Digital Cinema Commissioning Checklist
DCI, DCP and getting your cinema ready for its first screening.
A professional cinema screening needs more than a projector pointing at a screen. Picture alignment, sound, content playback and security all need checking before the audience arrives.
At ProScreens, we bring over 30 years of cinema projection and AV experience to cinema projects, temporary screenings and specialist events. This checklist explains the main stages of commissioning a digital cinema system.
What Is the Difference Between DCI and DCP?
DCI stands for Digital Cinema Initiatives. Its specifications cover areas including digital cinema picture quality, equipment interoperability and content security.
DCP stands for Digital Cinema Package. It is the package of files used to deliver a film for digital cinema playback.
Commissioning checks how the equipment performs together in its venue. It does not itself make equipment DCI compliant; equipment compliance involves a separate testing process.
Digital Cinema Commissioning Checklist
1. Survey the Venue and Screen
Confirm the screen’s actual viewing width, height and aspect ratio.
Measure the throw distance and projector position.
Check that the lens suits the required image size.
Assess sightlines from different audience positions.
Check ambient light, screen condition and masking arrangements.
2. Check Power, Ventilation and Installation
Confirm the electrical supply meets the equipment manufacturer’s requirements.
Check earthing, protection and isolation arrangements with a qualified electrical professional.
Keep air intakes and exhaust paths clear.
Confirm any required cooling or extraction is installed.
Check that the projector is securely supported and cables are protected.
Electrical work, laser systems, xenon lamps and internal security components require appropriately trained personnel.
3. Confirm Equipment Compatibility
Record the projector, server, media block and sound processor details.
Confirm the equipment supports the intended content and playback formats.
Check software and firmware compatibility against manufacturer guidance.
Verify communication between the server, projector and audio system.
Investigate outstanding faults or security alerts.
4. Align and Calibrate the Picture
Set image position, lens shift, zoom and focus.
Check sharpness across the whole screen.
Set and test Flat and Scope presets.
Check framing, masking and image cropping.
Measure screen brightness, uniformity, white point and colour performance using suitable instruments and test content.
A picture that looks bright and colourful is only the starting point. Measurements help establish whether it meets the intended presentation requirements.
5. Check Cinema Sound
Confirm the speaker layout and audio channel routing.
Test each channel individually.
Check dialogue comes from the correct screen speaker.
Check surround and subwoofer operation.
Measure and adjust levels, equalisation and delays as appropriate.
Check for hum, distortion, rattles and distracting equipment noise.
Confirm sound remains in sync with the picture.
6. Ingest and Verify the DCP
Obtain the content early enough for testing.
Confirm the correct film, language, subtitles and version.
Check that ingest completes and investigate any validation errors.
Confirm any required additional version files and their dependencies are present.
Test playback on the actual screening system.
7. Check KDMs for Encrypted Content
An encrypted DCP requires a Key Delivery Message, or KDM, to authorise playback. It must match the intended playback equipment and film composition, with a validity window covering the required testing and screening times.
Supply the correct equipment certificate to the content provider.
Load the KDM and check for errors.
Confirm the permitted playback dates and times.
Arrange an appropriate test window before the event.
Test encrypted playback before admitting the audience.
8. Test the Complete Show
Build and check the show playlist.
Confirm trailers, adverts and the feature play in the intended order.
Test changes between picture and sound formats.
Check lighting, masking and other automation cues where fitted.
Check subtitles and accessibility features where supplied.
Run the complete programme wherever practical.
9. Record Results and Complete the Handover
Save calibration settings and configuration backups where supported.
Record equipment details, measurements and test results.
Document unresolved issues and corrective work.
Explain startup, playback and shutdown procedures.
Provide fault reporting and technical support details.
Agree maintenance and servicing requirements.
Why Cinema Commissioning Matters
Commissioning helps identify problems before they affect a screening. Incorrect framing, missing sound channels, unsuitable settings or an untested KDM can all interrupt an otherwise well-planned event.
It also gives the operator a clear record of how the system was set up and tested.
Talk to ProScreens About Your Cinema Project
Planning a temporary cinema, private screening, film event or DCP projector hire? Tell ProScreens about your venue, screen size, audience and content requirements.
We can help you select suitable projection, playback and sound equipment, with technical support tailored to your event.
This is a practical overview. The commissioning procedure and acceptance criteria should follow the equipment manufacturer’s instructions and the standards applicable to the installation.
Technical references: Digital Cinema Initiatives and Dolby Cinema Playback Support.