QubeMaster Xport

The most recent addition to the QubeMaster line of DCP mastering tools, QubeMaster Xport provides a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) creation solution for Final Cut Studio users.

How do I install QubeMaster XPORT?

Please ensure that the OS version is according to the requirements specified for the version of QubeMaster Xport you are trying to install.

Ensure you have Compressor installed – and that the Compressor version matches the requirements specified for the version of QubeMaster Xport – currently Compressor version 4.0 and 4.1.x are supported.

Ensure that the login credentials of the user installing the application has administrator privileges

Ensure that the current user has read-write permissions for the “Library>Application Support>Apple QMaster” folder and the “Users>Shared>Library>Preferences” folder

Double-click the “Xport__.dmg” file and follow the instructions on the screen.

How do I activate QubeMaster XPORT?

The activation procedure is described in the Quick Start guide available here: https://www.qubecinema.com/sites/default/files/downloads/manuals

A summary follows:

 - Ensure you have an active Internet connection.

- Open System Preferences and Double-click the “QubeMaster Xport” icon from the “Other” menu to open the activation window. (If the Xport logo is not visible here it means that the QubeMaster Xport software was not installed properly).

  • Click the “Activate” button.
  • In the space provided, Enter the serial number mentioned in the receipt/Order summary that was sent to you via email at the time of purchase,
  • Click the “Activate” button.
  • The message "Contacting eSellerate Servers... Please wait while we establish a secure connection to the eSellerate Servers…” will appear briefly, wait for a few moments.
  • On successful activation, the serial number will appear in the window.
QubeMaster Xport setting is not visible in Compressor

First, ensure that Xport has been successfully installed. To do this, in FINDER, navigate to “Library>Application Support>Apple QMaster. There should be a file named “Xport.plugin” in this folder.

If not, check the permissions for the Apple QMaster folder. The current user must have administrator privileges and have read-write permissions for this Apple QMaster folder.

Qube Master Xport does not have a default setting created in Compressor. Therefore, after installation, you will need to create a CUSTOM setting. From the Settings tab, select the “Custom” setting option. Then click the “+” Add Settings menu and choose “Digital Cinema Package” from the formats. This creates an “Untitled Digital Cinema Package” setting. Rename the setting as required.

Creating FLAT and SCOPE DCPs in XPORT

Xport will accept sources in all the standard 2K and 4K frame-sizes - e.g.: 720x486, 720x576, 1920x1080, 1998x1080, 2048x1080, 2048x858 – however, the output image in the DCP will differ based on the aspect ratio of the source.

The important thing to remember - QubeMaster Xport does not perform any scaling/resizing of the original content. Therefore, if the source image is larger or smaller than the required output, Xport will only PAD black for smaller images, or CROP for larger images, to match the chosen aspect ratio (Flat or Scope).

  • For sources smaller than the intended output aspect, Xport will PAD black (pillar-box or letterbox) to fill the container; it will not scale-up smaller images to fit.
  • Similarly, sources with frame sizes larger than the chosen output aspect will be CROPPED to fit the required container, not scaled-down.

    For example a HD source at 1920x1080 will be:
    - PADDED on either side by 39 pixels (Pillarbox) to create a FLAT DCP at 1998x1080
    - CROPPED on the top and bottom by 111 pixels and PADDED on either side by 39 pixels (Pillarbox)  to create a SCOPE DCP at 2048x858

Can I create a DCP with Stereo Audio

Yes, DCPs with stereo audio are still accepted.

How do I Send Log Files to Qube Support

From time to time you may be asked to email your Log Files to Qube Support to better trouble shoot a problem. Below is a step by step guideline to find, copy and email the log files to us:

1. Launch the “CONSOLE” application. (Click the magnifying glass at the top-right of your screen to open the "Spotlight" text entry area.

2. Type in the word "Console" without the quotation marks and hit return. A new application, Console, will launch).

3. In the Console application window that just appeared, there will be several buttons on the top row. Enable "Show Log List"

4. In the left-hand window, there are several top-level categories. Among others, these might include "DATABASE SEARCHES," "DIAGNOSTIC AND USAGE INFORMATION," and "FILES." We're just interested in the "FILES" category.

5. In the “FILES” category will be one labelled "system.log". Right-click on "system.log" and a menu will appear, select the menu entry labelled "Mail."

6. The mail program will open up with the system.log file embedded as an attachment, add support@qubecinema.com (link sends e-mail) to the "To:" field and send the email.

