Report from the Field #49
Ten years of the de-restorer utility

What exactly does restoration software do to the images and sound? A comprehensive overview – with critical discussion – of today’s common restorative practices in the audiovisual domain. We will analyse real world examples using de-restorer on the actual restored files, as well as DCPs and DVDs of restorations. This piece of software makes it possible to identify which part of the image to sound was modified during the restoration. It not only recognises the algorithm used, but also roughly how the parameters were set. We aim to bring in dialogue these image and sound modifications with the restorers’ ethical principles.

What and how

A four-handed presentation of case studies by Michal Cohen and Reto Kromer, followed by an informal Q&A session and light refreshments. This will be a technical meeting and the participants should be familiar with modern digital restoration methods for sound and image.

When and where

In-person at the Matam Park in Haifa with webcast on Thursday 3 December 2026, starting at 11 o’clock in Israel (that’s 09:00 UTC). We will use a Jitsi-based platform and the link will be provided in proper time.

As usual, the admission to our Reports from the Field is free, but a registration is required, as the seats are limited to a dozen or so, in order to enable in-depth technical discussions and the exchange of information.

Note

• This is a kind of sequel of Can we still call it restoration?

2026-11-03