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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

DCP - how to?

I don't see why it shouldn't be simpler, just because it's created for distribution/exhibition.

Just about every technology created for motion pictures in the last decade has been made simpler. Some technologies are no less simple, but redesigned so all the complexity happens under the hood, hidden behind a user friendly interface.

I see DCP just like DVD authoring, which in it's beginnings was limited to expensive, complex systems.

Even with the numerous easy to use DVD authoring programs out there, I think there is still a limited amount of people who understand the technology behind it.

I don't expect DCP creation to be as affordable as DVD authoring, but I wouldn't be surprised in 5 years time, a dedicated DCP system in the $10k range or less.

There will be filmmakers who want to do it all, from concept to distribution. There are software/hardware manufacturers who will want to cater to those filmmakers.

I'm sure there are indie film distributors who would love to have a theatrical run, even if it's limited.

It could open up new niches in theatrical distribution too. Time slots could be opened up for local filmmakers, which could be mutually profitable for exhibitors and filmmakers.

While the money is in DVD (and maybe eventually download) sales, the prestige is still in a theatrical release.
 
Thomas Mathai said:
I don't see why it shouldn't be simpler, just because it's created for distribution/exhibition.
Click to expand...

Well, I said that primarily because the needs of exhibition are basically non existent in other forms of distribution, and in some cases, are actually the antithesis of what the other forms represent. For instance, in theatrical exhibition, there is a need for combining things like trailers, commercials, pre-show materials, and PSA's and being able to change those combinations quickly and easily that doesn't exist when you're watching something at home. There is also a quality need that goes beyond what home displays are capable of. And perhaps most of all, there are security needs to protect both the distributor and the theater owner from giving away their property. The DCP format was developed to serve those needs, not to just act as another form of compression for an individual file. That's very different than DVD, which was designed specifically as a consumer format right from the start.

Besides, if the material is formatted correctly, the facilities I mentioned previously can create and test a DCP for a very reasonable rate, far less than getting a print made. And as I also mentioned, if you don't have experience with things like P3 color space and X'Y'Z' conversion, and don't have a system to check what you create, you're really better off going to someone who does anyway. And if there is as much work that requires DCP deliveries as you seem to think there might be, the price will come down even further.
 
Offhollywood said:
I do.
Click to expand...

Even if that was the case, it still makes no sense to do something yourself that you can't check to make sure it works and looks correct on the screen it will be presented on. Things like color space conversion and color correction targeted for P3 are even messed up by professionals today. What happens when the "how do I render my 4K movie on my MacBook Pro" crowd tries to do it? The existence of Qube Master Express is basically a marketing test, something to see if there is actually a do it yourself DCP market. My guess is that at least at the moment there really isn't, in part because there just isn't the need for DCP's of most do-it-yourself productions, even for theatrical projection. The DCP format is really for standardization and security of protected property, and flexibility in creating full shows for theatrical presentations, not simple one-off projection. I suppose it could evolve into that (and in fact is used that way at trade shows), but quite frankly, just projecting it requires a digital cinema server and a digital cinema spec projector - not something you're likely to find in someone's living room, at least not over the next few years.
 
DCP mastering is not trivial.

Especially quality assurance is pretty complex.

a single é instead of è can make a full master invalid.

furthermore, the several servers from several manufacturers require individual testing.

As with all softwares, price will come down. However, there wont be a mass market as for 2K/1080p digital intermediate, editing, compositing etc. blu-ray is taking that market.
 
We are a DCI DCMD DCP producer
Been under GDC, then now switched to Dolby for DCP mastering

We based in Hong Kong
Encryption is the business to ensure the content not being able to screen in any projector
ie to only specific projector and specific server.
And along with 2048 KDM key for conditional playback and reporting

DCI and SMPTE's DC-28 are good source
my service web is www.i-magic.com.hk
www.digitalmagic.com.hk
www.i-magic.com.hk

Percy Fung
 
QubeMaster Xpress

QubeMaster Xpress

The QubeMaster Xpress software has a List Price of $5K and can produce unencrypted JPEG2000 DCPs from QT or AVI files or even Flash animations.

In this particular case, you would need to setup the source colour space as being Rec.709 with a Gamma of 2.2 which is fortunately the default, then visually setup the crop for your image for 1.85 Academy and/or 2.39 Scope and finally give the Composition a name. And QMX should do the rest!

