This FAQ is valid for

easyDCP from Version 3.X IMF Studio from Version 4.X easyDCP Resolve Plugin  all Versions

 

You’re working for the Digital Cinema and On-Demand Video industry with optimized workflows and leading software like DaVinci Resolve?

You deserve to work with the best software available!

easyDCP Plus and IMF Studio form the leading solutions for the digital cinema supply chain and are acknowledged as Netflix Post Technology Alliance products. Benefit from our exclusive offer for users of the easyDCP Resolve Plug-in.

Extend your services with the capabilities of easyDCP Plus and/or IMF Studio

Click a row show more information

For your orientation we have tested a selection of hardware configurations.

The result may help you to find the optimized hardware configuration for your need. 

Download the performace sheet here

We recomment that you read this important information describing the test-procedure:

Tested software:

easyDCP Player+ 2.0.8 using the CPU for JPEG 2000 decompression. The used memory-, storage- and graphics card-configuration had NO impact on the decoding performances.

Test material:

We generated Test-DCPs with white noise. White noise images can be regarded as a worst-case scenario for JPEG 2000 as well as many other image/video compression formats. We generated white noise DCPs for 2K/2D, 2K/3D and 4K/2D. We also used different container-sizes known as Flat (2K: 1998x1080, 4K: 3996x2160), Scope (2K: 2048x858, 4K: 4096x1716) and Full-Container (2K: 2048x1080, 4K: 4096x2160). Even if easyDCP Player has to decode more pixels in Full-Container-mode compared to either Flat or Scope, we did not notice a huge difference in the decoding-performances. 

Another effect that has to be considered is a special encoder setting when generating DCPs: easyDCP Creator, for example, generates JPEG 2000 files using Variable Bit Rate (VBR). This means, that, regardless of the maximum bitrate, source images with little details result in compressed JPEG 2000 files comprising a small file-size. On the other hand, source images with plenty of details result in larger file-sizes. Only the maximum size is limited by the maximum bitrate that was specified when encoding the images. When required, the encoder stops to include more information in the compressed images so as not to violate the maximum bitrate. For our worst-case DCPs, the encoder has constantly hit the maximum bitrate, so the data-rate appears in fact to be constant. VBR-encoded DCPs, however, usually show a varying data-rate throughout the playback of the DCP. The data-rate has a very strong impact on easyDCP Player’s playback performance. If a source DCP was encoded with a very low data-rate it may be possible to playback the movie in real-time, even when using a slow hardware configuration. Since the data-rate in our test-DCPs does not vary at all, the measured results show a worst-case behavior. So it may be possible to playback a DCP without any issues in real-time, even if the table shows an orange bullet-point for the test case.

* Quality Slider (QS):

Since version 2.0, easyDCP Player is capable of trading decoding precision for a better performance. Especially, when viewing DCPs (which have 36 bits per pixel) on a computer monitor (24  bits per pixel), some information from the JPEG 2000 codestream can safely be ignored without a significant impact on the resulting image quality.

** Level Skipping:

Using easyDCP Player’s Level-Skipping feature , one or more resolution levels of the JPEG 2000 code-stream can be discarded. Of course, the reduction of resolution levels has direct impact on the playback performance on the one hand. On the other hand, skipping a resolution level will half the resolution in both dimensions. Discarding the highest resolution level is often sufficient to allow for real-time playback even on notebooks.

4.2.3

• new: Validation test for file names in Assetmap (case sensitive).
• new: Validation test to verify that "OriginalFileName" in PKL matches actual file name.
• fix: Crash going fullscreen if monitor was unplugged.
• fix: Potential HD-SDI glitch switching to lower resolution layer while playback.
• fix: Potential incorrect HD-SDI background color level.

4.2.2

• new: Massive performance improvements with HD-SDI enabled.
• new: Support for AAC export with 5.1 channel configuration.
• fix: Fullscreen with dual monitor setups (Windows and MacOS).
• fix: Opening of MAP Packages (with special license).
• fix: Update Edit Rate(s) warnings and recommendations in validation to reflect latest standard.
• fix: (Windows) Remove support for obsolete MME audio hosts.

4.2.1

• new: Add CLI validation argument "--resultInFilename" to put result in report filename.
• new: Resolve VF package from CLI when OV is specified as well to allow VF export.
• fix: Potential playback hang when V-Sync is enabled.
• fix: Potential crash when project file with unequal reel parameters is played back.
• fix: HD-SDI device detection if input-only Blackmagic HD-SDI device is present.
• fix: (MacOS) Improvement of fullscreen with dual monitor setups.
• fix: Show current state of settings that require restart.
• fix: Remove warning when decoding is done on primary GPU.

4.2.0

• new: Switch to Vulkan for rendering instead of OpenGL.
• new: (MacOS) Universal app.
• new: (MacOS) Use Apple VideoToolbox to encode/decode ProRes.
• new: Support for loading MKV files.
• new: Disables all file overwrite warnings in export dialog when "always ignore" is selected.
• fix: Metadata inspector shows correct value for audio bit depth.
• fix: Potential crash when loading single picture files.
• fix: Statistic window updates correctly if SDI is turned on/off during playback.
• fix: Fallback to parent folder if last open location is not present anymore.
• fix: Line alignment of status column in the hash checker.
• fix: Save column widths when resizing elements of the hash checker.
• fix: (Apple M) Rendering of colored text subtitles in correct hue.
• fix: (Apple M) Export uses correct color-transform settings for PNG subtitles.
• fix: (Apple M) Render overlapping subtitles of the same spot in the correct order.
• fix: (Apple M) Potential crash when DeckLink initialization failed.
• fix: (Apple M) Subtitles are rerender when enabled/disabled if playback is paused.

4.1.7

• fix: Potential issues and slowdowns caused by validation when loading packages.
• fix: Improved composition marker compatibility.
• fix: Save and restore of custom input audio mappings.
• fix: Auto detect test specifications when validating package from command line.

4.1.6

• fix: Improve stability and performance of timeline waveform generation.
• fix: Case insensitive language tag validation as per RFC5646 section 2.1.1

4.1.5

• fix: Remove false positive errors when loading package with subtitles.
• fix: Potential freeze with hash check in package validation.
• fix: Improve overall stability.
• fix: Improve playback performance and responsiveness (may depend on system).
• fix: Improve error resilience when loading corrupt packages.

4.1.4

• Minor bugfixes and improvements.

4.1.3

• new: Add option to use fixed and custom number of CPU decoders to improve playback performance and stability.
• new: Rewrite Hash Checker to improve stability and performance.
• new: Add detected package type to validation dialog and report.
• new: Write used validation specifications to validation report.
• new: Preselect validation specifications based on detected package type.
• new: Updated Blackmagic Design DeckLink SDK to version 12.4.2
• fix: Online licensing more robust against temporary connection losses.
• fix: Validation of subtitels if package is encrypted.
• fix: Loading and exporting of SMPTE subtitles with nested <font> tags.

4.1.2

• fix: Loading of 3D Lut color transformation files.
• fix: Validation of DCPs with supplemental Subtitle Track Files will no longer give resource access error.
• new: Edit Rate warning in validation is downgraded to recommendation.

4.1.1

• new: Add "Don't show again" to export output folder not empty warning dialog.
• fix: Use correct aspect ratio in description for FLAT safe area overlay.
• fix: On restart negative values for audio latency values where increased by one.
• fix: Add SMPTE 429-13 framerates to SMPTE 429-2 validation. Validation will
• no longer fail for 25 fps SMPTE DCP.
• fix: RDD-52/Bv2.1 validation pollution may cause oversized validation reports.

