To convert an AVI video to text, send the file to the Potok bot on Telegram and the transcript returns in the chat. AVI is a container introduced by Microsoft and is still found in old recordings, such as camcorder tapes and DVD rips. Files up to 2 GB are accepted. Export TXT, DOCX, PDF, SRT or VTT.
Transcribe a recording
Send your voice message, audio or video to @potok_now_bot on Telegram and the text comes back in the chat.
Open @potok_now_bot in Telegram
Files up to 2 GB · export to TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT and VTT · speaker labels and timestamps · about 30 languages
Key facts
- An AVI file is only a container, so what matters for the text is the sound track inside it.
- Old captures, such as digitised family tapes and meetings recorded long ago, are the usual reason to open one now.
- Video makes files large, so a long AVI can pass the 2 GB limit even when the speech itself is short.
- Timestamps let you match each passage to the picture.
How to do it
- Play the file once. Open it in a media player. If the picture plays but the sound does not, there is nothing to transcribe.
- Check the size. Right-click the file and read its size. Anything over 2 GB has to be cut or have its audio saved separately.
- Open the chat. Go to @potok_now_bot in Telegram.
- Send the AVI. Use the Upload button of the bot's mini app for a big file, or attach it as a document.
- Export what you need. Choose DOCX for a written record of the tape, or SRT to get subtitles for the video.
What the result looks like
[00:00] Speaker 1: Say hello to the camera, everyone.
[00:04] Speaker 2: Hello! Happy birthday, Grandpa!
[00:08] Speaker 3: Thank you, thank you, now cut the cake.
Sample text written by us to show the layout of a transcript. It is not the output of the recognition engine and not a real recording.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Where it works | Telegram bot @potok_now_bot; large files go through the bot's mini app |
| File size | Up to 2 GB |
| Export | TXT, MD, DOCX, PDF, SRT, VTT |
| Speakers and time | Speaker labels and timestamps can be switched on |
| Languages | About 30 languages with good published results; a few more with warnings |
| Translation | The transcript is not translated into another language |
| Dictation | A separate Potok desktop app lets you dictate text into any program; it recognises Russian speech |
Common mistakes
| Mistake | What happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Sending a huge uncompressed capture | Raw video can weigh many gigabytes per hour and will not fit the limit. | Save only the audio track, or cut the video into parts. |
| Converting to MP4 first out of habit | It takes time and can degrade the sound without helping recognition. | Send the AVI as it is. |
| Skipping the playback test | Some old files have a rare codec and play without sound. | Make sure you hear the speech before you send. |
| Forgetting that a silent camcorder tape has no speech | The result is empty, and it looks like a fault. | Check that the recording has voices at all. |
More
See the full list of languages, the tools and the glossary.
Frequently asked questions
What is an AVI file?
It is a container introduced by Microsoft and still found in old recordings. It holds a video stream and an audio stream.
Can I transcribe an AVI without converting it?
Yes. Send the file as it is. Conversion is only needed if it is larger than the limit.
Why does my AVI give an empty result?
The sound track may be silent, damaged or in a codec your player cannot decode. Test the sound in a player first.
How large an AVI can I send?
Files up to 2 GB are supported, and larger ones can be cut into parts.
Can I get subtitles for the old video?
Yes. Export the transcript as SRT or VTT and load the file with the video.
Sources
Each source was opened by hand on the date shown. Pages change, so open the source if a detail matters to you.
- Audio Video Interleave (Wikipedia), Wikipedia · checked
- Bit rate (Wikipedia), Wikipedia · checked
- Megabyte (Wikipedia), Wikipedia · checked
Try it on your own recording
Send your voice message, audio or video to @potok_now_bot on Telegram and the text comes back in the chat.
Open @potok_now_bot in Telegram