Unlock Free Live Captions in Zoom: Instant & Automatic Method

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. What are live Captions in Zoom?
3. Changes in Zoom's live Caption feature
4. The workaround for free live captions in Zoom
5. Using the Rev.com app for free live Transcription
6. Using a third-party closed caption service
7. Setting up the Web Captioner service
8. Enabling live captions in Zoom meetings
9. Adjusting the settings and customization options
10. Enhancing the captions with Rev Meeting Assistant
11. Save and share the transcription
12. Conclusion

Getting Free Live Closed Captions in Zoom Meetings

Zoom is a popular video conferencing platform that has recently made changes to its live caption feature. Previously, this feature was available for free to all users, but now it is limited to paid pro accounts. However, there is a workaround that allows you to enjoy free live closed captions in your Zoom meetings. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to get free live closed captions and ensure everyone can benefit from them. Let's dive in!

Introduction

Video conferencing has become a crucial tool for communication and collaboration, especially in remote work environments. One important aspect of effective communication is accessibility, and closed captions play a significant role in ensuring inclusivity for all participants. Let's explore how live captions work in Zoom and why they are essential for a seamless meeting experience.

What are live captions in Zoom?

Live captions, also known as subtitles, are a text representation of the spoken words during a Zoom meeting. They provide real-time transcription, allowing participants to follow along with the conversation, even if they are unable to hear or understand the audio clearly. Live captions can be particularly helpful for individuals with hearing impairments, language barriers, or those who prefer reading over listening.

Changes in Zoom's live caption feature

In a recent update, Zoom has made the live caption feature exclusive to its paid pro accounts. This change has left many free account users searching for alternatives to obtain live closed captions during their meetings. While the new policy may limit access for some, there is a workaround that grants you free live closed captions. Let's explore how you can make use of this workaround.

The workaround for free live captions in Zoom

To get free live closed captions in Zoom meetings, you can leverage two options: using the Rev.com app from the Zoom Apps Marketplace or a third-party closed caption service like Web Captioner. Both options have their advantages and limitations, so let's delve into each one to help you make an informed decision.

Using the Rev.com app for free live transcription

The Rev.com app is a powerful tool that offers free live transcription within Zoom meetings. By installing this app from the Zoom Apps Marketplace, you can access automatic and Instant live captions, making your meetings more inclusive and accessible. The captions generated by Rev.com are fully searchable during and after the meeting, allowing for easy reference and analysis. Additionally, the app enables you to attach a copy of the audio to the transcript for comprehensive archiving.

While the Rev.com app is an excellent choice for obtaining accurate and detailed transcriptions, there is a limitation to consider. The captions can only be displayed to other participants if you share your screen. If you require live closed captions to be displayed on everyone's screen automatically, using a third-party closed caption service might be a better option.

Using a third-party closed caption service

Web Captioner is a reliable and free third-party closed caption service that seamlessly integrates with Zoom. With Web Captioner, you can enable live closed captions to appear on everyone's screen automatically, ensuring all meeting participants have access to real-time transcriptions. The service requires you to set up a Channel in its settings, specifically for Zoom meetings. Once set up, you can effortlessly start generating captions during your Zoom meetings.

To use the Web Captioner service, begin by visiting webcaptioner.com. While creating an account is optional, it is recommended as it saves your settings and simplifies future use. Once you have access to the website, click on the "Start Captioning" button to initiate the captioning process. In the settings area, add a Zoom channel and paste the API token copied from Zoom earlier. This integration allows Web Captioner to communicate with Zoom and generate live closed captions for your meetings.

Setting up the Web Captioner service

To set up the Web Captioner service and enable live closed captions in your Zoom meetings, follow these steps:

1. Start by visiting webcaptioner.com.
2. If you haven't already, create an account to save your preferences and settings.
3. Click on the "Start Captioning" button to begin the captioning process.
4. In the settings area, navigate to the channels section.
5. Add a new channel specifically for Zoom meetings.
6. Paste the API token that was previously copied from Zoom into the designated field.
7. Ensure the update frequency option is set according to your preferences.
8. Click on "Add Channel" to save the settings and integrate Zoom with Web Captioner.

With the setup complete, you are now ready to enable and utilize live closed captions in your Zoom meetings. Let's proceed to the next section to learn how to enable live captions and customize them according to your requirements.

Enabling live captions in Zoom meetings

Once you have set up the Web Captioner service and integrated it with Zoom, you can enable live closed captions by following these simple steps:

1. Join a Zoom meeting or host your own meeting.
2. In the Zoom meeting interface, locate the closed caption button.
3. Click on the closed caption button to reveal the captioning options.
4. Choose the Web Captioner service as your preferred captioning provider.
5. Move the caption box to a suitable position on the screen.
6. Adjust the caption text size using the available customization options.
7. The live captions will start appearing on the bottom of the screen for everyone to see.

By enabling live captions, you enhance the accessibility and inclusivity of your Zoom meetings, ensuring that all participants can follow the conversation effortlessly. However, live transcripts can sometimes be basic, lacking certain features like speaker identification. To overcome this limitation, you can use the Rev Meeting Assistant simultaneously with Web Captioner to enhance the quality of the captions and gain additional functionality.

Adjusting the settings and customization options

Web Captioner provides various settings and customization options to tailor the live captions according to your preferences. To access these options, click on the small arrow next to the closed captions button. Here are some key settings you can adjust:

1. Text size: Increase or decrease the size of the caption text to ensure optimal visibility.
2. Placement: Move the caption box to a suitable position on the screen.
3. Speaker identification: Enable this option to identify and label different speakers in the captions.
4. Caption formatting: Modify the appearance of the captions with different Font styles, colors, or backgrounds.

Experiment with these settings to find the perfect configuration that meets your specific needs and enhances the overall meeting experience for all participants.

Enhancing the captions with Rev Meeting Assistant

To further enrich the quality of your captions and gain valuable features like speaker identification, consider using the Rev Meeting Assistant alongside Web Captioner. The Rev Meeting Assistant is an additional tool provided by the Rev.com app, and it integrates seamlessly with your Zoom meetings.

By using the Rev Meeting Assistant, you can enjoy advanced functionality such as accurate speaker identification, automatic punctuation, and the ability to generate detailed and interactive transcripts. Combining the power of the Rev Meeting Assistant with Web Captioner ensures that your live captions are not only accessible but also highly accurate and useful for later reference and analysis.

Save and share the transcription

Once your Zoom meeting concludes, you have the option to save and share the transcription for future use. The method described in this article saves the transcription as a basic text file. However, if you wish to create a more comprehensive and interactive transcript with embedded audio, follow the instructions provided in a separate Tutorial video. This advanced transcript format allows for extensive searchability, interactivity, and replayability, making it a valuable resource for post-meeting analysis and research.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the recent changes in Zoom's live caption feature may have limited access for free users, a workaround exists to obtain free live closed captions. By leveraging the Rev.com app or a third-party closed caption service like Web Captioner, you can ensure inclusivity and accessibility for all participants in your Zoom meetings. Follow the steps outlined in this article to enable live captions and make your meetings more engaging and informative for everyone involved.

Now that you are equipped with the knowledge and tools to integrate free live closed captions in Zoom, you can create a more inclusive and accessible meeting environment. Start implementing these strategies and witness the positive impact it has on your communication and collaboration efforts.

Resources:

• Rev.com
• Web Captioner