Which DCP format for german cinemas?

I can choose between "easyDCP" and "Kakadu JPEG 2000".
Which one is more commonly used in (small) german cinemas?

You can use both (but easyDCP requires a licence).

Who needs the license?
Me or the cinema owner?
When I render as easyDCP, I can view it with VLC, but there is a big Fraunhofer watermark in the picture.
Will the watermark be gone, when someone with a license views this easyDCP film I rendered?

Who needs the license?
Me or the cinema owner?
When I render as easyDCP, I can view it with VLC, but there is a big Fraunhofer watermark in the picture.
Will the watermark be gone, when someone with a license views this easyDCP film I rendered?

You need the license. Without the license, easyDCP will put the watermark.
I’ve used both and they work well. I’ve been using Kakadu for most of my DCP delivery and it has not given me any issues. Regardless what you use, test it before you deliver. Best to test it with a projector. If you don’t have a projector, you can test it using a DCP player software that’s made just for it. Look at DCP-o-matic or NeoDCP. VLC will play the DCP but there are issues doing it that way.

You will need to copy the DCP to a Linux formatted drive. This has been a troubling effort if you’re not familiar with it. The best thing to do is use a software called DCP Transfer from Cinematic. You can just buy a month subscription to use it if you only have a few to transfer. Here’s the link. https://cinematiq.com/dcptransfer/

If you want to have less of a hassle, try autoDCP https://service.autodcp.com/ . This is a service and pretty much you’ll give them a copy of your master (ProRes) and they will take care of making the DCP and transferring them to a hard drive or Dropbox. I hope this info helps.

"You will need to copy the DCP to a Linux formatted drive. This has been a troubling effort if you’re not familiar with it. The best thing to do is use a software called DCP Transfer from Cinematic."

For our Videoclub I made several DCP's to show them in the local Cinema in Karlsruhe.
The DCP was on a normal NTFS Disk and then the Cinema (Universem-City) copied the files to their Linuxserver.
There was never a problem.

Dirk PEL

If you want 100% of compliance, don't use NTFS.

is it a wide distribution? because you will need teh "keys" to be able to play in "N" cinemas.

resolve studio can do the DCP itself that will play in a normal cinema DCp player.

Yeah, the DCP people we work with in LA generally advise not to send out DCP's without KDM keys, because some servers balk at them. We get a KDM good for the next 30-60 days, which is usually enough for a festival screening or something like that.

"You will need to copy the DCP to a Linux formatted drive. This has been a troubling effort if you’re not familiar with it. The best thing to do is use a software called DCP Transfer from Cinematic."

For our Videoclub I made several DCP's to show them in the local Cinema in Karlsruhe.
The DCP was on a normal NTFS Disk and then the Cinema (Universem-City) copied the files to their Linuxserver.
There was never a problem.

Dirk PEL

Not all cinema will do this transfer copy for you. This is very rare. Most expect it to be in a Linux compliant package. Also, some theaters will also require a key, as Marc and Walter said.

It's worth looking at DCP-O-Matic (https://dcpomatic.com/) which is open source, actively developed and used by many cinemas and Not-for-profits and a good few professionals, throughout the world. It has all the features necessary, including key generation, viewer and a formatting tool for the drives in Windows, Mac and Linux versions.

@Ellory Yu

"Not all cinema will do this transfer copy for you. This is very rare. Most expect it to be in a Linux compliant package. Also, some theaters will also require a key, as Marc and Walter said."

You are right but for us there was no problem then the projectionist is an acquaintance from me.

Dirk PEL

Harro might not be in such a situation.

[Ultra big off-topic ]

Hey Walter, I watched Tarantino's The Hateful Eight yesterday night with my son... Then read your name as senior colorist. I didn't know you worked on this one (I remember we chatted about the "no power windows" The Master a few years ago but I thought a nither guy worked on this one on Baselight... ???
Anyway these blue outdoor day light through the windows of the cabin uh ...

@others : yeah, PM, I know, cool down guys, not a big deal is it ?

I have no problem with such a public post, Sam. I'm very grateful to guys at the professional level of Walter and Marc, who are patiently investing time on this forum to help others.

Yeah, the DCP people we work with in LA generally advise not to send out DCP's without KDM keys, because some servers balk at them. We get a KDM good for the next 30-60 days, which is usually enough for a festival screening or something like that.

Very green at this.
Can a KDM be generated without a file delivered from the cinema or distributor?
Like a pass of some sort?

Apologize for my english.
Thank´s in advanced.

Rocío.

Yeah, the DCP people we work with in LA generally advise not to send out DCP's without KDM keys, because some servers balk at them. We get a KDM good for the next 30-60 days, which is usually enough for a festival screening or something like that.

Very green at this.
Can a KDM be generated without a file delivered from the cinema or distributor?
Like a pass of some sort?

Apologize for my english.
Thank´s in advanced.

Rocío.

KDM key generation requires certificate of the playback server (DCS).

Not all cinema requires an encrypted DCP. Commercial theaters do. But many smaller and independently owned do not. It also depends what is being played back. For example if you are renting the theater for a personal presentation, an encrypted DCP is not needed.