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The DCP naming convention, field by field
Cinema packages are named to a fixed pattern so that the folder name alone tells you the aspect ratio, language, audio layout, resolution and package type.
Reading a package name
A DCP folder name looks like line noise until you know it is a delimited record. The convention comes from the ISDCF and every field is positional, separated by underscores:
TheFilm_FTR-1_F-178_EN-XX_US-PG_51_2K_STUDIO_20260114_DIS_SMPTE_OV
Read left to right, that says: a feature, first version, flat at 1.78, English audio with no subtitles, rated PG in the US, 5.1 sound, 2K, from that studio, mastered on 14 January 2026, made by that facility, a SMPTE package, and an Original Version rather than a supplemental.
The practical value is that you can spot the wrong package before you ingest it. A F-185 where you expected S-239 means the masking will be wrong. An EN-XX where the booking wanted subtitles means the subtitle version was never sent.
A real example from the ISDCF: PitchPerfect3_FTR-7-DVis_F_EN-XX-CCAP_US-13-CA_ATMOS-71-HI-VI_2K_UP_20171103_DLB_SMPTE_OV. Feature version 7 in Dolby Vision, flat, English with closed captions, rated PG-13 in the US with a Canada territory code, Atmos with 7.1 backup plus assisted listening and audio description tracks, 2K, Universal Pictures, packaged on 3 November 2017 at Dolby LA, SMPTE, Original Version.
Three ISDCF rules explain most odd-looking names. Fields are separated by underscores and sub-fields by hyphens. Fields should never be dropped, because some software counts fields to find information; only hyphenated sub-fields are optional. And the title is written in initial caps with no hyphens or underscores, because those break some software.
The fields
| Field | Example | Means |
|---|---|---|
| Title | TheFilm | Film title in initial caps, no hyphens or underscores |
| Content type | FTR-1, TLR-2, TST | Feature, trailer number 2, test pattern |
| Aspect ratio | F-178, S-239, C | Flat, Scope, or full container |
| Language | EN-XX, EN-FR, NO-EN | Audio language, then subtitle language; XX means none |
| Territory and rating | US-PG, NO-15 | Territory and its certificate |
| Audio | 51, 71, ATMOS | Channel layout |
| Resolution | 2K, 4K | |
| Studio and date | STUDIO_20260114 | Originator and mastering date |
| Standard | SMPTE or IOP | SMPTE or the legacy Interop flavour |
| Package type | OV, VF | Original Version, or a supplemental Version File |
ISDCF calls this a convention, not a standard, and says fields should never be dropped. Smaller originators still omit or reorder fields, so a malformed name is a warning sign about the package, not proof it will fail.
Frequently asked questions
Is the DCI naming convention the same as the DCP naming convention?
Yes. Both names refer to the Digital Cinema Naming Convention published by the ISDCF (InterSociety Digital Cinema Forum). It is a convention rather than a formal standard: fields separated by underscores, sub-fields by hyphens, in a fixed order.
What does OV mean in a DCP name?
Original Version — a complete, self-contained package. A VF (Version File) is supplemental and will not play without the OV it references already ingested.
Why do two packages have the same name?
Usually a re-master or a corrected version. The CPL UUID is the only reliable identifier; compare those rather than the folder names.
What is the difference between F-178 and S-239?
Flat and Scope — the two standard cinema aspect ratios. They need different masking and, on some installations, a different lens position.
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