4.1.0

• new: Composition Markers
• new: Basic SMPTE 429-2 and SMPTE RDD 52 validation
• new: Reading of DPX 12bit packed
• new: Improved support for DCPs with Multichannel Audio Labeling Framework
• fix: Reactivate support for PPM files

4.0.9

• bugfix: easyDCP Player doesn't launch when Windows username contains special characters
• bugfix: dragging playlist item to timeline deletes it from playlist
• bugfix: timeline becoming unresponsive adding certain audio files

4.0.8

• bugfix: opening unwrapped package from export dialog doesn't work
• bugfix: sometimes single frames aren't color transformed on export

4.0.7

• added back support for 32bit wave file exports
• bugfix: cancelling export to network drive causes a crash
• bugfix: re-opening export dialog after a failed export causes a crash
• bugfix: H.264 export with odd dimension raises error
• bugfix: dropping package on login widgets deletes the package
• bugfix: empty Rating entries in CPL cause package loading to fail

4.0.6

• bugfix: crash when trying to play back
• bugfix: command line interface not working in demo mode invalid sign language DCP
• bugfix: playback of encrypted sign language track not working
• bugfix: crash when validating stereoscopic DCP
• bugfix: validating empty InterOp subtitles causes warning
• bugfix: validation of encrypted subtitle causes error message

4.0.5

• added auto-update for some DCNC entries
• bugfix: validation mentioning Virtual Tracks
• bugfix: SDI color space selection is restored on startup but wrong one is used for display
• bugfix: validation sometimes fails on first run due to mismatch of subsampling
• bugfix: component bitrate check issue when validating 4K DCP

4.0.4

• bugfix: crash validating stereoscopic DCP

4.0.3

• bugfix: some DCNC audio tags aren't extracted
• bugfix: KDM end date of validity displayed as same as start date
• bugfix: audio playback stops on track borders when previewing supplemental dcpproj

4.0.2

• updated macOS minimum requirements
• improved compatibility with older macOS versions
• bugfix: codestream validation test fails when two CPLs use different resolutions
• bugfix: SDI output color space not stored/restored
• bugfix: legal range color conversion in export wrong

4.0.1

• added option to export License & Certificate Set to create a backup
• added option to remove License & Certificate from settings to allow for an easier transition to new licensing model

4.0.0

• Introduced new licensing model
• Split DCP/IMF functionality into two separate tools for better user experience
• added validation test to check for namespace prefix usage in SMPTE subtitles
• bugfix: ProRes export using offset causes invalid video file

3.8.9

• bugfix: invalid warning about duration mismatch between mxf and cpl duration
• bugfix: crash when adding empty subtitle to supplemental track

3.8.8

• bugfix: playback of sign language not working when first reel doesn't contain sign language
• bugfix: external subtitles removed when restarting playback in Remote Desktop mode
• bugfix: crash when pre-rendering subtitles in background on macOS

3.8.7

• added possibility to relink missing sources when opening dcpproj file
• bugfix: reloading package removes external subtitle from Canvas and Timeline

3.8.5

• bugfix: audio export for container formats broken
• bugfix: certificate chain file was not backed up correctly
• bugfix: bitrate tests fail for unloaded encrypted package

3.8.4

• improved export performance
• improved waveform rendering performance
• added CPL metadata test to validation module
• added new color space for Eclair Color DCPs
• moved validation common practice tests to separate recommendation tab
• bugfix: Dolby Vision content mapping not working for inserts
• bugfix: component bitrate for 4K DCPs sometimes wrong in validation
• bugfix: wrong subtitle display type in case the same subtitle is used in multiple reels with different display types
• bugfix: display order of virtual audio tracks in timeline can be different compared to CPL
• bugfix: validation report only shows first audio track
• bugfix: opening DCPs containing CPL metadata failed

3.7

• added support for DCPs containing sign language
• added support for IMF App ProRes
• added support for IMF packages containing Dolby Vision 4.0 metadata
• added mute and solo buttons to audio meters
• added J2C component bitrate limit test to validation module
• added CLI support for exporting IMF package containing Dolby Vision
• enhanced naming of video and audio files when exporting assets
• enhanced performance when playing back ProRes QuickTimes
• updated Blackmagic Design DeckLink SDK to version 11.4
• updated Photon to version 4.6.0
• bugfix: dpx component order not detected correctly
• bugfix: Dolby Vision displays of metadata will be favoured for content mapping
• bugfix: allow Dolby Vision content mapping if display properties of metadata does not match with displays from cm config
• regression: export with Dolby Vision content mapping was broken

3.6.2

• bugfix: QuickTime Player was unable to playback exported containers with H.264
• bugfix: validation reports were unnecessary large
• bugfix: decoding issues due to usage of GPUs with low CUDA compute capability

3.6.1

• added option to change component order for dpx input
• bugfix: crash when opening export wizard due to deprecated settings entry

3.6

• added audio meter for input and output channel peak visualization
• added support for 3D subtitle preview
• added video scope module that displays parade, waveform and histogram of current canvas image
• added photon validation for IMF packages
• added Dolby Vision support
• added new timeline timing representation (frames)
• enhanced export module supports with audio routing
• enhanced export module has with preview functionality for range selection and video settings
• enhanced TTML / IMSC1 support
• enhanced view on license details
• removed waveform visualizer, which is replaced by timeline and audio meter module
• bugfix: fixed incorrect color component order when exporting DPX
• bugfix: fixed waveform in timeline not being correct for audio tracks
• bugfix: fixed shutdown of Player being stuck for a while in case waveform wasn't generated completely yet

3.5.8

• fix regression: bitrate validation now works again as expected and doesn't show wrong results for encrypted packages anymore

3.5.6

• bugfix: fixed rare crash during startup when SDI is enabled and another program already uses the connected SDI device
• bugfix: correctly store and restore decoder selection for playback and export
• bugfix: fixed rare case on some newer Macs where license import via drag and drop didn't work
• bugfix: fixed waveform in timeline not being correct for audio tracks

3.5.5

• deactivated multi-GPU usage for playback and export when starting player via command line interface, since this can lead to unexpected behaviour
• bugfix: timed text images were not exported to the correct directory when unwrapping package
• bugfix: audio preloading never finished and therefore playback did not start on some systems
• bugfix: V-Sync was available even when environment does not support V-Sync (e.g. when starting via Remote Desktop)
• bugfix: fixed problem with server certificate password that couldn't be restored on Macs sometimes
• bugfix: fixed rare case on some newer Macs where license import via drag and drop didn't work
• bugfix: audio language code for supplemental tracks is correctly displayed now (IMF only)
• bugfix: fixed crash when unsupported audio device was selected

3.5.4

• deactivated multi-GPU usage for playback and export, since this can lead to unexpected behavior
• bugfix: SDI playback stopped after canvas was closed
• bugfix: positioning of subtitles in export with enabled scaling is correct now

3.5.3

• ruby nodes in subtitles are partially displayed now (Rb tag)
• added functionality to directly jump to a timecode in timeline
• added reel wise stepping using arrow up/down for timeline
• bugfix: validation module's codestream check has detected wrong JPEG 2000 profile
• for VF package, when VF package was loaded first
• bugfix: all reels were exported, even if only one reel was selected for export
• bugfix: fixed scaling / letterboxing in export, when option keep aspect ratio is disabled
• bugfix: fixed crash after export was canceled
• bugfix: audio waveform visualizer has always shown encrypted data
• Updated Blackmagic Design DeckLink SDK to version 10.9.12

