screening footage in cinema

[Anonymous2]

Would video shot with a nikon D3200 be good enough to have screened in a cinema? Would it have to be transferred to tape or how does cinema. Basically is it possible assuming the cinema were willing to do it?

[newpball]

Would video shot with a nikon D3200 be good enough to have screened in a cinema? Would it have to be transferred to tape or how does cinema. Basically is it possible assuming the cinema were willing to do it?

There are two ways, film and digital.

For digital you could convert your H.264 1080p30 source to a suitable format easily. But it won't look very good on a big screen. First of all the resolution is too low and second you will have visible compression artifacts and third you better hope the projector can handle 30p otherwise you will lose more quality.

You could always transfer it to film but first of all it is totally not worth it and second you would have to fork out a lot of money.

[Cornucopia]

The short answer: possibly, if it is prepared correctly.
Most cinemas do NOT use tape as sources, they use either old standard celluloid film reels or they use DCI-compliant DCP format (either on optical discs, or HDD, or via satellite or internet download). Occasionally, they might allow ingest of other forms from local ad sources, such as USB drive, etc (but those are not consistent).
A lot depends on how well it is prepared (you should get thorough, detailed spec requirements and assume they want a proof to check out first)...

Scott

[Anonymous2]

Would video shot with a nikon D3200 be good enough to have screened in a cinema? Would it have to be transferred to tape or how does cinema. Basically is it possible assuming the cinema were willing to do it?

There are two ways, film and digital.

For digital you could convert your H.264 1080p30 source to a suitable format easily. But it won't look very good on a big screen. First of all the resolution is too low and second you will have visible compression artifacts and third you better hope the projector can handle 30p otherwise you will lose more quality.

You could always transfer it to film but first of all it is totally not worth it and second you would have to fork out a lot of money.

ok well would it be watchable it does not have to be hollywood? i think it is 25 p. assume someone
else is paying how much?

[Anonymous2]

The short answer: possibly, if it is prepared correctly.
Most cinemas do NOT use tape as sources, they use either old standard celluloid film reels or they use DCI-compliant DCP format (either on optical discs, or HDD, or via satellite or internet download). Occasionally, they might allow ingest of other forms from local ad sources, such as USB drive, etc (but those are not consistent).
A lot depends on how well it is prepared (you should get thorough, detailed spec requirements and assume they want a proof to check out first)...

Scott

sorry meants reels not tape

[newpball]

ok well would it be watchable it does not have to be hollywood? i think it is 25 p

Yes, it would be watchable.

Besides when people see a movie they tend to focus on the content not the quality, only when the quality becomes dismal if starts to disturb the experience for most people.

25p works in PAL mode.

So check a local digital cinema, rent the place and ask what format they need.

[DB83]

Are you in the UK ?

What sort of 'cinema' do you have in mind ?

You might not need a BBFC certificate but you might still need local authority licensing to show it.

Just a thought or two even if you get the format right.

[Cornucopia]

@newpball, you seem to be a bit misguided in your concern there...
I own a D3200, so I know what it is capable of. 1920x1080p24 (one of its many options) is nearly the same resolution as DCI 2k (2048x1080p24), not "too low". In fact, you could pillarbox the extra 64 pixels on each side and use the original resolution as is without upsizing or anything!
With high enough/proper exposure going in, and up-converting to a lossless 4:2:2 or 4:4:4 format for editing (prior to adjustment look/grading), you could deftly avoid much of the trouble of "compression artifacts". It won't be as pristine as a RAW 12bit eCinema cam format, but it can be quite decent.

Since there are opensource apps for generating basic DCPs, it's totally within the capability of a savvy semi-pro to go from D3200 to screen.

Scott

<edit>If you are in UK, the PAL equivalent of 25p ought to be available to you as well as 24p. Check out what the cinema(s) says they need first.</edit>

[Anonymous2]

Are you in the UK ?

What sort of 'cinema' do you have in mind ?

You might not need a BBFC certificate but you might still need local authority licensing to show it.

Just a thought or two even if you get the format right.

thanks i will check out any licensing needs. I am in Ireland actually. Local cinema

[Anonymous2]

@newpball, you seem to be a bit misguided in your concern there...
I own a D3200, so I know what it is capable of. 1920x1080p24 (one of its many options) is nearly the same resolution as DCI 2k (2048x1080p24), not "too low". In fact, you could pillarbox the extra 64 pixels on each side and use the original resolution as is without upsizing or anything!
With high enough/proper exposure going in, and up-converting to a lossless 4:2:2 or 4:4:4 format for editing (prior to adjustment look/grading), you could deftly avoid much of the trouble of "compression artifacts". It won't be as pristine as a RAW 12bit eCinema cam format, but it can be quite decent.

Since there are opensource apps for generating basic DCPs, it's totally within the capability of a savvy semi-pro to go from D3200 to screen.

Scott

<edit>If you are in UK, the PAL equivalent of 25p ought to be available to you as well as 24p. Check out what the cinema(s) says they need first.</edit>

that is what i am shooting 1920x1080p24 the come from camera in .mov