Sonifex D:Scribe Transcription Systems Instruction Manual

D:Scribe
Transcription Systems
User Handbook

bD:Scribe User Handbook
This handbook is for use with the following software/hardware products:
DS-STS3: D:Scribe Standalone with DS-FPS3 foot-pedal, 3 pedal version with 9 pin serial connector.
DS-STU3: D:Scribe Standalone with DS-FPU3 foot-pedal, 3 pedal version with USB connector.
DS-ST01: D:Scribe Standalone licence - 1 user licence.
DS-ST05: D:Scribe Standalone licence - 5 user licence.
DS-ST25: D:Scribe Standalone licence - 25 user licence.
DS-ST100: D:Scribe Standalone licence - 100 user licence.
DS-SVR: D:Scribe Server licence.
DS-CL01: D:Scribe Client licence - 1 client licence.
DS-CL05: D:Scribe Client licence - 5 client licence.
DS-CL10: D:Scribe Client licence - 10 client licence.
DS-CL25: D:Scribe Client licence - 25 client licence.
DS-FPS3: D:Scribe foot-pedal, 3 pedal version with 9 pin serial connector.
DS-FPU3: D:Scribe foot-pedal, 3 pedal version with USB connector.
This handbook is for use with the following software versions:
D:Scribe Standalone V2.0x
D:Scribe Client & Server V2.0x
Revision 1.01 September, 2007
©Sonifex Ltd, 2000-7
All Rights Reserved
Sonifex Ltd, 61, Station Road, Irthlingborough,
Northants, NN9 5QE, England.
Tel : [phone]
Fax : [phone]
Email : [email protected].uk or [email protected].uk
Web : http://www.sonifex.co.uk
Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent
a commitment on the part of Sonifex Ltd. Sonifex Ltd shall not be liable for any loss or
damage whatsoever arising form the use of information or any error contained in this
manual.
No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or information storage and
retrieval systems, for any purpose other than the purchaser’s personal use, without the
express written permission of Sonifex Ltd.
Unless otherwise noted, all names of companies, products and persons contained herein
are part of a completely fictitious adaptation and are designed solely to document the use
of Sonifex products.

D:Scribe User Handbook i
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
Contents
Licence Agreement ii
Definitions ii
Software Licence ii
Limited Warranty & Remedies iii
Warranty Disclaimer iii
Object Code iv
Limitation of Liability iv
Copyright iv
1 D:Scribe Transcription Systems 1
Introduction to D:Scribe Standalone 1
Introduction to D:Scribe Server & Client 2
Sonifex Net-Log Audio Logger 3
Synchronising Time on the System 4
D:Scribe Transcription Technical Specification 5
2 D:Scribe Standalone 6
Introduction 6
Licencing and Dongles 6
Installation of D:Scribe Standalone and USB Dongle 6
V1.0 to V2.0 Upgrade Features 9
Foot Pedal Control 10
Playback 12
Transcription 18
Opening an HTTP or Streaming Source 24
Recorder 25
CD-Ripper 28
3 D:Scribe Server 30
Introduction 30
Installation 30
Licencing 30
Licencing and Dongles 31
Setup 31
The Status Screen 36
The Control Screen 37
The Archive Screen 38
The Archiving Process 38
Auto Delete 40
The Event Log 41
Email Status Report 41
The Database Maintenance Screen 42
4 D:Scribe Client 44
Introduction 44
Installation 44
Licencing and Dongles 44
Setup 44
Foot Pedal Control 45
The Cut List 47
Play Controls 48
Transcription 49
Small Player 50
Send As Email 51
Searching Transcriptions 52
5 D:Scribe MiniPlayer 53
Introduction 53
Installation 53
Setup Of Archives 56
Transport Controls 58
Trackbar 58
Volume Control 58
Playback 58
MS-Word Integration 58