3.5.2

• bugfix: export of DCP with more than one reel failed
• bugfix: excessive memory usage during export when burn-in is enabled
• bugfix: export does not start with invalid scaling values
• bugfix: validating VF only with referenced and unreferenced pictures tracks didn't pass j2c profile consistency check
• bugfix: fixed crash when deleting custom audio output channel routing preset
• bugfix: fixed crash opening encrypted package with audio after unencrypted package with audio was opened
• bugfix: fixed stuttering playback when previewing DCPPROJ
• bugfix: fixed crash when starting via CLI and HDSDI is enabled

3.5.1

• bugfix: hash check comparison with trailing spaces/newline
• bugfix: fixed crash when starting player via remote desktop
• bugfix: fixed issue that prevents QuickTime export on macOS
• bugfix: fixed issue that prevents start of playback on less powerful systems
• bugfix: waveform not rendered for encrypted packages after switching composition
• fix regression: JPEG 2000 bit rate violation was detected for valid DCPs

3.5

• (PLUS only) timeline module for better navigation and preview
• validation module supports now VF and encrypted packages
• audio routing and channel mapping can now be done via GUI
• export module is now able to use gpu
• export module supports now scaling for all formats (except JPEG 2000)
• replacement of missing font characters works now on macOS as well
• bugfix: misidentified JPEG 2000 BCP level 6 as level 5 and thus assumed a max bitrate of 800 Mbit/s instead of 1600 Mbit/s.
• bugfix: some IMF packages could not be opened, because the MXF essence coding label's version byte was not ignored.
• bugfix: subject png-subpictures to color transform had no effect

3.4.11

• fix regression: x-coordinate for vertical timed text was not calculated correctly anymore
• bugfix: false error message in some cases during IMF J2K profile validation
• bugfix: crash when opening *.jp2 files
• bugfix: fixed edit rate/duration issues when loading certain IMF VFs
• bugfix: fixed an issue where licensing was not possible on some Macs with High Sierra and Apple FS

3.4.10

• bugfix: fixed an issue where KDMs and certificates became inaccessible after installing Windows 10 Anniversary/Creators Update
• bugfix: fixed an issue where a request for the certificate password would cause infinite hang

3.4.8

• bugfix: characters missing from the specified font of a subtitle spot were not detected in some cases
• bugfix: incorrect error message about track duration mismatches when loading certain IMF Packages
• bugfix: loading audio language from IMF Trackfiles when loading full IMF Package
• bugfix: quality check "Timed text entries are not sorted by increasing time-in timestamps" prevented timed text from getting loaded and displayed
• bugfix: missing RegXML descriptor when creating supplemental IMF Packages from saved easyDCP project
• fix regression: burn-in timed text had antialiasing disabled
• fixed loading MXF audio files without timecode tracks

3.4.5

• add support for GeForce 10 series
• add possibility to show title safe, action safe, container boxes or custom overlays in canvas
• add solo and mute button in audio waveform module
• audio waveform channels are now resizable
• added 2016 IMF Schema files for XML validation
• replacement of missing font characters can now be dynamically enabled or disabled
• new check: warn if timed text font ID does not match the ID in the LoadFont element
• new check: warn if font used by Interop DCPs has an .otf file extension. It needs to be .ttf or else it will get ignored by some servers.
• bugfix: only one channel got rendered in 3D viewing modes
• bugfix: timestamp rounding mode was not restored after a restart
• don't reject external timed text documents when warnings were found while parsing them
• remove incorrect warning when timed text duration is stated differently in MXF and CPL
• remove incorrect warning when a reel's first timed text spot number is not 1
• validation module: promote warning to error when characters present in a timed text document are missing in the referenced font file
• bugfix: JPEG 2000 bit rate violation was detected for lossless IMF packages
• bugfix: JPEG 2000 bit rate violation was detected for lossy IMF packages with broadcast profile under 5
• bugfix: stuffed memory leak in QuickTime audio writer that caused occasional crashes for long exports
• bugfix: switching between 24 bit and 30 bit SDI pixel formats did not work correctly
• bugfix: solo/mute audio channels ignored audio channel routing
• bugfix: unable to load some IMF Picture Trackfiles
• fix regression: screensaver was not disabled on Mac OS X anymore
• fix regression: Frame Forward/Backward keyboard shortcuts did not work when in fullscreen
• fix regression: fullscreen was not restored after a restart

3.4.4

• bugfix: validation module's bitrate check has calculated wrong codestream sizes for encrypted DCPs
• bugfix: switching from CPU to GPU decoder resets the selected source color space
• bugfix: loading of unsupported MXF subtitles leads to a freeze
• bugfix: atmos trackfiles are ignored when using the export option "Create supplemental easyDCP project with external subtitles"
• bugfix: show error message if not enough disk space is available during export
• bugfix: export does not remember last selected color transform
• bugfix: "additional offset from bottom" is inverted when burning in subtitles during export
• bugfix: wrong naming of subtitle files when converting from Interop to SMPTE
• bugfix: using an imported color transform LUT for export leads to a crash
• bugfix: adding TTML subtitle to IMF package leads to a crash

3.4.2

• bugfix: fix "Active sound card doesn't support current audio format - Unanticipated host error" for ASIO sound cards (including Blackmagic Audio)
• bugfix: remove incorrect warning "Package contains Trackfiles of different package types" when opening certain types of supplemental DCPs/IMPs or mixed 2D/3D/2K/4K DCPs/IMPs
• bugfix: remove incorrect warning "Resolution for picture track file in reel #x is unknown because it is a referenced track"
• before starting a DCP/IMP validation, check if the selected location for HTML report file is writable
• make default timed text outline width configurable and use a size relative to the font size so that it works well with both 2K and 4K content
• fix regression: calculate position for right-aligned timed text overlays correctly
• bugfix: position for centered timed text overlays was slightly off by a few pixels when outlines are enabled
• bugfix: don't complain about timed text spot number order when (optional) spot number attributes are absent
• show original spot number values in timed text editor, even when they are not numbers.
• bugfix: when testing if all charachters used in a timed text document are included in the corresponding font file, control charachters (e.g. newline, tab) were not ignored
• bugfix: timed text fade out duration was one frame too long.

3.4.0

• (PLUS only) Validation module that validates a DCP or IMP and creates an interactive report in html format
• support for playback of QuickTime movies
• bugfix: fix subtitle alignment on HD-SDI output with "fit to window" disabled
• bugfix: don't close full-screen when a dialog is opened on a separate monitor
• bugfix: rendering got slower for the second and further DCP/IMPs
• bugfix: fallback audio channel routing from settings file did not always take effect. Now the currently used routing is displayed in the audio options pane.
• fix regression: fix "Invalid BER encountered" error introduced in 3.3.2
• fix regression: unwrapping encrypted DCPs got broken
• fix regression: when loading a new DCP or IMP, the CUDA codec in some cases complained for no reason about a max. bitrate violation so that easyDCP Player fell back to the CPU codec.

