Local versus cloud Zoom recordings
When you record a Zoom meeting to your computer, Zoom saves an MP4 video plus a separate M4A audio-only file in a folder on your machine. Cloud recordings live in your Zoom account instead, and you can download the same MP4 and M4A files from there to upload.
For a plain transcript, the audio-only M4A is the leaner choice and uploads faster, while the MP4 is what you want if you also plan to caption the video. FastScribe handles either one, extracting the audio track from the MP4 automatically when needed.
From meeting to searchable record
A recorded Zoom call is only useful if you can find what was said, and rewatching an hour to write up notes is nobody idea of a good time. A transcript lets you skim the whole meeting, pull decisions and action items, and share a written summary.
Timestamps mark each segment so you can jump back to a moment in the recording, and captions are easy too. Export SRT or VTT for the MP4, TXT for minutes, and DOCX on Pro for a formatted record to circulate.
Frequently asked questions
Should I upload the Zoom MP4 or the M4A audio file?
Use the M4A audio-only file for a plain transcript since it is smaller and faster, or the MP4 if you also want captions. FastScribe reads both, extracting audio from the video when needed.
Can I transcribe a Zoom cloud recording?
Yes. Download the recording from your Zoom account first, which gives you the MP4 and M4A files, then drop either one into the upload box above to transcribe it.
Does FastScribe label each Zoom participant by name?
No, speakers are not named in the transcript, but timestamps mark every segment so you can follow the conversation and match statements to the recording when writing up notes.
How long a Zoom meeting can I transcribe?
The free tier covers recordings up to thirty minutes, while Pro accepts files up to five hours, which fits a long workshop or an all-hands meeting in a single upload.