ii D:Scribe User Handbook
FIGURES
FIGURES
Figures
Fig 1-1: D:Scribe Server & Client Diagram 2
Fig 2-1: The D:Scribe Standalone Dongle 6
Fig 2-2: The Welcome Screen 7
Fig 2-3: The Licence Screen 7
Fig 2-4: The Install Screen 7
Fig 2-5: The Windows Found New Hardware Wizard Screen 8
Fig 2-6: The Windows Wizard Install Screen 8
Fig 2-7: The Windows Installation Completed Screen 8
Fig 2-8: The D:Scribe USB Footpedal 10
Fig 2-9: The Control Menu 11
Fig 2-10: The D:Scribe Playback Screen with a single media file loaded 12
Fig 2-11: The D:Scribe Media Playback Controls 12
Fig 2-12: The D:Scribe Recorded Date/Time Display 13
Fig 2-13: The D:Scribe Playlist 15
Fig 2-14: The D:Scribe Video Panel 17
Fig 2-15: The D:Scribe Open Media File Screen 18
Fig 2-16: The D:Scribe Open Script Screen 19
Fig 2-17: The D:Scribe Transcription Screen 19
Fig 2-18: The D:Scribe Playlist Screen 20
Fig 2-19: The D:Scribe Inserts Screen 20
Fig 2-20: The D:Scribe Transcription Screen 21
Fig 2-21: The D:Scribe Compact Player Screen 22
Fig 2-22: The D:Scribe Email Screen 23
Fig 2-23: The D:Scribe Open URL Screen 24
Fig 2-24: The D:Scribe Recorder Screen 25
Fig 2-25: CD-Ripper screen with 14 tracks selected on an audio CD 28
Fig 3-1: The D:Scribe Server Dongle 31
Fig 3-2: The D:Scribe Server Settings Screen 32
Fig 3-3: The D:Scribe Netlog List 34
Fig 3-4: The D:Scribe Client List 35
Fig 3-5: The D:Scribe Status Screen 36
Fig 3-6: The D:Scribe Control Screen 37
Fig 3-7: The D:Scribe Archive Screen 38
Fig 3-8: The D:Scribe Log Screen 41

D:Scribe User Handbook iii
FIGURES
FIGURES
Figures
Fig 3-9: The D:Scribe Database Screen 42
Fig 4-1: The D:Scribe Client Dongle 44
Fig 4-2: The D:Scribe Settings Screen 45
Fig 4-3: The D:Scribe Inserts Screen 46
Fig 4-4: The D:Scribe Net-Log List 47
Fig 4-5: The D:Scribe Cut List Display 47
Fig 4-6: The D:Scribe Client Screen 50
Fig 4-7: The D:Scribe Small Player 50
Fig 4-8: The D:Scribe Email Screen 51
Fig 4-9: The D:Scribe Search Screen 52
Fig5-1: The Welcome Screen 53
Fig 5-2: The Licence Screen 54
Fig 5-3: The Install Screen 54
Fig 5-4: The Windows Found New Hardware Wizard Screen. 54
Fig 5-5: The Windows Wizard Install Screen. 55
Fig 5-6: The Windows Installation Completed Screen. 55
Fig 5.7 D:Scribe MiniPlayer 56
Fig 5.8 Menu Button 56
Fig 5.9 Open Archive Menu 56
Fig 5.10 Setup Archive Sources 56
Fig 5.11 Selecting the Source Folder 57
Fig 5.12 Opening Archived Audio 57
Fig 5.13 Trackbar loaded with audio 57

