What Are PTX Files? A Complete Guide for Legal Professionals

31 July 2025 by ROSS eDiscovery PTX legal-transcripts

Takeaway: If you’ve ever been involved in the legal world—whether as a lawyer, paralegal, or just someone dipping their toes into the world of litigation—there’s a good chance you’ve stumbled upon PTX files. But unless you’ve had to use them, you might not know exactly what .ptx files are, how to open them, or why they matter. So, let’s break it all down. In this post, we’ll cover everything from what PTX files are to how to open e-transcript PTX files and their use in legal settings.

Let’s start with the basics: What are PTX files?

Various programs generate PTX files for different functions that are unrelated to each other. Some common apps that generate PTX files are Avid Pro Tools, RealLegal E-Transcript Bundle, Pentax Cameras, and Paint Shop Pro. It’s essential to recognize that although various apps create files with the .ptx extension, each is distinct and has no relation to the others. For example, if you have a Pro Tools .ptx file and a Paint Shop Pro .ptx file, you must use Avid Pro Tools to open the Pro Tools file and Corel PaintShop to open the other file.

However, we will focus only on the e-transcript PTX files created by the RealLegal E-Transcript Bundle.

These transcripts typically come from legal proceedings, such as depositions, trials, or hearings. Think of PTX files as a digital version of those thick, bound books of transcripts you might see in a courtroom drama—but way more organized and easier to search. In short, PTX files make it much easier for legal professionals to sift through hours of testimony.

Now that you know what PTX files are, the next question is how to open them.

You’re not alone if you’ve ever double-clicked on a .ptx file and received an error message. Unlike PDFs or text files, PTX files require specific software to open correctly. Here’s how you can get it done:

E-Transcript viewer (by RealLegal): This is the go-to software for opening PTX files. It’s free to download and is the same tool that court reporters often use when delivering transcripts.
Legal software suites: Legal software tools like LexisNexis or Thomson Reuters Case Notebook have built-in support for PTX files, so you can view and manage them without needing extra software.
Convert the PTX file: If you don’t have access to specialized legal software, you can always convert PTX files to a more standard format like PDF. We’ll dive into the pros and cons of that in a bit.

Depending on your tools, opening a PTX file can be straightforward or a hassle.

Alright, now let’s talk about why PTX files matter, especially in the context of eDiscovery.

For those unfamiliar with eDiscovery (short for electronic discovery), it is the process of identifying, collecting, and producing electronically stored information (ESI) during legal proceedings. ESI could include emails, documents, databases, and—of course—PTX files.

So, why are PTX files so valuable in eDiscovery?

They preserve data integrity: One of the golden rules of legal documentation is that you can’t mess with the original data. With PTX files, you can maintain the integrity of the transcript as their design prevents unauthorized edits.
They’re easy to search: Thanks to the metadata embedded in PTX files, you can quickly find keywords, names, or phrases. This is a huge time-saver when you’re dealing with lengthy depositions.
They link to exhibits and annotations: PTX files can include links to exhibits or specific annotations, making it easier for legal teams to cross-reference information during a case.

In short, PTX files help streamline the discovery process, making it more efficient and reliable.

Can You Convert PTX Files? Absolutely—But Should You?

If you’re dealing with PTX files but don’t have the right software to open them, you might wonder: Can you convert PTX files to other formats? The answer is yes, but whether you should convert them is another story. You can convert PTX files to PDFs using online applications like “pdfFiller” or “FreeConvert”. However, you must use the RealLegal E-Transcript Viewer to convert to other formats. But before you hit that convert button, let’s weigh the pros and cons.

Advantages of converting PTX files

Wider accessibility: Not everyone has access to specialized legal software. Converting PTX files to PDFs makes it easier to share transcripts with clients, colleagues, or other parties who might not have the tools to open a PTX file.
Integration with other tools: Converting PTX files makes it easier to integrate them with other document management or review platforms. This can be especially helpful if your legal team uses software that doesn’t support PTX files.
Ease of printing and sharing: PDFs are great for printing and sharing. They’re universally readable, so you don’t have to worry about whether the person on the other end can open the file.

Disadvantages of Converting PTX Files

Loss of metadata: PTX files contain metadata, including annotations, bookmarks, and links to exhibits. Converting a PTX file to another format risks losing this valuable information.
Risk of data integrity issues: Converting files can sometimes result in formatting issues or unintentional alterations. This can be a serious problem in legal settings, where maintaining the original format and content is critical.

Should you convert PTX files for eDiscovery?

It depends on your needs.

If you’re looking for ease of access and sharing, converting PTX files to PDFs is a wise choice. But if maintaining metadata integrity and advanced search functionality is crucial, it’s probably best to stick with the original PTX format.

For legal teams heavily involved in eDiscovery, keeping documents in their original PTX format preserves the metadata, allowing for effortless search and reference. However, converting to a more standard format, such as PDF, might be a better option for sharing with clients or external parties who don’t have access to specialized legal software.

So, there you have it—a deep dive into the world of PTX files.

Whether you’re trying to open PTX files, convert them, or understand their role in eDiscovery, it’s key to know which tools and options best suit your needs.

PTX files are powerful tools in the legal world, providing secure, searchable, and well-structured transcripts that make legal proceedings more efficient. But like any tool, they’re only effective if you know how to use them, and when it might be better to convert them into something more accessible.

Do you need eDiscovery software that can manage PTX files? Try GoldFych

GoldFynch is a cloud eDiscovery service with a suite of essential eDiscovery review tools and manages a variety of files, including PTX files. And if you’re in a lawsuit, it’s something your attorneys might want to hear about. Here’s why:

It costs just $27 a month for a 3 GB case: That’s significantly less than most comparable software. With GoldFynch, you know exactly what you’re paying for: its pricing is simple and readily available on the website.
It’s easy to budget for. GoldFynch charges only for storage (processing files is free). So, choose from a range of plans (3 GB to 150+ GB) and know up-front how much you’ll be paying. You can upload and cull as much data as you want as long as you stay below your storage limit. And even if you do cross the limit, you can upgrade your plan with just a few clicks. Also, billing is prorated – so you’ll pay only for the time you spend on any given plan. With legacy software, pricing is much less predictable.
It takes just minutes to get going. GoldFynch runs in the Cloud, so you use it through your web browser (Google Chrome recommended). No installation. No sales calls or emails. Plus, you get a free trial case (0.5 GB of data and a processing cap of 1 GB) without adding a credit card.
It’s simple to use. Many eDiscovery applications take hours to master. GoldFynch takes minutes. It handles a lot of complex processing in the background, but what you see is minimal and intuitive. Just drag-and-drop your files into GoldFynch, and you’re good to go. Plus, you get prompt and reliable tech support (our average response time is 30 minutes).
Access it from anywhere, and 24/7. All your files are backed up and secure in the Cloud.

Want to find out more about GoldFynch?

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