Group claims to have cracked cinema format DCP

A release group has put a 4k version of the Tarantino film ‘The Hateful Eight’ online. The group claims that it comes from a legal provider and that they managed to obtain the contents of a secure Digital Cinema Package, or DCP.

The details surrounding the release have been described by Torrentfreak. The site writes that a version of the same film has been available before, but the way the 4k version appears to have been obtained makes all the difference. Copying 4k content is not new. For example, at the release, which first took place in the closed group UltraHDclub, it was stated that this version comes from the mxf files within a DCP. The source of the files would be a legal rag provider called Ökko, who adheres to the strict DRM requirements of filmmakers, Torrentfreak further reports.

A DCP is a collection of files to transfer digital cinema content, including images and audio. Such a collection is then broken down into several mxf files of a few gigabytes. In the case of the recently released film, the file is about 40GB. A DCP can be provided with encryption that is standard set to 128-bit aes. This allows the package to be secured. The aes keys are then sent again via a public key system. For example, films can be transferred encrypted to cinemas.

It is unclear whether the release group did indeed crack DCP or if the files were obtained by some other means. Ökko has not responded to Torrentfreak’s questions. Other parties questioned by Torrentfreak also doubt the authenticity of the claims. Sebastian Haselbeck, owner of a Tarantino fan site, says he condemns piracy, but that it is “a symptom of a failing market.”

There are some caveats to the group’s claim. For example, the resolution of 4k DCP is 4096×2160 pixels and the question is why the release group has adjusted this to 3840×1396 pixels. Also, the frame rate of the file at UltraHDclub is 25fps instead of 24fps for some unknown reason. In addition, the question can be asked why Ökko has a DCP, if the service focuses on offering vods. There is a chance that the release group has used another source, such as an unreleased UHD Blu-ray, and is trying to protect a contact from which that material came.