iv D:Scribe User Handbook
LICENCE AGREEMENT
LICENCE AGREEMENT
Licence Agreement
This is a legal agreement between you, the end user, and Sonifex Limited.
BY PROCEEDING WITH THE INSTALLATION OR USE OF THE SOFTWARE, YOU AGREE TO BE
BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS
AGREEMENT, DO NOT INSTALL OR USE THIS SOFTWARE.
Sonifex Limited (“Sonifex”) and the individual or entity acquiring the Software (“Licencee”),
agree as follows:
1 Definitions
“Software” means the computer program(s) in machine-readable form furnished to Licencee
by Sonifex or Sonifex’s suppliers, in whatever media and by whatever method. Software
includes any related update or upgrade programs that may be added from time-to-time.
“Hardware” means the equipment, furnished to Licencee by Sonifex or Sonifex’s suppliers, to
which the Software relates. Hardware is to be used solely in conjunction with the Software.
2 Software Licence
a Sonifex hereby grants to Licencee a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use
the Software for Licencee’s internal purposes only, on any computer possessed by
Licencee on which the Software is designed to operate, such use to be in accordance
with and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
b Licencee shall not distribute, lend, incorporate, modify, or use the Software for any
purpose except as expressly provided herein. Licencee may transfer rights under this
Agreement on a permanent basis, provided all copies of the Software and all written
materials are transferred, and the recipient agrees to the terms of this Agreement.
c If Licencee fails to comply with the provisions of this Agreement, the Licence is
automatically terminated.
d Except for the rights expressly granted herein to Licencee, the title and all intellectual
property rights in and to the Software and any copy of the Software which may be
made by Licencee hereunder remain the sole and exclusive property of Sonifex and/or
Sonifex’s licensors.

D:Scribe User Handbook v
LICENCE AGREEMENT
LICENCE AGREEMENT
3 Limited Warranty & Remedies
a Sonifex warrants to Licencee that the media containing the Software will be free from
defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service for a period of
ninety (90) days from the date of delivery.
b Sonifex further warrants that (a) the Software will perform substantially in accordance
with the accompanying Product Manual(s) for a period of ninety (90) days from the
date of delivery; and (b) any Sonifex supplied Hardware accompanying the Software
will be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service
for a period of one year from the date of receipt. Any implied warranties on the
Software and Hardware are limited to ninety (90) days and one (1) year, respectively,
or the shortest period permitted by applicable law, whichever is greater.
c Any products which are not returned to Sonifex within the warranty period or which
have been subject to accident, abuse, misuse, alteration, neglect, or unauthorised
repair or installation are not covered by warranty.
4 Warranty Disclaimer
EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE EXPRESSED LIMITED WARRANTIES, SONIFEX MAKES NO
WARRANTIES ON THE SOFTWARE, WHETHER EXPRESSED, IMPLIED, STATUTORY, OR IN
ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT OR COMMUNICATION WITH LICENCEE,
AND SONIFEX SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY
OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. SONIFEX DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE
OPERATION OF THE SOFTWARE BY LICENCEE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR
FREE. LICENCEE ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY FOR SELECTION OF THE SOFTWARE AND
HARDWARE TO ACHIEVE ITS INTENDED RESULTS, AND FOR THE PROPER INSTALLATION,
USE, AND RESULTS OBTAINED FROM THE SOFTWARE. EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE
EXPRESSED LIMITED WARRANTIES, LICENCEE ASSUMES THE ENTIRE RISK OF THE
SOFTWARE PROVING DEFECTIVE OR FAILING TO PERFORM PROPERLY AND IN SUCH
EVENT, LICENCEE SHALL ASSUME THE ENTIRE COST AND RISK OF ANY REPAIR, SERVICE,
CORRECTION, OR ANY OTHER LIABILITIES OR DAMAGES CAUSED BY OR ASSOCIATED
WITH THE SOFTWARE.
SONIFEXS’SOLE LIABILITY, AND LICENCEE’S SOLE REMEDY, IS SET FORTH ABOVE.

