Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Dolby Test DCPs download site

This is topic Dolby Test DCPs download site in forum Digital Cinema Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Rayjohn Tagayon (Member # 9659) on 03-06-2017, 04:12 AM:

Before a software update on our servers (Dolby DSS220) it had these test DCPs. For example one had just a screen that tells you its flat and one that says it's scope, another one tells you where the L, R, C, Lfe, Ls, Rs channels are supposed to be coming from on your setup. Basically DCPs for calibration.

After the update done by the guys that supplied us the server and the projector, they were all gone. We were warned, to be honest, that it's going to do a reformat of the drives but I just gave the go signal thinking we could always download them somewhere. Problem is I can't seem to find any of those available online and in DCP format so any help with a link to download will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 03-06-2017, 05:27 AM:

An 'update' does not require a reformat. That was an 'install' and unless there was a good reason for doing that (issues with the server), it was not necessary.
The same service engineer should have reloaded those CPL's for you and it's where I would go and ask in the first place.

Posted by Rayjohn Tagayon (Member # 9659) on 03-06-2017, 09:09 AM:

Yeah we were having some issues with the server back then when the "install" was done. Unfortunately they don't have the same DCPs with them

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 03-06-2017, 11:07 AM:

Dolby, on their "Dolby Customer" site has most of the factory issued bits. They don't have the "masking" DCPs up there and possibly not the blanks (never looked). Countdown is there as is the channel ID.

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 03-06-2017, 12:22 PM:

It's a bit obscure as to which people/companies Dolby actually grants access to this site or considers as 'their' customers. Trumpism comes to mind ;-)

- Carsten

Posted by Rayjohn Tagayon (Member # 9659) on 03-06-2017, 08:33 PM:

Great I hope my registration will be approved. Thanks

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 03-06-2017, 11:56 PM:

Surely they must have some sort of channel ID and framing chart CPL's with them?

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 03-07-2017, 07:07 AM:

There are bazillons framing charts via the features as well as every projector that I know. Heck, push come to shove, take a projector framing chart you like and MAKE it a DCP!

Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 03-07-2017, 07:10 AM:

How? My very most favorite framing charts ever are the ones on Christie projectors with the red "out of bounds" area, and I would love to have those in DCP format.

Posted by Pietro Clarici (Member # 4937) on 03-07-2017, 09:08 AM:

quote: Carsten Kurz
It's a bit obscure as to which people/companies Dolby actually grants access to this site or considers as 'their' customers.

Yes, my registration has been denied before. I still try anyway from time to time, just for fun.

quote:
We regret to inform you that we cannot register you with a Dolby Customer Portal access. This Portal is primarily used by Dolby Authorized Dealers and trained Dolby Cinema installers/integrators.

The funny thing is, their own form makes you select "Theater projectionist/manager" as a customer type.

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 03-07-2017, 09:32 AM:

quote: Pietro Clarici
The funny thing is, their own form makes you select "Theater projectionist/manager" as a customer type.

Of course, as they need a reason to reject your application. ;-)

quote: Ken Lackner
How? My very most favorite framing charts ever are the ones on Christie projectors with the red "out of bounds" area, and I would love to have those in DCP format.

You pull them from the projector and feed them into DCP-o-matic.

- Carsten

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 03-07-2017, 11:58 AM:

Ken, transfer the test chart to your computer (it is just a PNG file). Then use DCP O MATIC to turn that into a DCP of your desired length (20-seconds to a minute should be more than sufficient since most people just pause the server with the clip running). I suggest to convert it with the maximum bit rate to retain the image the best and you don't want to do any scaling as it is full container.

If your question is how to get the file off of the projector, use the DLP control program (it is the easiest). It does require passwords and that I can't help you with.

-Steve

Posted by Ken Lackner (Member # 1002) on 03-07-2017, 12:50 PM:

Thanks, Steve. I actually do have those test patterns on my computer because I like to load them onto non-Christie DLP projectors (did I mention they are my absolute favorite?) and I am well familiar with the TI programs. It's the converting to DCP I know nothing about. I guess I'll have to play around with DCP-o-Matic. Can't be too difficult to figure out, right?

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 03-09-2017, 01:43 AM:

Ken

The process is a little awkward but it's just a few clicks. I'm sure there's a guide somewhere or I can post a bullet point list when I'm back home.
However, I like my charts to have flat and scope on the same chart so you don't have to switch between CPL's

Posted by Carl Hetherington (Member # 7107) on 03-09-2017, 04:58 AM:

quote: Ken Lackner
Can't be too difficult to figure out, right?

