Ultimatte-9 Operations Manual
March 1, 2000
1
I. INTRODUCTION
The Ultimatte-9 is a "digital video image" compositing device that produces realistic composites of two
images. Its inputs and outputs comply with CCIR-601 and SMPTE-259M-C Serial Component Digital
standard. Ultimatte-9 can be interfaced with any video system that can provide or accept 8 or 10 bit
4:2:2:4 serial digital video, such as video cameras, video recorders, telecine, video switchers, paint and
graphic systems, etc. Ultimatte-9 is a real time digital device, which differs from all other keyers in the
degree of realism it can achieve in a composite under various non-ideal conditions.
There are a number of factors that can affect the realism of a composite image. Some of them depend on
the sophistication of the compositing device and others are determined by production techniques
including art direction and lighting. The following section describes some of the factors that affect the
natural and realistic look of a composite.
The Ultimatte-9 Main Unit needs to be connected to a Smart Remote via the RS-422 port in order to be
functional.
Note: Operating the Ultimatte-9 Main Unit with an Ultimatte GUI interface (future)
1. Natural Edges and AdvantEdge
The appearance of the outer edges of the foreground (FG) subject in the composite image is perhaps the
primary factor affecting the believability of the composite. Nothing will undermine the illusion faster than
colored fringing, dark lines or loss of detail on the edge of the foreground. A cut-and-paste look may be
desirable in certain styles of graphics, but it cannot be accepted in a composite, that is intended to be a
realistic image intercut with conventional images.
A large segment of this manual is devoted to explaining the controls and techniques used to preserve the
natural appearance of the FG subject. The Matte Density, Green Density, Red Density, Black Gloss, BG
Level Balance, Clean Up Level, Clean Up Balance and Clean Up Threshold controls can all affect the
appearance of the edges of the FG subjects. Edges can also be affected by two other important factors:
lighting and edge enhancement.
If there is no side lighting on the FG subject, the edges can appear inappropriately dark in the composite
image. It is important to remember that bounce light from the backing (screen) that is falling on the edges
of the FG subject will be suppressed by the Flare Suppression circuitry in the Ultimatte-9. To the eye, the
edges of the FG subject may appear to be illuminated because of the bounce from the backing, but this
light is contaminating the colors of the FG subject, and will be removed by the Flare Suppression circuitry.
A certain amount of side lighting is always recommended.
Detail edges generated in the video camera will be treated as part of the FG subject. If the background
(BG) scene is such that a detail edge around the FG will seem inappropriate, steps must be taken to
minimize or eliminate the detail edge. Depending on the camera, there are a variety of ways to reduce or
eliminate such a detail edge. The choice of the color used for the backing can also affect the detail edges
in the FG. These arguments are also true for images shot on film, then transferred to video through
telecine.
Detail Generators in cameras, chromatic lens aberration etc. can create distracting edge effects. Using
traditional methods tend to soften or feather the edges reduce fine detail, hair detail, motion blur and
shadows. A new Ultimatte-9 process called AdvantEdge produces a flawless edge without the detail loss
associated with typical choking and softening techniques.
2. Perspective, Background Defocus
Matching the perspective of the FG with BG is another critical factor in creating a realistic composite
image. The best way to achieve this is through pre-production art direction and by thoroughly