Summary: What is the best AI upscaling video software? This post ranks the top 6 AI video upscaler that can upscale your videos from 480p/720p to 4K/8K. And if you are looking for an affordable yet powerful video upscaler, VideoProc Converter is your best bet.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has brought about a profound transformation across diverse industries, even those that were previously deemed unlikely, and led to a vast expansion of prediction and interpretation capabilities in modern software. Among the most intriguing AI applications in the software arena is AI video upscaling, which entails converting lower-resolution media to higher resolutions. This process is akin to donning a pair of prescription glasses for the first time, where the previously indistinct details come into sharper focus. And here we have pieced together a complete tutorial ranking the 6 best free and paid AI video upscaling software in the market. Follow through and upscale videos from SD/HD to 1080p/ 4K, or even 8K!
What Is AI Upscaling Video
AI video upscaling is a technique that uses artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to increase video resolution and quality.
Traditional video upscaling involves implementing algorithms designed to fill the additional pixels with similar visual information in a way that makes the resulting video look clearer and more detailed, or create interstitial pixels to produce a smoother transition between low-resolution pixels. While AI-powered video upscaling performs the same function, it possesses an improved capability to recognize the image context and enhance the intricacy of the output via the utilization of deep machine learning models, which are trained on large datasets of high-resolution images and videos. These models learn to identify patterns and features in images and use the collected knowledge to generate higher-quality versions of the input video.
Take a piece of an old family video that was recorded on VHS tapes. The tape comes in low resolutions and has degraded over time, resulting in blurry and pixelated videos. Using an AI video upscaling tool, you can feed these low-resolution videos into the algorithm, which will divide the video into individual frames, analyze and predict the missing information in these areas, and compare them to images or video footage using data from other frames or the training dataset to find pixel patterns that look similar and then add to the number of pixels to produce a higher-resolution version of the original video.
6 Best AI Video Upscaling Software
1. Topaz Video Enhance AI
As an AI-powered video upscaler that leverages cutting-edge deep learning algorithms and advanced machine learning techniques to enhance video quality in a way that was previously impossible, Topaz Video Enhance AI enables users to upscale low-resolution videos up to 8k resolution while preserving important details, textures, and colors. The tool could reduce noise and remove compression artifacts that could be often found in low-quality video footage, and it allows users to adjust color grading and contrast, and fine-tune the visual aesthetics of their videos, making it a popular choice among videographers and filmmakers who need to produce high-quality videos.
Price: a one-time cost of $299.99.
Pros:
- Unique AI-based video upscaling algorithms that can produce very detailed and sharp images from low-quality sources.
- Upscale video from SD to HD, HD to 4K/8K.
- Fine-tuned enhancement control to reduce halos from over-sharpening and recover lost details due to compression.
- Deinterlace the video to give a natural finish.
Cons:
- Relatively expensive compared to other AI video upscaling software on the market.
- Quite slow and resource-intensive, especially when processing high-resolution video files.
- Requires a powerful computer with a dedicated graphics card to run smoothly, which can be a barrier for some users.
Note: Topaz Video Enhance AI is not designed to run on Windows 7 or 8 and only supports Windows 10 and 11 (build 19041 v2004 and above). For Mac, 10.14 Mojave and above for CPU support, and 10.15 Catalina and above for GPU support.
How to AI Upscale Video using Topaz Video Enhance AI
2. AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI
AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI is another video upscaling software that utilizes artificial intelligence technology to enhance the quality and resolution of video footage. The software employs sophisticated algorithms to analyze and extrapolate missing data from the original footage, thereby increasing the overall visual clarity and definition of the video. The AI technology also allows the program to identify and reduce noise and other visual imperfections, which could result in a clearer and more refined final product.
Price: a one-month plan for $39.95; a one-year of use for $119.95; a lifetime license for $299.90.
Pros:
- Give access to a user-friendly interface.
- AI upscale SD, and HD videos to 4K, 8K.
- Denoise, deinterlace, deblur, color correction, scratch removal, face blurring, and more.
- Supports various video formats and can work with videos from different sources.
Cons:
- Relatively high requirement for computer configuration.
- The software may not be suitable for professional video upscaling tasks as it offers limited customization and control over the enhancement process.
- Only the first 3 videos are free under the trial version.
3. Pixop
Pixop is a cloud-based video remastering and upscaling service that harnesses the power of AI technology to upscale videos from SD to UHD 8K. Pixop AI video upscaling leverages machine learning for superior video resolution, as well as AI-based denoising, deinterlacing, deep restoration, and other advanced filters to further elevate video quality. Pixop's web app also includes video storage and collaboration features.
