Quikscribe: Making document production... faster and smarter
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Digital Dictation & Transcription Software
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The Quikscribe Recorder is currently the worlds most advanced PC based digital dictation software, with many advanced features, not found in any other product.
Using the Philips SpeechMike Hand Control you can Record in Insert or Overwrite mode, Stop, Play, Rewind, Fast Forward plus you can Insert Text Attachments, Screen Shots, instantly Undo / Redo unlimited dictation edits, while working seamlessly behind other Windows applications.
PLEASE NOTE: The above image is an example of the old International version of the Philips SpeechMike. The U.S. version has a slide switch with the following functions: push up to Record, then down to Stop, then down to Play, then down to Rewind.
The Quikscribe Recorder uses a nondestructive recording method, which means it is possible instantly Undo and Redo audio edits. If you ever make a mistake when recording (which we all do) rather than having to rewind, press play and then cue up your position, so you can record over your mistake. Now you can simply press Undo and your last audio edit will be instantly removed. Another great benefit of the Undo and Redo feature is that if you ever accidentally record over a section, you can recover your original audio by simply pressing Undo. Conversely if you want to replace an audio edit you have just deleted with the Undo feature, you can simply press Redo.
Note: The Undo and Redo feature works via the Hand Control, via the Undo and Redo Icons on the QS Recorder interface and with the keyboard (CTRL Z and CTRL Y). It works in both Insert or Overwrite mode, it is unlimited in operation and it's instant. It even works if the file has been closed then reopened.
This is the default recording mode. To record, the RECORD button on the Quikscribe Hand Control is held down. To stop recording the RECORD button is released. To record more audio, the RECORD button is pressed down again and released once again to stop. Note: When the file is sent for transcription, the date and time the file is due to be completed is added to the filename as a prefix.
Note: Every time the RECORD button is held down and then released to stop, this is known as an audio edit. The significance of this is that the Undo and Redo feature used by the Quikscribe Recorder works with the audio edits to determine where to remove or replace audio edits from.
This mode is identical to the above Dictation Mode, except when the audio file is finished and sent for transcription, an internal flag is written within the file, preventing the file from be deleted once it is completed within the Quikscribe Player. The reason that this is done, is so a teacher can create transcription training content / lessons, which will not become accidentally deleted once completed by students.
From a recording perspective, this mode is identical to the above Dictation Mode. The major difference being when the audio is played in the Quikscribe Player, any captured screen shots (BMP) or embedded images (PNG, JPEG, WMF) within the audio file are visually displayed within a separate window. Which means it is now possible record and create web-ready C.B.T. (Computer Based Training) content seamlessly behind any windows based application. To find out more click here to download a 12 page PDF document that explains how to make C.B.T (Computer Based Training) content. Alternatively download and view a sample tutorial ('MailMergeIAF' or "CalculatorIAF') from our Tutorial page with the Quikscribe Player.
This mode is very similar to the Computer Based Training mode (as explained above). However, rather than displaying images within a separate Window when played within the Quikscribe Player, images are displayed full screen (similar to how presentation are presented in Microsoft Power Point). This mode is ideal if you want to make dramatic audio visual presentations. The major benefit that Quikscribe offers over Microsoft Power Point is that you can accurately and easily synchronise your images with the audio. The reason is, Microsoft Power Point is essentially a graphics presentation package that supports audio, whereas Quikscribe is an audio package that support graphics.
Note: Both the Computer Based Training Mode and Presentation Mode have access to over 100 different types of screen wipes (transitions). Also the Quikscribe Recorder has PNG and JPEG image compression algorithms built-in, which allows the Quikscribe Recorder to make compile very small web-ready training files. To find out more, click here to download a 12 page PDF document that explains everything you need to know.
To record, the RECORD button on the Quikscribe Hand Control is pressed once to start recording. To stop recording, the RECORD button is pressed again. The major difference with this recording mode and all the other recording modes, is that once any audio has been recorded, it can never be edited e.g. You can not Overwrite or Insert audio, nor can Undo and Redo audio edits. At any time you can stop recording and rewind and press PLAY, but if you press the RECORD button again, the Quikscribe Recorder will automatically jump to the end of the audio file and append(s) the additional audio (as a separate track within the same file).
