FCP Sequence to DCP

[Joseph Owens]

Here’s a starting point:

Q: Does the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences accept DCPs when qualifying for an Academy Award?

A: Yes, but to comply with Academy rules, your DCP must meet the following specifications:

Video: 24.00 frames per second
Compression: JPEG2000
Color Space: XYZ
Video Format: 2K – 2048×1080 container size (1920×1080, 1998×1080 and other image sizes are acceptable)
Audio Format: 24-bit, 48 kHz uncompressed
Minimum 3 channels (Left,Right,Center) or 5.1 (L,R,C,LFE,LS,RS)
Audio Channel
Mapping: 1:Left 2:Right 3:Center 4:Subwoofer 5:Left Surround 6:Right Surround
Encryption: Unencrypted material only

Q: Where can I find more complete technical specifications for DCPs?

A: Complete DCP specifications are contained in the following:
SMPTE 428-1-2006 D-Cinema, ISO/IEC 15444-1, SMPTE 428-2-2006
D-Cinema, SMPTE 428-3-2006 D-Cinema

Most of the DCP software manufacturers have more information, and as you work your way through configuring a compression run, you will find out more information.

You can try Qubemaster, Doremi, Quvis, … there are about 2 or 3 dozen suppliers, now.

The trick is figuring out how to play them back, so you know you’re not just delivering a big directory of corrupted data.

jPo

“I always pass on free advice — its never of any use to me” Oscar Wilde.

[David C jones]

Hey Joseph, thanks for the info. So in the Use QuickTime Conversion, should I use the image sequence? And if so, should it be JPEG 24 or 23.98?

Best,

Dave J

[Russell Lasson]

David,

There are many ways of creating a DCP, but just exporting a JPEG2000 image sequence from the QT conversion menu in FCP isn’t really helpful. As Joseph mentioned, there are several programs that can help. It will take some trial an error and testing on a DCI server (at a theater) before you’ll be sure what you’ve created actually works. Or you can find someone to create the DCP for you.

Russ

Russell Lasson
Colorist/Digital Cinema Specialist
Color Mill
Salt Lake City, UT
http://www.colormill.net