How do I convert a FLAT source or HD source to Scope

Since Xport does not perform any scaling or resizing (up or down) of images, Xport will only crop the Flat source at the top and bottom and add pillar-boxes on the side to fit the 2048x858 aspect.

A FLAT source will be:
- CROPPED on the top and bottom by 111 pixels each and PADDED with 25 pixels in either side (pillarbox) to create a SCOPE DCP at 2048x858

An HD source will be:

CROPPED on the top and bottom by 111 pixels each and padded with 39 pixels in either side (pillarbox) to create a SCOPE DCP at 2048x858

How do I create an IMax 3D 4k 48fps DCP

Currently the DCI Jpeg2000 inter-op standard does not support 4K 3D DCPs. Hence Xport cannot create 4K 3D DCPs, and can only create 2K 3D DCPs.

Any support of DCPs outside the DCI spec unique to Giant Screens and Specialty Venues will require the use of QubeMaster Pro.

Creating 6 channel audio in the correct format for DCP output

There are two ways in which you can take audio into Compressor and ensure the correct 6 channel configuration in the DCP you are creating.

1) The first option is to export a video-only QuickTime file and 6 separate mono sound files from FCP (or which-ever editing system you are using to edit). Then use the “Add Surround Sound” option in Compressor to map each file to its respective channel and attach the video-only QT file to it using the “Add Video” button in the same window. Please see screen-shot attached named “Surround Sound”.

2) The second option is to create a Video-only QuickTime file and a QuickTime audio file with the correct 5.1 channel mix from sound-track pro (or any other audio mixing/editing software since this option is not available in FCP). The 5.1 channel mix is DIFFERENT from a 6 channel file, screen-shots of the correct and wrong versions (labelled as such). The “6 channel” version will not work in Xport.

Then attach the video-only “mov” to the “audio-only” mov in Compressor.

Can I add Subtitles to a DCP in QubeMaster Xport

QubeMaster Xport does not support the creation of subtitled DCPs because Compressor cannot import subtitle xml files as sources.

Other Xport customers who require the subtitle feature have additionally included another one of our mastering products called QubeMaster Wire Edition, into their DCP creation workflow.

QubeMaster Xport will be used to perform all the encoding. The completed DCP will be imported into QubeMaster Wire Edition where subtitles are added and the completed package previewed and sync-checked and then re-packaged. Encryption and KDM generation are also available in QubeMaster Wire Edition, if required.

Can Xport perform Frame-rate conversions?

Jpeg2000 Inter-op DCI compliant DCPs should have a frame-rate of 24fps for 2D and 48fps for 3D. SMPTE DCPs can have frame-rates of 24, 25, 30, 50 or 60fps (however, not all servers can play DCPs at all these frame-rates, so it is best to check before you create DCPs at frame-rates other than 24fps).

While creating Interop DCPs, if the source is anything other than 24fps, you must use the Frame-Control options within Compressor to convert the frame-rate to 24fps. While the default frame-control option in Compressor is set to "Automatic" the result of this automatic conversion is often not what is required for a DCP. Therefore it is necessary to "enable" (turn "on") these frame-control options and perform specific frame-rate conversions as per the requirements of the source. Here are two screen-shots that show how the frame-rate controls need to be set for conversions from 23.98fps and 25fps QuickTime files to 24fps DCPs.

My Audio and Video are separate files - how do I combine them

Use the "Add Surround Sound" option in compressor to import your audio source and then use the "Add video" option in that window to "connect" to your QuickTime video file.

Can I add a slide to the start of a DCP

Currently Compressor can only access a single QuickTime file or folder containing image sequences. So if you have two different "sources" (in your case, a static slide and the actual advertisement) you will need to combine them into a single QuickTime file/image sequence first before bringing them into Compressor.

Source file is 1920 x 1080. What should the DCP be?

If the source is 1920x1080, the most logical choice for the DCP's aspect ratio will be FLAT (1998x1080). 

When creating a flat (1998x1080) DCP from a 1920x1080 source, QubeMaster Xport adds pillar boxes of 39 pixels on either side.

Xport does not perform any scaling/resizing of the original content.

How do I create a 3D DCP in Xport?

Creating a 3D DCP in Xport only requires that you enable the 3D (stereoscopic) option in the Xport options. The rest of the procedure is exactly the same as those for creating a 2D DCP.

