A method and apparatus for depositing a material layer, such as encapsulating film, onto a substrate is described. In one embodiment, an encapsulating film formation method includes delivering a gas mixture into a processing chamber, the gas mixture comprising a silicone-containing gas, a first nitrogen-containing gas, a second nitrogen-containing gas and hydrogen gas; energizing the gas mixture within the processing chamber by applying between about 0.350 watts/cm2 to about 0.903 watts/cm2 to a gas distribution plate assembly spaced about 800 mils to about 1800 mils above a substrate positioned within the processing chamber; maintaining the energized gas mixture within the processing chamber at a pressure of between about 0.5 Torr to about 3.0 Torr; and depositing an inorganic encapsulating film on the substrate in the presence of the energized gas mixture. In other embodiments, an organic dielectric layer is sandwiched between inorganic encapsulating layers.