vi D:Scribe User Handbook
5 Object Code
Licencee shall not attempt to reverse translate, de-compile or otherwise attempt to derive
the source code of the Software. In the event any source code is explicitly licenced to
Licencee as part of the Software, such limitation will not apply to such source code. Licencee
shall not alter or remove from the Software any copyright, trademark or other proprietary
notices of Sonifex and/or Sonifex’s licensors. Any use or attempted use of the Software
in violation of the foregoing restrictions is a breach of the Agreement which will cause
irreparable harm to Sonifex, entitling Sonifex to injunctive relief in addition to all
legal remedies.
6 Limitation of Liability
a Licencee agrees that Sonifex’s entire liability to Licencee and Licencee’s sole remedy
hereunder for any cause whatsoever, regardless of the form of the action, and at
Sonifex’s option, shall be limited to either (a) the price paid to Sonifex for the Software
and Hardware or (b) repair or replacement of the Software or Hardware that does
not meet Sonifex’s Limited Warranty and which is returned to Sonifex with a copy of
Licencee’s receipt or invoice. Any replacement Software or Hardware will be warranted
for the remainder of the original warranty period or 30 days, whichever is longer.
b TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, SONIFEX AND ITS
SUPPLIERS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY OTHER DAMAGES WHATSOEVER
(INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS,
BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, OR OTHER
PECUNIARY LOSS) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THIS SONIFEX
PRODUCT, EVEN IF SONIFEX HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGES. IN ANY CASE, SONIFEXS’ENTIRE LIABILITY UNDER ANY PROVISION OF
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT ACTUALLY PAID FOR THE
SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE.
7 Copyright
The Software is owned by Sonifex and is protected by United Kingdom copyright laws,
international treaty provisions and all other applicable national laws.
This Agreement is governed by the laws of England.
LICENCE AGREEMENT
LICENCE AGREEMENT

D:Scribe User Handbook 1
D:SCRIBE TRANSCRIPTION SYSTEMS
1
1 D:Scribe Transcription Systems
Introduction to D:Scribe Standalone
D:Scribe Standalone (DS-STS3 or DS-STU3) is a package of PC transcription software
together with a 3 pedal foot-controller, for simple, fast and effective transcription of pre-
recorded audio files. The software was designed for third-party transcription services and
anyone using D:Scribe Client and Server who needs to transcribe audio files off-site. For use
without the foot-pedal, D:Scribe Standalone licences can be ordered (DS-ST01, DS-ST05,
DS-ST25, DS-ST100).
D:Scribe Standalone is the perfect transcription package to use for quick, simple voice-to-
text conversion which can be used either with it’s own text editor, or which can “float” on
top of another application, such as MS Word™.
D:Scribe Standalone has all the transcription features of the full Client & Server version, but
doesn’t have the management database structure for multiple clients.
Standard audio controls for transcription include Play, Pause, (Fast) Forward and Rewind by
defined amounts. Holding the Rewind and Fast-Forward buttons makes them decrement
and increment faster depending on your settings. Previous and Next buttons allow you to
go to the previous and next recordings respectively, which is useful where a long session
has been captured over a number of recordings. There are also volume & playback speed
controls. A foot-pedal is supplied as standard with this package which controls the Play/
Pause, Forward & Rewind buttons.
Bookmarks allow you to define new start and end playback points and the recorded time
and date can be altered on screen to create a time-start reference point. A playlist can be
compiled to play through multiple files and the playback speed can be altered between
slow, normal and fast at a constant pitch.
The software includes options to change the functionality of the foot-pedal: To allow one
touch start/stop of the play pedal, of ‘hold down to play’ operation; playback can skip back
a number of seconds on pausing; fast forward and rewind pedals can be reversed and
recordings can optionally be controlled by the foot-pedal.
A spell-checker is available and 12 user defined function keys can be used to enter
repetitive material such as names, places and recurring events. The recorded time & date
(if transcribing Net-Log audio files) and the current time & date are also available.
Finished transcripts can be simply emailed by clicking the on-screen email button, which
runs your standard email client to send the text file.
D:Scribe Standalone operates with all MS Windows Media Player™ standard file types:
broadcast .wav, .wav, .aif, .aifc, .aiff, .asf, .asx, .wax, .wma, .wmv, .wvx, .wmp, .wmx, .avi, .mpeg,
.mpg, .m1v, .mp2, .mp3, .mpa, .mpe, .mpv2 and .m3u.
V2.0 D:Scribe Standalone adds a number of additional features including support for video
playback from DVD. See page 9 for further information.
D:SCRIBE TRANSCRIPTION SYSTEMS

