the turnaround time requested by the client.
Eg: audio recorded during travel, voice overlaps with multiple speakers etc..,

TURNAROUND TIME

The next factor that determines the cost for transcription is TURN AROUND TIME (TAT). Once the audio is
categorized it is mandatory for the client to foretell the transcriptionist the estimated time that they want the transcribed
content to be delivered. The turnaround time is completely client dependent and its the duty of the transcriptionists or
transcription firm to satisfy the client in the estimated turnaround time. This plays a major role, as we live in a quick
world where people are in need of things in a short period of time. The customer is given the freedom to choose
among the three turnaround time options they are

Normal TAT : Transcribed and delivered within 24-48 hours, cost varies based on the category it falls under starting
from $1 to $3(Per minute).
Rush TAT : Transcribed and delivered within 12-24 hours, its double the cost than the normal TAT as it requires a lot
of effort from the transcriptionist.The clients who request a rush TAT are charged from $2 to $4(Per minute) based on
the category.

Super rush TAT : Transcribed and delivered within 2-12hours, its thrice the cost of the normal TAT. A super rush TAT
is most convenient for university students with short deadlines, researchers of varied fields of professions and many
personals who are in dire need of transcription in the shortest period of time. Since its done in the shortest time
requested its pricing starts from$3 to$6(Per minute) depending upon the category that the transcription file belongs
too.

NUMBER OF SPEAKERS

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Following the turnaround time, the next factor that accounts for costing in transcription is to segregate the number of
speakers involved in the conversation or discussion. The audio or video file received is cross checked for the
NUMBER OF SPEAKERS available in the file to be transcribed. The files are charged based on the number of
speakers in the conversation. The charges start from one to one speaker, like an interview and extend to multiple
speakers. The rates vary from $1 to $1.25(Per minute) depending on the number of speakers present in the
conversation. This helps to identify the speakers and name them or recognise them during conferences, meetings,
over lapping voices and so on for better understanding. It is the responsibility of the transcriptionist to identify the
speaker to avoid confusions in future. The speakers first name can be used (if mentioned) or a title can be used if they
are being addressed by a title too. For example: Dr. Judelyn, Rev. Belinda, and many more.

VERBATIM

The next factor that contributes to a transcription cost is VERBATIM. Verbatim is too repeat something youve read or
heard precisely word-for-word. Transcribing a Verbatim transcription is said to be an art form as it requires a lot of
commitment and involvement to carry out the same. Verbatim is done with the flow of the transcription and is being
charged only when the client specifically requests for it. The verbatim transcriptions are chargeable based on the
clients requirement. When the client requires a detailed version of their transcript they request for a verbatim transcript
that explains everything in detail even the pauses in every conversation.
For example:
Interviewer: Did you ever correspond with him at the time?
Interviewee: [Silence] No er I dont recall that. I think Um I think I have some letters from him in my file though
[Pause] which came some monthsyears later.

TIME CODE

The final process that constituents to a transcription cost is TIME CODE. A time code is done based on the
requirements of the clients on the whole.
Time coding is done for :
DVDs or digital video files with a visible time code burn (BITC).
Audio files with audible SMPTE LTC time code.
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BWF and IXML Broadcast WAV files.

QuickTime MOV files with embedded time code metadata
Mp3s with Sound Devices id3 metadata time code information.
It is therefore relevant from the above that transcription is a time consuming process but its worth the time. With a
whole cost effective process in transcription it is evident and crystal from the above that every individual has a loop hole
to scrutinize their expenditure they spend towards transcription. Though these factors highlight the cost still there are
other governing factors that can help you reduce your cost toothey are as follows
By recording a clear audio.
Record an audio with a native speaker of English to avoid accent.
Subject matter of the content should try to be made more precise and crisp inspite of the technical language it
consists of.
Editing and proof reading can be done if in dire need only so that the client can avoid additional charges.
Every transcription is carried out based on the industry it hales from.
Moreover a transcription can be done more cheaper when the length of the audio is short, the turnaround time
requested by the client is considerable, the number of speaker are limited and only the needed ones are recorded
accordingly, and sticking to one transcription style. However all the fingers are not the same everyone have their own
requirements and needs in transcription and their needs become ours in the long run. Every transcriptionist not only
serves as builders of bridges in communication but also as agents of service for the people who need us.

Your successful transcription paves a way for our inspiration.

Here are some links that give you an example of how transcription is carried out
http://www.transcriptionstar.com/pricing.html
http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/2013/munro-telephone.html

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