However, what is important is whether your source is in the right format required to create a 3D DCP. To create 3D DCPs, the 3D source files must be frame sequential (L and R frames interleaved) 3D format - QuickTime or image sequence. Currently this is the only format of 3D accepted in Compressor.

So, source files must be either QuickTime mov files at 48fps (24fps per eye, frame-sequential/interleaved) or an Image sequence with both left and right eye images in the same folder (each alternating file in the sequence should be L and R).

In both cases (interleaved QT or interleaved sequence of images) the first frame is always the Left-eye frame. In Xport you will select “3D” but the frame-rate must be set to 24fps (the default).

Currently Compressor can accept 3D sources only if they are interleaved LR, it cannot accept the L and R streams as separate files or sequence of images.

Serial number activation attempts fail - Mavericks OS

There have been reports of serial number activation attempts failing after upgrading to the Mavericks OS. In some cases the problem was preceded by the serial number first becoming deactivated and all attempts to activate again fail.

In all cases Qube support has clarified that the license had been activated on the eSellerate license server – however, this activation does not seem to "stick" in the OS System Preferences.

This issue seems to be the result of some system-level change after an OS update to the Mavericks OS (10.9.x).

Currently the only solution is to reinstall the OS.

Does Xport support cluster rendering?

Xport does not support cluster rendering or distributed processing at this time.

My DCP image is too small on movie screen

Xport does not scale/resize images. Please refer the other FAQs on “Creating Flat and Scope DCPs in Xport”.

If your source file’s dimensions are smaller than the screen dimensions, you will have to resize the image externally before bringing it into Compressor/Xport.

If your file is in the HD 1.77 aspect (1280x720) - it should be resized to 1920x1080. This is a proportionate scale without any stretching of the image. Xport will then pad it with 39 pixels of black on either side to make it fit the Flat aspect of 1998x1080 while creating the DCP.

Prores 422 source looks too bright in cinema

The custom default RGB-to-XYZ color space conversion in Xport makes my ProRes video a bit brighter (and a bit clipped) when converted to DCP because the ProRes source has a different gamma value from that expected in a pure RGB Rec 709 source.

For ProRes source with the Gamma of 1.8, try a CUSTOM color space conversion using one of the sample LUTs with the 1.8 Gamma available in the LUT folder within the Xport installer dmg.

Alternatively you may also tweak the gamma in Compressor's Gamma Correction filter, values between 0.7 and 0.85 gamma correction in Compressor's video filter tab and continue with the default color-space conversion option in Xport.

Conversion: YUV to XYZ

I have a HD source with a YUV Color Space. Does QubeMaster Xport do an automatic conversion from YUV to XYZ or do I need to do that prior to giving QubeMaster Xport the file?

Yes, Xport does indeed perform the color-space conversion. However, the default conversion expects the source to have the full Gamut RGB values (0 to 1024), not the compressed gamut YUV values (64 to 940).

Re: Color Space conversion LUT's

DCI_XYZ_ITU-R_709_HD.3dl
The ITU-R 709 LUT is for HD video source material where the range of values used is 16-235 for 8-bit and 64-940 for 10-bit signals with a gamma transfer function as defined by the specification. 

DCI_XYZ_sRGB.3dl
The sRGB LUT is for computer generated or processed source material in the Rec. 709 color space where the full range of values is used with a gamma of 2.2. 

DCI_XYZ_NTSC_601.3dl
The NTSC 601 LUT is for older NTSC video source material where the range of values used is 16-235 for 8-bit and 64-940 for 10-bit signals with a gamma transfer function as defined by the specification. 

DCI_XYZ_NTSC_SMPTE.3dl
The NTSC SMPTE LUT is for more recent NTSC video source material where the range of values used is 16-235 for 8-bit and 64-940 for 10-bit signals with a gamma transfer function as defined by the specification. 

DCI_XYZ_PAL_EBU.3dl
The PAL EBU LUT is for PAL video source material where the range of values used is 16-235 for 8-bit and 64-940 for 10-bit signals with a gamma transfer function as defined by the specification. 

DCI_XYZ_p3.3dl
The P3 LUT is for source material in the DCI RGB P3 color space where the full range of values is used with a gamma of 2.6. 

DCI_XYZ_Kodak_2383.3dl
The Kodak 2383 LUT is for 10-bit log source material suitable for film out where Kodak 2383 Vision film stock emulation is applied to match the characteristics of typical print film.

How do I Uninstall Qube Master X-Port

To uninstall Xport, you need to delete the "Xport.plugin" file from the following folder:

Library>Application Support>Apple QMaster.

