Import video or audio files into TranscriptPad and sync them with their respective transcripts, then create clips and export them for presentation.
TranscriptPad lets you sync transcripts with video or audio files, create clips, and export them for presentation. This is commonly used for video depositions, but it also works with 911 calls, surveillance recordings, EUO statements, or other audio evidence. The transcript scrolls in sync with the media, appearing as closed captions.
Because syncing and editing are now possible without outsourcing, it’s important to use properly formatted files.
Before starting, review these requirements to save time and avoid errors:
Guidance on How to Sync Video to Transcripts
The steps to sync a video, edit video clips, and export video clips can be found here:
- Best Practices: https://support.litsoftware.com/syncing-a-video-best-practices
- Syncing Video with a Transcript: https://support.litsoftware.com/syncing-video-with-a-transcript
- Editing Video Clips: https://support.litsoftware.com/editing-video-clips-transcriptpad
- Exporting Video Clips: https://support.litsoftware.com/exporting-video-clips
Before you get started:
Requirements
- TranscriptPad: Version 23.7.1 or later
- iPad: iPadOS 16 or later (iPadOS 17 recommended for faster sync)
- Mac: macOS 13 Ventura or later
Syncing requires significant processing and RAM. For best performance, use the latest iPad Pro or Mac with Apple Silicon, and keep your system updated. Older devices may take much longer to sync or fail due to limited RAM.
Supported File Formats
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Transcript: Court-reporter formatted .TXT only (not PDF).
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Video: .MP4, .M4V, or .MOV
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Audio: .M4A or .MP4
If your files are in another format, use Handbrake (free for macOS and Windows) to convert
Best Practices for File Naming
Rename deposition files so they’re easy to recognize and sort:
John Smith 2022-12-15 VOL 1
John Smith 2022-12-15 VOL 2
John Smith 2023-01-10 VOL 3
Use the deponent’s name, deposition date, and a volume suffix.
Time Expectations and Multitasking
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Syncing takes 5–20 minutes per deposition hour, depending on your device.
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You can continue working in TranscriptPad while syncing runs in the background.
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Sync pauses if you close TranscriptPad, switch Case Files, or allow the iPad to lock.
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To prevent interruptions, set Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock > Never.
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Syncing uses the on-device speech recognition engine (U.S. English only).
Syncing a Transcript
1. Open the transcript.
2. Tap Link and Sync at the top of the screen.
3. Tap Import and Link Video or Audio Files.
4. Select the files you want to import, then tap Open.
5. Make sure the files are in the correct order. Use a consistent naming convention or preview the files to verify.
6. Drag files to reorder them, if needed.
7. Tap Start Sync.
A sync progress indicator appears so you can track progress, even if you switch to another transcript. When the sync is complete, a message appears confirming synchronization.
8. Tap OK. The media is now synced to the transcript.
For More Information, watch Syncing Video with a Transcript on YouTube.
If you get an error, please review, Why do I get a Synchronization Error message?
Creating Video Clips
Clips and Segments
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Video Clip: A container that can hold multiple segments.
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Video Segment: A portion of video/audio tied to transcript page/line.
Example: A Clip named “Mediation Playback” may include several Segments.
How To Convert Text Designations to Video Clips
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Open a synced transcript.
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Tap More next to an Issue Code Name or an individual designation.
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Tap Convert to Video Clip, then tap Convert.
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Your new clip appears in the Video Clips section of the sidebar.
How To Create a New Video Clip
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Tap the blue starting and ending page line numbers.
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Scroll to the bottom of the designation options and tap Create New Video Clip.
Or use the Show menu at the top and select Video Clips. -
Enter a name for the clip, and choose a color.
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Tap Done, then tap anywhere outside the panel to close the designation options.
Repeat these steps to add more segments to an existing clip or create a new clip.
For More Information, watch Create Video Clips on YouTube.
Editing Video Segments
After you create Video Segments you can edit the In Point and Out Point of the segments to make sure they start and end at the right moment, including or excluding spoken words as necessary.
Edit a Video Clip
1. Open the synced transcript.
2. In the designation browser, scroll to the bottom or use the Show menu to select Video Clips.
3. Tap a clip name to view its segments.
4. Tap More next to a segment, then tap Edit Video.
5. Drag the waveform to adjust the In Point. TranscriptPad automatically plays the updated start.
You’ll see the following:
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The page line source at the top
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The In Point preview (start of the segment)
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The Out Point preview (end of the segment)
6. Tap Undo to restore the original position.
7. Adjust the Out Point using the same steps.
TranscriptPad saves all changes automatically. If your clip includes multiple segments, tap the arrow to move to the next one.
8. Tap Done when finished.
Segments that haven't been edited appear in bold in the list.
For More Information, watch Editing Video Clips in TranscriptPad on YouTube.
Exporting Video Clips
Before Exporting
Choose whether to include closed captions (subtitles) with the video file.
- You can change the Video Preferences by going to Cases Screen > Settings > Video Preferences.
- The Video Preferences also gives you the option to Position Closed Captions either Over Video or Below Video (which will shrink the video slightly so no part is obscured).
You can export video clips in one of two ways:
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As a single video file that you can Send to TrialPad or Save to Files.
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As multiple individual video files that you can Save to Files.
How to Export Video Clips from TranscriptPad
1. Open the synced transcript.
2. In the designation browser, scroll to Video Clips, or use the Show menu to select Video Clips.
3. Tap a clip name to view its Segments.
Segments appear in the order they occur in the transcript.
To change the order of the segments tap More, then Reorder, and drag the segments into the desired order.
4. To export clips as one video file, do one of the following:
- Tap More on the Video Clip or Segment, then tap Export. Choose Send to TrialPad or Save to Files.
- Tap the Select tool and choose the Video Clips or Segments, then tap Edit and choose Export Selection as One Video File. Confirm the number of files, then tap Export. Choose Send to TrialPad or Save to Files.
5. To export clips as multiple video files: Tap the Select tool, choose the Video Clips or Segments. Tap Edit and choose Export Selection as Multiple Video Files. Confirm the number of files, then tap Export. Select a location in the Files app and tap Move.
6. To access your exported files:
- If you exported to the Files app, open Files to preview, move, or share your video clips.
- If you exported to TrialPad, open the File Inbox in TrialPad to add to your case file.
For More Information, watch Exporting Video Clips on YouTube.