Each time you start or stop recording, a special Interview Marker (that can not be deleted or modified) is inserted within the audio file, detailing the date and time when the audio started or stopped. Also, in this mode, all new audio files are automatically named with the current date and time. Lastly, in this mode both the Import Audio and Export Audio feature has been disabled, that way ensuring that the original audio file can never be modified or changed by anyone.
When the audio file is played within the Quikscribe Player, rather than displaying the percentage (%) completed in the task bar when being transcribed, it displays the actual time (HH:MM:SS) within the file when the file was recorded. Additionally whenever the Quikscribe Player encounters a Interview Marker within the file, it notifies the typist with an audio prompt and copies the current date and time information from within the Interview Marker to the Windows clipboard, where it can be instantly pasted into the current document.
With Voice Activation enabled, the Quikscribe Recorder can automatically record audio when you speak and stop recording when you stop speaking. Yet regardless how quick or intermittently you speak, Quikscribe will not miss a single syllable. The reason is, whenever Quikscribe it is not recording to disk, it is recording to a small buffer (250 milliseconds) in memory. Which means as soon as audio level exceeds a preset trigger level it writes the buffer along with the incoming audio stream. If the audio level drops below the preset level, it stops recording to disk and starts recording to the buffer in memory.
Pre-emptive Recording allows you to automatically capture your audio, even when you are not recording. So how does it work? Well, when the QS Recorder is not recording, it is actually still recording but to a small buffer in memory not to the current audio file. (This buffer can be set between 100 milliseconds to 1 second.) If you start talking and then press the record button, the QS Recorder automatically jumps back in time (so to speak) and grabs the audio from the audio buffer and adds this to the current audio file, as well as capturing the new audio being dictated. Which means if your hand is ever quicker than your mouth, Quikscribe is already one step ahead of you.
If your job requires you to dictate (Record, Stop, Rewind and Play) without using your hands, this this is the mode for you. Rather than using the Quikscribe Hand Control, you can use our Quikscribe triple action foot switch in conjunction with a boom microphone or a Headset/Microphone. As a result, you can Record, Stop, Rewind and Play while doing other things with your hands.
Once a document has been transcribed, often the document is returned to the author to be reviewed. If changes need to be made, often the author will print the document out and then proceed to "red pen" the document, by highlighting the areas that need to be changed while dictating the changes that are required along with any new instructions.
The disadvantages of this method is that a lot of paper is wasted in this iterative process and what may have started out as a digital process has now become a hybrid process e.g. part digital / part analogue.
However, the above method is now a thing of the past, as it is now possible for an author to review a document 100% electronically.
This is how is works - Step 1) The author opens the transcribed document and begins the review process. Step 2) If a word, sentence or p needs changing, the author simply highlights the text with the mouse. Step 3) The highlighted text is captured with a screen shot using the Insert button on the Hand Control. Step 4) The author dictates the changes required and then continues the review process.
As a result, a typist is able to receive a single IAF file, that contains EVERYTHING required for the document to be finished e.g. Highlighted screen shots showing what areas need to be changed and synchronised voice instructions explaining the specific changes that need to be made.
Note: Raw screen shots (BMP's) are very large, it is for this reason that Quikscribe uses PNG compression, which allows the captured screen shots to be compressed up to 70 times smaller, without causing any distortion.
The Quikscribe Recorder is able to open Power Point presentations, then record, capture and sync the presentation seamlessly in the background. If the presentation stops, Quikscribe stops recording and if the presentation recommences, Quikscribe starts recording again. Once the audio for the presentation has been captured, Quikscribe is then able to build the presentation, by inserting all of the slides (screen shots) at the appropriate locations within the audio file. Once this is done, you can compile and distribute the presentation, or if you like, you can export the audio and do post editing in Sound Forge and then reimport the audio back in and add any screen wipes before compiling the file.
If you like, you can even associate Power Point with Quikscribe, so when you double click on a Power Point presentation, Quikscribe will invisibly load in the background, create a new file and then seamlessly record, capture and sync the entire presentation without the presenter even knowing Quikscribe is operating. Lastly, any Power Point content that is captured can also be password protected with an encrypted 64 character hash, hence preventing anyone from changing or modifying your presentation content.
The Quikscribe Recorder can record in Overwrite or Insert Mode. Which means that if you need to record additional information within an audio file, rather than appending this information at the end of the file, you can now rewind to the specific location and insert the additional audio at this point. As a result, this will automatically move the rest of the audio backwards within the file.