3.3

• Extended Export Features
• GPU-accelerated Real-time Playback of IMF Packages

3.2

• Supports Retina Displays
• Advanced Timeline Slider (eases subtitling)
• Subtitles editor
• Supports DPX/TIFF/JPEG/BMP/... as input format
• Supports IMF App2
• Supports Archival Formats (IAP/MAP)
• Supports Atmos (no decoding/no downmix)
• Supports 64bit architectures
• GPU-decoding performance increased
• Export performance increased

2.0

• HD/SDI support for Blackmagicdesign Deckling and Ultrastudio playout devices
• Support for Supplemental DCPs
• Support for SMPTE subtitle
• Option to accelerate playback performance significantly
• New work-flow for activating the software within minutes
• Extended export features including scaling options and burn-in of subtitles

1.9

• Much faster export functionality
• Export of Quicktime files supported
• Extended command-line support
• Improved issue reports

1.8

• Audio visualization module (view waveform, mute, solo)
• 10 bit DisplayPort output (Windows only)
• Support for CineCanvas subtitles that reference PNG files
• Automatically export reels into individual folders
• Verify that 250mbit/s JPEG2000 datarate is not exeeded
• Increase compatibility by degrading some failed integrity checks from errors to warnings
• Show render fps
• Process CineCanvas subtitles correctly, that use "Font" node within "Text" value

1.6

• In the Commercial edition, server certificates are no longer auto-generated, and instead they can be requested from Fraunhofer support
• Add automatic and configurable compensation for audio latency
• By default, software codec now raises an error, when it encounters a corrupt jpeg2000 image
• Support for NVIDIA GeForce 500 series
• Add support for exporting 8-16 channel DCPs

1.3

• (PLUS only) Export DCP to J2C/TIFF/DPX/WAV
• Optionally check MXF file hashes
• (PLUS only) new 3D modes side-by-side and top-and-bottom
• Improved speed in software-codec
• Restore window and player state after restart

1.2

• (PLUS only) Playback of encrypted DCPs
• (PLUS only) 3D playback (anaglyph, interleaved or quad buffered)
• (PLUS only) Rendering of CineCanvas subtitles
• Support for custom color transforms and LUTs
• Fixed audio-video sync issues that occurred on some computers
• Fixed "invalid enumeration" bug that occurred when the color transform
• Hardware accelleration was enabled on computers with certain ATI graphics devices
• "Choose composition" dialog shows more metadata
• Added DCP security checks (hash values, file sizes, digital signature, certificate chain)
• Multi-GPU-Mode does not need to be disabled
• Improved software-codec performance on high-end multi-core CPUs
• System information helps during graphics device configuration

1.1

• "Fit to Window" mode scales video to optimally fill the current window size
• Floatable toolbar allows "presentation mode"
• Drag & Drop DCP folders or audio/video files onto canvas
• Drag & Drop DCP folders or audio/video files onto icon
• Improved synchronicity between audio and video
• Improved user interface response
• Settings are restored after restart
• Added load progress dialog
• Accelerated application start-up
• More detailed error messages
• Many bug fixes

Please note: Playback of stereoscopic DCPs is an exclusive feature of easyDCP Player+. The basic edition - easyDCP Player - will play back stereoscopic DCPs, but it will only display a single channel. 

In easyDCP Player+, on the other hand, you can select from a whole range of output options, all of which you can test in the demo version.

• For the best 3D experience, you should use a professional Nvidia Quadro graphics card.
• Once you enable the stereo mode in your graphics driver control panel, you will be able to select the "Quad-buffered Stereo" output option in easyDCP Player+. Left and right images will be handed in full quality to the graphics driver.
• In the graphics driver control panel you can select from different output options. For instance, it is possible to play each channel on a separate DVI link and connect your stereo-capable projector. Or you can use the active shutter glasses (e.g. 3D Vision) and view DCPs on your 120 Hz LCD display.
• But you can also screen your stereoscopic DCPs with a regular consumer-level GeForce graphics device. easyDCP Player+ implements all the widely-used interleaving modes, such as top-and-bottom, left-and-right, line-by-line, checkerboard, etc., providing compatibility with most 3D TVs. Just full screen easyDCP Player+ and hook up your 3D TV with a DVI or HDMI cable.
• Be aware, that for all interleaved modes, either the horizontal or vertical resolution will be halved.
• Finally, you can select from a range of anaglyph viewing modes and others such as "difference", "blend", "left only", "right only" and "both channels alternating".
• For dual projector playback please follow this instruction provided from NVIDEA 

easyDCP Creator(+) from 2.2.X, easyDCP Player(+) from 2.0.X and easyDCP KDM Generator(+) from 1.4.1X and above can be directly activated from within the application.

Known limitations:
macOS: Only easyDCP 3.5.5 or higher can be run as of macOS 10.12 (Sierra)
Windows: Only easyDCP 3.4.10 ot higher can run on Windows 10

Please watch our video tutorial or proceed as follows:

1. Download and install the latest installer from your account at www.easyDCP.com license status.
   
        
   
   
2. Select in the installed easyDCP application at "Help" the function "Request License & Certificate" (or use F3)
   
        
   
   
3. Fill out the form according to the instructions displayed and select "Send request". Your license-and-certificate-request will be processed after you log in and have select the license you intend to activate.
   
        
   
        
   
   
4. Then you can download your "License & Certificate" Data Set in the license status pane and install them via Drag and Drop into your easyDCP application.
   Alternatively, you may store the license-and-certificate file (*.easydcp) to a disk and import it into the corresponding easyDCP application by using "Help" the function "Import License & Certificates" (or press F4).
   
        

Note: This way of activating your easyDCP Product is only available from easyDCP Creator(+) 2.2.X, easyDCP Player(+) 2.0.X and easyDCP KDM Generator(+) 1.4.1X or higher.

• If you use a easyDCP Verion 3.6 or higher, you find help here.
• If you use a Version lower as easyDCP Creator(+) 2.2.X, easyDCP Player(+) 2.0.X or easyDCP KDM Generator(+) from 1.4.1X, you find help here.
• If you use an easyDCP Resolve Plugin version, you find help here.
• If you use an easyDCP SAM Rio Plugin version, you find help here.

Due to the computational demands of decoding JPEG 2000 images and rendering images up to 4k in real-time, easyDCP Player has very specific requirements.

First, the performance bottleneck must be identified. To do that, enable the fps statistics (Playback | Statistics). The statistics list the data rate and the overall theoretically possible fps. When it says 100 fps, it means that decoding (or reading or rendering) a single frame takes 1/100th of a second in average. It does not mean that it actually does display 100 frames per second. easyDCP Player reads, decodes and renders images in parallel, i.e. either disk-read, CPU processing power or GPU-processing power or OpenGL rendering might be the bottleneck.

If "disk read" is the bottleneck:

Disk read sometimes takes too long when a DCP is first played. Play a few minutes and then restart from the beginning to benefit from the operating systems´s cache. Alternatively, copy the package to a local drive, preferably to a SSD.

If "decoding" is the bottleneck:

Please read the hardware requirements carefully to determine if your system should be capable of real-time playback.

If you know your system is too weak, but want to playback DCPs in real-time nonetheless, you can leverage from the JPEG 2000 compression´s scalability. Either change the decoder´s performance-to-quality trade-off in Options | Codec | <your current codec> or alternatively discard one or more resolution levels using the drop-down box in the main control bar. Enabling the "Fit to Window" option will cause the images to be scaled up to the window´s current size, which causes virtually no overhead.

If "rendering" is the bottleneck:

Since v3.0 easyDCP Player has two render modes: V-sync-independent rendering and V-Sync-rendering.

•  V-sync-independent rendering: This was the only option in all versions prior to v3.0. It is still the right choice if the display runs with 60 Hz (default for "regular" computer monitors). It is also the fallback option, if V-Sync is not available or not enabled.
•  V-sync-rendering: Especially, if the target display is a LCD-TV or a projector, or if the max. refresh rate is significantly lower than 60 Hz (e.g. only 30 Hz), then the V-Sync rendering mode should be selected. It can be activated in Options | Video | V-Sync, but only if Options | Video | General Rendering | V-Sync is currently on. Whether or not V-Sync is actually made available to easyDCP Player by the graphics driver is stated in round brackets next to the Options | Video | General Rendering | V-Sync checkbox. When you start playback in V-Sync-Rendering mode, the package´s frame-rate as well as the display´s refresh rate will be started in curly brackets next to the "Render"fps line (e.g. "Render (24 fps @ 24 Hz) in the statistics window. easyDCP will now explicitly translate between the packages´s frame-rate and the display´s refresh rate, which gives best results when both rate are equal or when the display´s refresh rate is an even multiple of the package´s frame-rate.

