Can I upload an MP4 or MP3 from my computer?

Yes. JotVox transcribes files uploaded from your device, Google Drive, or Dropbox, in addition to public links. Common formats such as MP4 video and MP3 audio work directly.

Are uploaded files kept on the server?

No. Files are not stored after processing, so keep your own copies. There is also a 90-minute per-file limit, so longer recordings should be split first.

How to Transcribe MP4, MP3 and Other Media Files

Q: Does transcribing use the video or just the audio?

Only the audio is used. An MP4 contains both picture and sound, but the transcript is built from the sound, so an audio-only file such as an MP3 works just as well.

Not every recording lives on a public web page. Sometimes you have a file on your computer, such as an MP4 video export or an MP3 voice recording, and you need the text from it. This guide explains how to transcribe media files directly, what formats are involved, and how to choose the right output.

Uploading a file instead of a link

Alongside public video and audio links, JotVox transcribes files you upload from your device, Google Drive, or Dropbox. This covers common cases such as an MP4 exported from an editor, an MP3 from a voice recorder, or an audio file someone sent you. You upload the file, the audio is transcribed, and you get a timestamped transcript on its own shareable page.

Video files versus audio files

Whether your source is video or audio, only the spoken audio matters for transcription. An MP4 contains both picture and sound, but the transcript is built from the sound. An MP3 or similar audio file works the same way. Because the video track is not needed, an audio-only file is often the most efficient thing to upload if you have the choice.

Captions or AI transcription

Uploaded files usually do not carry existing captions, so they are transcribed with AI, which costs one credit. If your file is short, the free tier helps: new accounts get three free credits plus one free AI transcription per day for videos up to ten minutes. When a source does have captions, reusing them is always free. For files without any text track, this is the same process as when you get text from a video with no captions.

Languages and accuracy

JotVox auto-detects the spoken language and transcribes in the original language across 99 languages, with no forced translation. On clear audio, accuracy is commonly around 98% or higher, and it drops with background noise, music, or strong accents. If your file is in another language, the guide on how to transcribe a video in any language has more detail.

Exporting your transcript

Once the file is transcribed, you can export in the format that fits your use:

TXT for a plain readable document.
SRT or VTT for captions or subtitles aligned to the video.

You can also download the audio as MP3 and generate an optional AI summary in the source language for one credit. To pick between formats, the SRT vs VTT vs TXT comparison explains what each is best for.

Try it: paste a video link into JotVox — grabbing existing captions is free, and new accounts get 3 free credits plus one free AI transcription a day.

Keep in mind the 90-minute per-file limit and that files are not stored after processing, so save your own copies of the media and the transcript.