Append Mode will always add new dictation to the end of the file, even if you've rewound the pointer to a different position in the audio file. This is useful for those who may not need to use Overwrite or Insert mode, so dictation is not deleted by mistake.
Note: If you make a mistake and you wish to remove the additional audio you have just inserted, you can press Undo, which will instantly remove your last edit.
Often when dictating, large amounts of reference material, text or information is narrated verbatim from a source. If this source is in an electronic format e.g. Previous Word Documents, Web Sites or Reference CD's, To copy and paste this information into the IAF (Intelligent Audio File) used by the Quikscribe Recorder, thus saving overall dictation time and transcriptionist time.
How it works is, the author simply selects the text with the mouse and then presses CTRL C, which copies the text to the Windows clipboard. Then presses CTRL 7 or the Insert button on the Quikscribe Hand Control, and the Quikscribe Recorder creates a marker file and pastes the text within this marker.
When the Quikscribe Player finds a text attachment within the audio file, it stops playing the audio file and copies the attachment to the Windows clipboard and then provides the typist with an audio prompt. At this stage the typist can simply paste the text attachment into their current document by pressing CTRL V (paste).
Note: This is a great time saving feature. It decreases overall dictation and transcription time but it also significantly reduces the chance for any introduced errors. To fully understand how this feature works, download the Quikscribe Player, which comes with a 13 minute interactive tutorial, that has a embedded text attachment and a image (screen shot) within it.
The Quikscribe Recorder is able to capture and insert unlimited screen shots within an IAF (Intelligent Audio File)
From a Medical perspective, this is fantastic for capturing and creating detailed reports that contain significant images.
Or if you put the Recorder into Presentation or Training mode, you can create detailed technical training content, as well as C.B.T (Computer Based Training) content.
Once you have captured your audio and images, it can be sent for transcription or post-edited and then compiled as a training file, ready to be viewed with the FREE Quikscribe Viewer, which comes bundled with the Quikscribe Player.
The Quikscribe Recorder is able to insert files or documents within the IAF (Intelligent Audio File). For example if you have a contract that needs changes, you can dictate all of the changes you want and then insert a copy of the contract that needs to be modified within the IAF (Intelligent Audio File). That way when the typist receives the audio file file, both the contract and your dictated instructions are within the one file.
The Quikscribe Recorder can record, compress and edit audio all at the same time. The major benefit is that your audio files are kept very small, which significantly increases your storage space and the time to send a file. The Quikscribe Recorder also provides the option for Post Compression and No Compression, depending on your circumstances or requirements. For example, if you have an older type PC and it does not have the resources (power) to record and compress at the same time, then Post Compression can be used. If you are making C.B.T (Computer Based Training) content and you plan do do post-editing, it is recommended that you use No Compression.
Note: The default for the Quikscribe Recorder is 8KHz, 16 Bit, real-time compression, as illustrated above in yellow. Additionally because the Quikscribe Recorder records straight to the hard-disk not to memory, it is able to record virtually any duration you want. The only limitation is your hard disk capacity. For example, if you were to record using 8KHz 16 Bit using real-time compression, you could record 3,448 hours of digital audio on a standard 20G hard drive. Or on a standard CD-ROM, you can store over 108 hours of audio.
Unlike an audio tape, where there only exists one copy of the audio file. Being digital, means that we can send a copy and keep a copy. That way, if anything should happen to the file that has been sent, another copy can be sent, similar to how e-mail works. However rather than keeping the audio file indefinitely, the Quikscribe Recorder automatically deletes these files after 14 days (default duration), which means you will never fill up your hard drive, as the Quikscribe Recorder is continually doing house keeping and deleting old files.
Note: The only reason that the audio was recorded in the first place, was to create a document, once this is done, we no longer require the audio in most circumstances. The only exception is if you are making C.B.T (Computer Based Training) content, in which case, the Quikscribe Recorder automatically keeps the master file.
The Quikscribe Recorder allows you to easily record and document everything. Rather than hand writing cryptic or abbreviated file notes on a scrap of paper, you can now record a summary within seconds with the Quikscribe Recorder . Up until now, you would not normally record a 30 second dictation file to a micro-cassette, but now you can. Simply press the "New File" button, record your summary, then press the "Send File" button, and it's done. If you want, you can even record an entire phone conversation verbatim with your clients permission. Thereby maintaining complete transcripts of all conversations and interactions. Lastly, the Quikscribe Recorder automatically records the date, time and duration of each audio file created, thus providing maximum "Risk Management".
