To convert an M4V video to text, send the file to the Potok bot on Telegram and read the transcript in the chat. M4V is Apple's variant of MP4, used by iTunes video, so home exports and purchases both appear under this name. 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
- Videos you exported from an editor or a converter are ordinary files and can be sent as they are.
- Films and shows bought from a store may be protected, and protected files cannot be read.
- An M4V can carry extra tracks, such as chapters and subtitles, but the bot uses the speech.
- The extensions M4V and MP4 name close relatives, so renaming is not needed.
How to do it
- Say where the file came from. A video you shot or exported yourself is safe. A store purchase with protection will not work.
- Play the first minute. Check that the speech is audible and the file is not just a preview or a trailer.
- Open the bot. Start the chat with @potok_now_bot in Telegram.
- Send the video. Attach the M4V as a document. Use the Upload button of the mini app when the file is large.
- Export and add subtitles. Export SRT or VTT if you want subtitles, or DOCX for a written record.
What the result looks like
[00:00] Speaker 1: Today we make a tomato soup in twenty minutes.
[00:05] Speaker 1: Start with a spoon of oil in a hot pan.
[00:10] Speaker 1: Add chopped onions and stir.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Trying to transcribe a protected purchase | Copy protection stops the sound from being read. | Use your own videos or unprotected copies you have the right to use. |
| Mistaking embedded subtitles for the transcript | Built-in subtitle tracks are not read from the picture, and they may be missing. | Let the bot transcribe the speech. |
| Renaming .m4v to .mp4 | It is unnecessary, and a wrong guess about the contents can create problems. | Send the original file. |
| Sending a trailer or a sample | The text covers only the sample. | Send the full video. |
More
See the full list of languages, the tools and the glossary.
Frequently asked questions
What is an M4V file?
M4V is Apple's variant of MP4, used by iTunes video.
Is M4V the same as MP4?
They are close relatives. M4V is Apple's variant, and it may carry extra protection.
Can I transcribe a movie bought from a store?
Not if it is protected. Protected files cannot be read. Use your own recordings.
Do embedded subtitles help?
No. The bot works from the speech, not from the subtitle tracks.
What is the size limit for an M4V?
Files up to 2 GB are supported, and large ones go through the Upload button.
Sources
Each source was opened by hand on the date shown. Pages change, so open the source if a detail matters to you.
- M4V (Wikipedia), Wikipedia · checked
- MP4 file format, MPEG-4 Part 14 (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