Professional DCP Preparation & Mastering Service
Your film, ready for flawless projection.
Preparing your film correctly is the difference between a smooth screening and a projection failure.
At DCPready, we handle every step — from verifying color and sound to mastering the final DCP — so your film meets DCI standards and plays perfectly on any cinema projector.
What Is DCP Preparation?
DCP preparation is the professional process of ensuring your film’s files are ready for theatrical mastering.
It’s more than exporting a video — it’s about checking codecs, frame rate, color space, audio levels, and metadata to guarantee perfect compatibility.
During preparation we:
- Verify codecs (ProRes 422 HQ, DNxHD, DPX, TIFF)
- Adjust color spaces (Rec.709 → DCI-P3 or XYZ)
- Normalize audio levels to cinema standards (48kHz / 24bit WAV)
- Check aspect ratio, subtitles, and sync
- Validate file integrity and DCI compliance
Poor prep is the #1 cause of playback errors at festivals and cinemas. Our process eliminates that risk.
Why DCP Preparation Matters
Festivals reject hundreds of films each year due to incorrect DCPs — wrong frame rate, sound issues, or missing metadata.
Our DCP Preparation Checklist ensures:- ✅ Verified color and codec pipeline
- ✅ Loudness and audio normalization
- ✅ Subtitle timing accuracy
- ✅ Pre-master QC testing
- ✅ DCI-compliant metadata
This means your DCP not only passes technical checks — it plays perfectly at the first try.
- ✅ Verified color and codec pipeline
Our Cinema-Ready Pre-Treatment™ Process
Our exclusive Pre-Treatment™ workflow ensures your DCP meets every projection standard.
- Step 1 – File Review
We analyze source files for codec, frame rate, and sound format. - Step 2 – Color & Audio Optimization
We fix color shifts (Rec.709 → XYZ) and normalize audio to cinema loudness (LEQ-M). - Step 3 – Format Conversion
We convert to a high-quality, lossless intermediate format (ProRes 422 HQ / DPX). - Step 4 – Quality Control (QC)
Our team performs visual and audio QC on calibrated monitors. - Step 5 – DCP Mastering
We encode your film using DCI and ISDCF standards for projection reliability. - Step 6 – Real Cinema Test (optional)
We test DCPs on actual cinema projectors to confirm flawless playback.
Each stage is handled by experienced projection technicians — not just software.
Supported Formats
We work with all major production formats:
- Video: ProRes 422 HQ, DNxHD, DPX, TIFF
- Audio: WAV 48kHz / 24bit, stereo or 5.1
- Color: Rec.709, DCI-P3, XYZ
- Frame rates: 23.98 / 24 / 25 / 30 fps
If your files differ, we’ll adapt them to ensure DCI compliance and best quality.
Tested on Real Cinema Projectors
Unlike automated services, every DCP we deliver is tested on real projection systems.
That means:
- Perfect color reproduction
- Correct aspect ratio
- Smooth, stable playback
- Balanced sound across all channels
No assumptions, no surprises — just a flawless on-screen experience.
Get Your Film Ready for Cinema
We combine technical mastery and real-world projection experience.
Whether you’re submitting to festivals or distributing internationally, your DCP will be ready, compliant, and tested.
Your film deserves to shine on the big screen — without errors.
FAQs
What is a DCP master?
A DCP master (Digital Cinema Package master) is the final, cinema-ready version of your film, created to meet DCI standards for digital projection.
It contains all the necessary elements — video, audio, subtitles, and metadata — encoded in the JPEG 2000 format and wrapped for secure playback on cinema servers.
Think of it as the digital equivalent of a 35mm print — the definitive, high-quality copy used for distribution to cinemas and festivals.
At DCPready, we ensure every DCP master is technically verified, color-accurate, and projection-tested before delivery.
What is DCP preparation?
It’s the process of verifying your film’s technical specs before mastering to DCP, ensuring color, sound, and format are compatible with cinema projection.
What file formats are best for DCP mastering?
ProRes 422 HQ, DNxHD, or DPX for video, and WAV 48 kHz / 24 bit for audio. These retain maximum quality for DCP creation.
Can you fix color or audio issues before creating a DCP?
Yes — we adjust color grading and audio normalization as part of our Pre-Treatment™ process.
How long does DCP preparation take?
Usually 24–48 hours, depending on file size and corrections needed.
What’s the difference between DCP mastering and preparation?
Preparation ensures your source files are perfect; mastering creates the final DCP. Both are handled together at DCPready for full reliability.