What is a DCP, and what does it include?

Jun 27

Written By Maurizio Mercorella

What is a DCP?

Just so you know, I’m a big fan of simple, super efficient explanations.

You know that saying “If you can say the same thing more simply and in fewer words, do it!”?

A DCP is nothing other than the modern substitute of the film that was once used in projectors at the cinema.

Therefore, a DCP is fundamental to projecting your projects onto the big screen.

Now that you’ve got a general idea, shall we take a deep dive?

DCP stands for “Digital Cinema Package”.

This digital package is nothing other than a collection of individual files: metadata, audio and video.

The video files are compressed into a jpeg2000 format, with a bitrate of 250 MB/sec.

These files are obviously what takes up most space within the DCP.

The audio files, on the other hand, are left in a non-compressed format (WAV).

Both the video and the audio files are subsequently stored in a MXF (Material Exchange Format) container.

The file which is responsible for linking all the information to the server is called the CPL (Composition Playlist).

What is the CPL and what does it do?

Fundamentally, the CPL is an XML text file.

You can imagine the CPL as something like a Spotify playlist. The CPL will tell the server which files to reproduce, for how long and in which order.

DCP protection

Every DCP can be protected by means of encryption.

Encryption allows us to lock the content of a DCP by means of the KDMs (Key Delivery Messages).

These keys are sent to the room which will reproduce the DCP during that specific time period.

You also need to know that each KDM is linked to an individual CPL and to the individual server which will reproduce it, and is only valid for a certain period of time.

Once the KDM expires, the server will no longer hold a licence to reproduce the content of the DCP, and it will go back to being locked.

Although this protection procedure is very secure, it’s not recommended for everyone.

In fact, the use of KDMs is not recommended for professionals looking for total freedom to organise and reproduce their projects, avoiding all the problems that the use of a KDM might entail.

Problems

I’m going to be honest with you: the process of creating a DCP is very complicated and requires preparation, experience and a crazy level of attention to detail.

Missing just one tiny detail is enough to mess up the projection of your project.

In fact, it’s highly recommendable to undertake a quality control before and after the creation of your DCP.

Click here if you need to create a professional DCP.

Conclusion

We’ve reached the end!

In this article, you’ve learned what a DCP is, what it includes, how it’s protected and how important it is to pay obsessive attention to every tiny detail in order to create a professional and functional product.

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