SMPTE DCP MIGRATION
Please be advised that Paramount Pictures Australia will be updating the format type for all our DCP content.
From the 31st July 2021, all new release feature films from Paramount Pictures will be delivered through SMPTE format DCPs. PAW PATROL THE MOVIE being the first feature delivered in the SMPTE format.
This SMPTE content is already being provided through other Studios/Distributors, and our understanding is that all Australian cinemas Nationally are capable of screening via this format.
What is SMPTE and why are we switching?
The Digital Cinema Format is a file-based framework that allows high-quality versions of motion pictures, called Compositions, to be efficiently represented and played back on digital playback servers and projectors. The delivery of these Compositions are packaged into what is known worldwide as a Digital Cinema Package or its more common acronym; DCP.
The DCP, its assets and their corresponding video/audio/text based data sources are governed by a suite of SMPTE standards which regulate the constrained application specific implementation of said assets which compose the package.
In simpler terms, the SMPTE DCP is built upon the Interop DCP but with further enhancements and explicitly defined constraints. The specification is published as a formal suite of standards by SMPTE under the 21DC Technology Committee.
You can find more information on the transition to SMPTE on the SMPTE Digital Cinema Package website.
What you need to do?
Ingest the DCPs as is normal practise and alert the Paramount team if you encounter any issues.
If you would like to test your systems now, you can find instructions on how to download a test package and request a KDM at the below link.
Digital Delivery
While we will continue to provide physical DCP’s in this new format, we also welcome advancements in digital delivery for both features and trailers through the various service providers. We encourage all cinemas to explore digital content delivery methods with your your preferred content delivery partner.
