Google Drive has recently introduced an exciting new feature that enhances the way users interact with videos. After launching automatically generated captions for videos last year, Google is now offering searchable video transcripts. This means that starting from Monday, users of Google Drive can not only view their video captions but also search through the transcripts to find specific parts of the video they are interested in.
This new feature is a game changer for anyone who has struggled to find a particular moment in a long video. Previously, if you wanted to get a transcript of a video, you would have to upload the audio to a separate transcription service, like Otter. This process was often time-consuming and required extra steps. With Google Drive’s new searchable transcripts, all of that hassle is eliminated. You can access the transcript directly within Google Drive, making it much more convenient.
When you play a video that has captions available, the transcript will appear in a sidebar next to the video player. As the video plays, the text that is currently being spoken will be highlighted in the transcript. This feature allows users to easily follow along with the video content while also being able to quickly jump to specific sections by searching for keywords or phrases in the transcript. This is particularly useful for educational videos, presentations, or any content where users might want to reference specific information quickly.
To access the video transcripts, you simply need to open a video that has captions enabled in Google Drive. Once the video is playing, you can click on the gear icon located in the bottom right corner of the video player to access the video settings. From there, selecting the “Transcript” option will display the searchable transcript in the sidebar. It’s a straightforward process that adds significant value to the viewing experience.
However, it’s important to note that in order to use this transcript feature, your video must have captions. You can easily check if your video has captions by looking for the “CC” button in the bottom-right corner of the video player. If the button is active, captions are available. If your video doesn’t have captions yet, you can add them by right-clicking on the video and selecting the “Manage caption tracks” option. From there, you can click on the “generate automatic captions” button, allowing Google to create captions for you automatically.
This feature is not just for a select group of users; it is being rolled out to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and personal Google account users over the coming weeks. This means that a wide range of people, from students to professionals, will soon be able to benefit from this new functionality.
In summary, Google Drive’s introduction of searchable video transcripts is a significant improvement for video users. It simplifies the process of finding specific information within videos and enhances the overall experience of consuming video content. Whether you’re studying for an exam, preparing for a presentation, or just trying to recall a specific moment in a video, this new feature will undoubtedly make your life easier. So, keep an eye out for this update in your Google Drive, and take advantage of the new way to interact with your videos!
