Software from Fraunhofer IIS Creates Digital Cinema Packages
In digital cinema, films are turned into digital data packages, so-called DCPs (Digital Cinema Packages). With the easyDCP software from the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS, this can be done quickly and easily without any in-depth, expert knowledge. With just a few clicks, high-resolution HD, 2k, and 4k contents can be packaged into finished, SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) standards-compliant DCPs and prepared for digital screening in movie theaters. This is especially advantageous for small productions and postproduction companies. The Fraunhofer software supports creation of DCPs in JPEG2000- Interop, besides SMPTE standards-compliant, format.
What appears to be difficult in conversion to digital formats is easily handled by the easyDCP software: Color space transformation, e.g., from TIFF images to JPEG2000 image material is done automatically in compliance with recognized DCI (Digital Cinema Initiatives) standards. The software also wraps the various DCP components (audio and image files, subtitles, etc.) into MXF files and then delivers a DCP ready for playback.
Fraunhofer IIS will also be showcasing the extended version of this software during NAB2009: With easyDCP+, 3D DCPs can be created in HD and 2k resolutions. This version supports content encryption according to valid DCI specifications, allowing contents to be sent to theaters in either secure or non-secure form. The individual DCP key can also be generated with easyDCP+.
Another highlight of the NAB presentation is the new Fraunhofer DCPplayer. Extremely fast JPEG2000 decoding software enables, e.g., real-time playback of 2k DCPs and J2k image sequences. This is a big plus for postproduction: The Fraunhofer DCPplayer allows individual DCP playback systems to be developed with just a standard PC and a special graphic card. Processing of JPEG2000 files for compositing or color grading can be accelerated. Testing the DCPs for delivery or testing audio-video synchronization during conforming can be done quickly and easily on-site.
Source: MarketWatch
