SMPTE Timecoded Transcripts (aka time coded transcripts):

Timecode inserted every 30 seconds:

We will insert the visible timecode at the beginning of each answer and approximately 30 seconds thereafter. Thus if an interviewee gives a 60 second response to a question, there would be a time code mark at the beginning of the answer and approximately 30 seconds later.

Example:

Q: So why don't you tell me where you're from?

+++ DVD 103-A 01:02:23 +++

John Doe: I'm from a little town north of San Francisco, near the coast. I was born and raised there and didn't move away until last year.

Timecoding on normal transcripts is accurate to about +/- 3 seconds. Only Full Continuities offer frame accurate timecode.

If your footage is unstructured– for example, Reality TV dailies, then we just insert a timecode mark every 30 seconds if there is no obvious place to mark the beginning and end of an audio response. (e.g. a lot of people chatting amongst themselves.)

If you edit a series of clips together, we will only insert the timecode mark every 30 linear seconds of the run time, not at the change of each snippet unless there is at least 3 seccond of 1khz tone marking the change of each snippet. An example of this would be a 'cut-down' of an interview where only select snippets are tied together one after another with the questions removed. The 3 second gap is important as it helps the transcriber determine when the snippets change.

We do not place a timecode mark on the questions asked, only the answers given.

What's the price for timecoding transcripts?

Timecoding is available only on certain kinds of transcription. If you are on a type of transcript for which timecoding is offered, you will see the additional price-per-minute charge for timecoding.

See the Type-1 or Type-2 pricing box for One-on-One Interviews as an example.

Orders requesting timecoding from SLP VHS tapes will be bill an additional $0.33 per minute to offset the additional time it takes to transcribe and timecode from SLP/EP tapes.

Effects on Turnaround

Generally speaking timecoding or timestamping will add one business day to any normally listed Turnaround Time.

Requirements for Timecode Transcription

Material should be submitted on DVD, MP4 digital files, or VHS with a visible timecode burn (BITC). VHS Tape should be recorded in SP mode with HiFi sound. (Do not use ELP or SLP record modes when making your dubs.) See guidelines for video duplication. We prefer DVD over VHS. As of January 1, 2009 VHS is considered a 'dead' format.

We also offer timecoding from audio cassettes as well as digital audio files such as MP3 or WAV using audible timecode.

Timestamping Transcripts

We can also provide timestamps in lieu of timecode when materials are submitted without any Visible or Audible timecode. Time stamping only references the head of the counter and WILL NOT match your master tapes. Time stamping starts at 0:00:00.

That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves.
--Thomas Jefferson