🔉 How to Convert Audio to Text - FREE & No Time Limits

In this tutorial, Kevin demonstrates how to convert audio to text using the built-in Windows 10 dictation tool and a virtual audio cable. The process is free, supports major languages, and has no time limits. First, he explains how to use the dictation tool for live audio transcription. Then, he guides through downloading and setting up a virtual audio cable from VB Audio Software to transcribe pre-recorded audio files. By adjusting sound settings, users can convert audio from various sources into text efficiently. The video concludes with a live demonstration, showing the dictation tool transcribing a YouTube video into a readable transcript.

Takeaways

• 😀 Convert audio to text using the Windows 10 dictation tool and a virtual audio cable.
• 🔧 The process is free and has no time limits, working with all major languages.
• 💡 Launch the dictation tool by pressing the Windows logo key and H simultaneously.
• 🎤 Start dictation by clicking the microphone icon and speak to transcribe live audio.
• 📹 For pre-recorded audio or video, use a virtual audio cable to feed sound into the dictation tool.
• 🌐 Download a virtual audio cable from VB Audio Software's website for free.
• 🔧 Set up the computer to use the virtual audio cable by changing sound settings.
• 🔄 Switch the output device to 'cable input' and the input device to 'cable output' in sound settings.
• 📝 Open Windows Dictation and play the audio file while it transcribes the audio into text.
• 👍 The dictation tool does a decent job, though it may miss punctuation and some words.
• 🔄 After transcription, you can revert sound settings back to their defaults.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the tutorial presented by Kevin?

The purpose of the tutorial is to show viewers how to convert audio into text using the dictation tool that comes with Windows 10 and a virtual audio cable.

What is the dictation tool and how can it be accessed?

The dictation tool is an application that comes free with Windows 10. It can be accessed by pressing the Windows logo key on the keyboard together with the H key.

How does the dictation tool work with live audio?

The dictation tool works by listening to live audio input, transcribing spoken words into text, and displaying the transcribed text on the screen.

What is a virtual audio cable and why is it needed for this tutorial?

A virtual audio cable is a software tool that allows the routing of audio from one application to another. It is needed to feed pre-recorded audio or video sound output into the dictation tool for transcription.

Which company provides the virtual audio cable software recommended by Kevin?

VB Audio Software provides the virtual audio cable software recommended by Kevin, and it can be downloaded for free from their website.

How can the virtual audio cable be installed and set up on a computer?

The virtual audio cable can be installed by downloading it from the VB Audio Software website, running through the installation process, and then configuring the computer's sound settings to use the new virtual audio cable as both the output and input device.

What are the steps to configure the computer's sound settings for the virtual audio cable?

To configure the sound settings, open the sound settings from the taskbar search field, change the output device to 'Cable Input', and the input device to 'Cable Output'.

How does the dictation tool handle transcribing pre-recorded audio or video?

The dictation tool transcribes pre-recorded audio or video by having the virtual audio cable route the sound output to the dictation tool's input, which then transcribes the audio into text.

What are some limitations of the dictation tool when transcribing audio?

The dictation tool might miss some punctuation and occasionally transcribe a few words incorrectly, but the transcribed text remains largely readable and understandable.

How can the user stop the dictation tool from transcribing audio?

The user can stop the dictation tool from transcribing audio by clicking on the microphone icon again once they are finished.

What does Kevin suggest doing after transcribing a video or audio file?

Kevin suggests that after transcribing a video or audio file, the user can return to the sound settings and restore the default configurations.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Audio-to-Text Conversion

Kevin introduces the topic of converting audio into text using a free tool that comes with Windows 10, the dictation tool, and a virtual audio cable. He assures viewers that the process will be explained step by step and is applicable to all major languages without time limits. The dictation tool is launched by pressing the Windows logo key and H, and it transcribes live audio as it's spoken. However, for transcribing pre-recorded audio or video files, a virtual audio cable is necessary.