After that, delete the “com.qubecinema.qube.master.xport” s file from “User>Shared>Library>Preferences

How do I play the completed DCP

QubeMaster Xport is only an encoder-packager and does not come with a player option.

As part of our Mastering product line we do have a Player-cum-packager called QubeMaster Wire Edition which is capable of ingesting and playing completed DCPs. 

As the name suggests, QubeMaster Wire Edition can also create DCPs from pre-encoded Jpeg2000 files, besides being able to play/preview completed DCPs. This feature is useful for those who work with feature film content and typically require the feature to be encoded as a series of reels instead of one large MXF file. For those who require this feature, the workflow would involve encoding each reel separately in QubeMaster Xport, then ingesting them into QubeMaster Wire Edition, previewing them and packaging all the reels together into a DCP.

JPEG2000 Compression Bit Rate

In the Options window of Compressor, under JPEG2000 Compression, the bit rates offered range from 25 to 250 Mbit/s. The default is set to 150.

As of today, the DCI Spec is set to a maximum of 250 Mbps for both 2K & 4K (2D and 3D) DCPs.

Filenames in DCPs - no special characters (#)

Please ensure that DCPs created follow the ISDCF naming convention, especially with regard to the requirement that filenames should not contain any spaces or special characters. This is especially important for those working with image sequences - where Compressor's default naming format includes "#"s for the numbered sequence. Ensure that this is manually renamed in the job window itself.

Please remember that file names must not be changed AFTER a DCP has been created. A DCP thus edited will fail the integrity check performed by digital cinema servers and will fail to play.

Can I create 25FPS DCPs?

QubeMaster Xport has the option to create DCPs at different frame-rates,

Currently digital cinema (DCI) standards are in a transitional phase – between the older standard called Jpeg2000 Interop and the new standard called SMPTE. The older standard only supported a single frame-rate of 24fps for 2D (and 48fps for 3D), while the new SMPTE standard accommodates other frame-rates like 25fps, 30fps and so on. 

In this transitional phase, not all servers in the field are capable of playing DCPs with frame-rates other than 24fps. Unless you are very sure that the servers you are sending your DCP to do indeed support different frame-rates other than 24fps, it is best to create your DCP at 24fps, since ALL servers, old and new must necessarily support 24fps content.

 "Digital Cinema Package" option no longer available.
"Digital Cinema Package" option no longer available

If the "Digital Cinema Package" option (the Xport plugin) is not visible in the Custom settings drop-down menu within Compressor, in spite of the installation of Xport having succeeded without error, the problem is most likely due to the user not having rights/permissions for the folder LIBRARY>APPLICATION SUPPORT>APPLE QMASTER into which Xport is installed.

The solution is to enable permissions for this folder. The cause for permissions no longer being available is most likely an automatic update to the OS.

How do I Import my own XYZ LUT in Xport

QubeMaster Xport allows you to import your own Custom XYZ Conversion LUT by selecting the option <custom> in the Source Color Space window and loading your custom LUT in the Custom 3D LUT File window below: Click on the "--" button and find your custom LUT and it will appear in the window.

Xport uses .3dl format LUT files.

To create a LUT in the required format for Xport, open any one of the sample LUTs shipped with the software in Notepad and ensure that the headers and footers are retained as-is in the LUT you are creating.

Creating 6 channel audio for DCP output

There are two ways in which you can take audio into Compressor in order to ensure correct 6 channel mapping in the DCP you are creating.

1) The first option is to export a video-only QuickTime file and 6 mono sound files from FCP (or which-ever system you are using to edit). Then use the “Add Surround Sound” option in Compressor to map each file to its respective channel and attach the video-only QT file to it using the “Add Video” button in the same window. Please see screen-shot attached named “Surround Sound”. For this method you will need to be using COMPRESSOR 4, an upgrade which is highly recommended and advised for Xport users.

2) The second option is to create a Video-only QuickTime file and a separate 5.1 channel mix from sound-track pro (or any other audio mixing/editing software since this option is not available in FCP). The 5.1 channel mix is DIFFERENT from a 6 channel file. I am attaching screen-shots of the correct and wrong versions (labeled as such). The “6 channel” version will not work in Xport.

My source is 2048x1080. Which aspect ratios should I use?

There are three different aspect ratios accepted in Digital Cinema.
- 1998 x 1080 (called "Flat", with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1), 
- 2048 x 858 (called "Scope", with an aspect ratio of 2.39:1), and 
- 2048 x 1080 (called "Full Container", with an aspect ratio of 1.90:1). 

