DCP or HDCAM for screening?

Jim Brennan

Jim Brennan

VHS Member Old Skool
Fingers crossed on a fest, but the only way they screen is DCP, HDCAM or 35mm. I am guessing a print is cost prohibitive. Any thoughts on the other two formats?

Gracias.
 
DCPs aren't incredibly hard to make. They are time consuming and kind of a pain since you can't really test much (except for the free players available online...which don't show much or if you can get to the theater). You can do that for free but HDCAM would just simplify the process and you'd be assured good quality if you went to a reputable house.
 
Thanks. I have no intention of doing it myself. I used to think any nickel I could save was a good thing. I have since learned that hiring pros is a better thing. :beer:

We have budgeted for a festival strategy, so we can spend a little to have it done right. I am just trying to do a cost/benefit analysis. What I have learned so far is that DCP is either a 2K or 4K digital file with some sort of encryption and key and has become (or is becoming) the digital cinema standard. Whether that is because of the quality or the proprietary/security advantages is a question I don't have the answer to. I have also heard that there have been some implementation issues (We had a few at the Starz Denver FF a few weeks ago)

My understanding is that HDCAM is a high quality 1080P, digital, tape based format. Possibly a simple process, but I don't know.

I also have no idea what the cost difference. As i said, we have some money to do a transfer, but I don't want to spend more on something that won't make a significant difference.

Thanks!

e
 
I would be curious to know which gives the best image result purely on quality side not on budget or ease of use...
 
HDCAM is natively 1440x1080 (HDCAM SR is full raster) so DCP is the higher quality format but the project and the screen obviously need to be up to snuff for there to be a noticeable difference. With that being said, Lucas shot Attack of the Clones on HDCAM so it's like you choosing between 35mm and DVD for exhibition. HDCAM might a more widely accepted format for festivals than DCP? I'm not sure. Making a HDCAM tape is pretty straight forward. A weekly show I worked on delivered on HDCAM so every Wednesday we recorded to HDCAM from FCP.
 
Ah, no question HDCAM will be cheaper than DCP - at least here in Toronto it is. HDCAM's can cost anywhere from $200-350, whereas a DCP can cost $1000+. How long is your movie? Do you plan on using it for more than just this festival?
 
DCP's range from ~$3K to ~$6K depending on location, turnaround time, amount of authoring needed, and verification process to ensure the color space conversion to XYZ - etc. I am assuming you mastered to Rec.709? An HDCAM is basically a real time play out to the format that most any facility can do, or a day's rental of a deck if you have the NLE and the I/O. You didn't mention audio specs, stereo, surround? You can have both as needed, HDCAM SR would be the want to master your stereo and 5.1 across 8 tracks. If you have limited tracks on the HDCAM, and want to have surround, you will need to look into Dolby E and whether the festival supports decoding that should also be asked. If DCP, are they providing you with keys for authentication, or will these be unencrypted DCPs?

Michael
 
You should try to find out if there's a difference in how or where your film will be projected if you show it from a DCP vs a HDCam. DCP implies that it will be a theater or screening room with a cinema projector (but don't take this for granted). HDCam can be in the same room connected to the same projector, or it can be set up with a consumer grade projector in a cafeteria or gym.
 
Great questions. We did a stereo mix. We are prepping for other fests, but there are a lot of moving parts at the moment. If we get accepted I will contact them to see if choice of format is a factor regarding venue. I would guess it would have to be to some extent. The film turned out very well both visually and regarding the sound design, so we want to give it the best opportunity we can. But if the quality difference is nominal and the difference in cost is upwards of a factor of 5, that may be a mitigating factor.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top