In Easydcp Creator plus you can make supplemental package/Version File (VF) DCPs that add subtitles or audio to an Original Version (OV) DCP.
Instead of making a DCP for every version of the film, VF DCPs are generated for each version and sent to the cinemas together with the OV DCP.
To make a 7.1 DCP you first make a 5.1 DCP and then add a 7.1 VF DCP with the 7.1 sound. The 7.1 VF DCP references the 5.1 OV DCP picture track(s) and will be around 7 GB for a feature film. This way both 5.1 and 7.1 cinemas can play the film correctly.
In this post, I show how you can make a 7.1 VF DCP and a 7.1 + Atmos VF DCP.
For more info on how to make DCPs in Easydcp Creator Plus read my e-book
Make the 5.1 OV DCP
Add the picture track and the 5.1 sound
Note: If you want to be more compatible with older systems you can choose custom (WTF) 8 channel instead
Choose a DCP name with 51 and OV
Easydcp is linked with the ISDCF database.
Use the Easydcp ISDCF name generator to make a DCP name
Example:
Test_FTR_F_EN-XX_INT-TL_51_2K_NULL_20210713_NUL_SMPTE_OV
Generate Package
Make the 7.1 VF DCP
Open the 5.1 OV DCP in Easydcp Creator plus
Change the picture track to a supplemental track
Right-click on the picture track and choose “Supplemental” – “This Track”
This 7.1 DCP will now reference the 5.1 OV DCP picture track.
Remove the 5.1 audio
Add the 7.1 sound track
Easydcp Creator will add silence on the four empty tracks. The left rear surround channel will be on track 11 and the right rear surround channel will be on track 12. The resulting sound track will be a 12 Wild Track Format audio track.
Note: If you want to be more compatible with older systems you can choose custom (WTF) 16 channel instead
Add the 7.1 track to the reel and give the DCP a new name
Drag the 7.1 sound track to the reel.
Change the ISDCF name so it includes 71 and VF:
Test_FTR_F_EN-XX_INT-TL_71_2K_NULL_20210713_NUL_SMPTE_VF
Generate Package
Check the DCPs (optional)
Drag both DCPs to Easydcp player to check them.
When playing the DCP the 7.1 DCP should have sound on channels 11 and 12.
Both folders can be included on a hard drive or sent via a download link.
More info
Merging the OV and VF DCP to a multiple CPL DCP
It is most common to use OV DCPs and VF DCPs. But it is possible to make DCPs with multiple CPLs.
A trailer DCP with multiple CPLs can have all the languages for a trailer in one DCP. Ordinarily, you would just add a composition using the plus icon.
but you can also merge OV+VF DCPs using Package – Merge CPLs
The PKL name will then match the first composition. On a Doremi server, you have to click on the PKL name to see the two CPL names in the ingest manager.
You can also use merge CPL to make new OV DCP like I write about in my ebook
7.1 + Atmos VF DCP
Making a 7.1 + Atmos VF DCP is similar to making a 7.1 VF DCP.
Add a 7.1 + Atmos sound track
You will get a 14 wild track format track where track 14 will be a silent track, but when the DCP is played it will be an automatically generated sync track from the Dolby Atmos MXF track.
Note: If you want to be more compatible with older systems you can choose (custom (WTF) 16 channel instead)
The Dolby Atmos MXF track is added to the reel with “Track” – “Add Aux Data / Dolby Atmos / DTS:X Track”
