Sometimes the quality of files can be affected in this format, but it is not usually too bad.

For transcription work MP3 is fairly common, particularly on certain types of digital dictation machines. We strongly recommend using Olympus software and hardware because it is so easy to use and transfer files, but MP3 files are probably a close second.

The best way to transfer an MP3 file for transcription is via Express Dictate software. We can provide this to our clients. You simply install the software, upload your files, which are converted into a more compressed format and sent straight through to an external transcription server ready for transcribing.

Alternatively you can use Yousendit.com, Sendspace or another similar option.

We rate the MP3 format at 7/10 for transcription work. It is portable, does not lose as much quality as other compression options, but is still fairly bulky and unwieldy for file transfers.

For further information on transcription and typing services please visit www.tptranscription.co.uk

So if you have a recording of some research for example, or a piece of work you require typing up how do you get this done quickly?

Outsourced Transcription is a new phenomenon that has been around for some time but only recently utilised to a higher degree.  www.tptranscription.co.uk  is a good example of one of these companies. You visit their website, get a quote and send the transcription company your recordings, whether by post (if on tape) or by e-mail or an FTP sending programme such as www.yousendit.com. 

All of these ways are free of charge (apart from the postage costs) and the transcription company will type up your work and send it back to you by e-mail as quickly as possible. 

There are companies out there who promise a 45 minutes return on all transcriptions but most academic work does not require this level of speed. www.universitytranscriptions.co.uk offer a fast service which usually is complete within 72 hours or a standard service which is either set at 14 days or open, depending on the size of the project.  The longer the return time the cheaper the work and in fact often the more accurate this is as the transcriber has longer to complete the work and does not feel rushed. 

 All typing work done by transcription companies is in confidence and you can ask that a confidentiality undertaking is given by both the company and the transcribers that work for it on an individual basis so that you can rest assured of the confidence of the people typing up the material. This is particularly relevant for health research projects, social studies and any celebrity or high profile interviews. 

In summary if you need work transcribing it is better to outsource to an external typing provider such as www.universitytranscriptions.co.uk than use an in-house one.

 Finally we do not recommend using any company that outsources the work to India or South Africa as the number of spelling mistakes contained within these documents as well as geographical term errors etc can outweigh the benefits of doing the transcription in the first place. If you have a look at some of the examples given on company websites where work is outsourced to India you will see what we mean…

There is now a way to get free transcription for at least 3 months. 

There are a wide range of different types of transcript companies including one man or woman typists working from home and returning single documents, transcription agencies who process work on behalf of transcribers and get paid a percentage and larger sized transcription companies, some of which seem to have considerable funding behind them.

The free transcription comes from the larger companies.  We have done a check on the internet and estimate that most people could get three months of free transcription work, or alternatively build up a bank of projects that need transcribing and get them all done in one go without paying a penny.  A quick example of this is www.uktyping.com.

UK Typing offer a free trial of transcription for one week and their website (as well as their advert on www.venables.co.uk) indicate that this can include as much transcription as you want for one week so that you can try their service before you buy.

There are at least several other companies doing exactly the same thing and you can see them by going onto www.venables.co.uk.  If you signed up for each of these companies and for the first week sent them as much material as you could in order to trial them, you could get your transcription free of charge for three months.

This could save you considerable sums of money, and perhaps you would then decide to go with one of these companies or go and find other companies who would be prepared to give you free trials as well. 

www.tptranscription.co.uk is an online transcription company established in 2001 who do not offer free trials under any circumstances but instead offer consistent and low cost services to a large bank of happy and contented customers, most of whom refer us on for further work from other sources….

For details of our pricing please visit our website at www.tptranscription.co.uk

TP Transcriptions is an Online Transcription and Typing Service with a team of 20 UK-based transcribers offering digital file and analogue transcription, typing and transcribing services worldwide. Established in 2001 we have been handling bulk orders and one-off assignments for business, professional and academic clients including B&Q, the Home Office, the Office of Fair Trading, Solicitors firms, Architects, Edinburgh University, Birmingham University, University of Bath, Liverpool John Moores University, Dundee University, Bristol University and many more. We provide ongoing typing contracts and work on a one-off basis.

We provide Audio, Video and Digital Transcription and Typing Services (including DSS, WAV, WMA and MP3 digital files) to a range of individuals, businesses and firms. We have the capacity to process very large orders. Our transcribers are all based in the UK and we maintain a high standard of quality output. We do not outsource work to third parties in India or South Africa. Our transcribers are mainly experienced secretaries from the legal profesison, medicine or general business and most are educated to degree level and higher.

Our Clients include: