Digital Cinema Accessibility Facts Sheet

Digital cinema benefits from standards that describe how accessible content can be delivered to theatres in an open, interoperable manner. A further benefit is that the use of these standards will not incur royalties or licensing fees.

Two distribution formats exist for digital cinema: Interop DCP and SMPTE DCP. Uniform methods exist for both formats for the inclusion of accessibility content. These methods are outlined in the document ISDCF SMPTE DCP Transition Review. All motion picture distributors and equipment manufacturers are encouraged to adopt the accessibility methods outlined in this document.

This technology is rolling out into cinemas today. The latest statistics concerning closed captions in cinema are available online at Captionfish.

More information is provided below to educate and clarify the application of accessibility in digital cinema.

Accessibility Terminology

DCP is the acronym for "Digital Cinema Package." The DCP is the collection of files containing all content necessary for the presentation of the movie. An encrypted DCP requires a KDM ("Key Delivery Message") to unlock it. There are two types of DCP used in digital cinema: Interop DCP, and SMPTE DCP. Interop DCP was introduced as an interim format prior to the release of the full SMPTE DCP standard. Both formats support open and closed captions, and accessibility audio.
HI is the acronym for "Hearing Impaired" audio. It describes an accessibility audio channel whose dominant content is dialog. This channel may be included in the DCP, or produced in the cinema audio processor as mix of left, center, and right channels, with a 3-6dB emphasis on center (for dialog). It is delivered to the audience member over a personal headset.
VI-N is the acronym for "Visually Impaired Narrative" audio, often referred to as "video description" or "descriptive narration." This audio channel provides a narration of the action in the movie. It is delivered to the audience member over a personal headset.
Closed Captions refers to text that describes the dialog and action of the movie. It is transmitted discretely to an audience member over a personal display, for which several types of devices are now marketed.
Open Captions refers to text or graphics that describe the dialog and action of the movie. It is delivered on-screen, visible to all audience members.
CSP/RPL is an acronym for the standardized, Ethernet-based protocol used in digital cinema to synchronize and source content to a 3rd party closed caption display system.

Closed Caption Systems

Several closed caption systems are marketed for use in digital cinema. More information on these products can be learned at the links below:

Accessibility Audio

Several systems are available that provide accessibility audio to members of the audience. More information on these products can be learned at the links below:

What Exhibitors Need to Know

The DTS Access Disc is not used in digital cinema.
Legacy Rear Window display panels can be directly connected to digital cinema products from Doremi, GDC, and USL. Note that the DTS CSS and DTS XD10 products are not needed for Rear Window operation in digital cinema.
Learn your distributor's policies regarding the inclusion of accessibility content in their digital cinema distributions.

What Distributors Need to Know

License-free and royalty-free standards prescribe how accessibility content can be included in the DCP. This information is outlined in the document titled ISDCF SMPTE DCP Transition Review.
Interop and SMPTE DCP closed captions will work with all closed caption display systems, including Rear Window systems.
The DTS Access Disc is not used in digital cinema.