2D:Scribe User Handbook
D:SCRIBE TRANSCRIPTION SYSTEMS
1
Introduction to D:Scribe Server & Client
D:Scribe Server and Client is a database system which can be used to categorise, transcribe
and then file audio recordings with their transcripts. Applications include transcriptions for
police interviews, law courts, solicitors offices & council meetings.
D:Scribe Client and Server operates seamlessly with the Sonifex Net-Log audio logger.
Audio recorded on up to 20 Net-Logs can be archived to a defined server IP address where
audio files can be stored and logged. The audio files automatically appear in the database
structure of D:Scribe Server with the recorded time and date available. Additionally,
recording and archiving on the Net-Logs can be controlled from D:Scribe Server.
Fig 1-1: D:Scribe Server & Client Diagram.
Organisational Efficiency - Link Audio & Text Files Automatically
D:Scribe Client and Server is a software suite which runs under Microsoft SQL2000™ on
MS Windows 2000 Server™ or Windows 2003 Server™. It provides an environment where
pre-recorded audio files can be categorized, searched and then transcribed and is ideal
for environments where you have multiple channels of audio recordings which need to be
transcribed by many people on a network.
Recordings are stored in the D:Scribe Server software where they are categorised and made
available to the attached Clients. Audio files are automatically linked to the transcriptions
allowing you to systematically arrange and classify the stored information.
Quick & Simple Searching For Audio or Text From Your Desktop
The D:Scribe Client allows you to search for recorded audio by recorded Net-Log, recorded
channel (which could be a particular microphone in a court, a channel on a recorded radio
frequency, or a particular meeting room) or by recorded time and date. Once you find the
audio that you wish to transcribe, you can take“ownership” of it (which will notify other
Clients that you are working on it, if they try and transcribe it). You can then use either the
software controls, or the optional foot-pedal, to begin transcription, in a dedicated
text window.
D:SCRIBE TRANSCRIPTION SYSTEMS
Net-Log 01
D:Scribe Client 01 D:Scribe Standalone
E - Mail
Room 1 Room 2 Room 3 Room 4
10/100 Switch
D:Scribe Client 02
D:Scribe Client 03
Net-Log 02
Net-Log 03
Net-Log 04
Server running:
D:Scribe Server and
Microsoft SQL Server

D:Scribe User Handbook 3
D:SCRIBE TRANSCRIPTION SYSTEMS
1
Once transcription is finished, the text is available and is linked to the audio file. It can then
easily be referenced, emailed or exported. You can globally search transcriptions for text,
refining the audio files that you search, by Net-Log, recording day, channel, time and date, or
script status (new, audio only, text only, audio & text, or open).
Foot-Controlled Playback & Function Key Text Insertion
Standard audio controls for transcription include Play, Pause, (Fast) Forward and Rewind by
defined amounts. Holding the Rewind and Fast-Forward buttons makes them decrement
and increment faster depending on your settings. Previous and Next buttons allow you to
go to the previous and next recordings respectively, which is useful where a long session
has been captured over a number of recordings. There are also volume & playback speed
controls. The Play/Pause, Forward & Rewind buttons can be controlled with the optional
DS-FPS3 or DS-FPU3 foot-pedals.
The transcription window has a spell checker and 12 user defined function keys can be used
to enter repetitive material such as names, places and recurring events. The recorded time &
date and the current time & date are also available.
D:Scribe contains Auto-Archive and Auto-Delete software so that you can define how
long recorded audio files & scripts are stored on the server, e.g. files can be automatically
removed after a period of time (between 2 and 99 days), eliminating an administration task.
Sonifex Net-Log Audio Logger
The Sonifex Net-Log is a 4 channel audio logger which can record weeks of programming
on a large internal hard-disk. The unit was designed as dedicated hardware for reliability
reasons, i.e. there’s no PC motherboard in this machine. Although PC based systems are
great for playback, they generally aren’t robust enough for continuous recording 24/7/365.
The Net-Log was designed from the ground up to offer :
• Highreliabilityforcontinuousoperation.
• Highqualityaudio(mpegcompressed).
• Compatibilitywithexistingbroadcast&Windowsbasedsystems(savesbwfles).
• Automaticoperationwithverysimpletousesoftware.
All audio created by Net-Log is Windows Media Player compatible so files can be emailed to
colleagues and customers and played out on any PC with a sound system.
There are many applications for Net-Log, from radio stations recording their broadcasts for
regulatory purposes, to small call centres, law firms and security companies using them for
monitoring. Net-Logs have been installed in court rooms & police interview rooms for audio
surveillance and, when combined with the D:Scribe transcription system, offer a cost saving
desk-top based logging & filing system for audio & transcripts.
D:SCRIBE TRANSCRIPTION SYSTEMS