Every time a new file is created, the Quikscribe Recorder saves within the file the date and time the file was created. In addition to this, it captures all of the authors details and it also provides the author to enter in Matter No, Subject etc. Once the files has been recorded and ready to be sent, the author can then select the turn around priority for the file, if they require notification on completion or a print out. All of this information including the data and time the file was sent and the location the file was sent to is recorded within the IAF (Intelligent Audio File), as a result, everything about the files history so far is within the file, where additional data will be added once a typist opens the file with the Quikscribe Player.
The Quikscribe Recorder is able to send audio files via
LAN and WAN
FTP
E-MAIL
By sending audio files via FTP or e-mail, you are no longer geographical restricted. Which means you can work from home if you wish, or you can out-source your transcription needs to a V.A. (Virtual Assistant).
Alternately if you are a large company, you can load-share work between offices via VPN (Virtual Private Network) or set up a dedicated remote office, whereby all transcription work is done remotely, thus reducing your CBD office space requirements and expensive rent.
Sending large audio files via e-mail can sometimes be a problem, as a lot of mail servers restrict the size of e-mails.
To solve this problem, we have a unique feature that allows you to split large audio file into multiple smaller audio files. The naming convention when an audio file is split is Filename_01, Filename_02, Filename_03 etc. When an IAF is split, an overlap used (default 5 seconds), thus eliminating any chance of splitting a file mid word. Also the size of each split can be set (default is 5 minutes) Lastly, any IAF that contains Markers or Attachments within the IAF are split correctly, so all relevant data remains with the appropriate part of the IAF.
The Quikscribe Recorder automatically captures all billable hours. For example, a 10 minute audio file may have taken 25 minutes to create, which is the true billable time for the file. However rather than requiring an author to keep track of this time, the Quikscribe Recorder automatically does it. If the author has a file open but becomes distracted by a phone call, the Quikscribe Recorder turns off the internal clock if it sense no activity for more than 60 seconds. As soon as the Quikscribe Recorder senses activity again, it switches the clock back on. This information can then be used to help calculate a clients bill.
The Quikscribe Recorder automatically captures all billable hours. For example, a 10 minute audio file may have taken 25 minutes to create, which is the true billable time for the file. However rather than requiring an author to keep track of this time, the Quikscribe Recorder automatically does it. If the author has a file open but becomes distracted by a phone call, the Quikscribe Recorder turns off the internal clock if it sense no activity for more than 60 seconds. As soon as the Quikscribe Recorder senses activity again, it switches the clock back on. This information can then be used to help calculate a clients bill.
The .wav file is an audio file format, created by Microsoft, which has become the standard audio format for PC's. The .wav file format has been accepted as the preferred interchange medium for other computer platforms, such as Macintosh. This allows content developers and programs to freely move audio files between platforms.
The .dss format is proprietary audio format used by Olympus and Philips range of portable digital voice recorders, which can produced very small (compressed) audio files for transcription.
The major benefit of these portable digital voice recorders is, that you have the freedom of full mobility, which is a feature that the Quikscribe Recorder can NOT offer, as it is PC based. However if used together (hybrid solution) you can have all of the advanced dictation and transcription benefits which Quikscribe offers and a integrated portable recording solution, which Olympus provides.
The IAF format is a proprietary audio format created by Quikscribe Pty Ltd specifically designed for advanced PC based digital dictation and transcription. In addition to producing very small (compressed) audio files, the IAF format has several other advanced features. For example, it is able to insert text attachments, insert pictures and other files within itself. Lastly, it has a small database within every file, that keeps track of the files history for management purposes.
MP2, MP3 (including files with VBR (variable bitrate))
VOX (Dialogic ADPCM)
RAW (PCM, ALAW, ULAW and others)
G.721, G.723, G.726
Mobile Voice
Ogg Vorbis
Note: Whenever an audio file is imported and opened by either the Quikscribe Recorder or Quikscribe Player, they are automatically imported and converted to a IAF (Intelligent Audio File). The reason that this is done, is so the audio file now inherits all of the advanced features associated with the IAF format, such as the ability to embed text, insert images, files and attachments. Files can also be split and encrypted. Lastly the audio file now can be fully managed by the Quikscribe Manager or programmatically controlled by third party applications via our IAF SDK. For more information about the advanced features that our IAF format provides, visit our Comparison page.
