Transcription/Translation Program
Below is the current version of TTPro, the "flagship" product and the focus of the site. As development progresses, we expect to have a transcription environment that rivals other, costly solutions on the web with one difference: TTPro will include the flexibility to integrate full-translation technology during the transcription process. This should make media-localization a breeze--custom subtitles in foreign language movies, phonetic transcription, or even official translations for court interpreters should be simplified drastically with TTPro.
What's Inside--This Version And Those To Come
Since TTPro is still in its infant stages, the link below contains the beta version of the program, a beginners version of all the features and comforts it will have as development progresses and bugs are worked out. Some of these bugs may be frustrating for those who are expecting a perfectly functional program--please be patient as we get ready for the official (clean) release in February.
Known Bugs
The bugs describes below are non-fatal, meaning that ttpro can still be used, ableit with some inconveniences.
- *bug fixed* I'm having difficulty tracking a problem in Windows XP. It seems that if someone downloads the recording (Hungarian.mp3) from the site and then try to load it into TTPro, it gives an error message: "file not found." It only seems to happen when someone downloads the recording from scribesslate.org and then tries to load it--it doesn't have problems with other mp3s already on the hard drive. Note that this only happens in Windows XP. Odd.
- *bug fixed* The waveform cursor does not properly track the sound file when it's first played. If a user stops or pauses the file and starts it again, the cursor snaps into function. This is an issue with the wmp wrapper; I'm sure there's a way around it, I just haven't had the time to dig through all the documentation to work out the bug. I'll get there.
- *bug fixed* The save function does not save the speaker tags the right way. The issue doesn't cause any instabilities in the program, it just doesn't save the speakers. I'll get this one back up soon.
- *bug fixed* This means that some wave files may not work with TTPro still. This is a disappointing setback, but note that it shouldn't throw up an error for most wave files (only a small set that I'm still studying). I'll get this worked out soon. Issue is fixed.
- *bug fixed* There is an overflow terminal error when a user scrolls to the maximum.
- For those using a network, some media files loaded on the desktop can't be found. To get around this, save the file somewhere other than the desktop. This has something to do with the copy function when an mp3 is converted to a .wav. I expect that to be fixed after the official release in February.
- Scroll value and segment time values sometimes don't match.
- *bug fixed* A waveform that has been zoomed in snaps forward to where the cursor is (if the cursor is further ahead in the file); however, it does not snap backwards.
- The reverse and fast forward functions don't work in some situations.
Future of Development
- Official Beta-Release (1.0) on or before November 17, 2008
- Fix up documentation: user license agreement, help files, etc.
- Working out known and reported bugs to get smooth function.
- Implementing Beta-tester suggestions to smooth out the transcription process.
- Official 1.0 Release on or before February 25, 2008
- Adding a slowdown feature to slowdown playback with a hotkey.
- Add auto-keyboard switching when the source and target text boxes are clicked
- Create wrappers for the external libraries--this helps internalize the code for added smoothness
- Create a wrapper for the .avi library I've found--this will let us get the waveform for .avi media files (some video files).
- Add a custom progress bar--I hate progress bars that don't tell the end user what's going on. So I'm gonna write a custom one.
- Write new documentation--beta test added plugins
- Official 1.* Release, on or before June 30, 2008
- Interface lift. Designs passed through designers--or at least with people with taste.
- Custom interface buttons, color scheme, full screen functionality including a graphical layout for segments.
- Improving rich text handles--adding font dialogues, colors, size, export layouts, etc. for rtf layouts
- Integrating Speech Recognition Engines?
I've recently started a version/development history. You can access it here
TTPro-Beta ready for download below
Download TTPro—Beta version 1.0.1.0
Sample Files