What is a DCP?
A DCP is a collection of digital files used to store and convey digital cinema audio, image and data streams encoded to DCI standards. These files get uploaded to the digital cinema server, which enables the digial projector to play your film.
Why do you need a DCP?
Probably about 99% of the cinemas worldwide use digital projectors nowadays (as well as classic film projectors). These projectors only accept DCPs. So its very likely that if you submit your film to a film festival and it gets selected (in which case you’re awsome!) they will want you to provide a DCP version of your film for the screening.
What do I offer and why is it so cheap?
Primarily aiming to target independent filmmakers, I offer to create such DCP for you from almost any given video format (however I recommend at least a Prores 422HQ file) and I will make it DCI compliant both image- and sound-wise and deliver it on a Linux formatted drive which is recongnized by all digital cinema servers.
Most post-production studios use commercially licenced softwares for DCP creation which cost them thousands of pounds each year. Targeting independent filmmakers I started researching DCP creation as I wanted to make a free tool for it. I have spent several years as an editor (/colourist) and had experience in software development which helped me develop this tool called MOV2DCP which uses codes from trusted and widely used free softwares like ffmpeg, openjpeg, opendcp, and dcp-o-matic. Without getting into too much technical detail, I have created many DCPs with this tool and they have always worked properly on digital cinema projectors worldwide.
DCP Prices
2K DCP mastering prices
4K DCP mastering prices
Short film (0 - 10 mins) | £90 |
Short film (11 - 30 mins) | £125 |
Short film (31 - 60 mins) | £175 |
Feature film (60 - 90 mins) | £230 |
Feature film (91 - 120 mins) | £290 |
Feature film (121 - 180 mins) | £380 |
Short film (0 - 10 mins) | £120 |
Short film (11 - 30 mins) | £155 |
Short film (31 - 60 mins) | £210 |
Feature film (61 - 90 mins) | £305 |
Feature film (91 - 120 mins) | £385 |
Feature film (121 - 180 mins) | £490 |
What does the price include?
Your film will be encoded according to DCI standards in the highest possible quality in XYZ colourspace within a DCI compliant container with the aspect ratio of eithe DCI Flat (1.85:1) or DCI Scope (2.39:1)
If your film isn't using a DCI standard framerate it will be converted accordingly. For example if your film is using 23.976 fps then it will be converted to true 24 fps. My DCPs use the SMPTE standard so 25fps, 30fps, 48fps and 60fps are also allowed.
Supported audio channels are Stereo (2.0), 5.1 and 7.1. Your DCP’s audio track will be a 24-bit 48kHz audio file.
Your DCP drive* will be repartitioned and EXT3 formatted to give you the highest compatibility with digital cinema projectors. Any additional copy of the DCP is £15 each.
I will provide you with a cover sheet with all the technical details of your DCP that might be of use for the projectionist. I will also create a 60 second long test DCP from a random bit of your film. Because of its small size that test DCP can be esily sent away to the screening venue if for a compatibility check if you're unsure of their specs.
*the price doesn't include the actual hard drive. You can bring your own USB 3.0 device or I can provide you with a robust Lacie Rugged drive for a charge.