User guide

ES9600 User Guide Appendix B: Encoding Guidelines
107 Version 1.13
Appendix B: Encoding Guidelines
This section describes the process of encoding and packaging audio/video material for playback on the ES9600.
The encoding and packaging process follows many of the concepts and specifications developed by the Digital
Cinema Initiative (DCI). For more detailed information, refer to the references and specifications listed at the end
of this section.
Electrosonic provides a range of professional services to assist customers with their encoding needs. Contact your
Electrosonic sales representative for more information.
Encoding and Packaging Overview
Creating content for the ES9600 requires three high-level phases: Encoding, Wrapping and Packaging.
 Encoding - In the encoding phase, each frame of the source video essence is individually compressed by
passing the raw pixel data through a JPEG-2000 encoder. The output of the encoder is a JPEG-2000
codestream. The parameters applied to the encoder affect the compression level and quality of the image.
The source audio essence is encoded using pulse code modulation or PCM.
 Wrapping - In the wrapping phase, the individual compressed video frames are combined into a single
track file using the Material Exchange Format (MXF). The audio is converted into a separate MXF track
file. Unlike multiplexed file formats such as MPEG program or transport streams, the compressed audio
and video data are maintained in separate MXF files.
 Packaging - In the packaging phase, additional control files are generated which describe the format of
and relationship between the audio and video files created in the wrapping phase. The resulting files are
collectively known as a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) as described in the DCI specification.
Video Track Files
A video track file is the smallest unit of video in the system. It is an MXF container which has all the compressed
video data and associated meta-information necessary to decode and render a piece of video essence.
The ES9600 supports frame-wrapped video track files conforming to SMPTE 377M-2004 and SMPTE
422M-2006.
Audio Track Files
An audio track file is the smallest unit of audio in the system. It is an MXF container which has all the PCM
encoded audio data and associated meta-information necessary to recreate a piece of audio essence.
The ES9600 supports frame-wrapped audio track files conforming to SMPTE 377M-2004 and SMPTE 382M-
2007.