These instructions explain how to automatically generate live captions in your web browser for any audio/video that is playing on your computer, including people speaking in a live Collaborate session.
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- Windows (the instructions don't cover macOS at the moment but a similar process does work there)
- Google Chrome web browser
- You must have administrator permissions on your computer and be able to install software on your computer
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When using Web Captioner, audio is sent to Google's speech-to-text service and captions are sent back to the browser. For more info read Web Captioner's privacy page.
Overview of the Process
The first step is to install a program called VB-Cable. We use VB-Cable to take your computer audio and turn it onto a virtual microphone. Next we will use a free website, Web Captioner, to listen to the virtual microphone and automatically generate live captions and display them in your web browser. To put this another way, Web Captioner will listen to your computer's audio and automatically caption what it hears. Web Captioner is a website, you will grant permission for Web Captioner to listen to your audio, and once you've closed the browser tab that runs Web Captioner it can no longer listen to your audio (until you re-open it).
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If you don't like the changes and don't wish to continue using live captioning, there are simple instructions at the bottom to essentially turn it off and go back to how things were.
Privacy: When using Web Captioner, audio is sent to Google's speech-to-text service and captions are sent back to the browser. For more info read Web Captioner's privacy page.
Steps
Download the VBVB-CABLE Driver. (if you want more info on what this is you can find it here).
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At the bottom right select the Start Captioning button. If When Web Captioner asks to use your microphone, grant it permissions permission to do so.
Web Captioner should now display the captions of any voice audio that is playing on your computer, including a live Collaborate session.
At this point Web Captioner should be working. If it's not working refer to the Troubleshooting section below.
Please
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continue reading the following information that is important in understanding how to use Web Captioner and how to manage your Windows audio settings.
Web Captioner: too quiet warning
Web Captioner often displays a "Too Quiet"
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warning at the bottom. If captioning is working then you can
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likely ignore this.
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Web Captioner
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settings
On the Web Captioner page at the bottom right is a a Settings button button. Click Click Settings once once to open the settings menu. In the settings menu you can can Save the transcript, Create a new window, or or Clear the transcript. If you click on the Settings button in the settings menu you'll see additional settings including some useful keyboard shortcuts at the bottom.
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While using VB-Cable, how to adjust volume settings
While using VB-Cable with the above configuration you will not be able to adjust the volume using the Windows master volume control, but you can still control the volume using the volume control in each program (e.g., Collaborate or YouTube volume slider).
You can also adjust the volume level of your speakers or microphone with the following steps: return to the Sound Control Panel, select the Playback tab, select the device you want to change the volume on, select the Properties button, select the Levels tab, change the volume level to your preference and click OK twice to close the Sound Control Panel.
While using VB-Cable, how to change your audio output device
You want to be able to keep using Web Captioner simply by opening it and pressing the Start Captioning button twice but you also want to switch between audio output devices (e.g. between headphones and speakers).
Steps: Return to the Windows Sound Control Panel. Select the Recording tab, select CABLE Output, select the Properties button, and select the Listen tab. Under Playback through this device, select the device you would like to switch to. Select the OK button twice to exit the Sound Control Panel.
How to
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Leave the Windows volume and the volume in your application (Collaborate, etc.) at 100%. To change the volume of your speakers or headset, return to the Sound Control Panel, select the Playback tab, select the device you want to change the volume on, select the Properties button, select the Levels tab, change the volume level to your preference and click OK twice to close the Sound Control Panel.
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stop using VB-Cable and reset your audio settings to how they were
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If you probably don't want to use Web Captioner again and simply want to return your audio settings to how they were.
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before following this guide
Steps: Return to the Windows Sound Control Panel. Under the Playback tab set your preferred speakers or headset to the default. Under the Recording tab select CABLE Output, select the Properties button, select the Listen tab, disable Listen to this device, and select the OK button. While you're still on the Recording tab, set your preferred microphone to the default. Select the OK button to exit the Sound Control Panel.
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