In 1981, Ampex would take DVEs to a new level, introducing Z-axis and perspective and be awarded an Emmy for their Ampex Digital Optics (ADO).

In 1983, Karandanis hired Shep Siegel from Ampex, who had worked on the advanced and successful Ampex Digital Optics (ADO) real-time video spatial manipulator for the broadcast TV market.

Early examples of DVE devices found in the broadcast post-production industry include the Ampex ADO ("Ampex Digital Optics"), Quantel DPE-3000, NEC DVE and Abekas A-53D.