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Which Oppenheimer DCP to use? F-220 or S-220

How to Choose the Right Oppenheimer DCP for Your Cinema Screen

Universal Cinema Capabilities:

  • All theaters support Flat (1.85:1) and Scope (2.39:1)
  • Compatible with both 2K and 4K DCPs
  • 2K projectors automatically downsample 4K content

Physical Masking Standards:
Standard DCI/SMPTE Masking:

  • Mandatory for Flat (1.85:1)
  • Mandatory for Scope (2.39:1)

Additional Masking Options:
Some theaters support:

  • 2.20:1 (Oppenheimer)
  • 2.00:1
  • 1.90:1
  • 1.37:1 (Academy)

Container Format Guidelines:

  • Full container (C) format: Not in use
    • 1.90:1 content: Use Flat container
    • Avoid 2048×1080 or 4096×2160 containers

Screen Configuration Types:

  1. Fixed Height Screens (Modern Standard):
  • Screen aspect ratio: 2.39:1
  • Scope fills entire width
  • Other formats use side masking
  1. Fixed Width Screens:
  • Screen aspect ratio: 1.85:1
  • Flat fills entire screen
  • Scope shows letterboxing

Aspect Ratio Placement:
Flat Container Usage:

  • 1.37:1 (Academy)
  • 1.85:1 (Standard Flat)
  • 2.00:1
  • 2.20:1 (F-220)

Scope Container Usage:

  • 2.39:1 (Standard Scope)
  • 2.66:1 (Ultra Panavision)

Notable 2.20:1 Films:

  • Nope (F-220)
  • Tenet (F-220)
  • Dunkirk (F-220)
  • Oppenheimer (Both F-220 and S-220)

Choosing the right DCP for your screen type:

Selecting the Correct DCP Format for 2.20:1 Films

Recent Examples:

  • Oppenheimer (2023): Available in both F-220 and S-220 formats
  • Tenet (2020) and Nope (2022): Available only in F-220 format

Choosing the Right Format:
The optimal DCP format depends on your theater’s screen configuration:

For Fixed Width Screens:

  • Use F-220 format
  • Maintains consistent image width
  • Standard projection setup

For Fixed Height Screens:

  • Use S-220 format
  • Maximizes available screen space
  • Optimal viewing experience

Important Note:
When distributing S-220 DCPs, they must always be accompanied by F-220 versions because:

  • S-220 DCPs are not compatible with standard Scope preset settings in fixed width screen cinemas
  • Ensures universal playback capability

F-220 for theaters with fixed-width screens (where Flat format fills the entire screen width):

Screenshot from Cinemaster (christiedigital.com) Cinema calculator tool of a Standard Aspect Fixed Width screen

Fixed width screen

Recommended Setup:

  • Select the F-220 DCP version
  • Use Flat (1.85:1) projector settings
  • Expect minimal letterboxing (small black bars top and bottom)

Result:

  • Image spans full screen width
  • No side masking required
  • Maintains optimal image quality
  • Slight letterboxing preserves original 2.20:1 aspect ratio

Visual Comparison:

  • Flat (1.85:1) movies: Fill entire screen
  • Scope (2.39:1) movies: Show larger letterbox bars
  • 2.20:1 movies (F-220): Show minimal letterbox bars
F-220 in a fixed width screen

S-220 in a fixed width screen

Important: Using S-220 DCPs on fixed-width screens with Scope settings will result in suboptimal presentation.

Problems You’ll Encounter:

  • Undersized image
  • Black bars on all four sides of the picture
  • Both letterboxing (top/bottom bars) and pillarboxing (side bars)
  • Reduced viewing experience for audience

Visual Impact:

  • Image appears smaller than intended
  • Significant unused screen space
  • Compromised presentation quality
  • Lower perceived brightness and impact

Recommendation:
Always use F-220 format for fixed-width screens to avoid these issues and ensure proper presentation.