Open DCP-o-matic
File -> New and specify a folder
Add file(s)... and choose your PNG
Timing tab, change full length to the required DCP length and click "Set"
Jobs -> Make DCP...

quote: Marco Giustini
The process is a little awkward

Suggestions on how to make it less awkward are always welcome [thumbsup]

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 03-09-2017, 06:13 AM:

quote: Carl Hetherington
Suggestions on how to make it less awkward are always welcome

I am sure Marco is referring to the part of pulling the PNGs from the projector, not how to convert them into a DCP. [Roll Eyes]

I also like full containers, if you create a distinct background color, you can see the outer areas on screen or masking as well, that gives you an idea about cropping both from inside and outside.

- Carsten

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 03-09-2017, 03:50 PM:

Hi Carsten,

Err, no, I was talking of DOM! [Smile]

Carl,
Let's begin with "I love DOM". It's just superb, full stop. I used to use other software and when I tried DOM I immediately dropped what I was using.

Once you understand the steps, it's perfectly fine. It's just that for a non-technical person it may be a little obscure.
Personally, I don't like that you need to create a new project to begin. Or if that is necessary (to store all the data while working) I'd present a blank screen with just the "create new project" button.
I find not graphically straightforward that the audio files have to be assigned to the channels. The file is up in the content panel, the channels are down in the channel lists and there is a green colour that doesn't say much unless you know what it means.
Would it make sense to have a 'basic' and an 'advanced' tab for different users?

Those are just a couple of thoughts after a long day so they may not make much sense. But, again, well done, DOM is simply awesome!

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 03-09-2017, 05:04 PM:

quote: Carsten Kurz

I also like full containers

Containers like: the 1.85, 1.66 et.al., or is there a specific container that would function better in these tests?

thx-Monte

Posted by Carl Hetherington (Member # 7107) on 03-09-2017, 05:38 PM:

quote: Marco Giustini
Personally, I don't like that you need to create a new project to begin. Or if that is necessary (to store all the data while working) I'd present a blank screen with just the "create new project" button.

I think we need a project directory to be specified, as putting potentially multi-gigabyte data somewhere "automatic" seems problematic. I don't really like the Microsoft Word-style "wizard" that they pop up to help you create a new document, but I can see the appeal. We already have a similar but perhaps more comprehensive idea for what to do on startup.

I've added your suggestion to the tracker.

quote: Marco Giustini
I find not graphically straightforward that the audio files have to be assigned to the channels

How else should we decide what goes where? By guessing?

quote: Marco Giustini
The file is up in the content panel, the channels are down in the channel lists and there is a green colour that doesn't say much unless you know what it means.

I don't have any immediate ideas about how to improve this. Can you suggest an alternative user interface that you would prefer?

quote: Marco Giustini
Would it make sense to have a 'basic' and an 'advanced' tab for different users?

That has been suggested. It's easy enough in itself: the hard part is working out what should go in each, I think.

If this is off-topic for film-tech please do come and see us on the forum, mailing list or on IRC or just add your suggestions to the tracker. [beer]

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 03-10-2017, 03:47 AM:

Monte: my full-container chart has both Flat and Scope (and many other formats) in the same CPL. It saves you from changing chart all the time. You play it, pause it, and work on the projector.

Carl,

quote:
I find not graphically straightforward that the audio files have to be assigned to the channels
How else should we decide what goes where? By guessing?
I don't have any immediate ideas about how to improve this. Can you suggest an alternative user interface that you would prefer?

No, absolutely. I am just saying that it is graphically not intuitive. Maybe I'd have a separate container for audio with the correspondent channel/s to be selected on the same line.

Thanks!

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 03-10-2017, 12:44 PM:

I remember statements of some people being irritated that adding any content is greyed out after they started the application. But, with the capabilities of DCP-o-matic ever growing, it is more than adequate to call a conversion process a 'project', instead of just starting a straight conversion.

Yes, the add content buttons could be active, and then, if there is no project open already, could automatically open the 'new project dialog'. However, that could again be quite irritating, because the forced 'Create new project' dialog is against the expectation of simply adding a piece of content.

On the other hand, I'm always fighting with myself about the question wether a software to create DCPs should allow this for the complete noob, or if it should only be possible to create a DCP with a minimum amount of reading the documentation.

I think I once suggested to Carl he should bring up a test questionnaire of basic digital cinema fundamentals before the program allows to create DCPs. Like a 'I-am-no-Noob-Captcha'...

- Carsten

Posted by Brian Mendelssohn (Member # 9108) on 03-13-2017, 09:51 AM:

what are the links to the DCP download page at Dolby.... also, I would love to see this Christie test image also!

Posted by Leslie Hartmier (Member # 7053) on 03-14-2017, 03:50 PM:

If those framing charts are available on a different Show Store, just transfer them to a USB drive from the other Show Store, and ingest them to the Show Store you need it copied to.

It's what I did.

Leslie

Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 03-14-2017, 08:05 PM:

The Dolby tech site is not public. Maybe ask Dolby tech support to give you a login that accesses the DCP library? Each user has access to only the resources Dolby decides they deserve.