a method for reconstructing damaged areas in a single frame of digital motion pictures , where damaged pixels in a current frame are reconstructed using motion compensation based on a motion estimator . the motion estimator comprises a motion vector selection using a combined measure for evaluating linear motion over three frames , going from a previous frame to a next frame through the current frame . compared to a virtual frame motion estimator , the method according to the invention achieves better stability and confidence in the motion search . compared to the use of a standard motion estimators , the method according to the invention has a better way of finding the correct motion for the damaged areas whether unknown or known , while still being able to find the correct motion for those parts which are not damaged .