Streaming audio with synchronized transcripts utilizing SMIL

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe developmental work with SMIL (Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language) to synchronize transcript captions with streaming audio.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides an evaluation of the hardware/software required to digitally record oral histories and the methods developed at WSU to customize the presentation of streaming audio and text.

Findings

Though providing users with streaming media content is not excessively expensive, the multifaceted work‐flow of organizing an oral history project, utilizing digital recording equipment, preparing transcripts, and synchronizing those transcripts with their corresponding audio files, is a complex, labor‐intensive undertaking.

Practical implications

This is an extremely common‐sense discussion of the time and work involved in planning digital projects that involve streaming media with captions.

Originality/value

As many libraries enhance digital collections with streaming media, this article provides one approach not otherwise found in library literature.

Citation

Bond, T.J. and Walpole, M. (2006), "Streaming audio with synchronized transcripts utilizing SMIL", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 24 No. 3, pp. 452-462. https://doi.org/10.1108/07378830610692208