4D:Scribe User Handbook
D:SCRIBE TRANSCRIPTION SYSTEMS
1
Key Features of Net-Log :
• Dedicatedreliablemulti-channelrecordinghardware.
• EasytouseWindows™remoteoperationforplayback,archiving,streaming
and configuration.
• Independentlycongurablechannelpairstorecordatdierentsamplerates,dierent
bit rates and in mono or stereo.
• Recordingdurationcongurationofthechannelstosuityourneeds,e.g.2channelsof
low quality logging for 6 months together with two channels of high quality logging
for 1 week, on one machine.
• Recordinputscanbecontrolledremotely,e.g.snooprecordingfromamic-liveoutput
of a mixer.
• Upto250,000recordingsperchannelcanbemade.
• EachNet-LoghasitsownIPaddress,soanumberofmachinescanbeinstalledonthe
same network.
• Automatedvoicerecording-eachchannelcanstartandstoprecordingautomatically
by setting audio threshold levels, which means that it can be used for voice controlled
systems and telephony recording.
• Fail-safealarmindicatorsandremotes.
• Passwordprotectionandsecurityaccessrightstosystem.
Synchronising Time on the System
Using the Net-Logs together with D:Scribe Server and Client, it is very important to
synchronise the PCs used, and the Net-Logs, to a known reference time. There are a number
of standard clock systems that can be used to accurately set a PC servers time, but to
synchronise the Net-Logs, you must use the Sonifex Mentor Time Server software. This can
also be used to synchronize the time for any number of PC’s on a network from a server with
a known accurate time.
For more information on the Mentor software, please contact Sonifex.
D:SCRIBE TRANSCRIPTION SYSTEMS

