To convert an FLV video to text, send the file to the Potok bot on Telegram and the transcript comes back in the chat. FLV is the Flash Video container used by early web video, so most files are old downloads, webinars and lecture captures. 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
- Browsers dropped Flash years ago, so many FLV files now sit on drives with no easy way to watch them.
- FLV files often carry MP3 sound, so the speech itself is usually well preserved.
- A download that stopped halfway makes a file that plays only to a certain point.
- A transcript turns an unwatchable archive into text that can be searched.
How to do it
- Check that it plays. Open the file in a general media player. If the player opens it and you hear the speech, it is fine.
- Look at the length. Compare the length in the player with what you expect. A short file may be an interrupted download.
- Send it to the bot. Open @potok_now_bot in Telegram and attach the FLV as a document.
- Set labels. Webinars and panels have several voices, so switch on speaker labels and timestamps.
- Export and archive. Export DOCX or TXT and keep it with the video, since the video format may be hard to open later.
What the result looks like
[00:00] Speaker 1: Welcome to today's session on spreadsheet basics.
[00:05] Speaker 1: If you cannot hear me, please write in the chat.
[00:10] Speaker 2: Hello, I can hear you fine.
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 half-downloaded file | Everything after the break is missing from the text. | Download the video again or find another copy. |
| Looking for a Flash player | Flash players are out of date and may be unsafe. | Use a modern media player that supports FLV. |
| Taking a stream dump for a finished file | A recorded live stream may be cut or may restart in the middle. | Check the length and the sound before you send. |
| Converting a huge FLV to a different video format for no reason | It adds a step and a possible loss of sound quality. | Send the FLV directly unless it is larger than 2 GB. |
More
See the full list of languages, the tools and the glossary.
Frequently asked questions
What is an FLV file?
FLV is the Flash Video container used by early web video. It stores the picture and the sound of the clip.
Can I still transcribe FLV without Flash?
Yes. The bot reads the sound of the file and does not need Flash.
Why does my FLV not play?
Some players no longer support the format or the codec. A general purpose media player usually opens it.
Can I get subtitles for an old FLV?
Yes. Export the transcript as SRT or VTT. Most modern players can load them next to the video.
What is the size limit?
Files up to 2 GB are supported, and older web video is usually far smaller.
Sources
Each source was opened by hand on the date shown. Pages change, so open the source if a detail matters to you.
- Flash Video (Wikipedia), Wikipedia · checked
- MP3 (Wikipedia), Wikipedia · checked
- Bit rate (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