Screen Size

Anything and everything to do with DCP-o-matic.
StanleyRoubaix
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon May 27, 2024 7:34 am

Screen Size

Post by StanleyRoubaix »

Hi,

I recorded my movie in 4.6k DCI aspect ratio.
I shot with 2.35 aspect ratio in mind for final.
Thus my project size in Davinci Resolve is 3840 x 1634

My question is this...when I look for the standards for DCPs I've no idea which to pick.
Am I to use a letter box overlay and export in 4K Flat or Full? Or should I export in the time line resolution?
My distributor deliverable is 2k but I need a 4k for local cinema showings.

I found a list of DCP aspect ratios elsewhere and I'm not sure how I should approach it as mine isn't listed.

2K Scope (2.39:1) Resolution: 2048x858 FPS:24/1 or 48/1
2K Flat (1.85:1) Resolution: 1998x1080 FPS:24/1 or 48/1
2K Full (1.90:1) Resolution: 2048x1080 FPS:24/1 or 48/1
4K Scope (2.39:1) Resolution: 4096x1716 FPS:24/1
4K Flat (1.85:1) Resolution: 3996x2160 FPS:24/1
4K Full (1.90:1) Resolution: 4096x2160 FPS:24/1

I also shot 25fps as I'm in the UK, should I export at 24fps?
Carsten
Posts: 2804
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2014 9:11 pm
Location: Germany

Re: Screen Size

Post by Carsten »

You should use a 4k scope container, 4096/1716.

Your shooting format is not the optimum choice for DCI scope, but you should still be fine. Keep in mind, 2.35:1 is the 'old' 35mm film based scope. DCI has 2048/858=2.39:1. The difference is small, though, and it will hardly be noticeable in typical cinemas.
Your master will have to be rescaled, and cropped a little bit to fit the 2.39 DCI scope AR (13pix from top and bottom). 25fps should work on most systems, but I would opt for 24fps. There are still some few systems out there that do not support 25fps.

Depends a bit wether you want to create a universal DCP for a wide distribution, or a DCP created towards a special venue with the possibility to check playback before presentation.

You could create a DCP without any scaling/cropping, putting the 3840/1634 letter- and pillarboxed into a 4k container. That will leave some black bars on all sides of the image. Depends on the cinemas screen layout/setup in how far this will be visible and/or annoying. I would usually opt to fill the standard container - either flat, or scope, even if some scaling or minor cropping is needed to accomplish that.

What you do in Resolve depends a little bit on your specific workflow strategies. Personally, I would output a 'UHD scope master' in 3840/1634 at 25fps, and do all adjustments/scaling in DCP-o-matic. That master would be your 'universal' master, and everything necessary to adjust for DCP would be done in DCP-o-matic. But, of course, you could also create a dedicated DCP master in resolve, outputting to 4096/1716, if you trust Resolves scaling more than DCP-o-matic.
StanleyRoubaix
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon May 27, 2024 7:34 am

Re: Screen Size

Post by StanleyRoubaix »

Thanks for that, It will take me a while to work out all of the things you mentioned and find out what they mean and how to do them.