Long recordings · Video to text
Turn a long video into text.
Transcribe a lecture, interview, or meeting, then read it at your own pace. ReadVideo connects each word to its moment in the recording, so you can find a passage and listen again.
Upload your video or audio
Up to 16 GB · 8 hours
Or drop it anywhere on this panel.
Free trial: one upload, up to 10 minutes, no sign-in required.
Paste a link
Google Drive: share a file or a folder with "Anyone with the link" and allow downloads. For a folder or a share with several files, you choose which ones to import.
Google Drive: no membership required. Transcription uses credits.
Free trial: also works for a Google Drive link, no sign-in required.
Transcription uses credits. Google Drive imports do not require membership; video links do. Check pricing
How to transcribe a long video
Prepare the recording
Use the original recording when possible. Check that the file is within both limits: 16 GB and 8 hours. A clear speech track matters more than a high-resolution picture. If the file is too large, export its audio or split it into smaller parts before uploading.
Upload the video or paste a link
Choose your audio or video file above. Keep the page open until the upload finishes. Video link imports require membership; Google Drive imports do not. For Google Drive, share the file or its folder with anyone with the link and allow downloads; for a folder, you choose which files to import. Restricted files are not supported.
Review the transcript against the recording
When processing finishes, open the transcript. Click a word to replay its moment in the recording, and follow the highlighted text during playback. Check names, numbers, and passages with overlapping speakers before using the text in your work.
Copy the text or export it
Copy the full transcript into your notes or AI assistant for questions and summaries. Use the reader’s export menu for plain text or timed subtitle files. Download the result and any source media you need before its playback retention period ends.
Long-video transcription questions
Can I transcribe a one-hour or multi-hour video?
Yes, if the file is within 16 GB and 8 hours and your account has sufficient transcription credits. These are per-file limits, not an allowance of free processing time.
How long does transcription take?
Upload time depends on file size and your connection. Transcription time depends on recording length and the processing queue. An eight-hour upload limit does not mean instant delivery; check the task’s status for progress.
What if my video is larger than 16 GB?
Export an audio-only copy if you only need the spoken content, or split the recording into files within the limits. An audio-only upload gives you audio playback alongside the transcript rather than the original video picture.
Is long-video transcription free?
Processing uses transcription credits. Check your account balance and the pricing page before submitting a long recording. Video links require membership; Google Drive files do not. The file-size limit is independent of your credit balance.
Will the transcript be perfectly accurate?
No. Background noise, accents, specialist terminology, and overlapping speech can introduce mistakes. Use word-level playback to verify the passages that matter. Review automated output before publishing it or relying on it.
Related tools
- Video to text
Every way to turn a recording into a readable transcript.
- MP4 to text
Drop an MP4; one file up to 10 minutes needs no account.
- Google Drive video to text
Paste a Drive share link; files and folders, no membership.