How to Convert Liberty (.dcr) Files for Use in ArcaScribe (Windows)

Liberty audio files (.dcr) use a proprietary format that most applications cannot open directly. To transcribe them in ArcaScribe, you first need to export them as a standard WAV file using Liberty Player — a free program available for Windows. This guide walks you through the entire process, step by step.

What You'll Need

Liberty Player for Windows. Note that the Mac version does not support exporting files — download here
ArcaScribe installed on your computer — download here
A Liberty audio file you want to transcribe

Part 1: Export from Liberty Player

1

Open your file in Liberty Player

Launch Liberty Player on your Windows computer. Click on File in the top menu bar, then select Open. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+O.

Liberty Player with the File menu open, showing the Open option highlighted

2

Select your Liberty file

In the file explorer window that appears, navigate to the folder where your Liberty file is saved. Click on the file to select it, then click Open.

Windows file explorer with a Liberty file selected and the Open button visible

3

Open the Export dialog

With your file now loaded in Liberty Player, click on File in the menu bar again and select Export. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+E.

Liberty Player File menu with the Export option highlighted

4

Set the file type to WAV

In the Export window that appears, find the File type dropdown and change it to Wave file (*.wav).

Export window with the File type dropdown changed to Wave file (*.wav)

5

Open format settings

The Export window will now show additional options. Click the Change Format... button.

Export window with expanded options showing the Change Format button

6

Set format to PCM

A new Sound Selection window will open. Change the Format dropdown to PCM. This is the standard uncompressed audio format that works best for transcription.

Sound Selection window with the Format dropdown set to PCM

7

Set audio attributes

In the same window, change the Attributes dropdown to 16.000 kHz, 16 Bit, Mono 31 kb/sec. These settings provide clear audio quality while keeping the file size manageable.

Sound Selection window with Attributes set to 16.000 kHz, 16 Bit, Mono

8

Confirm format settings

Click OK to save your format settings and close the Sound Selection window.

Sound Selection window with the OK button highlighted

9

Export the file

Back in the Export window, confirm that the Target file path points to the folder where you want to save the WAV file. When everything looks right, click Export. The conversion will begin and your WAV file will be saved to the chosen location.

Export window showing the target file path and the Export button

That's it! Your Liberty file is now a standard WAV file, ready for transcription in ArcaScribe. If you have any questions or run into issues, feel free to reach out to us.

Part 2: Transcribe in ArcaScribe

10

Open ArcaScribe

Launch ArcaScribe on your computer and click Select Media File. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+O.

ArcaScribe main screen with the Select Media File button visible

11

Select your WAV file

In the file explorer, navigate to the WAV file you exported earlier from Liberty Player. Click on the file to select it, then click Open.

File explorer with the exported WAV file selected and the Open button visible

12

Transcribe

Your file is now loaded and ready to go. Begin transcribing as needed using ArcaScribe.

ArcaScribe with the WAV file loaded and ready for transcription