2048x1080 is an accepted aspect ratio in Digital Cinema, but is seldom used in the field. So if the source is 2048x1080 and you do not want to create a FULL CONTAINER DCP, there two options:

1) Crop top and bottom of the 2048x1080 picture by 111 pixels on the top and bottom to create a Scope DCP at 2048x858. This cropping is performed automatically in Xport if you choose the “Scope” option in Aspect ratio. (1080-858/2 = 111)

2) Crop the left and right of the 2048x1080 picture by 25 pixels to create a FLAT DCP at 1998x1080. This is not performed by default - the GEOMETRY options in Compressor must be utilized to perform this crop.

DCP has an audio file - but there is no sound playing in the theatre

Two possible reasons:

1) The "Send to" option was used to "send" the file from FCP to Xport
2) The frame-rate of the source is 23.98 instead of 24.

Both the above will cause audio to be unusable.

If the QT file is at 23.98 convert it to 24fps. The best method for this is to use Cinema tools to conform image and an external audio application to conform audio. 

In FCP/Compressor these conversion may be performed using any of the methods mentioned below to convert the 23.98 source QT to 24:

1) in Compressor – using the frame-rate controls option (see attached screenshot). But I can’t tell you whether the quality is acceptable 
2) The other - in FCP – change the SEQUENCE time-code (Edit timebase) to 24 BEFORE exporting the sequence… to ensure that the SEQUENCE is at 24fps.
3) The third option - in FCP – change the frame-rate during the EXPORT process – using the “Export using conversion” option and chose the frame-rate as 24.

You could test all options and find the best output of 24p material and then use that true 24p quicktime file to convert to DCP using Xport. I won’t be able to tell you which of these is the best way to convert from 23.98 to 24.

Image is "stuttering" and not playing smoothly

Please check the frame-rate and scanning method of the source. The source must be 24fps - progressive.

If the frame-rate is anything other than 24fps and/or is interlaced it should be converted to 24fps Progressive before being used for Digital Cinema mastering.

"Interlaced" content must be de-interlaced before being brought to Compressor - BUT de-interlacing results in sub-optimal picture quality. So it is always recommended to shoot Progressive scan at 24fps if the output is going to be a DCP.

Does the plugin change the frame rate from 25p

This depends on the default setting in Compressor's FRAME CONTROL window. If it is set to "Automatic" then Compressor is performing some frame-rate conversion, if it is set to "OFF" the no, no conversions will be performed.

The default setting is "Automatic" and though it seems as though it is "inactive" or "off" it is actually on.

Quicktime file has 6 channels. DCP has only 2

Xport requires that 6 channel audio in the Quicktime file be created specifically as 5.1 interleaved audio - a single track with 6 channels in the order L, R, C, LFe, Ls, Rs. NOT as 6 separate mono tracks or other combinations of this.

Please see screen shots attached (labeled “correct” and “wrong”).

Can Xport create REELS in a DCP?

Currently Xport can only create single reel DCPs and cannot create multiple reels in a DCP.

If this feature is imperative to your workflow (which it often is, in the case of feature film) I would suggest you consider the option of also investing in a "packager" which can import the encoded MXFs from Xport and combine them into a new DCP with multiple reels. We do have a packager in the Qube Cinema mastering products line, it is called QubeMaster Wire Edition which can import completed DCPs, preview/play them and then combine multiple reels into a new DCP.

So the workflow would be:

  1. Encode each reel separately in XPort
  2. Import each of these mxf track files into a packager
  3. Play and preview encoded files
  4. Create Reels from them
  5. Preview/play the reels, Check sync, add subtitles if necessary
  6. Combine the reels into a single composition.
  7. Package (no re-encoding necessary) 
  8. Encrypt and Generate KDMs if required.
Format of DCP distribution hard-drives

According to the current specifications (available at http://isdcf.com/papers/ISDCF-Doc3-Disk-Drive-Recommendations-20120906V2... (link is external))

The distribution media partition shall be formatted in either the EXT2 or the EXT3 format. When the file system is formatted, the inode size shall be set to128 bytes

How do I make an EXT formatted disc in OSX

ISDCF specifications for Digital Cinema content distribution specify the Linux EXT 2 or EXT 3 hard-disk format for DCP distribution.

Use any virtualization software to run Linux on Mac and format the drives within Linux.