Price: Pixop adopts a pay-as-you-go pricing model, which means there are no subscription fees, and you only pay for what you use in processing.
Pros:
- Sharpen, de-blur, de-noise, upscale, or change the frame rate of your video.
- Create optimized videos for social media platforms.
- Easy-to-use interface for seamless video upscaling process.
- Automated AI-based upscaling algorithms to upsize video without compromising image fidelity or detail.
Cons:
- Only supports MP4, MXF, M2TS, and MOV formats of output.
- Expensive for longer videos.
- A bit laggy and slow when upscaling videos.
4. DVDFab Video Enhancer AI
Considered by many to be one of the best AI video upscaler software on the market, DVDFab Video Enhancer AI allows users to increase the resolution of their videos to 1080p/4K, or even 8K, depending on the source quality and available hardware resources. This program harnesses the power of machine learning techniques, including deep convolutional neural networks and other sophisticated image processing algorithms, to significantly improve the visual fidelity of videos with minimal degradation of the original content.
Price: a one-month plan for $59.99; one-year of use for $79.99; a lifetime license for $159.99.
Pros:
- A user-friendly interface with intuitive controls.
- Deinterlace, correct color imbalances, reduce image noise and stabilize shaky footage, and more.
- Enhance the quality of old home videos, movies, and low-quality videos taken on outdated cameras and smartphones.
Cons:
- Available on Windows only.
- Quite expensive.
5. Video2X
For those who are seeking a free open-source AI upscaler, look no further than Video2X. Video2X is a video/GIF/image upscaling and frame interpolation software based on Waifu2X, Anime4K, SRMD, and RealSR written in Python 3. It uses these state-of-the-art algorithms to increase the resolution, frame rate, and sharpness of your media files, turning low-res videos to 4K or higher. But it's worth noting that the video upscaling process can be slow, particularly when dealing with a weak processor and graphics card, which can further prolong the process.
Price: free and open source.
Pros:
- Use advanced algorithms to upscale old low-res videos to 4K.
- Upsize GIF/Image.
- Free and open source.
Cons:
- Only works on Windows.
- Not beginner-friendly.
- Can be sluggish during the video upscaling process.
6. pikaVue by GDFLab
pikaVue is another outstanding choice when it comes to AI video upscale. Programmed by GDFLab, a software development enterprise originating from South Korea, is a web-based upscale solution featuring AI technology that can upscale the resolution of low-quality videos up to 16K without compromising on their image fidelity, allowing users to relish their cherished old movies and TV shows in high definition, devoid any sign of pixelation or haziness. Additionally, PikaVue's AI denoise, detection, and boost engine could enable faster video processing times.
Price: 300 coins for a 300-second video.
Pros:
- The built-in G-Enhancer feature utilizes advanced AI algorithms to increase video resolution by up to 400%.
- Cloud-based AI video upscaler without any hardware limitation.
- A free trial is served.
Cons:
- Only accepts videos in H.264/H.265 codec and 864x480 pixels.
- Limited file size for the free version.
An Affordable Alternative to AI Upscaling Video
If you are reluctant to spend a large fortune on an AI upscaling video software, and want an affordable way to upscale video or enhance video quality, then check out VideoProc Converter – the best video upscaler with flexible features to upscale video and improve video quality.
Designed as an all-in-one video processing software, VideoProc Converter offers a plethora of options to upscale videos. With this tool, you can change video properties, upscale 1080p to 4K with the latest Interpolation Algorithm, deinterlace video, and leverage the High-Quality output option along with a host of advanced features to enhance image effects. Moreover, the Hardware Acceleration technology embedded in the program enables a significantly higher video input tolerance than other video quality enhancers and helps to process and re-encode videos much faster than its competitors.
Pros:
- Support virtually all video types.
- Upscale videos from HD to 1080p, 1080p to 4K/8K perfectly.
- Offer several ways to upscale your video.
- Vivid features: convert video/audio, edit, download, record, compress videos, rip DVDs, etc.
Cons:
- No AI upscaling.
- Lack of intelligent face refinement.
How to upscale video with VideoProc Converter
Step 1. Free download the video upscaler, and launch it on your Windows/Mac computer.
Step 2. Click on the Video button > +Video to import your source video. Head to the lower part and click on the Video tab to choose an output format.
Step 3. Find and click on the Codec Option that sits next to the video info under the menu bar to open the Format panel. Find Resolution, choose a resolution option that is higher than your original one, and click on Done.
Note: On top of increasing the video resolution, you can also tweak video bitrate, frame rate, etc., use the High-Quality option, denoise and deshake your footage, and change color video brightness, contrast, hue, and more to upscale and enhance your video.
Step 4. Go back to the home page, and tap the Run button to upscale your video.