You experience very heavy stuttering ? If you have multiple displays attached to your computer, it is important that the V-Sync rate is identical to the refreh rate of the display, where easyDCP Player´s canvas is located. To make sure that the display is actually the V-Sync-Display open up http://www.vsynctester.com/detect.html and verify that the measured Hz-rate matches the display´s refresh rate.

Hint: Configure the display, where the canvas is loacated, to be your main display. (Windows 7: right-click desktop | Screen resolution | <select display> | Check "Make this my main display"

Hint: When using two Nvidia graphics cards (e.g. one for rendering and one for decoding with CUDA), it might be necessary, to manually specify the graphics card that will be rendering: NVIDIA Control Panel | 3D SSetings | Manage 3D settings | Global Settings | OpenGL rendering GPU | <select the graphics card that drives the display where easyDCP Player´s canvas is located>. We found that this can make a huge difference in terms of render performance.

If there is no obvious bottleneck:

Is´s likely the rendering that causes the stuttering. See "If `rendering`is the bottleneck:".

Yes, easyDCP Player+ and IMF Player supports all Blackmagic Design Ultra Studio and DeckLink series output devices for video and audio.

The performance of such a set-up depends on various parameters and is not only determined by the HD/SDI interface card.
The Graphic Board Check (PDF) table shows some example set-ups as well as the measured performance using certain HD/SDI interfaces.

Limitations:

• Stereo 3D output is not supported.
• Recently 4k output via HD-SDI is not real-time capable.
• The minimally required driver version is 9.7.7.
• HD-SDI output is a feature exclusive to easyDCP Player+. It is not available in the basic edition.

There are two different options for running easyDCP Player+/IMF Player.

1. Real-time-playback using a fast CPU.

Allows for real-time-playback of 2k/4k DCP and IMF-Packages on a standard PC/Mac. Use this option if you have a sufficiently fast CPU. The software codec will work on macOS 10.14 and Windows 7/10 64-Bit.

Minimum system specification:

• 6-core CPU
• At least 4 GB of RAM
• Graphics device with at least 500 MB memory attached to monitor (primary graphics card)
• Fast hard disk is also recommended

2. Real-time-playback using a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) as accelerator.

Allows for real-time-playback of 2k/4k DCPs and IMF-Packages *) on a standard PC.
*) limited to lossy with code block size 32x32

This option requires two graphics cards:

1. GPU: Primary device for rendering (OpenGL) to which the display is attached.
2. GPU: Secondary CUDA-enabled device for the JPEG 2000 decompression.

Minimum system specification:

• 4-core CPU
• 1x primary graphics device attached to monitor
  
  • recent NVIDIA GeForce or Quadro series graphics device
  • at least 1 GB VRAM
  • preferably connected with 16 PCIx lanes
• 1x secondary graphics device not attached to monitor
  
  • NVIDIA GeForce with at least 500 CUDA cores
  • least 2 GB of VRAM
  • preferably connected with 16 PCIx lanes
• At least 4 GB RAM
• Fast harddisk/SSD is also recommended

The GPU-accelerated codec is only available for Windows, not for Mac OS X.

3D Video output options:

For best stereo video output, we recommend a NVIDIA Quadro device with at least 2 GB memory (e.g. Quadro K600). When using Nvidia 3D vision, the display needs to have a refresh rate of at least 120 Hz (e.g. Acer GD245QH). Alternatively, a 3D projector can be connected via Dual-DVI. This does not require a professional Nvidia Quadro card, but can also be achieved with a NVIDIA GeForce card.

Furthermore, a 3D LCD can be connected via HDMI or DVI to play out stereo in side-by-side/top-and-bottom/line-by-line or other interleaved modes.

HD-SDI output option:

easyDCP Player supports Blackmagic Design UltraStudio oder DeckLink series output devices.

When Option HD-SDI "enable subtitling, color processing and scaling" is enabled, decoded images will first be processed by the primary graphics card, before they get sent to the SDI-output device.

This works best, when the primary graphics card is a NVIDIA Quadro card. 

View our performance test:

Easy, fast and reliable packaging:

Convert a supplemental package (VF) into a new standalone package (OV) with easyDCP

Imagine the following situation:

• The original version (OV) of a DCP or IMF package as well as an additional version file (VF) have already been generated and work flawlessly.
• Now, from the VF, which works in the studio or cinema only together with the OV, a new independent and self-contained OV shall be generated, so that only this single package must be transferred or ingested and so errors are avoided.
• The generation should be easy, quick and without re-encoding. Important metadata such as offset / entry point and duration remain the same.

Tipps:

• The use of supplemental packages is very similar for DCPs and IMF packages.
• Also works with encrypted packages.
• Easy, fast and reliable packaging through exported project files from the easyDCP Player+.

To convert a VF as well as the data from the associated OV to a new standalone OV, follow these steps:

1. First, download your OV and the VF in easyDCP Player+. In the opened playlist, you can recognize the identical file name, which references the VF files from the OV (here: OV contains picture and sound tracks, VF only contains the subtitle track):
   
2. Now open the Export Wizard via "Asset | Export ", select "Unwrap DCP and create easyDCP project":
   
3. Start the export by clicking on "Next" and "Export". After exporting, open the project file created by the easyDCP Player+ in the easyDCP Creator+ with the button "Open project in easyDCP Creator+":
   
4. Make sure that in the easyDCP Creator+ under "Options | Package Generation" the option "Force re-encoding of JPEG 2000 codestreams" is deactivated to avoid time-consuming coding again:
   
5. Do not forget to change the CPL title from "VF" to "OV":
   
6. Finally, generate the new OV package as usual by clicking on "Generate Package". When you open the new OV package in the easyDCP Player for checking purposes, you can see that it now contains all the tracks itself needed for the playback (here: picture, sound and subtitles):
   

Please note:
This template was created with easyDCP Player+ / Creator+ Version 3.6.2. Previous versions may not yet include this feature, but in newer versions, the process may be slightly different.

So far the only way to check a DCP (Digital Cinema Package) was a screening in a cinema equipped with a D-Cinema Server.
With easyDCP Player and easyDCP Player+ you have now the chance to check DCPs on a standard MAC or Windows PC. easyDCP Player+ even allows for playing encrypted DCPs.

For further information please refer to:

• easyDCP Player
• easyDCP Player+

With easyDCP Player and easyDCP Player+ you have the chance to check an original DCP on a standard MAC or Windows PC. easyDCP Player+ even allows the playback of encrypted DCPs.

For further information please refer to:

• easyDCP Player
• easyDCP Player+

Practical Creation of Supplemental (VF):

How to split Subtitle Files in Reels with easyDCP Player+

Imagine the following situation:

• The original version (OV) of a DCP or IMF package has already been delivered to the cinema or a partner / studio.
• Now the film must be subtitled. However, the subtitles are only in the form of a single file, while the OV is divided into several reels / sequences.
• The delivery should be a smaller supplemental (VF) containing only the subtitle files tailored to the OV.

Tip: Subtitle files should always be trimmed to the length of the associated reel for maximum projector compatibility.
AND: The use of Supplementals is very similar for DCPs and IMF packages.

