Improve Your Professionalism with CRS-PDF Transcripts
Easy-to-use, secure transcripts accepted by the courts and corporate email systems
We know that change can be hard, but sometimes it’s necessary. For example, you might be happy with your current transcript solution — or at least so used to its idiosyncrasies that you think you are comfortable with it — so why change?
If you are not receiving transcripts in PDF format, we can give you a few reasons to request them, which are detailed below. Most importantly, PDF is fast becoming the standard format in the courts, so soon you may have no choice but to switch. (Visit www.uscourts.gov/cmecf/cmecf_about.html to learn more.)
We make it easy by offering you CRS-PDF transcripts, which improve on popular transcript features, such as easy keyword searches and hyperlinked exhibits, while adding important new features, such as compatibility with business email systems and the courts.
We invite you to experience CRS-PDF transcripts with your next order. Then, use the handy instructions provided to view, search and print your transcripts. Please contact us if you have any questions or would like a demonstration.
What is PDF?
PDF, “Portable Document Format,” is a universal file format which can be viewed on any computer (Mac, PC, Unix, etc.). Documents created in other formats can be converted to PDF, and the resulting PDF file will look the same as the original file.
With PDFs, the recipient does not need the program the original document was created in to be able to view the document as it was intended. All they need is the free Adobe Reader installed on their computer.
Of particular interest to the legal community, PDF:
• is full-text searchable across multiple documents simultaneously;
• can be digitally signed;
• is secure, so it is accepted as an email attachment through company firewalls;
• can print condensed transcripts;
• is the preferred format in the federal courts for e-filing and archiving;
• can be saved as an image file for trial presentation purposes.
The latest version of Adobe’s PDF creation tool, Acrobat 8 Pro, includes:
• true redaction, so you can delete selected content instead of covering it up;
• metadata flags, so you can find and remove hidden data, attachments and comments;
• Bates numbering.
What is CRS-PDF?
CRS-PDF is a transcript format with several unique features for lawyers.
Depending on your preferences, CRS-PDFs can:
• include printable word indexes and/or hyperlinked word indexes;
• be emailed to you and/or you can download them from our website;
• have exhibits embedded in them, so you can access any exhibit by clicking a reference
to it in the transcript;
• have the original ASCII file and/or a Summation file attached to it;
• be compiled with other transcripts into a single file, instead of multiple individual files.
What is ASCII?
ASCII is the simplest form of text with no intrinsic formatting mechanism, so it can be read and edited in a variety of word processing applications. Like PDFs, ASCII files can be viewed on any platform and cannot be infected with computer viruses. However, due to the lack of formatting, ASCII files cannot be guaranteed to read the same on every computer.
Benefits of PDF over ASCII
• PDF retains the appearance of the original document and is read-only, guaranteeing
page and line integrity.
• Exhibits can be hyperlinked to their references within the transcript and embedded in the PDF.
• PDFs can be digitally signed and password protected.
• PDFs can be full-text searched across multiple documents at once.
• PDF is the preferred format for e-filing with the courts.
What about other formats?
Other transcript formats, such as e-Transcript, are proprietary formats with dedicated features for the legal profession, such as keyword search, embedded exhibits, guaranteed page and line integrity, digital signatures and condensed printing. Due to their proprietary format and their potential for harboring computer viruses and other security risks, these types of files are not accepted by many companies’ email systems, nor are they recommended for archival purposes.
Benefits of PDF over other transcript formats
• As a universal file format, a PDF file can be read on any operating system using the free
Adobe Reader.
• It is considered safe to email and can pass through most computer firewalls, due to its
virus protection and recognized reliability.
• PDFs have more search capabilities beyond simple keyword searches. They can
be searched with multiple search criteria through multiple documents, such as an entire
folder, at once. Refer to “How to search CRS-PDF transcripts” for more information.
• PDFs can be saved as image files for trial presentation purposes.
• PDF is becoming the standard format for legal documents: 98% of the federal courts use
PDF for archive documents and electronic filings; international and lower courts are implementing similar systems.
• PDFs can be made accessible to people with disabilities and/or for mobile devices,
such as cell phones and PDAs.