Make Your Own DCP 23.976 fps to 24 fps with Open Source Software

This blog post will detail the creation of a Digital Cinema Package for 2K projects transferring from a HQ 422 Pro Res Quck Time file from 23.976 fps to 24 fps. These steps can be utilized to create a DCP with open source software that will lead an intermediate user to create your own DCP with limited out of pocket expenses. This process assumes that you will utilize the mac os x operating system to conduct your work flow.

Software you will need to generate your DCP:

Adobe After Effects:
https://creative.adobe.com/products/aftereffects

Open DCP
http://code.google.com/p/opendcp/

Audacity
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/

Test your completed DCP with:
http://www.quvis.com

After Effects
Launch After Effects
Choose File/Project Settings, select "32bit Float" and "HDTV Rec709"
(Not "HDTV Rec709 16-235")
Choose File/Import and select your original digital master MOV
In the Project Window, select the file you just imported, right click and choose Interpret Footage/Main...
Click on the Color Management tab and choose Select Profile "HDTV Rec709". Exit Interpret Footage
Drag the clip to the Make Comp icon at the bottom of the Project window.
Now your movie is in an After Effects composition.
Select Composition/Composition Settings...
Deselect Lock Aspect Ratio to 16x9, and set the Width to 1998. Exit Comp Settings
Select Layer/Transform/Scale to Comp Width
This will get rid of the pillar bars on the left and right.
Note: if you have scrolling credits that were well-designed to not stutter (i.e., scroll rate is even multiple of frame rate),
then you should split the layer and reset the scale to 100.0% for your credits, since scaling breaks the scroll rate--frame rate relationship.
(Sorry, this isn't the place for an After Effects basics lesson.)
Choose Composition/Add to Render Queue
In the Render Queue, click on the Output Module for the comp you just added.
Choose Format: Tiff Sequence
Choose Depth: Trillions of Colors
Switch to the Color Management tab of the Output Module, and confirm that the Output Profile is "Working Space - HDTV Rec709"
Exit Output Module Settings
Select an appropriate destination for your render, click Render, and go to coffee/lunch/dinner/drinks/bed as appropriate
This will take one to several hours depending on the length of your film and the speed of your machine.
When the render is complete, quit After Effects

In Audacity
Drag and drop the Quicktime file into Audacity (freeware) and use the Change Speed effect to speed up audio line by .1%  This converts it from 23.976 to 24 frames a second.

From the drop down arrow at the left of the stereo track, choose Split Stereo Track.  Then double click  on the left channel and choose File, Export Selection.

Under format, choose Other Uncompressed Files, then click Options and set the Header to WAV (Microsoft) and the Encoding to Signed 24 bit PCM.  Save the file with an "_L" suffix (for left channel).  Then do the same for the right channel with the suffix "_R".

Follow Open DCP instructions at:
http://code.google.com/p/opendcp/wiki/Documentation

Format Drive in Linux with:
http://www.paragon-software.com/home/extfs-mac/
Free 10 day fully functional trial

Test Your completed DCP with Quvis DCP emulator:
http://www.quvis.com/dcp-player-1-0/

About Richard Zampella

In 2011, Richard Zampella formed Trans-Multimedia, a web based multimedia company. The Company was founded to increase internet exposure of small businesses by utilizing social media and enhanced SEO techniques. As a web designer for Transmultimedia, he has developed numerous sites for small business in New York City and the surrounding Metropolitan Area.