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What is Parakeshi?

Parakeshi Film Restoration System is a fully integrated digital image processing system for removal of scratches, dust and other mechanical defects from old or damaged films.
The Parakeshi system utilized by Zoo Corporation in Nagano, Japan - differs from other automated film restoration systems in that all steps in the process are performed manually by a highly skilled graphics team. No algorithms or automatic interpolations which can miss critical flaws are used.
All image processing is performed using digital data so there is no danger of ruining an original film. The following is a typical example of a frame of film containing defects such as dust, lint and scratches etc.

Before Parakeshi After Parakeshi

How does Parakeshi work?

The equipment used for the film restoration at Zoo Corporation exclusively handles Digital Betacam NTSC format tapes. PAL data can be edited however, it will be converted to NTSC and delivered in NTSC format.

The following is a breakdown of the film restoration process:

• Betacam tape is digitized onto VideoSpace disk recorder.
• List of defective frames with time code data is created.
• Frames with defects are edited on SGI work stations.
• After final check, digital data is recorded to tape.

Once the defective frames have been edited on the Silicon Graphics work stations (at full frame size, no compression) they are then overwritten onto the data on the VideoSpace hard drive. Once the data is compiled it is then output to Digital Betacam format tape with the original time code intact.

Depending on the client's budget and time restraints, the number and size of defects removed can be specified. For example, in a film with a large number of defects, editing could be limited to removing only large defects and any flaws appearing on the bodies of the main characters.

Zoo has extensive experience in restoring the following media:

• Television cartoons, series and documentaries.
• Feature-length animated movies (B&W, color)
• Movies - Japanese and Western (B&W, color)

Requirements

Zoo Corporation is located in Japan where NTSC is the standard signal. We do not offer editing services for PAL format media. As mentioned above, PAL data will be converted to NTSC and delivered in NTSC format. Zoo does not accept original film. All media must be supplied in Digital Betacam format.

Please direct inquiries regarding Parakeshi film restoration to the Contact e-mail address below.

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