D:Scribe User Handbook 5
D:SCRIBE TRANSCRIPTION SYSTEMS
1
D:Scribe Transcription Technical Specification
Minimum System Requirements
D:Scribe Server: Pentium 3 800MHz, 512Mb RAM.
Disk space required depends on how long archived audio is kept
(and bitrates used).
MS Windows 2000™, MS Windows 2003™, XP Pro™.
MS SQL 2000™.
D:Scribe Client: Pentium 3 800MHz, 256Mb RAM
MS Windows 2000™, MS Windows 2003™, XP Pro™.
D:Scribe Standalone: Pentium 3 800MHz, 128Mb RAM.
MS Windows 2000™, MS Windows 2003™, XP Home™, XP Pro™.
Equipment Type D:Scribe Standalone
DS-STS3: D:Scribe Standalone with DS-FPS3 foot-pedal, 3 pedal version
with 9 pin serial connector.
DS-STU3: D:Scribe Standalone with DS-FPU3 foot-pedal, 3 pedal
version with USB connector.
DS-ST01 D:Scribe Standalone licence - 1 user licence.
DS-ST05 D:Scribe Standalone licence - 5 user licence.
DS-ST25 D:Scribe Standalone licence - 25 user licence.
DS-ST100 D:Scribe Standalone licence - 100 user licence.
Equipment Type D:Scribe Client & Server
DS-SVR: D:Scribe Server licence (note this needs MS SQL 2000™ to operate).
DS-CL01: D:Scribe Client licence - 1 client licence.
DS-CL05: D:Scribe Client licence - 5 client licence.
DS-CL10: D:Scribe Client licence - 10 client licence.
DS-CL25: D:Scribe Client licence - 25 client licence.
DS-FPS3: D:Scribe foot-pedal, 3 pedal version with 9 pin serial connector.
DS-FPU3: D:Scribe foot-pedal, 3 pedal version with USB connector.
Licensing
Each installation of D:Scribe Server, D:Scribe Client and D:Scribe Standalone requires the
use of the correct USB dongle to unlock the full features of the software. The software
can be installed on any number of PCs, but will only operate with all features if a USB
dongle is attached.
D:SCRIBE TRANSCRIPTION SYSTEMS

6D:Scribe User Handbook
D:SCRIBE STANDALONE
D:SCRIBE STANDALONE
2 D:Scribe Standalone
Introduction
D:Scribe Standalone includes features designed to play audio and video files for
transcription purposes (including audio CDs and DVDs), record audio files using the line-in
or microphone sources of your computer, and to record/rip audio CDs to your computer’s
hard disk.
In addition, media files can be sourced from the Internet using http protocols and streaming
formats such as ASX and WVX are supported.
D:Scribe Standalone can be used purely as a media player with footpedal control in
conjunction with word-processing packages (such as MS-Word) for transcription production.
Licencing and Dongles
D:Scribe Standalone uses a USB dongle to unlock the full features and functionality of
the software.
The software can be used for demonstration and evaluation purposes without a dongle, but
with limited functionality.
When using D:Scribe Standalone without a dongle, a screen reminding you of the limited
functionality will be shown periodically.
Limited functionality precludes saving transcripts and copying typed text to the clipboard,
also recordings made in the Record Screen are limited to 30 seconds in length.
Fig 2-1: The D:Scribe Standalone Dongle.
Installation of D:Scribe Standalone and USB Dongle
D:Scribe Standalone should be installed on a Microsoft Windows based desktop PC
equipped with a sound card capable of playing the required audio and video material.
Install D:Scribe Standalone from the Sonifex Software Installation CD-ROM by selecting
‘D:Scribe Standalone Installation’and follow the on-screen instructions.
- You must have Administrator Rights to install this product successfully.
Step 1. Run Setup.exe.
2

D:Scribe User Handbook 7
2
D:SCRIBE STANDALONE
D:SCRIBE STANDALONE
Fig 2-2: The Welcome Screen.
Fig 2-3: The Licence Screen.
Fig 2-4: The Install Screen.

8D:Scribe User Handbook
Step 2. Insert dongle into a USB port.
Step 3. Windows will start ‘Found New Hardware Wizard’.
D:SCRIBE STANDALONE
D:SCRIBE STANDALONE
2
Fig 2-5: The Windows Found New
Hardware Wizard Screen.
This screen will ask ‘Can
Windows connect to Windows
Update to search for software?’
- select ‘No, not this time’ and
click ‘Next’
Fig 2-6: The Windows Wizard
Install Screen.
This screen will ask ‘What do
you want the wizard to do?’
- Select ‘Install the software
automatically (Recommended)’
and click ‘Next’. Windows may
then create a Restore Point.
Fig 2-7: The Windows Installation
Completed Screen.
Choose on ‘Finish’to complete
the dongle installation.

