Q&A

At Metropolitan Court Reporters, our team is always here to help.

Sometimes the same questions come up over and over again so we decided a little Q&A session would be  helpful.

Q.  I’m confused about file formats for transcripts.  Can you explain the difference?

A.  This is one of the most frequently asked questions in our business.  Here’s a run-down of the basics:

PDF – Portable Document Format is a universal file format which can be viewed on any computer (Mac, PC or hand-held device)

  • No special viewers needed to view the file
  • Ultimate quality for screen viewing and printing
  • Text is searchable across multiple documents or folders simultaneously
  • Includes condensed transcript and word index
  • Text an be digitally signed
  • Secure so there are no firewall hassles
  • PDF is the preferred format in the federal courts for e-filing and archiving

The latest version of Adobe’s PDF creation tool includes:

  • True redaction – you can delete selected content instead of covering it up
  • Bates numbering

PTX – File created by E-Transcript Manager by RealLegal to reduce the file size of emailed transcripts and guarantee page and line integrity

  • Must download an E-Transcript Viewer in order to view a PTX file. After you have downloaded the E-Transcript Viewer once, you can open any PTX file you receive
  • Can have firewall concerns
  • Full-text searching and condensed transcript with word index

As a side note, RealLegal, the developers of the PTX format, were acquired by LiveNote and then by Thomson West. CLICK HERE to download the E-Transcript Viewer.

ASCII – A text-only file that does not include any special formatting, such as bold, italics, special characters, and so forth

PTF – A Portable Transcript File used and/or created by many transcript applications. PTF files can include annotations, which RealLegal Binder recognizes and assimilates. PTF files are used to move a transcript with annotations to another program that will accept that file type or another West Case Notebook or West LiveNote computer

Q.  Can I upload transcripts onto my Kindle?

A.  Absolutely!  It’s very easy to do.  Watch this video