Really?

My reaction too... but I'm assured that this is a thing in some markets.

How is this then done in practice - wouldn't DCP-o-matic always wrap to MXF in SMPTE mode? Will there be a checkbox somewhere to enable this? Is it meant to have an INTEROP xml and font folder with SMPTE DCPs?

I understand it happens in some markets, but should we really allow this??? I guess we should at least test some servers behavior with these DCPs?

• Carsten

Not entirely sure of the details yet; I agree that we need to have some firm info on servers which need it and some way of testing on such servers.

Big nono from me.
If they want Interop subtitles, use an Interop container.
Servers that crappy will probably play a 25 fps Interop anyways.

Yup. Why use SMPTE when full SMPTE doesn't work? Then just use Interop. The ISDCF guys would kill us.

Would like to hear which server this is? Maybe DSS100? That one can play SMPTE DCPs, but the last software was 4.7, and I think it never was enabled to unwrap SMPTE subtitles, or maybe it fails on encrypted SMPTE subtitles. But that one can't play 25 or 30fps anyway, so why SMPTE at all?

• Carsten

The issue appears even on most universal Doremi servers (I assume it's because of lackness of updates). And on Barco Alchemy everytime for 25 fps (and probably others, too). The key of this is to enable creation of IOP supplemental DCPs for already created SMPTE based package. This could be done by unlocking IOP/SMPTE option when creating VF, with a specific warning popping up for IOP. I know this is cotroversial and seems crazy, but I used xml based supplementals for 25 fps SMPTE packages many times, on various servers and it always worked great, not a big deal at all. And if it works, why not? I can volunteer to test this feature as I have access to some different servers.

I personally know about failed screenings because of mixed Interop/SMPTE OV/VF combinations. Some people used the first test version that allowed to create VFs immediately for production work and sent out Cross-Type DCPs without testing...

I checked into SMPTE compatibility issues of various servers and projectors during the recent months, and, every prominent server and most projectors can be made SMPTE compatible, including encrypted/MXF wrapped subtitles. The only useful way to deal with this is to force cinemas into upgrading. They need to do this anyway with more SMPTE titles appearing. If for some reason you may feel a mixed SMPTE/IOP VF is necessary, I can only suggest you dig up those early DCP-o-matic versions that allowed this (e.g. 2.6.3). There was a good reason why that was fixed immediately.

If full SMPTE DCPs do not work, then just create Interop at either 25 or 24 fps.

• Carsten

There's been another request for this, and apparently it's possible with EasyDCP (and their support will tell you how to do it).

I don't understand why someone feels forced to create SMPTE DCP in this case. Why not just continue with Interop? I really would refrain from it. I feel it IS absolutely necessary to update servers and projectors to SMPTE compatible software. Note this does not mean 2022 software. Old series 1 projectors e.g. received SMPTE compatible (i.e. subtitles) software already back in 2012, and even EOL/outdated servers like the DSS100 back in 2014.

I know this sounds as a weird attempt (where will it end?), but would it be possible to create a version just for them? I'd have no problem if someone is creating these zombie DCPs for their own playback need. But if they are e.g. a mastering studio in some special region, and distributing DCPs there, this would already cross a line for me. One should not circulate this kind of DCP.

I think they want to make IOP VF supplements to existing SMPTE OV DCPs (that they did not make) because some Polish cinema servers are old and "probably cannot be updated".

Allowing a mix of SMPTE and Interop just sounds soooo wrong. Can they make sure these get only to those servers with problems? Because other servers may fail/reject. SMPTE subtitled VFs are so common now. They really need to update these systems.