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This topic comprises 7 pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
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Author
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Topic: CAP code secrets revealed
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Carl Welles
Film Handler
Posts: 82
From: Cali
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 05-23-2000 06:00 PM
WARNING do not read this post if you want to continue to enjoy CAP coded movies. The answers within will distract from your moviegoing experience for all future coded films.
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Here it is, the proof.
I took this off of a piece of clear tail leader where the CAP code was still printing before the machine turned off. See the number on the edge of the print? That's the number. Look beside the number at the frame. You will see 4 identically colored dots, three of which are near center in a triangle shape and the last one towards the bottom left corner in this pic. These dots repeat themselves every 11 times and apparently it takes all 11 sample frames to derive a sum of dots to equal the print number. The prints I have looked at repeat the next code every 100 frames. This means the MPAA only needs to manually find one frame on a video transfer with a CAP code and from then on they can simply forward the VCR by 100 film frames to get to the next one. (These figures apparently vary from lab to lab.) I'm not sure how these dots are decoded, but clearly it has to do with the placement of the dots within the frame. Perhaps each frame is divided up into a dozen sections and each section is given a value and then the sum of all 11 codes equals the actual print number, I'm not completely sure but that is definitely how it is being done and it proves the CAP code does indeed exist.
It is interesting to note that only one reel out of an entire feature is coded. There is some sort of laser scribing machine that is placed after the processor, but before each reel is wound onto it's core. The sensor which tells the machine when the end of the reel has come for the lab tech to cut the film and start winding onto a new core also triggers the CAP coding scriber to bump the code up by a value of one. So John Pytlak is correct that it really does not take any extra time for the labs to code a print and they are all indeed individually coded. Of course, there really would be no reason to encode an entire feature. However, all of the prints must have the same reel coded or bootleggers could swap reels around between prints to assemble a non-CAP coded print for their evil purposes. Traditionally this is reel 2, but "Dinosaur" featured the CAP code on reel 4 for some reason. If you screen the film and look in bright sky areas of the image for the yellowish dots flashing on for one frame every several seconds, you will clearly see them and they are incredibly distracting once you do! It is like when the first person pointed out the changeover cues. Now I can't not be distracted by them and I never miss them. Remember, I warned you at the first of this post so dont come bitching at me when you keep seeing them!
So in short, the CAP code IS real, but it is damned annoying once you see it on screen. Also, a videocamera could not possibly pick up these dots unless it is a reasonably bright scene, which is why it is printed throughout a given reel. Bootleggers beware!
Thanks to the nameless fellows who emailed me tips on finding the code and offered explanations. To John, I realize you had your hands tied with this one, but it really didn't take me long to figure this out. Even with this information above, it does not make the code any less valuable and in all actuality definitely does add a bit of fear to would be video pirates.
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John Walsh
Film God
Posts: 2490
From: Connecticut, USA, Earth, Milky Way
Registered: Oct 1999
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posted 05-23-2000 07:41 PM
If this is it, I think I came fairly close to describing the CAP code. Dots on the film; a device mounted on the printer, etc.Maybe the CAP equipment senses how bright the frame is, and adjusts itself some how. So, if, say the 100th frame comes up and it is light, the dots are put on darker. I though they would be white, to make it easy to find even after poor videotape copies. Pretty cool find, Carl.
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Russ Kress
Expert Film Handler
Posts: 202
From: Charleston, WV, USA
Registered: May 2000
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posted 05-23-2000 08:43 PM
Brad, we need to be able to post background music here!!!*X-Files theme fades up* Carl is gonna wake up in a brightly lit room telling his story to a craggly looking, stern faced man smoking a cigarette!! Seriously, there is a reason that no-one has ever told the tail of the "cap code". *To be continued* *closing music fades up* <grin> Russ
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Tim Reed
Better Projection Pays
Posts: 5246
From: Northampton, PA
Registered: Sep 1999
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posted 05-24-2000 09:41 AM
Way-to-go, Carl!!! >>Traditionally this is reel 2, but "Dinosaur" featured the CAP code on reel 4 for some reason<< This explains why this reel (and only this reel) has been running out of focus at one of my theatres! I watched it yesterday. ------------------
Better Projection Pays!
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John Pytlak
Film God
Posts: 9987
From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922
Registered: Jan 2000
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posted 05-24-2000 02:13 PM
To CAP Code skeptics:I wrote: "CAP Code is real, it has been in use for 18 years, and it is effective. That is the simple TRUTH".  It really hurt to hear something I helped invent called "CRAP Code"  . I would appreciate apologies from the skeptics out there who questioned my sincerity and integrity.  BUT, don't assume that CAP Code is always on a certain reel. It can be printed on any (or all) reels. It does not always have the numbers on the edge of the print to give away it's location. And what makes you think that this is the only type of CAP Code? I know that multiple coding schemes are used, sometimes all on the same print (for redundancy). You might make 1200 splices to remove the frames with this version of CAP Code, only to find you missed another, more subtle one. ------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Eastman Kodak Company
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7419
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
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Tim Reed
Better Projection Pays
Posts: 5246
From: Northampton, PA
Registered: Sep 1999
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posted 05-24-2000 09:47 PM
>>It really hurt to hear something I helped invent called "CRAP Code" <<John: You have my humblest apologies for my part in egging-on the naysayers. BTW, thanks for the info on the reel 4- "Dinosaurs" business... I figured it was a convenient excuse. I think most of the people here, myself included, have the utmost respect for you. You are held in the highest esteem. I believe we all realize the awkward position you were in with this topic. It is telling of your character that you're still frequenting the forum. I sure couldn't have made it through without getting mad. We're all the richer to enjoy your company, your advice and expertise. ------------------
Better Projection Pays!
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