S-220 in a fixed width screen

S-220 In Fixed Height Screen Theater (where Scope format fills the entire screen width):

Screenshot from Cinemaster (christiedigital.com) Cinema calculator tool of a Standard Aspect Fixed Height screen

Optimal Choice:

  • Use S-220 DCP format
  • Results in maximum screen utilization
  • Provides optimal viewing experience

Benefits:

  • Larger image presentation
  • Better screen coverage
  • Enhanced visual impact
  • More immersive audience experience

Format Comparison on Fixed-Height Screens:

  • Scope (2.39:1): Fills entire screen width
  • Flat (1.85:1): Shows with side masking
  • S-220 (2.20:1): Nearly fills scope width, maximizing available screen space
S-220 in fixed height screen

Recommendation:
Choose S-220 format to achieve the most impressive presentation possible in fixed-height configurations.


Using F-220 DCPs on Fixed-Height Screens

Presentation Characteristics:

F-220 in fixed height screen
  • Smaller overall image size
  • Standard Flat masking configuration
  • Digital and/or physical side masking required

Two Possible Scenarios:

  1. Theaters with Physical Masking:
  • Even side masking using Flat preset
  • Professional presentation
  • Maintained image contrast
  • Clean screen edges
  • Letterboxed
  1. Theaters without Physical Masking:
  • Digital black bars on both sides
  • Double-boxed effect (pillarboxed and letterboxed)
  • Potentially compromised presentation quality

Important Note:
The absence of physical masking results in:

  • Decreased contrast ratio
  • Reduced perceived image quality
  • Less professional appearance
  • Possible light scatter from screen edges

Creating Custom Settings for S-220 Projection on Fixed-Height Screens

Optimizing Digital Masking:

  • Create custom 2.20:1 aspect ratio settings
  • Adjust digital masking to align with physical masking

Step-by-Step Guide for Christie Projectors:

  1. Start with standard Scope preset
  2. Create new custom screen file
  3. Adjust digital side masking parameters
  4. Align digital masking with physical masking edges
  5. Save as dedicated 2.20:1 preset

Benefits:

  • Professional presentation quality
  • Precise image alignment
  • Consistent masking appearance
  • Enhanced viewing experience

Technical Tips:

  • Digital masking should parallel physical masking
  • Maintain symmetrical adjustments
  • Test alignment before public screenings
  • Document successful settings for future use

Optimizing Physical Masking for 2.20:1 Presentations

Best Practices for Image Quality:

  • Match physical masking to exact aspect ratio
  • Enhance perceived contrast
  • Eliminate stray light reflection
  • Create professional presentation

Implementation Methods:

For Older Masking Systems:

  1. Use Scope masking preset as starting point
  2. Create timed stop at 2.20:1 position
  3. Implement via:
  • Custom playlist programming
  • Multi-step macro with timed commands
  • Precise timing calculations

For Modern Masking Systems:

  • Install dedicated 2.20:1 preset
  • Ensure proper calibration
  • Program automated masking control

Notable 2.20:1 Films:

  • Dunkirk (2017)
  • Tenet (2020)
  • Nope (2022)
  • Oppenheimer (2023)

Technical Considerations:

  • Regular system maintenance recommended.
  • Calculate exact masking positions
  • Test movements before public screenings
  • Document successful settings

Masking Adjustment Guide for 2.20:1 Format in Fixed-Height Cinemas

Picture of test picture without digital and physcial masking

Before Adjustments:
Common Issues:

  • Uneven side margins with tilted projectors
  • Irregular masking appearance
  • Visible using Oppenheimer S-220 framing chart
  • Standard Scope preset shows misalignment
  • Physical masking doesn’t match image edges

Picture of test picture with digital and physcial masking

After Proper Adjustment:
Achieved Results:

  • Perfectly aligned side margins
  • Professional presentation quality
  • Symmetrical masking appearance
  • Proper S-220 framing chart alignment

Correct Configuration Includes:

  1. Custom S-220 Scope preset
  2. Calibrated digital masking
  3. Adjusted physical side masking
  4. Proper alignment verification

Verification Method:

Confirm even borders.

  • Use Oppenheimer S-220 framing chart
  • Check all corners for alignment
  • Verify masking symmetry

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