How good is FREE vs. PAID video upscaling? 🤔 Video2X vs. Topaz Video AI

AI and upscaling can save low resolution videos, interpolate or create new frames where they didn't exist before, stabilize shaky captures and even remove motion blur. But can a FREE open source option compete with the leading paid option? Let's find out!

In this video, I compare outputs using an original 480p video upscaled 4 times, explain the options, and then try to save a 30 year-old 360x240 video, too. Is Topaz Labs Video AI worth its $300 asking price? You can decide.

This video is not sponsored and I am not affiliated with Topaz Labs, Video2X, or the WAIFU2x Extension GUI. Opinions are my own.

Links to software shown:

My previous Video2X video:

What I film with and use on my daily Microsoft Teams calls:
Shure MV7 microphone:
Shure SM7B pop filter:
Sony A7 II:
Samyang 35mm F1.8 AF Full Frame lens:
Sony ZV-E10 camera:
Viltrox 23mm F1.4 AF lens:
Ring light:
Softbox diffuser:

Chapters:
00:00 Topaz Labs Video AI vs. Video2X FREE upscaler
00:22 Introducing the comparison test
00:50 Comparing the original 480p video to upscaled video outputs
02:20 Where to find Video2X and Topaz Labs Video AI and system requirements
04:40 Comparing the experiences and features of Video2X GUI to Topaz Video AI
06:27 How upscaling lower resolution videos works with Video2X and FFMPEG
07:28 Tour of the Topaz Video AI user interface and options
08:50 Comparing the outputs Topaz Video AI with Video2X at 4X upscaling
11:14 Can 240p video from the 1990s be saved with Topaz Video AI?
12:16 Is Topaz Video AI worth it?

In this comprehensive video, we delve into the realm of AI video upscaling, comparing two prominent contenders: Video2X and Topaz Labs Video AI. Discover the capabilities of these cutting-edge tools as we explore topics such as video upscaling AI, the best AI video upscaling software, and enhancing video quality.

🚀 Upscale Your Videos:
Learn how these tools can transform your content, taking it from 1080p to 4K effortlessly. We explore the possibilities of upscaling various resolutions, from 720p to 4K, 480p to 4K, and even 240p to 4K. Uncover the nuances of the upscaling process, and find out if these tools live up to the promise of high-quality enhancement.

💻 AI-Powered Solutions:
Witness the power of AI-driven technology as we discuss the advantages of video upscaling software with AI. Whether you're interested in free online options or premium software like Topaz Labs, we break down the features that set them apart.

🔍 Topaz Labs Video AI Review:
Get an in-depth look at Topaz Labs Video AI with a comprehensive review. From its user interface to the actual upscaling results, we provide insights into the strengths and potential limitations of this widely acclaimed tool.

📊 Comparison and Evaluation:
Our side-by-side comparison of Video2X and Topaz Labs Video AI aims to help you make an informed decision. We evaluate their performance in upscaling resolutions like 480p to 1080p and 240p to 1080p. Dive into the nuances of each tool to determine which aligns best with your video enhancement needs.

#videoediting #remotework #ai

[angelh]

Thank you for the review. Very helpful.

[SmaugMedia]

the problem with paid software like this give it 2 - 5 years when technology progresses and you'll have to pay for another version or 2 to receive updates that open source would already be enjoying

[flaviafu]

Great video! If possible, could you also review the Nero AI Video Upscaler? I'm considering buying it and would like to know if it's worth it.

[JessKU]

Is there a comparision when Video2x is slowly enhanced? Say 1x. Then the 1x is ehanced again, and so on? I've ran into poor results using paid Topaz from potato quality >> 1080. I'm wondering about the results if it were done in "x" enhanced batches... However, I appreciate your test and I enjoyed watching the results that you posted. Thank you!

[majormegapix]

Hello Jeremy. Very informative video. I've been thinking about the possible purchase of Topaz Video. I don't really do a lot of upscaling of videos, mainly editing current work which is all 4K. I do use Topaz Gigapixel which really works well on facial recognition (as long as the original has enough data to work with.) You can get some very interesting results if the program has to guess too much! I think probably (for me) the $300 price tag is too steep for a secondary, once-in-a-while program.

[CameronKiesser]

Let's be honest, most of us use this to upscale ripped DVDs/blurays. Mainly DVDs.

1. I look for and rip 576i/p PAL videos. More data for AI to work with than 480p.
2. If interlaced, I use QTGMC via Avisynth to deinterlace to progressive frames. Avisynth also converts 25fps to 24fps if you want that.
3. In Topaz I use the IRIS model for SD to HD and the GAIA model for HD to 4K. These create the least amount of artifacts with the most detail increase as well.

[chanelAydenCarroll]

I have alot of old avi and mp4 exercise videos recorded from VHS, I can find the best settings on Topaz AI to make them look better without the AI making the people look weird. What settings would you suggest?

[uncrunch]

I wonder if Topaz looks at multiple frames to enhance each while the FOSS option only works intraframe. Whether the paid version is worth it depends if you're earning money doing this or it's just not a big deal to you to burn that money. It's clearly better. But can the FOSS option be modded to look as good or better?

[marioh]

Topaz Video Ai 4.2 gave me terrible results with interlaced sources. Ît is great with no movement but when there is movement it makes the result ready for the bin.

[nicksterba]

This is really interesting, I want Video2X to be as good as Topaz, because it's simply amazing that there is now FOSS video upscaling software. Do you have an insta360 Go 3 or even 2? I love those cameras, but my biggest gripe is:

A) lack of 4K resolution
&
B) lack of 60fps, it caps at 50fps.

Would you be able to do a test of how good Video2X can upscale and interpolate the remaining 10 frames, to turn an Insta360 Go 3's 1440p 50hz video, into 4K 60hz? That would be SUPER interesting and useful. Also, do you know if Video2X gets further accelerated with GPU's that have Tensor cores, so for example RTX or even Intel GPU's?

Great video btw, I wish more people were excited about these ai tools.

[OkayDip]

I only want to use topaz once for a 2 min vide . Not a video editor.. but have Final Cut Pro. Any way to do that ? … can’t afford that price for just a clip.

[jfbaro]

Is there any tool to enhance video that can also take (as input) some photos of the scenario and actors to use those to increase the video even further with real details that are in the photos but not in the video??

[DanielJ]

Am i missing something with Video 2x? I've don 3 videos now and none of them are higher quality anyone else get the same problem? I've put the videos side by side and no difference at all?

[SoloCertified]

I’m not sure if it’s because I have the free version, but every time I try to increase the fps or use AI models other than Gaia, it gives me an error. I don’t want to get the paid version if I’m not able to increase fps. SPECS: i7-11375H 3.30GHz 16GB RAM RTX 3050TI. I’m pretty sure I am able to run this

[MelvinDlaCruz]

Why you dont use a video like a 1080p? or 4k?

[WillFuI]

With video2x it gets stuck at 99% for some reason

[qkozryj]

very technical explainations and hard to follow but I guess youre saying to just wait till the technology is faster.

[xUzi]

i have video from around 1995 the video resolution 480x368, what settings would you recommend to input to enhance the quality, i put 1080p artemis settings and the output looks cartoonish.

[Darksjeik]

I'm starting to realize I'm going to have to wait for Nvidia to offer their real time video upscaler since right now the only choices are subscription models that NOONE wants or you have to pay absurd $300(+) prices. If just one competent program was out for a reasonable price like say $50, people would actually buy it.

[davidmc]

Nope. 2x is better once you factor in the price, and you can tweak 2x via the config files.