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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:
THE-FILM_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.
The fields
| Field | Example | Means |
|---|---|---|
| Title | THE-FILM | Film title, hyphenated |
| 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 |
Fields are sometimes omitted or reordered by smaller originators. The convention is a strong habit in the industry rather than a validated requirement, so a malformed name is a warning sign about the package, not proof it will fail.
Frequently asked questions
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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