DCP Services for Theatrical & Festival Distribution

DIGITAL CINEMA MASTERING FOR THE BIG SCREEN

SMV provides professional DCP creation, mastering and QC for theatrical releases, film festivals and private screenings. From our secure Burbank facility, we can create your DCP, review it and screen it in our dedicated 4K screening room before final delivery or exhibition.

SMV provides DCP creation, mastering and QC for theatrical releases and film festivals, with 4K screening and review available at our Burbank facility.

What Are DCP Services?

A Digital Cinema Package (DCP) is the standardized digital format used to distribute and exhibit films in digital cinemas, screening rooms and film festivals.

Creating a professional DCP requires proper encoding, image and audio preparation, packaging and validation to help ensure reliable playback on digital cinema systems.

SMV creates cinema-ready DCPs to current industry specifications, with professional mastering and QC before your project reaches the screen.

Complete DCP Services

DCP Creation

Professional Digital Cinema Packages created from approved masters for theatrical, festival and screening applications.

2K & 4K DCP

DCPs mastered in 2K or 4K according to your project, source material and exhibition requirements.

DCP Mastering

Picture and audio are professionally prepared, encoded and packaged for digital cinema exhibition.

DCP QC

Completed DCPs are reviewed for picture, audio, synchronization, formatting and playback issues before delivery.

Encryption & KDM

Encrypted and unencrypted DCP creation with Key Delivery Message (KDM) generation and management when required.

DCP Versioning

Alternate versions, trailers and additional DCP packages prepared for different screenings, releases and distribution needs.

BUILT FOR THEATER PLAYBACK

From Master File to Cinema Screen.

Digital cinema leaves little room for technical errors. SMV prepares your DCP with the proper image, audio, packaging and playback specifications required for reliable theatrical exhibition.

PROFESSIONAL DCP MASTERING

Your approved source is prepared and encoded for digital cinema exhibition.

PICTURE & AUDIO PREPARATION

Image, frame rate, aspect ratio, audio and synchronization are reviewed as part of the mastering workflow.

DCP QUALITY CONTROL

Completed packages are checked for technical issues before theatrical or festival delivery.

READY FOR EXHIBITION

Final DCPs are prepared for reliable playback at cinemas, festivals and screening venues.

SCREENING SERVICES

DCP Screening & Review in Our Burbank Facility

SMV offers more than DCP creation. Our dedicated Burbank screening room allows clients to review and screen completed DCPs in the same facility where they are created and QC’d, providing an additional level of confidence before theatrical exhibition, festival delivery or final approval.

The screening room is also available for private screenings and client review sessions, with professional projection, sound and finishing capabilities.

FROM ISSUE TO APPROVAL.

Creating a Cinema-Ready DCP

Every project has different theatrical, festival and distribution requirements. SMV manages the DCP process from approved master through mastering, quality control and final delivery.

01

MASTER & CREATE

We review your approved master, confirm theatrical specifications and create the DCP in the required 2K or 4K format.

02

QC & SECURE

The completed DCP is checked for picture, audio, synchronization, formatting and playback, with encryption and KDMs added when required.

03

PREPARE & DELIVER

Your cinema-ready DCP is prepared for theatrical, festival or screening delivery, including KDM distribution and versioning as needed.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES.

Built for Theatrical Exhibition

SMV prepares Digital Cinema Packages for reliable playback across theatrical, festival and professional screening environments.

DCP MASTERING

2K · 4K · Features · Shorts · Trailers · DCI-Compliant Packaging

DCP QC & PLAYBACK

Picture · Audio · Sync · Subtitles · Formatting · Playback Verification

ENCRYPTION & KDM

Encrypted & Unencrypted DCPs · KDM Creation · KDM Management · KDM Distribution

THEATRICAL & FESTIVAL DELIVERY

Film Festivals · Theatrical Distribution · Screening Copies · Versioning · DCP Corrections

Why Choose SMV?

40+ Years of Experience

More than four decades of post-production experience supporting filmmakers, studios, production companies and content owners since 1982.

DCP Creation & Screening

DCP mastering, QC, review and screening can all be handled at our Burbank facility, helping streamline the process from approved master through final playback.

Theatrical Expertise

We understand the technical requirements of digital cinema and prepare DCPs for reliable playback in theaters, festivals and professional screening environments.

Reliable, Responsive Turnaround

From initial mastering through QC, KDMs and final delivery, our team keeps your DCP moving toward its screening deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a DCP film format?

A Digital Cinema Package (DCP) is the standardized digital format used to distribute and play films in digital cinemas. It packages picture, audio, subtitles and other required data into files designed for professional theatrical projection.

How is a DCP created for a film?

A DCP is created from an approved master by preparing the picture and audio to digital cinema specifications, encoding the content and packaging the required files for theatrical playback. SMV can create DCPs for features, shorts, trailers and other screening content.

Should I create a 2K or 4K DCP?

The appropriate resolution depends on your source master, project requirements and intended exhibition. SMV can prepare both 2K and 4K DCPs and help determine the appropriate format for your project.

Do film festivals require a DCP?

Many film festivals and professional screening venues use DCP as their preferred or required exhibition format. Always check the festival’s delivery specifications and deadlines before submitting your film.

Can SMV screen and review a DCP after it is created?

Yes. SMV can create, QC, review and screen your DCP at our Burbank facility. Our dedicated screening room features 4K Barco projection, a 12.5-foot Stewart Snomatte screen and 5.1 Genelec surround sound, allowing the completed DCP to be evaluated in a professional screening environment before final delivery or exhibition.

What is a KDM for a DCP?

A Key Delivery Message (KDM) allows an encrypted DCP to play on authorized cinema equipment during a specified period. SMV provides KDM creation, management and distribution for projects requiring secure theatrical playback.

Can you create both encrypted and unencrypted DCPs?

Yes. SMV can prepare encrypted or unencrypted DCPs depending on the security requirements, venue specifications and distribution needs of the project.

Does SMV perform QC on completed DCPs?

Yes. DCP QC helps identify potential issues with picture, audio, synchronization, subtitles, formatting and other elements before the package is delivered for exhibition.

Can SMV create DCPs for trailers, festivals and theatrical distribution?

Yes. SMV provides DCP creation and versioning for feature films, shorts, trailers, festival screenings and theatrical distribution, along with KDM management and delivery support when required.

Can SMV’s screening room be used for private screenings and review sessions?

Yes. SMV’s Burbank screening room is available for private screenings and client review sessions. The room accommodates approximately 8–10 people and includes 4K projection, 5.1 surround sound and DaVinci Resolve capability.

Need DCP Services or a Screening Quote?

Tell us about your project, screening requirements and timeline. Our Burbank team can help determine the right DCP, KDM, delivery or screening solution for your project.

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Post-Production Services

UNDER ONE ROOF.

DCP creation is often one step in a larger post-production workflow. SMV supports filmmakers, studios and production companies with Master QC, closed captioning, deliverables, file conversion, media archiving, DCP screening and review, and other professional post-production services from our Burbank facility.