Keywords

Audio to Text Conversion

Audio to text conversion refers to the process of transcribing spoken language from an audio file into written text. This is crucial for accessibility, creating subtitles, or for reviewing spoken content. In the script, Kevin demonstrates how to use Windows 10's dictation tool combined with a virtual audio cable to convert audio files into written text, showcasing its utility for creating transcripts from various sources like videos and podcasts.

Dictation Tool

The dictation tool is a feature that comes with Windows 10, enabling users to convert spoken words into written text. It is activated by pressing the Windows logo key along with the 'H' key. In the video, Kevin uses this tool to transcribe live speech and also to convert pre-recorded audio by routing it through a virtual audio cable. This tool is central to the video's demonstration of audio-to-text conversion.

Virtual Audio Cable

A virtual audio cable is a software-based tool that allows for the routing of audio signals between applications as if they were connected by a physical cable. In the context of the video, Kevin mentions VB Audio Software's virtual audio cable, which he uses to take the audio output from a video player and feed it into the dictation tool, thus enabling the transcription of pre-recorded audio.

Windows Logo Key

The Windows logo key is a key found on most computer keyboards that is used to access various Windows functions quickly. In the script, Kevin instructs viewers to use this key in combination with the 'H' key to launch the dictation tool, highlighting its role in initiating the audio-to-text conversion process.

Sound Settings

Sound settings are configurations in a computer's operating system that allow users to adjust audio output and input devices. In the tutorial, Kevin guides viewers through modifying sound settings to select the virtual audio cable as both the output and input device, which is essential for the dictation tool to transcribe audio from sources other than a live microphone.

Transcription

Transcription is the act of converting spoken language into written form. In the video, Kevin demonstrates the transcription process using the dictation tool, showing how it can be used to create text from both live speech and pre-recorded audio files, which is particularly useful for creating transcripts of videos or podcasts.

Live Audio

Live audio refers to audio that is being captured or heard in real-time, as opposed to pre-recorded audio. The dictation tool works well with live audio, as Kevin explains, allowing for immediate transcription of spoken words. This is contrasted with the need for a virtual audio cable when transcribing pre-recorded audio.

Video Player

A video player is a software application used for playing video files. In the script, Kevin uses a video player as an example of an application from which audio can be routed through the virtual audio cable to the dictation tool. This allows for the transcription of the audio track from the video.

Podcast

A podcast is a digital audio program that is available for download or streaming over the internet. In the video, Kevin mentions podcasts as one of the types of audio sources that can be transcribed using the dictation tool with the help of a virtual audio cable, showing the versatility of the method for different audio formats.

Notepad

Notepad is a simple text-editing program that comes with Windows operating systems. In the script, Kevin opens Notepad to create an active text field where the dictation tool can input the transcribed text from the audio. This serves as an example of how the transcribed text can be saved and utilized.

Highlights

Kevin demonstrates how to convert audio into text using Windows 10 tools.

A virtual audio cable is needed to transcribe pre-recorded audio or video files.

The dictation tool comes free with Windows 10 and can be launched with specific key combinations.

To start dictation, click on the microphone icon which appears on the top of the screen.

The dictation tool transcribes live audio as it is spoken.

For transcribing recorded files, download a virtual audio cable from VB Audio Software.

The virtual audio cable allows sound output from any source to be fed into the dictation tool.

Modify sound settings to use the virtual audio cable as both input and output device.

After transcription, restore sound settings to default.

Kevin shows the process of converting a YouTube video's audio into text.

Dictation tool listens to the video and transcribes the audio into text in real-time.

The transcription might miss punctuation and some words, but remains mostly readable.

Transcription can be stopped by clicking the microphone icon again.

Kevin invites viewers to share their success with transcribing files in the comments.

Encourages viewers to subscribe for more helpful videos like this one.

The video concludes with a reminder to check out the comments and subscribe.