There are viewing formats like MP4, DVD and BluRay and then there are editing formats like AVI, MOV, ProRes and DPX. Choosing the right format for you in St Joseph depends on your goal. If you want to be able to modify the video (delete footage, re-arrange the order, add your own music, etc.) from your 8mm or Super 8 film then you need an editing format. If you just want to be able to play a reference copy of the film then MP4, DVD or BluRay is the best format.

Viewing Formats

MP4/HD-MP4 Files. MP4 is a light weight digital file used for streaming on many different digital devices. In fact, many times when you by a DVD or BluRay they give you a free digital download. The digital file is HD MP4. Digital files like MP4 are as universal as they get. They are replacing DVD and Bluray as the format of choice. They can be viewed on PCs, Macs, Laptops, iPads, android or apple phones. They can be uploaded to sharing sites like YouTube and can be streamed or played on TVs setup for streaming or playing from a USB device.

DVD/BluRay. There are different types of DVDs and BluRays. You would think they would all be the same quality but they aren't.

1) Retail disks are the lowest quality. It is true that not all DVDs last forever. In fact, government studies show that a good percentage of DVDs (20%) will only last about 10 years on average. Yes, 10 years! Some will start to fail around 5 years. Another independent study shows that only 47% of DVDs will last longer than 15 years.

2) Professional disks. These are better quality disks and are primarily used by businesses. These professional disks will last about 25 years on average. 3) Last we have Archival disks. These are intended for long-term archiving and will last a minimum of 100 years. We offer both Professional (25 years) and Archival (100 and 200 year) quality disks. You can choose which type you want on the order form.

Before you decide, think about how old your film is that you are converting. If it had only lasted 25 years you most likely would of lost all those memories. For this reason we do recommend Archival disks.

If your film does have sound then we would not add any music even where there are parts that are silent.

Editing Formats

We offer the following formats for editing purposes:

Pro 4K Process: HD-MP4, HD-AVI (MJPG), ProRes HQ Files, 2K/4K AVI/ProRes/DPX
Pro 2K Process: HD-MP4, HD-AVI (MJPG), ProRes HQ Files, 2K AVI/ProRes/DPX
Pro HD Process: HD-MP4, HD-AVI (MJPG), ProRes HQ Files
SD Process: MP4, AVI, MOV

Pro 2K/4K Scan Process:

2K/4K DPX Master Files. These are completely uncompressed 2K/4K resolution DPX files. DPX is a professional film scanning industry standard. Beginning with Adobe Premiere Pro CS 5, DPX can be edited natively. But, DPX is demanding on a computer. It requires a work station class editing machine and also requires a 2 or 4 drive RAID 0 drive setup. 2K DPX runs about 2 TB per hour of film. 4K DPX takes up about 4 TB per hour of film.

2K/4K AVI/ProRes Files. These are slightly compressed 2K/4K resolution files that are much easier to edit than DPX and are much less demanding on a computer system. AVI uses a Blackmagic MJPG codex. ProRes uses the 422 HQ codec.

HD-AVI and ProRes HQ files: See below.

Writing Disks. You will be able to write widescreen DVDs or BluRays using AVI, ProRes or DPX files.

Pro HD Process:

HD-MP4 files. HD-MP4 files are quickly replacing DVD and BluRay as the format of choice for viewing video. They can be played on virtually any device from PC to Mac, Laptop to iPad, Android or Apple phones and can be uploaded to YouTube and other streaming sites. You can also play them back on a TV that you can stream to or that has a USB connection (so you can connect a thumb drive to the TV).

HD-AVI files. HD-AVI (Motion-JPEG or MJPG codec) files are considered a good master quality format for the non professional consumer. HD-AVI files are mostly intended for editing on a PC but will generally work on a Mac.

Apple ProRes 422 HQ files. Apple ProRes HQ 422 files are considered a good master quality format for the non professional. These files are most intended for editing on a Mac using Final Cut Pro or iMovie but they work with Premiere Pro or Sony Vegas on PCs.

Writing DVDs. You will be able to write regular DVDs or BluRays with the HD-AVI, ProRes or DPX files (if your system meets the minimum requirements above).

SD Process:

MP4, AVI, MOV files on an external Hard Drive. You must ship us an external hard drive or purchase one on the order form if you choose AVI/MOV files. Our AVI files are compatible with all Mac and PC editing tools. MOV files can only be used on a Mac.

DVD/BluRay and an Editing Format

You may want to consider getting a copy on a playable DVD/BluRay in addition to the format you choose to edit from. This way you archive the film and have a format you can edit. If you want to do this, choose the format for editing as format #1 and the DVD or BluRay as format #2 on the order form.

If the film is silent and you want music we would use our instrumental background music by default.

St Joseph Fun Facts: The National Civic League named Saint Joseph an All-America City.

Saint Joseph History

The city was settled by a fur trader named Joseph Robidoux and incorporated in 1843. It was known as a rowdy frontier town and was a major supply center for pioneers traveling past the Missouri River and heading to the "Wild WeSt" It was the last stop for the railroad going towards the west until shortly after the Civil War ended. Saint Joseph was one of the two endpoints for the well known Pony Express.

Missouri Fun Facts: Missouri, the Show Me State, was admitted to the United States in 1821 as part of the Missouri Compromise. Located on the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, the state was an important hub of transportation and commerce in early America, and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis is a monument to Missouri’s role as the “Gateway to the West.” St. Louis, Missouri, is home to the Anheuser-Busch, the maker of Budweiser beer, and boasts the largest beer-producing plant in the country.