DCP Mastering

A question I've often been asked is, exactly what is a DCP? There's a lot of confusion about DCI, DCP and exactly what they are.

Let me take a minute to explain. Some time ago the major studios got together to create an alternative to 35mm film prints. This is a digital age and everything, including cinema projection is slowly moving away from film projection, favouring clear, pristine digital projection instead. They formed an organisation called The Digital Cinema Initiative and created the new standard for film projection aptly named DCI.

A DCP or Digital Cinema Package is the final product which can be screened at a cinema.

The creation of a Digital Cinema Distribution Master (DCDM) is the first process in converting your film or advertisement into a DCP. Simply put, the DCDM comprises of all the uncompressed files that have been correctly formatted to make a DCP. They are your master files and usually consist of uncompressed .wav files along with .DPX or .TIFF image sequences.

These files must be in the correct colour space, frame size, aspect ratio and frame rate.

Your DCDM is now your master. From there it is converted to the XYZ colour space. This process is critical as uncalibrated equipment will result in inaccurate colour representation in a cinema. We use calibrated, colour critical equipment to ensure your film is displayed properly and the colours are accurately reflected on the big screen.

We can handle all the file conversions for you, or if you're technically proficient and have access to the required facilities, we're happy to provide you with the required file specifications so you can deliver the correctly formatted material to us.

dx115

The DCDM, is then compiled and wrapped in a DCI compliant MXF wrapper along with other metadata such as subtitles if required.

The added benefits of DCP include encryption. Each DCP can be encrypted so that only the intended cinema server can play back the files. You control who plays the movie and when they play it.

The DCP is then placed on an industry standard DX115 DCI compliant hard drive. For smaller projects like cinema advertising or short films, USB sticks and portable harddrives are sufficient.

It's then ready for final testing. Testing is a two phase process. Firstly, clients are encouraged to watch the entire DCP right here in our own calibrated screening room. If approved, clients have a second option of testing the film in a commercial cinema for final approval.

Whether you're just making the one master for a single screening, or you need hundreds of copies for a worldwide theatrical release, we can help. Our rigourous testing procedures guarantee every DCP is 100%.

We also provide a KDM support service. The KDM is a small digital file that unlocks the films encryption. These files are stored on a password protected FTP site for easy access 24/7.