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Ascent buys first 16mm diTTo

London's Ascent Media has installed the world's first Cintel 16mm/35mm diTTo scanner. After beta-testing the dual-gate Super 2k and 4k data centric scanning, the facility also ordered the additional D/SCO option which enables optical dust and scratch removal within the scanner, thus speeding up workflow, writes Andy Stout.

London’s Ascent Media has installed the world’s first Cintel 16mm/35mm diTTo scanner. After beta-testing the dual-gate Super 2k and 4k data centric scanning, the facility also ordered the additional D/SCO option which enables optical dust and scratch removal within the scanner, thus speeding up workflow, writes Andy Stout.

The Cintel diTTo utilises a three colour light source and Area Array CCD which, in conjunction with pin-registration film handling, produces high resolution and, crucially, repeatable results, which is essential for Ascent Media’s high quality work. The 16mm gate will also make the diTTo ideal for use on new independent productions and allow a file-based workflow for HD as well as 2k projects.

“The diTTo ideally complements our realtime HD telecine facilities providing a higher quality result for projects requiring more advanced grading, restoration or VFX treatment. The established ‘log transfer’ workflow as applied to DI projects is well proven and allows a technical transfer to be achieved without compromise prior to a tape or file-based final grade,” commented Adrian Bull, CTO, Ascent Media.

The D/SCO option is optical and not infra-red, so works on all stocks including black and white, enabling the company to use the diTTo in the growing restoration market as well as 35mm features re-mastering.

“This scanner provides a cost-effective alternative to our traditional HD telecine services and I have no doubt will establish itself as a preferred choice for high end HDTV work and features re-mastering,” Cull added.