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Comment by e12e

To add to this - a typical cinema release is a pretty big file - frame-by-frame encoded as jpg2000 in 4k. Often shipped on hard drives, or downloaded via dedicated fiber lines. They key material is distributed separately, and allows for fine-grained control of play back (eg time of day - to the point that if a screening is sufficiently delayed, it may sometimes have to be cancelled if a new key can't be acquired in time...).

This all works due to proprietary hardware - the modifications to the 4k cinema projectors that enable decryption almost at the lens/imaging chip can cost as much as the projector itself, doubling the price of the projector (last I heard from around 15k to 30k USD).

With a more sane key distribution (no master keys in equipment, like with dvds) - I don't believe DCP is likely to be cracked in the same sense CSS was: probably the more likely scenario is that some insider leak some of the distributors private keys which would allow certain releases to be cracked - but would likely also trigger key roll over.

Also worth nothing that the DCP format is pretty nice, has optional encryption - and you can make your own. With the right contacts you can view your own footage on on a cinema screen :-)

See eg:

http://www.knuterikevensen.com/?p=2559

parent e12e 10 years ago

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