It does need Windows at this time but you could dual-boot your Mac with Bootcamp...

Given the fact that all Oscar submissions that are digital need to be in DCP form, the change to this format is going to be fairly rapid now. It's not a question of being able to play content in other formats to the same screen from a computer or a HDCAM deck, it's being able to play content seamlessly as an automated show in a cinema - and that requires a DCP.

DCPs are also highly standardised now. You can - almost - be certain that your DCP will play on servers from a number of manufacturers.

P.S. I am affiliated to Qube Cinema
 
Senthil said:
The QubeMaster Xpress software has a List Price of $5K and can produce unencrypted JPEG2000 DCPs from QT or AVI files or even Flash animations.

In this particular case, you would need to setup the source colour space as being Rec.709 with a Gamma of 2.2 which is fortunately the default, then visually setup the crop for your image for 1.85 Academy and/or 2.39 Scope and finally give the Composition a name. And QMX should do the rest!

It does need Windows at this time but you could dual-boot your Mac with Bootcamp...

Given the fact that all Oscar submissions that are digital need to be in DCP form, the change to this format is going to be fairly rapid now. It's not a question of being able to play content in other formats to the same screen from a computer or a HDCAM deck, it's being able to play content seamlessly as an automated show in a cinema - and that requires a DCP.

DCPs are also highly standardised now. You can - almost - be certain that your DCP will play on servers from a number of manufacturers.

P.S. I am affiliated to Qube Cinema
Click to expand...

Fantastic news/info. I'm very excited about Qube's software product. BTW, I sent a quote/info request over a month ago and never received a response. Is there someone specific at your company I can speak with regarding this product?

thanks,

John T.
 
We could do DCP for you in Hong Kong
We been serving the asian region with Dolby, GDC, and Qube
We could also do 3d Stereo DCI single stream mastering

Just send us the image in .TGA sequence, and audio
look likes a one dya job

Contact me offline for costing..

I will help you
Percy
 
Nope. That's the software only. But as I said. Contact them.

@ IBC they demoed it on a macpro :)

The package looks really compelling, though
 
Wraptor works

Wraptor works

Martin Weiss said:
Can anyone help me on how to turn a Quicktime HD file into

for Digital cinema - without spending thousands of dollars?

I have a 1 minute animation that needs to be screened digitally, and they only accept that format. They say that they could convert it, but first they need it on HDcam tape (which costs a couple of hundred dollars to do) and then they charge a couple of thousand! dollars for the actual conversion.

There must be a better/cheaper/less complex way to do this, right? After all what they really need is a file, and I have a file...
Click to expand...

There is, Wraptor would seem have been made for somebody with just your challange. It doesn't cost thousands of dollars. Load up your Quicktime file into FCP/Composer, with the addition of Wraptor you are then able to export your file as a DCI compliant DCP.

You will need to have a drive to transport your content to the theater on, it will need to be formatted as a linux format ext2 or ext3 type drive. Wraptor can format the drive to that necessary drive type also. I'd use something like a 2 GB thumb drive for something like this, it should fit without any problems.

More info on Wraptor at http://www.quvis.com
 
DCP is a delievry format of the DCDM
We could do it for you here
We use Dolby Content creator to achieve this

DCP for DCI Digital Cinema release.
 
Eric Philpott said:
I realize this is an old thread, but I wanted to let you know that Qube Cinema just released QubeMaster Xport at NAB – a FCP plug in designed to output DCP masters directly from Final Cut Pro’s Compressor.


For more see: http://www.btlnews.com/crafts/post-production/qube-cinema-unveils-qubemaster-xport-at-nab/

They also introduced Qube KeySmith, which generates KDM encryption keys.

For more see: http://provideocoalition.com/index.php/news/story/qube_cinema_launches_qube_keysmith_at_nab/
Click to expand...

Yeah, that seems like it would be really cool. But how much did they say it would cost for this plug-in. I know that you can encode DCPs for free right now using OpenDCP for windows or Mac. Does XYZ color conversions and can even make encrypted DCPs. Its also has a very simple GUI. Here's the link to the open source programs.

http://code.google.com/p/opendcp/
 
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