Acronyms and Terminology

Common terms associated with the digital cinema format.

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This technical document is for informational purposes with the intent of providing guidance on standards interpretation and
understanding. Therefore, as such; referenced and used at your own risk. Its outlines a recommended practice and its
undertaking is strictly voluntary with no warranty expressed or implied. It is provided for convenience only based on industry
practice and real world feedback.

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Table of Contents

1.0 Scope 3

1.1 Overview 3

2.0 Acronyms 4
DCP – Digital Cinema Package 4
XML – eXtensible Markup Language 4
MXF – Material Exchange Format 4
JP2 – Jpeg2000 4
UUID – Universal Unique Identifier 4
URN – Uniform Resource Name 4
CPL – Composition Playlist 5
PKL – Packing List 5

3.0 Terminology 6
Application Specification 6
Asset 6
Composition 6
Essence 6
Assetmap 6
Encryption 6
Essence Descriptor 6
Volume Index 6
Message Digest 6
Packaging 7
Wrapping 7
Full package 7
Flattened/Consolidated 7
Control Files 7
Systems Files 7
Branched 7
Componentised Mastering 7
Transwrap 7
Seam 7
Standard 8
Specification 8
RP – Recommended Practice 8

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1.0 Scope

The following document defines the common acronyms and terminology used in Digital Cinema
amongst the varying mastering facilities servicing studio and independent content.

1.1 Overview

Technical nomenclature can sometimes be lost in translation and subjective to interpretation with
language not always been interpreted correctly and collectively across the digital cinema
community. Although the acronyms presented here are more common, some have been used in
various forums incorrectly resulting in varying miscommunication and misinterpretation amongst
the community. Coupled with the “everyday lingo”, more accurately known as terminology, Business
2 Business servicing and delivery of the content may not match up with the original content order.

In order to mitigate this for the industry, persons from varying mastering houses have contributed
in a public forum to the agreed nomenclature outline below.

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2.0 Acronyms

DCP – Digital Cinema Package

A collection of assets, i.e. a set of files that contain the data to reproduce a Motion Picture
composition in a theatre.

XML – eXtensible Markup Language

XML is a human and machine readable markup language used to store and transport data. All DCP
System Files are written in the XML format.

MXF – Material Exchange Format

A container or wrapper capable of containing Video, Audio & Timed Text essence. The file itself
contains information pertaining to the essence it contains. Often referred to as Trackfiles.

JP2 – Jpeg2000
A image compression format used as the picture essence in digital cinema. It also is referenced by
additional suffix: .jpc, .j2c, .j2k

UUID – Universal Unique Identifier

A uniquely generated base16 (Hexadecimal) 128-bit numbered sequence. Digital Cinema uses the
UUID4 specification.

URN – Uniform Resource Name

A URN is a string of characters used as a means of identification for an asset or resource. A UUID is a
URN.

e.g. URN:UUID: 31722616-d80d-48d0-a8e3-13c74ed29097

CPL – Composition Playlist

An XML document that consists of metadata pertaining to an ordered sequence of reels of Picture,
Audio and Captioned Trackfiles which compose a motion picture composition be it a feature, trailer ,
advertisement etc. The CPL controls the order and timing of playout of said reels.

PKL – Packing List

An XML document which lists and describes the files contained therein. It provides a means for
authentication as delivered in the package.

PNG – Portable Network Graphics

Pronounced, “ping” or “P-N-G” - A type of graphic file that is compressed in a lossless fashion. Used
in Subtitles using Subpictures. Contains an Alpha channel (Transparency).

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SMPTE – Society of Motion Picture Engineers

A professional membership association of industry recognised professionals working in the motion
picture industry who govern and determine the standards associated with the day to day technical
solutions used.

KDM – Key Delivery Message

An XML document which contains the relevant cryptographic information required to decrypt an
encrypted DCP on a specific server/playback device.

HMAC
Hashed Message Authentication Calculation.

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3.0 Terminology

Application Specification
A term used to describe the manner in which a set of constraints is applied to a specific file format
(.j2c, MXF etc.) with respect to the target application in question e.g. Digital Cinema, IMF etc.

Asset
Any file which contains essence or metadata that is part of a composition. Examples include track
files and composition playlist files.

Composition
A complete exhibitable work such as a feature, trailer or a test signal. A composition is packaged as a
composition playlist XML file and a set of track files.

Essence
The encoded sound or picture data that is stored in Trackfiles. e.g. j2c, WAVs, Timed Text etc.

Assetmap
An XML document which links the assets to their corresponding identity value. i.e. it maps the UUID
of an Asset to its respective filename in a D-Cinema packing list (PKL).

Encryption
Encoding a set of data so as to be unreadable without special information to decrypt it.

Essence Descriptor
A metadata component within an MXF file which contains identity information about the essence it
has wrapped within it.

Volume Index
An XML document which contains the indexing information pertaining to the volume the package
has been mapped to.

Message Digest
A message digest is a cryptographic hash function designed to protect the integrity of a piece of data
or media in order to detect changes and alterations to any part of a message.

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Packaging
A term associated with the creation of a PackingList and the assets it should reference.

Wrapping
The wrapping of RAW picture/audio/timed text essence into a MXF Trackfile(s) with a newly
generated CPL created in the process to control said trackfiles.

Full package
A DCP where every asset a CPL requires is referenced in a single PackingList including the CPL itself.

Flattened/Consolidated
A package where any j2c insert sequence is wrapped into and overrides their OV equivalent in a MXF
trackfile with a new MXF file then created to reflect the updated changes.

Control Files
The Composition Playlist (CPL) is an asset control file. ​See CPL definition​.

Systems Files
The PackingList (PKL), Assetmap and Volume Index are system files as they are interpreted and used
by systems to process the data associated with them e.g. Server Ingest.

Branched
A term used to describe the process of when a CPL’s playout order alternates its trackfile point of
reference, be it to/from the original trackfile or to another before referencing the original once
more.

Componentised Mastering
A process whereby all required essence for the respective version is included in the OV trackfiles,
hidden by duration values in the CPL and referenced when required using the Branched
methodology.

Transwrap
A term used to describe the process of re-wrapping essence from one MXF trackfile to another
without any change occurring to said essence.

Seam
The point in a Composition where the outgoing and incoming reel boundaries meet.

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Standard
A standard is how agreement is met amongst technical experts within a specific field where the
required constraints of the respective standard subject is determined.

Specification
In short, a technical specification is a document that defines a set of requirements that a product or
assembly must meet or exceed.

RP – Recommended Practice
Recommended Practices are "best practices" or "guidelines" for methods or practices to give
guidance to the user. They usually represent an implementation, workflow or a proven industry
practice of a respective specification. Use of any or all elements of a Recommended Practice is
discretionary; they may be used as recommended or modified by the user to meet specific needs
but at the same time adhering to the constraints of the standard it is a subsidiary of.