To automatically subdivide a subtitle file into reels / sequences, proceed as follows:

1. First load the OV into the easyDCP Player+:
   
2. Drop your subtitle file onto the composition:
   
3. Your subtitle file will now be automatically cut and trimmed according to the existing reel / sequence boundaries and inserted in the playlist as "external subtitles" (shown in italics):
   
4. The subtitle files can now be exported to a directory and, if necessary, further processed with the easyDCP Creator+. To do this, press the "e" key, select a destination folder in the export wizard and the menu item "Create supplemental easyDCP project with external subtitles":
   
5. Close the wizard and press "Open Project" to open the project in the easyDCP Creator+:
   
6. Your project will now be loaded as a VF with the individual subtitle files in easyDCP Creator+:
   
7. Do not forget to change the composition title according to the Digital Cinema Naming Convention e.g. "OV" to "VF-1").
8. Finally, generate a new VF as usual.

Please note:
Creation of Supplementals is only supported in easyDCP Creator+. This template was created with easyDCP Creator+ / Player+ Version 3.5.8. Previous versions may not yet include this feature, but newer versions may run slightly differently.

easyDCP applications require different kinds of certificates

Server Certificates:

Is required to be able to receive KDMs. If a partner wants to send you an encrypted DCP, they will need your public server certificate so that they can issue a DKDM for. 

Signer Certificate:

Will be used to digitally sign content of encrypted DCPs or KDMs. Generally, all DCPs should be digitally signed to ensure that they will be ingested without any problems into a digital cinema server. Only for unencryted DCPs with Interop conformity, a signature is optional.

Which easyDCP application needs which certificates?

How you get your Signer- and Server- certificate?

1. Subscription licenses will receive automatically online for every application on each hardware indiviudal certificates.  
   
   
2. From easyDCP Player(+) 2.0.X, easyDCP Creator(+) 2.2.X, easyDCP KDM Generator 1.4.15(+) and IMF Studio with permanent licenses and Offline License activation.
   

   During „License & Certificate Request“ and activation via webshop www.easydcp.com Signer- and Server Certificates will be provided in "License & Certificate".

   What kind of certificate are required, if at all, depends on the easyDCP application.

3. Older Standalone easyDCP versions
   
   Please use license status on www.easydcp.com: New server certificate/manage certificate
   
   

How I can access to my previous Signer- and Server Certificates?

Please use license status on www.easydcp.com: Manage certificates
This option is available for customers with valid service extension

Comments:

• If you update to a newer easyDCP version, previous certificates should be maintained. When filling in a new license & certificate request, you will be prompted to enter the password that protects your current certificate. If the password can be verified, the new request will contain information, that you don´t need a new certificate.
• Server certificates are bound to the hardware via the system hash. If you migrate to another system, you always need new server certificates.
• Signer certificates are bound to a person rather than to a system.  However, each " License and Certificate set" contains a new signer certificate for technical reasons.

Please note: Every "Certificate Request" will be secured with a password specified by you.

You select the password when you fill in the request and will be prompted to enter it again, whey you import the License & Certificate Set and whenever a KDM is accessed. 

The password cannot be recovered!

Performance measurement easyDCP Player+ CPU/GPU

Convenient Creation of Supplemental (VF):

How to convert Subtitle File Formats with easyDCP Player+

Imagine the following situation:

• The original version (OV) of a SMPTE compliant DCP or IMF package has already been delivered to the cinema or a partner / studio.
• Now the film must be subtitled. However, the subtitle files are in Interop format only, while the OV is in SMPTE format.
• The delivery should be a smaller supplemental (VF) containing only one OV compliant subtitle file.

Tip: Subtitle files should always be delivered in the same compliance format as the OV package for maximum compatibility.
AND: The use of Supplementals is very similar for DCPs and IMF packages.

To automatically convert a subtitle file to the format of the OV, proceed as follows:

1. First load the OV into the easyDCP Player+. Your OV does not have any subtitles yet:
   
2. Now simply drop your subtitle file onto the composition:
   
3. Your subtitle file will automatically be added to the timeline and to the playlist as "external subtitles" (shown in italics):
   
4. The converted subtitle file can now be exported to a directory and, if necessary, further processed with easyDCP Creator+. To do this, press the "e" key, select a destination folder in the export wizard and the menu item "Create supplemental easyDCP project with external subtitles":
   
5. Close the export wizard and press "Open Project" to open the project in easyDCP Creator+:
   
6. Your project will now be loaded as a VF with the new subtitle file in easyDCP Creator+:
   
7. Do not forget to change the composition title according to the Digital Cinema Naming Convention (e.g. "OV" to "VF-1")
8. Finally, generate a new VF as usual.

Please note:
Creation of Supplementals is only supported in easyDCP Creator+. Please use the newest versions of easyDCP. Previous versions may not include this feature.

Practical Creation of Supplemental Packages/Version Files (VF):

Assisted Subtitling with easyDCP Player +

Imagine the following situation:

• The original version (OV) of a compliant DCP or IMF package has already been delivered to the cinema or a partner / studio.
• Now the film is to be subtitled. However, your third party subtitling software cannot open the DCP or IMF package.
• The delivery should be a small supplemental package (Version File) containing only one OV compatible subtitle file.

Tip: The use of supplementals is very similar for DCPs and IMF packages!

To assist subtitling with the easyDCP Player + and finally generate a VF, proceed as follows:

1. First load the OV into easyDCP Player+:
   
2. Create an Interop, SMPTE or W3C TTML subtitle file with your external subtitling software or with an editor of your choice and drop the subtitle file onto the composition:
   
3. Your subtitles are now automatically inserted into the timeline and into the playlist as "external subtitles" (shown in italics):
   
4. Every time you save the subtitle file with the external editor, changes are rendered directly within your DCP or IMF package. This allows you to immediately control your subtitles in the DCP or IMF package:
   
5. Once you’ve completed your subtitling work, you can export the subtitle file to a directory and, if necessary, use the easyDCP Creator+ to process it further. To do this, press the "e" key, select a destination folder in the export wizard and the menu item "Create supplemental easyDCP project with external subtitles":
   
6. Go through the wizard and finally press "Open Project" to open the exported project in easyDCP Creator+:
   
7. Your project will now be loaded as a VF containing the new subtitle file:
   
8. Do not forget to rename the composition according to the Digital Cinema Naming Convention (e.g. "OV" to "VF-1").
9. Finally, generate a new VF as usual.

Please note:
The Creation of Supplementals is only supported in easyDCP Creator+. Please use the newest versions of easyDCP. Previous versions may not include this feature.

easyDCP 3.6.0 and above will be activated within the application/preferences.

For macOS users: minimum macOS 10.12 is required for easyDCP ≤ 3.8.9 products. easyDCP Plus / IMF Studio ≥ 4.0 require macOS 10.14. 

Please watch our video tutorial or proceed as follows:

1. Download and install the latest installer from your account at www.easyDCP.com license status.
   
        
   
   
2. If Select "Preferences (OSX)" or "Options (WINDOWS)" in the installed easyDCP application option "Activation Status" and select "Request License&Certificates"
   If you have a version ≥ 4.0 start the program in demo mode to enable activation
   
        
   
   
3. Fill out the form according to the instructions displayed and select "Send request". Your license-and-certificate-request will be processed after you log in and have select the license you intend to activate.
   
   
         
   
   
4. Then you can download your "License & Certificate" Data Set from your license status and import it with the corresponding easyDCP option "Import License & Certificates"
   
        

Note: This way of activating your easyDCP Product is only available from easyDCP Version 3.6 or higher.

