Color levels a bit off in final DCP

[FutureX]

This post is 2 years old but this solved our problem as well.

Exact same issue, Rec 709 was noticeably less contrast, selecting Rec 1886 solved it.

Thank you!

[FutureX]

I have to ask this question regarding comparing the final DCP video with the source video.

If I use REC 1886 the final DCP video matches the source video pretty much exactly in Resolve (the scope barely moves) however in Premiere they do not match, and the DCP video is slightly darker (scope level drop down) compared to the source video.

Then to add more confusion, we received a DCP that was created by Simple DCP, so they probably know what they're doing, and their DCP video matched what I'm seeing when setting the source in DOM to REC 709. So that comparison shows the final DCP more washed out compared to the source video.

What am I missing?

[Carsten]

You have to be more specific about your testing/verification process - what file (type) you load and compare in which application.

Also, you should read a bit about rec.709 vs. BT1886, viewing environments, home video/cinema auditorium, and sRGB monitors.


There is a reason why professional color grading takes place on systems that match cinemas X'Y'Z'/P3 and Gamma 2.6 parameters.

[FutureX]

This is purely to check the DCP against the source video for accuracy.

Monitoring in DaVinci Resolve (Rec 709, 2.4) and Adobe Premiere 2025, through Blackmagic UltraStudio HD mini to a Flanders DM240 using the scopes on the DM240.

The source file is standard REC 709. In DOM I set the color to REC 1886 and make the DCP. (Using 1886 based on this thread.)

I take the source and DCP video file and drop them into DaVinci Resolve, track 1, track 2. When I A/B them they are almost identical in picture and on the scope.

I do the same test in Premiere, (project Viewer Gamma 2.4) and the DCP is about 5 IRE darker than the source.

Is Resolve a more accurate comparison between source and DCP?

[Carsten]

I hear positive results often about Resolves color reproduction when reimporting a DCP. I wasn't aware that you can import a DCP into Premiere.

[lemgeo]

You can import into premiere the mxf files, audio +video, in case of unecrypted dcp.
There's a bug with 4k mxf , but if you interpet footage - alpha channel, you can import 4k mxf too.
When you import a video mxf, premiere automatically converts to rec709 2.4 gamma, propably using a lut.
Maybe it's the xyz to rec709 conversion that premiere does and the dcp looks darker.

[Carsten]

If Premiere does not support DCP explicitly, I wouldn't count on a proper X'Y'Z'-> rec.709 or BT1886 conversion.