Zoom just got one of its best features yet: How to use it

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Real-time transcription takes Zoom meetings to the next level

Zoom just got a killer feature to beat every video call app
(Image credit: Zoom)

Zoom's newest feature is about to give the video conferencing service a leg up over some of the other best video chat apps battling for the loyalty of everyone working from home. 

Otter.ai, a real-time chat transcription service, now lets Zoom call participants view a live text log of the conversation taking place. The integration also lets users review and search a past meeting's record at any time, which sounds like it would be helpful for important work conferences.

Call participants can co-edit the script, highlight text or tag speakers in the log as the conversation takes place. Otter's AI smarts seem to help it differentiate who is speaking based on assigned tags as well.

Otter's transcription tool is well-suited for Zoom's present mode, too. When its enabled, the audience can view live captions while the presenter goes about their lecture or demonstration.

Real-time transcription is Zoom's latest play to maintain its edge. Google Meet recently unveiled new features like gallery layout and easy integration with Gmail, while Skype announced Meet Now video calls that don't require a sign-up or app installation. 

To clarify, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet also have caption and transcription features. But the Otter integration should specifically benefit the surge of Zoom users who have transitioned to working from home in recent weeks.

Ready to start transcribing your Zoom meetings in real time? Here's what you need to know about getting started with Otter and Live Video Meeting Notes.

(Image credit: Otter.ai)

How to get meeting transcription for Zoom

To start seeing real-time meeting transcription for Zoom, you'll first need to sign up for one of Otter's paid plans. The service offers Basic, Premium and Team plans with varying prices and features.

You'll also need access to a Zoom Pro, Business or Enterprise account. Only with these tiers can you sync your Zoom cloud meetings with Otter for automatic transcription.

If users are a part of a Business or Enterprise plan, they will need their Zoom administrator to review Otter's permissions before deploying the service to the marketplace.

Once Otter is approved for your meetings, click “Otter.ai Live Transcript” button in your chat window to enable Live Video Meeting Notes. You'll be redirected to Otter's website, where you'll be able to see and edit your conversation's transcript in real time.

Looking for more Zoom hacks and tips? Check out our guide on how to use Zoom, or the best free Zoom backgrounds if you already know how to change your Zoom background in Zoom.

Kate Kozuch
Kate Kozuch

Kate Kozuch is the managing editor of social and video at Tom’s Guide. She writes about smartwatches, TVs, audio devices, and some cooking appliances, too. Kate appears on Fox News to talk tech trends and runs the Tom's Guide TikTok account, which you should be following if you don't already. When she’s not filming tech videos, you can find her taking up a new sport, mastering the NYT Crossword or channeling her inner celebrity chef. 

5 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Anatidae
    Doesn't Google Meet have a transcribe feature built in already?
    https://support.google.com/meet/answer/9300310?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en
    Reply
  • maulificent1
    The article makes this sound like this is some great new thing, but Webex and Teams have had this for a while.... if you are going to report on products.... might be good to know the actual industry
    Reply
  • elmoalso
    maulificent1 said:
    The article makes this sound like this is some great new thing, but Webex and Teams have had this for a while.... if you are going to report on products.... might be good to know the actual industry

    If you are going to criticize an article.... might be good to actually read the entire article first. It saves a lot of embarrassment.
    Reply
  • maulificent1
    No the embarrassment is in the first line of the article it says. "Zoom's newest feature is about to give the video conferencing service a leg up over some of the other best video chat apps battling for the loyalty of everyone working from home. " but ends it by clarifying that the same services it is battling has this feature.... how do you get a leg up.... when you are playing catch-up to the same competitors..... if the article said Zoom gets great new feature to provide parity to the rest of the industry...then maybe it would actually have some semblance of value.... or better yet focus on how far behind Zoom is vs its competitors.....
    Reply
  • BLVDESTAT
    So, wasn't Zoom supposed to stop ALL work on new features to be able to focus on fixing their security issues? As far as I know, some meeting keys are still being issued by Beijing, even when all members of those calls are in the states. New features are the opiate of the masses.
    Reply