• If you use a easyDCP Creator(+) from 2.2.X, easyDCP Player(+) from 2.0.X and easyDCP KDM Generator(+) from 1.4.1X till easyDCP Version 3.5.8, you find help here.
• If you use an Version below easyDCP Creator(+) 2.2.X, easyDCP Player(+) 2.0.X and easyDCP KDM Generator(+) 1.4.1X, you find help here.
• If you use an easyDCP Resolve Plugin version, you find help here.
• If you use an easyDCP SAM Rio Plugin version, you find help here.

Time lags which occur during playback of video and audio may have different causes. In some cases, the cause is hardware-related. For an audio-visual verification of synchronous playback, we provide our customers a test DCP incl. instructions. 

• Suitable test material for your easyDCP Player (+) installation can be provided on request here

It has to be distinguished between two basic video / audio types of time lag:

Offset between picture and sound is constant during playback:

Possible causes:

• Offset of the image and / or sound track of the DCP is not entered correctly.
  Solution: Regenerate DCP with corrected offsets
  
  
• Hardware is configured with incorrect latency.
  Solution: Tho control of the graphics and sound card of a computer varies depending on hardware and operating system. Today's operating systems determine the respective delay and provide the value of this delay as "latency" to the affected programs.
  These values ​​are also available for easyDCP Publisher and easyDCP Player (+).
  It's available for each audio device separate and can be subsequently adjusted within easyDCP programs here: Preference -> Audio -> Latency. 
  
  

Offset between picture and sound changes / grows during playback:

Possible causes:

• The source material does not match the frame rate provided in the DCP (e.g., 23.98 versus 24fps).
  Solution: Regenerate DCP with corrected frame rate.

Note: If you're using easyDCP Creator/+ version 3.6 or higher, it is possible to convert frame rate data with 23,97 fps within 24 fps projects. Please have a look at the following MASTERCLASS FAQ how to adjust the frame rates: MASTERCLASS - Session Five: Automatically convert frame rates

easyDCP introduces a new and important function with easyDCP+ Version 3.4: easyDCP DCP/IMF-Package Validator

The function is integrated in easyDCP Creator+ and easyDCP Player+. Validation can be performed on encrypted and unencrypted files.  

The easyDCP validation check includes:
- Syntax checks of the metadata
- Compliance check of image and sound files
- Review the current and desired DCP / IMF-Package naming convention 

For immediate diagnosis, the easyDCP Validation Report provides a traffic light view with OK, warnings and "red" for errors.
The easyDCP Validation Report also includes a detailed evaluation. It consists of an HTML file, which can also be opened offline with any browser.
This file provides detailed information on the results of the validation and, if applicable, specific notes on the occurrence of warnings and errors.

A sample of DCP validation can be found here:

To perform a validation:

easyDCP Player+

1. Menu: File > Open Package
2. Select the DCP or IMF package to validate and start it in the playlist
3. Menu: Asset > Validate
4. Press "Start"
5. Dialog Box: Select "Open Report" to open the easyDCP Valdiation Report in your browser   

easyDCP Creator+

1. Coose in first dialog: Open Projekt/Package
2. Select the DCP or IMF package to validate and start it in the playlist
3. Menu: Package > Validate
4. Press "Start"
5. Dialog Box: Select "Open Report" to open the easyDCP Valdiation Report in your browser

Remark: 

• Interested parties can test the function in the respective demoversion but detailed hints are hidden.
• Encrypted DCPs can currently be validated with a valid DKDM.

easyDCP Validation Report as proof of quality:

Fraunhofer IIS provided the essential prerequisite for the DCI Compliance Test Plan. With the new easyDCP Validator you get the perfect tool to run the test plan fully automatically. The conclusive easyDCP Validation Report can be attached to DCP delivery or IMF package delivery as a quality and compliance proof. 

easyDCP Validation verifies the following conformities:

• DCP: according to SMPTE ST 429
• IMF-Package: asccorting to SMPTE ST 2067 

as well as other "Common Practice Tests" which have resulted from years of experience. E.g. Digital Cinema Naming Convention, checks of subtitles outside of the area that can be read by the creator.  

IMF Studio (easyDCP Creator+/Player+ till version 3.8.9) and easydcp Resolve Plugin supports SMPTE IMF-Specifications: App2/App 2E

For more details "What is IMF" please check: IMF - Interopable Masterformat

There can be many reasons that subtitles cannot be displayed.

easyDCP Player performs a whole range of checks when it loads the subtiteles.

It will automatically verify that the XML document´s structure meets the specifications and it will also make sure that all characters used in the subtitle document are actually present in the enclosed font file. (Font)

If any potential issues were identified, they will be shown in the log window.

In short, make sure no warnings are raised when the DCP is opened by eayDCP Player.

Licenses of easyDCP software prepared for offline mode can be installed only on one computer system.

Hint: Sometimes this method is required as well to solve license issues when the hashcode doesn't match to the previous license anymore or you have lost the password. 

However, if you need to move the easyDCP license to another computer or operating system you can do this easily using Migration function in the web shop:

1. Login in your account at www.easyDCP.com
2. Select license status
3. Select the product you need to migrate
4. Select: "migrate license"
   
   

easyDCP Resolve Plug-In customers can get additional important informations for migration here. 

After the migration is complete you can generate a new license for the new ware system. Please refer to the following FAQ on how to activate your product.

• How to activate my easyDCP product?
• How to activate my easyDCP Resolve Plugin?
• You find a video tutorial easyDCP from V3.6 - Software Activation Tutorial here.

Note:

• There is a limit of one automatic migration in six months. If you require a second migration within the six months period, please inform us via email why it´s necassary.
• Since server certificates are tied to the system hash, they become inaccessible after a migration. New certificates will be automatically created, but all KDMs issued to the old cerificates will no longer be accessible. Please check our FAQ: Server- and Signer- Certificates.

Migration with older Versions: For version easyDCP Creator(+)2.1.X and older, easyDCP Player(+)1.9.X and older, and easyDCP KDM Generator(+)1.47 and older, be prepared to use the new hashcode of your target hardware/software.

Note: You can get the demo version here

With the free demo editions of the easyDCP Plus Package almost all functionalities of the full versions can be tested. However, there are the following restrictions:

In easyDCP Creator+

• Visibly burned-in easyDCP™ logo in all frames
• No loading of (D)KDMs (To test encrypted DCPs, please use the proprietary DCP Digest)
• No Supplementals (DCP/IMF)
• No validation report

In easyDCP Player+

• Reduced quality and muted audio after 15 seconds of playback
• No Export
• No loading of (D)KDMs (To test encrypted DCPs, please use the proprietary DCP Digest from Creator+)
• No validation report

In easyDCP KDM Generator+

• Maximum KDM validity of 2 days
• No loading of (D)KDMs (To test KDM generation, please use the proprietary DCP digest from easyDCP Creator+)

Your service options when using easyDCP products:

Sales support is always free:

All questions regarding the products and their features.

• Purchase of easyDCP Products
• Questions for manage payments,
• Handling for discounts for Non Profit organiasations
• usw. 

Prices for easyDCP products you can find here
Sales support is available for everyone. Please use the Service or contact form in Sales Support

License and Subscription support is always free:

Questions about activation, migration, available updates and upgrades as well as the status of licenses.
All technical service options are available in your web account www.easyDCP.com at My Products  

License support is available for every customer independent from the service status. Please use the Service or contact form in Sales Support

Technical support is free when service status is valid:

 Usage and troubleshooting for all easyDCP Plus / IMF Studio solutions

Technical support requires a valid subscription or a service contract for the respective easyDCP Package/application. Please use the Service or contact form in Technical Support.

