Blog & resources
Guides on DCPs — color, subtitles, frame rate, formats, KDM and more.
Can I convert an MP4 to a DCP?
Can you make a DCP from an MP4? Yes—but the details matter. Here's why ProRes or DNxHD will always beat a compressed MP4, and what you should send us.
What's inside a DCP?
You opened your DCP and found a folder full of files that won't play. Don't worry: here's what each one is (MXF, CPL, PKL, ASSETMAP) and what it does.
Does a DCP work in any cinema?
In theory yes; in practice it depends. Not all DCPs are made well. Here's the care that ensures your DCP runs in any theater in the world.
Can you make a DCP with subtitles?
Yes—and in as many languages as you want. Here's how to add subtitles to your DCP from our platform, and how to add more languages or extra audio.
Making a DCP Looks Easy… Until It Isn't
Making a DCP looks simple, but one mistake and your film won't play in the cinema. Here's my ordeal—and why your DCP now comes out tested and ready to screen.
How do you deliver a DCP to a festival?
Your film got selected—now what? Here's how to deliver a DCP to a festival: quality control, physical vs. digital delivery, and why we use Filemail.
What is a KDM?
The KDM (Key Delivery Message) is the key that unlocks an encrypted DCP. Here's how it works, why distributors use it, and how to get one generated.
What is a CPL?
The CPL (Composition Playlist) is one of the key files in a DCP. Here's what it does, why it has a unique number, and how it prevents KDM errors.
What is a DCP VF (Version File)?
DCP OV, DCP VF… it sounds like another language, but it's simple. Here's what a Version File is, why it's smaller, and when it helps you add languages or subtitles.
What's the difference between 2K and 4K?
2K, 4K, HD, Ultra HD… how do they differ, and why doesn't cinema use the same sizes as TV? A simple explanation, with the exact resolutions.
What file format do I need for a DCP?
ProRes, MP4, QuickTime, AVI… which format works for a DCP? You can start from almost any video, but the source quality is everything. Here's why.
DCP? What is that?
From celluloid to a hard drive: how cinema moved from heavy film reels to the DCP—what a Digital Cinema Package is and how today's films get screened.