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 Youngstown 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 16mm or 35mm 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 for your 16mm or 35mm film conversion. 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 3 different types of DVDs and BluRays. Retail, Professional and Archival.

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 or government institutions. 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
Pro 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 MP4, 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 MP4, AVI, ProRes or DPX files

Pro 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.

Youngstown Fun Facts: Between the 1930's and the 1960's Youngstown was a prominent center for industry and featured huge furnaces and numerous foundries. However, when a significant number of the factories closed down during the 1970's the economy was severely weakened. In 1969 Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company and Lykes Corporation, based in New Orleans, merged which led to the closing down of a significant part of Youngstown Steel and Tube. This event has been recognized as a major factor in the destruction of the local steel industry which significantly harmed the economy in the area.

Ohio Fun Facts: Initially colonized by French fur traders, Ohio became a British colonial possession following the French and Indian War in 1754. At the end of the American Revolution, Britain ceded control of the territory to the newly formed United States, which incorporated it into the Northwest Territory. Ohio became a state on March 1, 1803, although no formal declaration was madeuntil 1953, when President Dwight Eisenhower officially signed the documents making it a state, retroactive to the original date.Ohio issometimes called the “Mother of Modern Presidents,” having sent seven Ohioans (both natives and residents)to the White House since 1869. Ohio is also known as the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, the NationalUnderground RailroadFreedom Centerin Cincinnati and National Football League Hall of Fame in Canton.