Frequently Asked Questions

This should answer any questions you might have about the process. If after you read this and still have a question feel free to email us at support@dcpcloud.com

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a DCP?
In the way that a film print comes as rolls of film contained in cans, a Digital Print exists as data stored on a hard drive. A Digital Print, known as a Digital Cinema Package (DCP), is a movie stored as a group of digital files as standardized by DCI, a studio consortium. Then these files are transported to theaters on a specialized hard drive. The files are then copied to the theater’s Digital Cinema Server-a computer that stores, reads, and plays back DCP’s. From the server the movie is played back and projected onto the screen. A DCP is what is used as the content in all digital cinemas for the highest quality playback. For a number of reasons a properly mastered DCP would have superior image quality to everything else. All of the files in the folder are necessary and can not be modified in any way.
What does a DCP look like and what type of media is it on?
The package of files (Jpeg2000 XYZ MFX, XML & CPL) lives on Linux formatted (Ext2) CRU or USB hard drive. These drives are specifically designed for digital cinema and are DCI compliant. Using one of our drives is the only way to guarantee compatibility with all theaters play back servers. They have been tested and are currently in use industry wide on thousands of screens. The drive and media cannot be read or played back on standard PC or MAC without special software. While we can send you the DCP electronically most theaters will need a Drive. Festivals often allow it to be uploaded to somewhere.
As a film maker, why should I exhibit on a DCP over any other format?
The top 5 reasons are:

Broad Acceptance: Nearly all cinema screens will be Digital by 2015.

Huge cost savings for a DCP mastering and distribution compared to Film Prints and even tape.

Superior image and sound quality over everything else for commercial exhibition ( Film, tape, Blu-ray)

Highly Reliability, less fragile media,

Perfect digital copies exhibit the same on the 100^th screening as the 1^st.
What is an academy qualifying DCP?
How does the Encryption work and should I encrypt it?
Encryption is an AES 128Bit security measure to prevent anyone without a key delivery message (KDM) from viewing the DCP. The Key is generated for a specific server/theater screen for a set time. A new key will need to be generated for every new screen it shows on at an additional cost. The added expense is required for studio theatrical broad released films, but may not be the best choice for festivals and special screenings for a small indie film. A film festival would prefer it to be unencrypted. We are happy to provide encrypted and unencrypted DCPs per your request. Even a DCP that is not encrypted has a number hurdles that must be overcome for it to be pirated.

For example,

To access a DCP / view you will need special systems / software (Linux EXT file systems, Jpeg2000 MFX decoding of DCI compliant content)

Once you have access the files they will be in XYZ color space and will need to be converted to correctly to be viewed without everything looking really bad.

Each Digital cinema server is designed to only allow ingesting of a DCP and cannot export the CPL. This will not allow it to be moved to another server without coming from the source Hard Drive.
What type of sources files can the DCP be made from?
Just about any file format can be used to create a DCP, although you will want they highest quality source file possible. The quality of your DCP is directly tied to the quality of the source file used to create it. Generally the larger the file\’s data size the better. This is about the quality of image not the resolution. ( See resolution questions for image dimensions)

Common formats are ProRes for picture and 5.1 print masters as 24bit 48K wav files. We can read most anything. More info here
How can I make sure my DCP works once it is sent to theaters?
Part of what you’re paying for when you choose a facility is the peace of mind knowing that it will be done right the first time & the experience to support it all the way to festival or theater. After we create the DCP, we ingest, hash check, verify, and Spot QC every DCP. We also only use standard CRU Hard Drives that have been thoroughly tested on thousands of servers and screens when we ship it. At your request we can deliver the DCP electronically via a high speed downloadable file or a onetime use Drive sent directly to the theater.
What resolution and aspect ratio choices do I have for Digital Cinema Mastering?
There are a few different common aspect ratios to choose from when making a DCP. They are 1.85:1 (referred to as “Flat”), 1.89:1 (also known as 1.90:1 and referred to as “Full Container” less common), and 2.39:1 (also known as 2.40:1 and referred to as “Scope”) & 1.78:1 aka 16×9. The table below shows the 2K and 4K resolutions relating to those aspect ratios. Each of these is known as a “container size” because all DCP’s should ideally fit within one of these aspect and resolution combinations.

Flat (1.85:1)

Full Container (1.78:1)

Scope (2.40:1)

2K

1998×1080

1920×1080

2048×858

4K

3996×2160

3840×2160

4096×1716

If we are making a 2K DCP will do not need a 4k source. It will not make the DCP look better.

A 4K DCP can be played back at a theater that only supports 2k playback.
Do I need to buy a hard drive from you?
No but it is highly recommended unless you get it electronically and or are delivering that way too.

We offer 3 ways to get your DCP from us.

Electronically as a one time download link to you.

CRU/ USB drive you own shipped to you.

Ship a rental Drive directly to a theater 1 time.

The playback servers at theaters are very specific and finicky about what format and drive type they will take. Many of the servers out there are many years old and have not been upgraded to the latest and greatest options. So when you your DCP put it on drive and want to know it will work anywhere, you need to build it to work on the oldest most difficult systems. Our years of experience and partnership testing with our vendors has provided us the know how to do this right the first time. We only use industry standard CRU Hard Drives that confrom to the DCI spec & have been thoroughly tested on thousands of servers and screens. When we ship it, it arrives the way it left her, working.
If I Get a 4K DCP and the theater only projects 2k, is that an issue?
No, a 4K DCP will play on a 2k system just fine. If budget is an issues you can save by not getting a 4K DCP as there is very little quality difference.
For the Delivery Method, What are my best options.
We offer 3 ways to get your DCP from us. You can choose any one or all 3. It all depends on your needs. Check with your festival / theater on what they require and allow enough time for shipping .

Electronically as a one time download link to you.

CRU/ USB drive you own shipped to you.

Ship a rental Drive directly to a theater 1 time.

If you have any special request after your order just email support@dcpcloud.com
How do I get you my media to make a DCP from?
Once you place your order you will need to either send us a hard drive or upload us your media.

Your order email will contain a link to our upload system that can handle any size file, providing you have the upload bandwidth. The upload system will not stop till the file is done. The length of time depends on you upload speed and the size of your files. You can choose your full folder of picture and sound files to send us.

We receive drives at our office in Burbank.

More info is here.

	Flat (1.85:1)	Full Container (1.78:1)	Scope (2.40:1)
2K	1998×1080	1920×1080	2048×858
4K	3996×2160	3840×2160	4096×1716