What resolution should i render my film for DCP?

[inrainbows]

Hi, I'm about to render my short film that shot for 1.66:1 aspect ratio to screen on a 2K cinema.

I intended to use a flat container, should i render to a 2K Flat Container resolution (1998x1080) and later crop it to 1.66 in DCP process or just export my film with 1.66 cropped (1792x1080) before the DCP? and curious to know what differences these two solutions makes.

And any other reccommendations for first time DCP would be much appreciated.
Thank you!

[IoannisSyrogiannis]

The result shouldn't be any different.
Yet, creating a pillar-boxed video and then cropping it, would probably introduce a minor extra stress in the procedure.
Would that be measurable? Probably not. Yet, one wonders, for that (probably) insignificant drawback, what the benefit would be?

If rendering 2K Flat is somehow beneficial for your workflow, as opposed to rendering HD or 1,66:1, go for it. If not... simplify.

[Carsten]

How is your master/timeline laid out currently? Will you create that master as a 'general' master of your movie, or just for DCP generation?

In general, I would advise to create a 1.66:1 master without pillarboxing, and adjust to the final container in DCP-o-matic.

That way, your master is 'generic' in it's native format/aspect ratio.


Also if your timeline is 1920/1080 active pixel, it's probably better to do the cropping in your video editor, as it may offer more options for cropping, scaling and reframing.

[inrainbows]

The result shouldn't be any different.
Yet, creating a pillar-boxed video and then cropping it, would probably introduce a minor extra stress in the procedure.
Would that be measurable? Probably not. Yet, one wonders, for that (probably) insignificant drawback, what the benefit would be?

If rendering 2K Flat is somehow beneficial for your workflow, as opposed to rendering HD or 1,66:1, go for it. If not... simplify.

Thanks!

[inrainbows]

How is your master/timeline laid out currently? Will you create that master as a 'general' master of your movie, or just for DCP generation?

In general, I would advise to create a 1.66:1 master without pillarboxing, and adjust to the final container in DCP-o-matic.

That way, your master is 'generic' in it's native format/aspect ratio.


Also if your timeline is 1920/1080 active pixel, it's probably better to do the cropping in your video editor, as it may offer more options for cropping, scaling and reframing.

Currently working on a 1792x1080 timeline, did not intend this to be a master because i was planning on other screening than cinema in a normal 1080p or 4k resolution too.

[Carsten]

If your timeline uses the native aspect ratio of your material, I would output it as such. There is no need to create pillarboxing for an intermediate format.

[inrainbows]

Danke!