D:Scribe User Handbook 9
Step 4. Run D:Scribe Standalone by selecting ‘Start->All Programs->Sonifex->
D:Scribe Standalone’from the start menu.
Note: you will need to have the dongle inserted into a USB port each time you use D:
Scribe Standalone.
Note: Best practice is to use the same USB port each time for the dongle. Using another
port may require you to reinstall the drivers (Step 3).
V1.0 to V2.0 Upgrade Features
lScreen layout changes, including support for XP themes using the manifest.
lNew trackbar allows start and stop marks (also can stop on end-mark).
lMute control added.
l‘Stay On Top’ is now optional for compact and normal window size.
lStart Bar caption can optionally display Play Position, Recorded Time or Time Remaining.
lInsert List on right of transcript space instead of a status bar:
lCtrl+shift+I for show/hide (also from menu).
lVideo Panel to left of transcript space:
lCtrl+shift+v for show/hide (also from menu).
lCD Ripper can optionally rip in WMA format.
lPlay Speed – fast, normal, slow with constant pitch:
lDepends on soundcard, drivers, sample rate/format of files.
lTested with MP3, WMA audio, WMV video.
lPlay directly from audio CDs.
lMPEG4 video and audio playback (mp4, m4a files):
lRequires third-party driver in WinXP.
lSupport for USB footpedal:
lAuto detected when starting application.
lNo USB footpedal detected, allows serial footpedal selection.
lDongle Protected:
lWithout dongle – no save, no copy, recordings limited to 30secs, popup message every
2 minutes.
lDVD / VOB playback.
lOption to control start/stop of recording process via footpedal.
lOption to swap FWD/REW pedals to suit user.
lAble to open audio/video files from http://source
leg http://www.sonifex.co.uk/test/a.wmv
lAble to playback and record http:// streams
lCtrl+U (also from menu).
lASX and WVX streaming audio from Internet radio stations, e.g.
- TalkSport http://194.46.8.124/talksport-live.asx
lRecord via‘Stereo Mix’ source into MP3/WAV.
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10 D:Scribe User Handbook
Foot Pedal Control
D:Scribe Standalone can be used with a USB (DS-STU3 and DS-FPU3) or serial (DS-STS3 and
DS-FPS3) footpedal for convenient use of the playback controls.
USB Foot Pedals
The USB foot pedal is detected automatically by D:Scribe, and so no user-intervention is
required. If you attached the foot pedal after starting D:Scribe, you may need to restart D:
Scribe to use your foot pedal. Once the USB foot-pedal is connected, the option to select the
COM port for a serial foot-pedal is disabled in the Control menu.
Fig 2-8: The D:Scribe USB Footpedal.
Serial Port Foot Pedals
If your footpedal came supplied with a USB to serial converter cable, please read the
instructions and install the software supplied as required.
To select the port for the footpedal, select ‘Control->Footpedal’ from the menu. Then select
‘Enable’ from the ‘Control->Footpedal’ menu.
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D:Scribe User Handbook 11
Fig 2-9: The Control Menu.
Defining Left and Right Pedals
Should you feel uncomfortable using the left pedal for forwarding and the right pedal for
rewinding media, the operation of these pedals can be swapped by selecting ‘Control-
>Footpedal->Left-Right Pedal Action’from the menu.
Playback Control
To use the foot pedal to control playback functions, select ‘Control->Footpedal->Playback
Screen Enable’ from the menu.
Recording Control
To use the foot pedal to start/stop the recording process in the Recorder Screen, select
‘Control->Footpedal->Recorder Screen Enable’from the menu.
D:SCRIBE STANDALONE
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12 D:Scribe User Handbook
Playback
The Playback screen is used to view the text for transcription and to control the audio
selected for playback. D:Scribe uses an embedded MS Media Player™, so can open any
compatible media player audio file.
Fig 2-10: The D:Scribe Playback Screen with a single media file loaded.
Play Controls
The media playback controls are located at the bottom of the Playback screen.
Fig 2-11: The D:Scribe Media Playback Controls.
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