Online Roamingsupport is free when service status is valid:

Usage and troublshooting 

Online Roaming requires a valid subscription or a service contract for the respective easyDCP Package/IMF Studio application. Please use the Service or contact form in Technical Support.

Find answers to important questions about your licenses

Subsriptions prolongation for easyDCP Plus:

Customers can at any time extend and renew their subscription. The period to be extended is either seamlessly added to the term of the existing subscription.  If the subscription has already expired, it will be reactivated when the renewal is complete.

Hint: Customers are invited to use the automatic renewal with every purchase. This can also be set up manually afterwards. 
You can find more details here

Service and service extensions for customer with permanent licenses:

Each new purchased easyDCP Plus comes with a valid service contract lasting for 6 months. Within this period, technical service, cost free updates and online roaming for the respective package are included without any additional payment. 

Once the service is about to expire, customers will be notified by e-mail. It is highly recommended to extend the service extension from minimum of 6 months. It will always be appended to the end of the current service-period. If the customer decides for a automatic service subscription the service extendes for another 6 month automatically.

In case a customer decided not to prolong the support and no new version of specific package has been released, it is still possible to get back into normal service. A reactivation (calculated form the regular service fee) for the period between previous service and the date the client wants to get back into support has to be paid. 

If a new version of specific package has been released during a non-support period, no prolongation of the (expired) service is in this moment possible. Here clients have to purchase a onetime fee in order to get the latest version of the easyDCP Plus/IMF Studio package. The update price depends on the date when the previous service extension has ended and the date the client purchased the update for his respective easyDCP Plus/IMF Studio package.
The younger the last license the lower the update fee.
Note: Updates comes without automatic prolongation of service extension.

Hint: Customers are invited to use the  automatic service renewal with every purchase. This can also be set up manually afterwards. You can find more details here

Migrations is always free: 

Valid for Customer using their licenses with Offline Activation:

Migrating your easyDCP/IMF Studio offline licenes to a new hardware or re-activating a license after changing components in your existing hardware is always possible. 
For security reasons, repetitive migrations are blocked for 6 months without prior agreement.   
For further details please check: How can I perform a migration (hardware/operating-system-change)
 

Major and Minor Updates costs are dependent on type and service status see below:

Updates will arrive as needed. Estimate 2 to 6 updates per year.

• Customers with Subscriptions can always download the the latest version and use them immidiately. 
  
  
• Customers with Permanent License and valid service have free access to updated versions of the appropriade package.
  
  
  • Customers using Online Activation can always download the the latest version and use them immidiately.
    
    
  • Customers using Offline Activation maybe needs to request for a new license (see Release Types). 

Release Types: 
Major releases (e.g. 4.2 to 4.3 or e.g. 3.9 to 4.0) - is free when service status is valid
always a new license is required. 
For your support please check: How do I activate my easyDCP Plus oder IMF Studio product

Minor releases (4.2.1 to 4.2.2) - is always free within a major release
do not require a new license. In principle there is no need to update the certificates (signer and/or server) for a software update.

• Customers without valid service follow instrution in section before: Service and service extensions
  
  
• Updates for the easyDCP Resolve plugin are always delivered by Blackmagic Design within the software DaVinci Resolve and are therefore not subject to this procedure. New functions (upgrades) may only be available to customers with a valid service.

Upgrade is free when service status is valid:

available for easyDCP Licenses < 4.0 and easyDCP / IMF Singlelicenes

The button Purchase Upgrade within your web account at Single Licenses shows the available and most cost-effective options for an upgrade.

If your question has not been answered please do not hesitate to contact use on the Service section or contact form in Sales Support

Different versions of easyDCP can be installed side-by-side

However be aware that the all share the same user application data folder, where state settings, KDMs, server and signer certificate and license are stored.  

The easyDCP Validator is paret of easyDCP Creator+ and easyDCP Player+.

Installation and Activation of older easyDCP, easyDCP Plus and IMF Studio versions

Note: As part of the conversion to the new easyDCP Plus and IMF Studio packages or easyDCP Plus / IMF Studio 4.0 individual licenses we have removed the easyDCP 3.8.9 licenses used for the migration from the previous License Status and as a reference in a own view Show Previous Lizenses.   

General information for using older program versions: 

• Operating mode Online Activation:
  Customers with subscription and permanent license can use older program versions ≥ 4.0 at any time in parallel to the current programs.
   
• Operating mode Offline Activation:
  This is only available for customers with a permanent license.  For technical reasons, the use of program versions ≤ 3.8.9 is only possible in offline mode. You will find further information below⬇︎

Installation and activation of previous easyDCP Plus / IMF Studio applications

1. Log in to the webshop with your access data and choose the overview My Products > License Packages or Subscriptions. 
    
2. Select the current program (e.g.easyDCP Creator+) for which you want to install a previous version.
   
   
3. Select Other Releases.
   
   
      
4. Select the desired version and download the installer for your operating system.
   
   
   
   
5. Activate the program as desired.
   
   
   

➡︎ Installation and Activation of previous easyDCP versions in offline mode

Comments: 

• Older versions for offline licenses can be activated on the same hardware, on which the current program is offline activated.
• Known limitations:
  macOS: macOS: Only easyDCP 3.5.5 to easyDCP 3.8.9 can run from macOS 10.12 (Sierra). easyDCP Plus and IMF Studio reuquires macOS minimum 10.14. 
  Windows: Only easyDCP 3.4.10 or higher can run on Windows 10.

How to get access to the older versions:

1. Log in to the webshop with your access data and choose the overview My easyDCP.
   
   
2. In Single License select the current program (e.g.easyDCP Creator+) for which you want to install a previous version.
   
   
3. Select Other Releases.
   
   
   
   
4. Select the desired version and download it for your operating system.   
   
   
   
   
5. Perform the Offline Activation as usual.
   If you need help with this, you can use the appropriate FAQs.
   
   

Information on licences and certificates

• Which versions require which licenses on the same hardware. 
  
  If the second digit of the version (e.g. 3.4.4) differs from the version currently installed (e.g. 3.5.5) you need a new license. If the 3rd digit (e.g. 3.4.4) matches, the same license can be used.
  
  
• Server Certificates: 
  
  All versions of easyDCP/easyDCP Plus can use the same server certificates, as long the hardware has not been reconfigured or a essential OS update system has taken place.
  
  If you need a new license, the creation of the License & Certificate Request checks whether a server certificate already exists and if then applies it to the newly issued license.
  
  
• Signature Certificates:
  
  In principle, new signature certificates are issued for each license activation.

You can download the manual here.

Closed Captions are timed texts that are intended for hearing impaired audience members. Captions usually include the dialog and descriptions of sounds ("phone rings", "door slams" etc.). "Closed" means that the captions are off-screen and not visible to the entire audience. On the other hand, "open" or "burned-in" means that the captions are on-screen and visible to all viewers.

The following caption file formats are supported:

• CineCanvas™ DLP Cinema™ Subtitle XML file
• SMPTE ST 428-7 D-Cinema Distribution Master Subtitle XML file
• SMPTE ST 429-5 D-Cinema Packaging Timed Text Track MXF file

To add closed captions in easyDCP Creator, simply drag the track file onto the reel. Then select the Display Type "Closed Caption (CCAP)":

You can add up to 16 Closed Captions per reel.

Please make sure that all referenced subtitle assets like fonts (.ttf, .otf) or images (.png) are available, otherwise package generation will fail.

Finally, please add the abbreviation "CCAP" to the composition playlist annotation text:

Please note: The DaVinci Resolve easyDCP Plugin does not yet support captions.