Meeting Captions

Zoom offers two types of caption services for live meetings or classes: real-time caption services, or use Zoom's automated captions.  With the appropriate account settings, captions created during the meeting or class can be viewed in the recording. Changing basic and advanced cloud recording settings describes the advanced cloud recording settings; be sure to enable Save closed caption as a VTT file for viewing in the recording.  The .VTT file is needed if uploading the recording to another storage repository such as Tech Connect Cloud (formerly known as 3C Media Solutions).  

Manual Captions

Often referred to as 'real-time', 'closed captions', or 'manual captions' a provider enters captions into the meeting for participants to view.  The host must arrange for a participant to manually enter captions, or provide a 3rd party caption service to join the meeting and provide live captions. Text file that contains closed captioning for the cloud recording is cc.vtt

Automated Captions

Use Zoom's AI auto-generated live transcriptions when real-time manual captions are not available. Text file that contains the audio transcription for the cloud recording has a .vtt extension. 

Enable Automated Captions

Instructions contained in the article Enabling Automated Captions are for the Zoom administrator to enable settings at the account level, and for the end-user to enable or disable in their own account.

In addition to showing automated captions in a recording, a transcript file can be created, allowing viewers to download the file when viewing. The owner of the recording can also edit the text of the transcript as needed. Learn how to Enable or disable audio transcription for cloud recordings.

Information on using Using audio transcription for cloud recordings.

Managing Captions

Managing Automated Captions explains limitations of real-time captions, starting automated captions, viewing the transcript, disabling captions and supported languages for automated captions.

Viewing Meeting Captions 

When real-time manual captions or live transcripts are available during the meeting or class, participants can initiate viewing captions in a meeting or webinar.

Save Captions in a Meeting

Establish account settings to allow participants to save a local copy of the caption file.   If the meeting is recorded, captions can be added and viewed in the recording.  Learn how to Save Closed Captions in a Meeting.