ASC3 ME

Film dust, dirt & random scratch concealer
with motion estimation

ASC3 ME is Digital Vision’s third generation film dust, dirt & random scratch concealer and is designed to enable post-production, restoration and DI facilities to efficiently remove imperfections in film-originated material without generating artefacts. The system can automatically identify, process and conceal film dust, dirt and random scratches in new footage or archive material.

The ASC3 ME incorporates Digital Vision’s PHAME™ Motion Estimation algorithms which allow the artist to
apply aggressive settings to clean up badly damaged material with excellent results. With pioneering algorithms and new filter technology, the ASC3 ME offers a breakthrough in real-time dirt removal providing a
spectacularly clean image that was once only available by using manual, non-real-time applications.

Before ASC3 ME	After ASC3 ME
Click on the above images to see the results of automatic ASC3 ME processing in more detail

The ASC3 ME comes with several new tools, some previously only available in software, which will help
enhance even the most unworkable material.

Primary applications

• Film dust, dirt and scratch concealment for film dailies
• Efficient clean-up of film scans for motion picture, commercial, music video, and
  long-form television projects
• High quality & cost-effective restoration of film-originated material

Key features

• Large selection of filter types and sizes
• Size adaptive filtering
• “Point-and-Click” de-blotcher to process large errors
• Adjustment and viewing of settings on still frames
• Adaptive contrast
• Adaptive processing strength according to area and chrominance isolations
• Expert adaptation and processing optimisation
• RGB or YUV processing
• Field or frame based filtering
• PHAME™ Motion Estimation
• Available in SD, HD RGB, 2k and DCI 2k x 1080 formats

Intelligent software

How can the automatic process distinguish random scratches and dirt from fast moving objects, glares etc?

The key to effective processing is the adaptation. Once errors (scratches, dirt etc) have been properly identified and isolated, advanced processing can be applied to reproduce an image true to the original.

Adaptation

The ASC3 ME provides a completely new and innovative algorithm, including separate contrast controls for black and white errors and RGB or YUV mode with channel enabling. An expert mode is available, where the
adaptation can be optimized further by the operator to produce the best result. Adaptive contrast is also available to ease the need for user intervention.

Processing

The ASC3 ME comes with a completely new set of filter types with selectable filter sizes. The operator may
alternatively allow the processor to adaptively increase the size of the filter depending on the nature of the
damage to the pictures. Additionally, for more automated operation, a totally different filter type/size can be used for the largest errors.

A freeze function allows the operator to optimize the settings on a single frame, with exactly the same result
as when processed in real-time. Different overlays may be applied to reveal processed and non-processed areas in the picture.

De-Blotcher

Previously only available in software, the operator may “point-and-click” on bigger blotches and the ASC3 ME
will automatically apply processing using another set of filters. It is also possible to exclude an object in the
picture from processing. Up to 10 de-blotch cursors per frame may be used for inclusion and/or exclusion of processing. The de-blotcher requires timecode control from a system like Digital Vision’s Valhall control system.

Keying

The ASC3 ME allows for different processing in specific areas using a key mask. The key feature combines the advanced Viper area keying technology with a new chroma keyer to provide the operator with more flexibility and range of dirt concealment than ever before. All Key area shapes are adjustable using the video monitor as the primary display. The Viper area keying technology allows an operator to choose, position, resize, rotate and soften the edge of the shape.

The chroma keyer can select an area in the picture based on the images hue. An overlay can be enabled
showing which parts of the picture are selected by the chroma keyer. The Viper key area and the chroma key
can be mixed to mask specific areas of the picture in several different combinations.

Motion Estimation

The Motion Estimation (ME) algorithm, an advanced version of Digital Vision’s Emmy™ Award-winning and
patented PHAME™ motion estimation technology, provides vastly improved automatic film dust, dirt and
random scratch detection and concealment.