How to Convert MP4 to Text

MP4 files are some of the most widely-used video file formats in the world. They were first released in 2001, but 2003's release is more commonly used.

Thanks to compression, an MP4 file is smaller in size compared to other video formats. Despite the reduced file size, the video quality is not compromised, and the original video quality is retained. That is why MP4 is considered a web-friendly video format.

In this guide, we will discuss the step-by-step process of converting an MP4 file to text, and answer some frequently asked questions about MP4 to text transcription.

Convert MP4 to Text in 4 Quick Steps with Otter.ai

Otter.ai Pro, Business, and Enterprise plans allow users to import MP4 files and convert them to text. The text file can be downloaded in various formats after transcription.

Step 1: Click on “Import”

At the Otter.ai Home screen, click on the import button at the top-right corner, and select the MP4 file that you want to convert.

Step 2: Wait for the MP4 to Text Conversion to Complete

Otter.ai will take a few minutes to transcribe the file depending on the file size. You can see the progress on the screen, and click on Go to Transcript when it’s ready.

If you are using the Otter.ai mobile app to convert the file, then the application will send you a notification when the transcript is ready. Generally, Otter.ai takes about one minute to convert a four-minute MP4 file to text.

Step 3: Edit the Transcript and Collaborate with Your Team

Edit the Transcript

Otter-ai allows users to go through the transcript and edit any part using the Edit button at the top-right corner of the screen. You will see a list of shortcuts that you can use to edit more efficiently. Click on the Done button at the top-right corner after editing to save the transcript.

You can also search the file for a specific keyword with the search bar on the top-right corner of the screen.

Collaborate with Your Team

Alongside editing, Otter.ai also allows users to collaborate with their team. To add one or more team members, click on the button with a plus sign icon on the top-right corner.

To start collaborating, add names, emails, or groups of your team members or share the transcript via a link.

To make collaboration easier, Otter.ai also offers the following:

• Date and Time of the transcription
• Duration of the video file
• Summary of keywords
• Number of speakers and their contribution to the conversation

Step 4: Export Your Transcript

To export your transcript with Otter.ai, click on the button with three dots at the top-right corner of the screen, and select Export from the menu.

Otter.ai allows users to select the text file format and how much information they want to export alongside the text file such as speaker names and timestamps.

Why Do You Need to Transcribe MP4 Files?

Videos are considered one of the best mediums to reach a wider audience. People prefer to watch videos instead of reading text. However, one can never underestimate the importance of text, even when you’re watching videos.

“A Facebook study found that 41% of videos were meaningless without sound. (1) Captions, logos, and relevant products can make even a silent video meaningless.”

Following are the three major advantages of converting from MP4 to text:

• Text alongside videos can help improve your ranking in the search results.
• You can boost your online presence without both text and visual content
• The text helps you reach a wider audience.

“Adding text with your videos helps you reach a wider audience including people who prefer reading captions or text, or have impaired hearing. That is in addition to boosting your search results and online presence”

According to WHO, 1 in 4 people are projected to have hearing problems by 2050. (2) With this prediction, and keeping up with the trends, transcribing MP4 videos translates to a wider audience and market for your business. A wider audience translates to people with a hearing impairment.

There are three ways to use your MP4 to text transcript:

• Export your text file as SRT and use subtitles in the video.
• Add the transcript as a text description.
• Repurpose the video as an article.

You might also be interested in: How to Record a Webinar

FAQs about MP4 to Text Transcription

Can you transcribe an MP4 file?

Yes, thanks to MP4 to text tools, we can convert an MP4 file to text within minutes. You can then edit the transcript and export the file as TXT or SRT.

How do I convert MP4 to text for free?

Otter.ai allows users to convert MP4 files to text for free within the trial period in its three paid pricing plans. It also offers a Basic plan where you can record yourself and transcribe the audio. However, the import option is currently available only in the paid plans.

How do you transcribe a video call?

You can transcribe a video call by recording it and importing the audio/video recording in Otter.ai. It will take a few minutes to process the audio/video depending on its length and whether it’s a