DaCaPo

Practical guides for professional cinema workflows

DaCaPo Learning Center

Learn how to create, edit, export, encrypt, and verify Digital Cinema Packages with DaCaPo.

These task-oriented guides are written for post-production professionals, film distributors, festivals, and projection staff. Each guide focuses on one practical workflow and explains both what to do and why each setting matters.

DaCaPo Fundamentals

Understand how DaCaPo organizes productions, related DCPs, and versioning workflows.

Existing DCPs

Load, inspect, modify, and export new versions of existing DCP packages while preserving OV and VF relationships.

  • Load an Existing DCP

    Load an Original Version or Version File, inspect its contents, and understand how DaCaPo organizes related Timelines into Packages.

  • Create a Version File

    Create a subtitle or accessibility Version File from an existing Original Version while reusing compatible picture and audio assets.

  • Trim and Split Reels

    Adjust reel boundaries with ripple and roll trims, preview frame-accurate edits, and split reels at the playhead position.

  • Replace Picture or Main Audio

    Replace picture or main audio in one or more reels using imported DCP MXF assets, then export and verify the updated version.

  • Add a Logo to a DCP

    Copy a reel from a logo, rating card, or certification DCP and insert it into another Timeline to create a new version.

Subtitles and Captions

Import, edit, retime, and export OCAP and CCAP subtitle tracks for SMPTE and Interop DCPs.

Audio and Accessibility

Import and place main audio, HI, VI-N, Dolby Atmos, and Sign Language assets, then review and export accessible DCP versions.

  • Import WAV Audio

    Convert WAV files to DCP PCM MXF, choose SMPTE or IOP wrapping, assign channels, and use the generated asset as main audio, HI, or VI-N.

  • Import HI Audio

    Add an HI track with Track Tools, import and convert the WAV file, place it on the Timeline, and review the final audio configuration.

  • Import VI-N Audio

    Add a VI-N narration track, place the converted audio asset, review synchronization, and export an accessibility version.

  • Import Dolby Atmos Audio

    Import a Dolby Atmos MXF, detect related sidecar metadata, add an Atmos track, place the asset, and review it before export.

  • Import Sign Language Video

    Convert a supported Sign Language source video to SMPTE MXF, place it on a Sign Language track, review it in Sign Language Preview, and export an RDD 52 package.

Export and Delivery

Export standalone DCPs, Version Files, Multi-CPL packages, encrypted deliveries, and review previews.

  • Export a DCP

    Export a Timeline as an Original Version or Version File, configure encryption, choose the destination, and verify the completed package.

  • Export a Multi-CPL Package

    Select several Timelines and export them as one DCP package containing a separate CPL for each composition.

  • Export Preview

    Export the current Timeline as an H.264 MP4 review file with stereo audio and burned-in Open Captions.

KDMs and Encryption

Work with encrypted DCPs, certificates, KDMs, DKDMs, and decryption keys.

  • Create a KDM

    Create a Key Delivery Message for a cinema server or projector, select the recipient certificate, and define the validity period.

  • Create a DKDM

    Create a Distribution Key Delivery Message for another DCP authoring or mastering system.

  • Request a DKDM for DaCaPo

    Export the DaCaPo public certificate, send it to the originating facility, and load the returned DKDM.

  • Load a DCP Decryption Key

    Unlock an encrypted DCP using a DCPKey, KDM, DKDM, digest, or compatible XML key file.

Verification

Verify DCP folders, review technical issues, perform exhaustive JPEG2000 analysis, and document your results before delivery.

  • Verify a DCP Folder

    Verify package structure, metadata, assets, hashes, MXF files, subtitles, audio, encryption, markers, and JPEG2000 codestreams.

  • Verify After Export

    Automatically verify every exported DCP before delivery and integrate verification into your mastering workflow.

  • Run an Exhaustive JPEG2000 Check

    Decode every JPEG2000 frame to detect damaged picture data that may not be found by normal structural verification.

Troubleshooting

Diagnose common loading, Timeline, export, and verification problems in DaCaPo.

  • A DCP Will Not Load

    Check package files, missing assets, encryption keys, and other issues that can prevent a DCP from loading.

  • A Timeline Is Offline

    Find missing or unavailable media, relink assets, and resolve encryption issues that can make a Timeline unavailable.

  • Export Is Blocked

    Use the Issues tab and Timeline status to identify and resolve errors that prevent export.

  • Verification Reports Warnings or Failures

    Understand verification results and determine which reported issues should be corrected before delivery.

New to DaCaPo?

Start with the DaCaPo workflow overview, then continue with the first complete DCP creation guide.