The Quikscribe Recorder also has the ability to integrate with the Philips Speech Mic Pro and the Philips Speech Mic Classic. Which means, rather than being limited to a .wav file, you can gain all of the benefit of the IAF (Intelligent Audio File)
A major benefit of the Philips Speech Mic Pro and Classic is that they have a Sound Card built into the actual hand control. This means you are guaranteed of great quality audio, regardless of the quality of your sound card. For example most laptops (90%) have really bad sound cards and/or poor filtering on their power supply, which means line hum is or distortion is introduced. But by using a Philips Speech Mic, you can record your audio and eliminate any distortion.
The first time the Quikscribe Recorder is installed and started, a built-in interactive training tutorial explains how to use the Quikscribe Recorder Hand Control. As you select each button with either the Hand Control or mouse, text appears explaining what and how the button works. After a little bit of practice you will find that the hand control becomes second nature, whereby you can record and edit audio, while doing several other things at the same time. After completing the tutorial, you can start creating and recording real files. If at any time you want to access the Hand Control training again, simple select the Help menu and then "Hand Control Training"
In addition to being able to record and edit audio in real-time, the Quikscribe Recorder is also able to create professional C.B.T. (Computer Based Training) content. Whereby you can record, edit and capture screen shots behind any Windows based application in real-time.
Once you have recorded and captured all of your training content, you have the option to do some post-editing. Whereby you can edit your audio, adjust your timings or edit and enhance your images. When finished, the Quikscribe Recorder will compress all of the images and audio into a single file, which you can view with the Quikscribe Player.
Note: The image quality of the finished content is excellent. This is because, rather than compress all captured images using one compression format, we use both PNG and JPEG.
Note: For more information how to make C.B.T. content with the Quikscribe Recorder, download the C.B.T. Manual.pdf which is a 12 page PDF document which explains everything you need to know. Also make sure download and view some of the sample tutorials that we have produced.
Lastly, the training and presentation files produced are very small. Below are two tables that illustrate how much disk space is used on average when making C.B.T. Content
For example, if you were to take 5 screen shots per minute while creating your C.B.T content and recording using an 8Khz compressed audio, you could record, capture and save up to 48 hours of training content on a standard 650 Meg CD-ROM with a total of 14,400 screen shots
Since both Quikscribe Recorder and Quikscribe Players are digital, it means that you never have to purchase another audio cassette or batteries again. Nor do you need to worry about future repair costs, as there are no complicated mechanical parts, just a simple Hand Control for the Quikscribe Recorder and a simple Foot Switch for the Quikscribe Player.
Traditionally when tape base dictation is used, authors tend to record multiple jobs per tape, rather than submitting one job per tape. Also often, on a single tape there are both urgent and non-urgent jobs, yet not in any particular order. From the typists perspective, this causes problems. Rather than receiving work on a constant basis (as each job is dictated), they receive multiple jobs at once. If the tape contains urgent jobs, the typist then needs waste time fast forwarding to hunt (find) the job.
The advantage with the Quikscribe Recorder, is as each job is dictated, the author can simply press "Send" and the job is instantly sent to the typist. Which means the typist is constantly receiving jobs as they are produced. Additionally, if a job is sent that is urgent, it will automatically go to the top of the typists queue, meaning it will be the next job to be transcribed.
One last advantage of digital, is that the audio duration of every file is known, whereas with a traditional audio cassette a tape could contain 5 minutes work or 2 hours of work. Also tapes cannot be lost or misplaced.
Quikscribe Guarantee - If anytime within 30 days of purchasing either the Quikscribe Recorder or the Quikscribe Player, you are not 100% satisfied, you can return these products for a full refund.
Are we crazy to make such a guarantee?
We don't believe so... and the reason is, no other digital dictation / transcription system in the world (that we are currently aware of) has developed an advanced audio file format equivalent to our IAF (Intelligent Audio File).
As a result, it is simply not possible for others, to provide the same functionality we can - view comparison chart
With Quikscribe, you can record, edit & transcribe digital audio files, plus you can also insert text, capture screen shots, embed documents / files / images, provide encryption, store metadata, URL's and e-mail addresses in a single IAF (Intelligent Audio File).
Click here for a printable version of the following information
Intelligent Audio File (IAF) is an advanced digital dictation file format, specifically designed by Quikscribe, to provide advanced RICH audio dictation and transcription capabilities.
Quikscribe: Making document production... faster and smarter
