Quick Start: Making a DCP with DCP-o-matic in Under an HourCreating a DCP (Digital Cinema Package) doesn’t have to be intimidating. DCP-o-matic is a free, open-source tool designed to convert a wide range of video formats into compliant DCPs for theatrical playback. This guide walks you through a focused, practical workflow to get a simple DCP ready in under an hour — from preparing your source to testing the finished package.
What you’ll need (before you start)
- A computer with DCP-o-matic installed (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
- Your finished master file (MP4, MOV, ProRes, etc.). Ensure it’s the final color-corrected and audio-mixed master.
- Timecode or a clear start slate in the file (recommended).
- A USB drive or hard drive for transfer to the theater (formatted as exFAT for cross-platform compatibility).
- Optional: access to a cinema or a projector with a DCP player for final verification.
Estimate of time
- Installation/setup: 5–15 minutes (if not already installed)
- Project configuration and import: 10–15 minutes
- Encoding/rendering: 20–40 minutes (depends on file size and CPU/GPU)
- Verification and transfer: 5–10 minutes
Total: under one hour for typical short films or trailers; feature-length projects may take longer.
Step 1 — Install and open DCP-o-matic
- Download the latest DCP-o-matic from the official site and install it for your OS.
- Launch DCP-o-matic. You’ll be taken to the Projects list; click “New Project”.
Step 2 — Create a new project and set metadata
- Project name: enter a short title (this will be used in file names and metadata).
- Choose “Digital Cinema Package” as the output type (default).
- In the Metadata tab, fill in: Title, Creator/Producer, Version, and Language. Accurate metadata helps projectionists and asset management.
Step 3 — Add your source files
- Click “Add” and select your video master. DCP-o-matic accepts most common formats.
- If your audio is separate, add it as an external track and align start times as needed.
- For multi-reel or chaptered content, add files in order.
Tips:
- If your file already contains proper frame rate and resolution, DCP-o-matic will detect them automatically.
- If you need subtitles, add them here (preferred formats: SRT, STL). DCP-o-matic can convert and burn-in or include timed subtitles as part of the DCP.
Step 4 — Configure image settings
- In the Project -> Output tab, choose the DCP resolution and frame rate:
- For 2K: 2048×1080 or 2K Flat 1998×1080 (depending on aspect ratio).
- For 4K: 4096×2160.
- Common frame rates: 24 fps (standard), 25 fps, or 48 fps for high-frame-rate content.
- Choose whether to letterbox/pillarbox or crop. Use “Scale to fit” for most cases to avoid unwanted cropping.
- Color space: set to XYZ (DCP standard). DCP-o-matic handles conversion, but ensure you choose an appropriate input color profile if prompted (e.g., Rec.709 or ACES).
Note: If your source is in Rec.709, let DCP-o-matic convert to XYZ; if you’ve worked in a color-managed pipeline (ACES), use the correct input transforms.
Step 5 — Configure audio
- In the Audio tab, set your audio layout:
- Stereo: 2.0 (Left/Right)
- 5.1: order channels as Left, Right, Center, LFE, Left Surround, Right Surround
- 7.1: follow the standard layout
- Sample rate: 48 kHz is standard for DCP. DCP-o-matic will resample if necessary.
- Set playback gain or normalization only if you’re sure; otherwise use the mastered audio as-is.
Step 6 — Subtitles and captions (optional)
- Add subtitle files in the Subtitles/Closed Captions tab.
- Choose whether subtitles should be burned-in (open) or included as a separate track (requires the playback server to support timed subtitles). Burn-in for maximum compatibility.
- Set font size, color, and position. Keep subtitles readable: avoid placing them on black bars or key visual elements.
Step 7 — Rendering settings and performance tips
- In the Encoding tab, set quality/preset. For speed-focused DCPs select a faster preset; for maximum quality choose a slower preset.
- Enable GPU acceleration if available (check DCP-o-matic preferences). This can dramatically reduce encoding time.
- Use multiple CPU threads (set to available cores minus one to keep system responsive).
- For very large files, consider rendering to a fast internal SSD for speed, then copying to an external drive.
Step 8 — Start making the DCP
- Click “Make DCP” (or equivalent). DCP-o-matic will transcode, convert color space, encode JPEG2000 frames, and assemble the MXF and XML metadata.
- Monitor the progress. If errors appear, note their messages — common issues include unsupported codecs in source files or mismatched audio channel counts.
Step 9 — Validate and test the DCP
- Once finished, run the built-in validation in DCP-o-matic (Project -> Validate). It checks file structure and basic compliance.
- Copy the DCP folder to your delivery drive. Use exFAT for cross-platform transport.
- If possible, test-play the DCP on a local DCP player (easyDCP Player, DCP-o-matic’s player, or a theatre server). Quick tests:
- Verify picture aspect, color, and frame rate.
- Verify audio channel mapping and levels.
- Confirm subtitles display correctly if included.
Troubleshooting common issues
- No audio or wrong channels: check the audio mapping order and sample rate.
- Subtitles missing on cinema server: burn them into the image to ensure display.
- Color looks flat or too dark: confirm input color profile and ensure conversion to XYZ was applied.
- Very slow encode: enable GPU acceleration and increase thread count; use faster disk for temporary files.
Delivery checklist
- DCP folder with correct naming and all required files (.mxf, .xml).
- Readme or PDF with playback instructions (frame rate, aspect ratio, audio format).
- Verify MD5 checksums if required by the exhibitor.
- Backup copy stored separately.
Quick example: Minimal settings for a fast DCP
- Source: 1920×1080 ProRes, 24 fps, stereo, Rec.709
- Project: 2K Flat (1998×1080), 24 fps, XYZ color conversion, 48 kHz audio, burn-in subtitles
- Encoding: Fast preset, GPU acceleration, 6 CPU threads
Result: Simple short film or trailer typically completes in under an hour on a modern desktop.
Creating a DCP with DCP-o-matic is straightforward once you understand the key choices: resolution/frame rate, color-space conversion, audio mapping, and subtitle handling. With sensible presets and a modern machine, you can reliably produce a theatre-ready package in under an hour.
Leave a Reply