An audio transcript expresses the meaningful speech and non-speech audio of a recording as text.
Make this comfortable
HTML audio transcript: make a recording readable without playback
Use case
A depot dispatch recording contains a spoken route change and an alarm that explains why the route changed. A useful transcript identifies speakers and the alarm instead of writing only a loose summary of the decision. The audio player remains available for people who want timing, tone, or verification. The transcript sits beside it, so searching and copying a route instruction does not require scrubbing through the recording. If privacy rules restrict the recording, apply the same access policy to the transcript.
<section aria-labelledby="dispatch-audio-title">
<h2 id="dispatch-audio-title">Depot west dispatch update</h2>
<audio controls preload="none">
<source src="/media/dispatch-west-47.ogg" type="audio/ogg">
<p>The dispatch recording is unavailable in this browser.</p>
</audio>
<h3>Transcript</h3>
<p>Dispatcher: “Use gate four for the 16:40 departure.” Alarm sounds. Dispatcher: “Gate two is closed until the sensor check is complete.”</p>
</section>Behavioral boundary
The sample transcript is a complete miniature recording only if the media contains exactly those statements and sound. In a real publication workflow, compare the text against the final audio and provide any required speaker or sound context.
Cost and maintenance
Text is cheap to deliver, but accurate transcription and review take time. Preload=none avoids an eager media request in many browsers; it is only a hint and does not replace bandwidth testing.
Common Mistakes
- Do not publish a summary in place of a transcript when exact instructions matter.
- Do not omit meaningful non-speech sounds.
- Do not expose a restricted recording's contents through a public transcript.
Connected lessons
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media